Page 14 of Curvy Desire's Second Shot

He shrugged, his expression annoyingly casual. “Not my problem.”

Before I could respond, a shadow fell across the table, and I looked up to see Hudson standing there, his face a mask of barely contained fury. My stomach dropped.

“Who’s this?” my ex asked, his smirk returning as he glanced up at Hudson. “Your new boyfriend?”

“Get up,” Hudson said, his voice cold as steel.

My ex raised an eyebrow but didn’t move. “Relax, man. We’re just talking.”

Hudson’s eyes didn’t leave him. “I said, get up.”

Something in Hudson’s tone must have registered because my ex slowly pushed himself to his feet, his hands raised in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. No need to get worked up.”

Hudson stepped closer, his body tense. “If I see you near her again, we’re going to have a problem. Do you understand me?”

“Crystal clear,” my ex replied, his smirk faltering as he backed toward the door. He paused, glancing at me one last time. “Good luck, Naomi. Sounds like you’ll need it.”

The door jingled behind him, and I let out a shaky breath, my hands gripping the edge of the table. I didn’t realize how tightly I was holding on until Hudson’s voice pulled me back.

“What the hell were you thinking?”

I flinched, looking up to see him staring at me, his jaw tight, his eyes blazing with anger and something else—something that almost looked like fear.

“I needed answers,” I said weakly, my voice barely above a whisper.

“And you thought walking into a situation like this alone was the best way to get them?” he snapped. “Do you have any idea how reckless that was?”

“I can take care of myself?—”

“Clearly,” he said, cutting me off. “Because that went so well.”

His words stung, and I looked away, my cheeks burning with embarrassment and frustration. “I didn’t ask you to come.”

“Did you think I wouldn’t?” he shot back. “Did you think I wouldn’t figure out where you were and follow you, just in case you needed me to save your ass?”

“I didn’t need saving,” I said, my voice trembling with emotion. “I’m not some damsel in distress.”

“No, you’re not,” he said, his tone softening just enough to make my chest ache. “But you’re not invincible either, Naomi. And this? Whatever’s happening? You can’t handle it alone.”

“I’m not your responsibility,” I said, standing abruptly. “I’m not someone you have to protect just because you feel sorry for me.”

He took a step closer, his voice low and sharp. “This isn’t about responsibility. It’s about keeping you alive.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but the intensity in his gaze stopped me. For a moment, the anger between us hung heavy in the air, neither of us willing to back down. Finally, he let out a sharp breath, running a hand through his hair.

“I don’t know if you’re trying to prove a point or get yourself hurt,” he said, his voice still sharp but quieter now. “But either way, you’re done doing it alone.”

Chapter Twelve

Hudson

The apartment was quiet except for the soft creak of the floorboards as I paced back and forth. Naomi was in the shower, the sound of running water muffled through the walls. I’d brought her back here after that stunt at the diner, my jaw clenched so tight I thought I’d crack a tooth.

What the hell had she been thinking?

I couldn’t stop replaying it in my head—her sitting across from that bastard like she had any chance of getting real answers from him. The way her voice had trembled when she demanded to know the truth, the fire in her eyes when she faced him down. She didn’t see it, but I did. She was braver than she gave herself credit for. And that scared the hell out of me.

Because brave didn’t always mean smart. And brave didn’t keep you alive.

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