Page 41 of Curvy Desire's Second Shot

That was all he needed. His lips crashed against mine again, more demanding this time, and I matched his intensity, giving as much as I took. His hands roamed my back, sliding under myshirt to brush against bare skin, and the feel of his touch sent sparks racing through me.

We stumbled toward the couch, our movements frantic, driven by a hunger neither of us could contain. He sat down, pulling me onto his lap, and the position sent a jolt of heat through me. I straddled him, my knees pressing into the cushions as his hands gripped my hips, guiding me closer.

“God, Naomi,” he said, his voice rough as his lips trailed down my neck. “You have no idea what you do to me.”

“Show me,” I whispered, tilting my head to give him better access.

His growl of approval sent a thrill through me, and his hands slid under my shirt, pushing it up and over my head in one fluid motion. The air hit my skin, cool against the heat of his touch, and I shivered, my breath hitching as his lips followed the path of his hands.

He paused, his gaze raking over me, and the way he looked at me—like I was the only thing in the world that mattered—made my heart clench. “You’re beautiful,” he said, his voice rough with emotion.

I reached for him, pulling his shirt over his head, and my breath caught at the sight of him. He was all lean muscle and strength, his skin warm under my hands as I traced the lines of his shoulders, his chest. “So are you,” I said, my voice trembling.

His lips found mine again, and this time, the kiss was slower, deeper, filled with a kind of reverence that made my chest ache. He lifted me, carrying me toward the bedroom, and the world blurred as he laid me down on the bed, his body covering mine.

Time seemedto stop as we came together, every touch, every kiss a promise that neither of us would run anymore. His hands were everywhere, exploring, memorizing, worshipping, and I letmyself fall into him completely, letting go of every fear, every doubt.

He whispered my name like a prayer, his voice filled with a kind of tenderness I’d never known. And when we finally gave in completely, it wasn’t just passion—it was love, raw and unguarded, a connection that went beyond words.

Afterward,we lay tangled together, the room quiet except for the sound of our breathing. His hand rested on my back, his fingers tracing lazy patterns against my skin, and I pressed my face against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart.

“There’s no turning back now,” I said softly, my voice trembling with the weight of what we’d just shared.

Hudson tightened his arms around me, his lips brushing against my hair. “And I don’t want to.”

Neither did I. For the first time, I felt like I’d found where I truly belonged.

Chapter Thirty

Hudson

The early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft golden glow over the room. Naomi was still asleep, her head resting against my chest, her hand curled loosely over my heart. Her hair spilled over the pillow like a dark halo, and her soft breaths matched the steady rhythm of my own.

I hadn’t moved for what felt like hours, not wanting to disturb her. This moment—quiet, unguarded, and entirely ours—felt like something I’d spent my whole life searching for. And now that I had it, I wasn’t sure how to let it go.

Naomi shifted slightly, murmuring something unintelligible in her sleep, and I smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. She’d always been beautiful, but there was something about seeing her like this, relaxed and vulnerable, that hit me in a way I couldn’t explain.

She was my anchor, my constant. And I hadn’t even realized how much I needed her until she came back into my life.

I thoughtback to the first time I saw her again, standing on the side of that dark road, her car broken down and her eyes filled with frustration. She’d looked so familiar and yet so different, stronger somehow, but still carrying the weight of something I couldn’t see.

At the time, I told myself I was just being practical, stepping in to help a friend. But the truth was, even then, I’d felt the pull. The same pull I’d felt as a teenager, sitting by the creek and wondering what it would be like to kiss her. The same pull I’d felt every time she laughed at one of my stupid jokes or leaned her head on my shoulder.

Naomi had always been more than a friend. She’d been my home.

The soundof her breathing brought me back to the present, and I looked down at her, my chest tightening with emotion. She’d been through so much—more than she ever should have had to face—and yet, she was still here. Still fighting. Still trusting me.

I didn’t deserve her. Not really. But for some reason, she believed in me. And that belief had given me something I hadn’t had in years: hope.

Hope for a future beyond the chaos, beyond the constant battle to keep her safe. A future where we could wake up like this every day, where I didn’t have to worry about The Fold or Jared or anything else that might try to take her from me.

I wanted that future. For both of us.

Naomi stirred again,her eyes fluttering open, and she blinked up at me, a soft smile curving her lips. “Morning.”

“Morning,” I said, my voice low.

She stretched, her body pressing against mine in a way that made my breath hitch. “Have you been awake long?”

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