Page 62 of Malice

I shift my gaze to his handsome face. “So yeah, books don’t cure cancer, but they can help take the pain away for a while.”

Hudson offers a soft smile. “I’ll remember that.”

“Good. Can I read something you wrote?”

He points to the bookcases flanking the fireplace. “They’re all there.”

“What’s your favorite?”

He sets his laptop on the sofa and rises to join me. He chooses a thick book with a black and purple spine.

“This one. I’m working on book four in this series now. It’s the one that got my name out there and changed my life money-wise.”

I hold it in my hand, admiring the cover. “Gay smutty dragon shifters?”

Hudson nods with a shy smile on his lips. “The main character is who I wish I could be in real life.”

“In what way?”

“He’s confident and brave. He goes for what he wants, and he’s not afraid of anything. Not even the dragon who threatens the land.”

“Yeah? Does he fall for the dragon?”

Hudson nods, searching my eyes. “He’s not even afraid when the dragon turns into a man right before his eyes. He’s not afraid of the man’s aggressive touch, demanding kiss, or the way he knows exactly how to unravel the hero.”

“He’s not afraid of the dragon’s fire?”

“No.” Hudson flicks his tongue out to wet his lips as he steps just a tiny bit closer. “He craves it even if it means his destruction. He’d rather go up in flames with the dragon than live without him.”

“And how is that like you?”

Hudson sways toward me slightly. “Have you ever wondered what a love like that would feel like? A love so intense and powerful that you’d sacrifice yourself to keep it?”

The love bond rules dance in my head and I find myself nodding. “Yes. Something like that.”

“I suppose that’s a weakness I share with my hero. All we really want at the end of the day is someone to love us.”

“Yes.”

“Have you been in love before, Aster?”

“Once. I guess it was love. Maybe it was infatuation, but for nine months my world revolved around his sun.”

“What happened?”

“He wasn’t ready to settle down.” I chuckle darkly. “He fucked every guy who moved in a twenty-mile radius and made no attempt to hide it from me, but he came back to me all the time and I let him. I don’t know why I let him. I guess he made me feel something I needed to feel at the time.”

“How did it end?”

“Ironically he met someone who he wanted to settle down with. All the things I did, all the ways I tried to be the man he wanted were meaningless in the end. I was never gonna be the one for him.”

“Does it still hurt you?”

“Not specifically him, but the lack of romance and love in my life makes me a little sad sometimes.”

“I understand.” He runs his hands down my chest. “The pursuit of love has led me to bad places. That’s why you’re here.”

“I hope you find everything you’re looking for, Hudson. I know I don’t know you well yet, but I’d like to think I’m good at reading people. I sense the goodness in you and the love you’re waiting to give. Anyone you choose is a lucky guy.”

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