Page 128 of Pieces

“I love you too, princess,” I say, pulling her in for a quick kiss. “You and Rosie are my family now. I’d do anything for you.”

I mean that more than anything.

“One more thing,” I say, grabbing the other gift.”

“You realize it’s your birthday, right? I should be giving you your gifts, they’re in my dorm though.” She sniffs.

I chuckle. “They’re probably in a box somewhere, because the guys have all been packing up our dorms. I’ll open this one, for now, will that make you feel better?”

She nods and I tear through the packaging that Quinn helped with, revealing my scrapbook with the words,Pieces of Us.

Inside, there’re polaroids from the last nine months, things that I’ve found from moments we’ve shared, some stickers that remind me of us, like with fries, candy, milkshakes. And of course, pink heart tape everywhere.

“Oh my god,” she sobs.

Because all the pieces, the messy, chaotic, beautiful pieces, finally make sense.

Me. Her. Rosie. They’re mine and I’m theirs. Nothing has ever felt more right.

We fit. We belong.

And I know, without a single doubt, I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure they never question that.

Epilogue - One Year Later

Hudson

Thelatemorningsunfilters through the half-closed blinds, casting soft golden streaks across the bedroom. The sounds of our apartment are quiet, save for the faint creak of the bed and Daphne’s breathless laugh beneath me. My favorite sound.

Her hands are tangled in my hair, her fingers tugging just enough to make me grin against the curve of her neck. “Hudson,” she whispers, a teasing edge to her voice. “Rosie’s asleep. We don’t have much time.”

I lean back, bracing myself above her, and let my gaze roam over every inch of her perfect body. Her flushed cheeks, her mussed hair, the way her lips part when I dip my hips just so. “We’ve got time,” I murmur, my voice low and rough. “And this is my way of celebrating. Draft day, baby.”

Her laugh is quiet, almost breathless, as she arches into me. “You’re unbelievable.”

“You’re right. Let me remind you just how unbelievable.” I smirk as I lower myself again, catching her mouth with mine. The kiss is deep and slow, a promise in every way. This isn’t rushed; it’s deliberate, intense. It’s intoxicating.

Stealing moments together when we can is what I live for.

The heat between us builds, our movements syncing into a rhythm we’ve perfected over this past year. Every shift of her body under mine, every soft sound she makes, every whisper of my name sends a rush through me, tightening my hold on her.

Her nails skim down my back, and I can’t stop the guttural groan that escapes me. “You’re gonna be the death of me,” I murmur against her lips, and she smiles that sly, knowing smile that drives me insane in the best way.

“Not before you’re the number one draft pick,” she teases, her voice breaking into a gasp as I drag myself along her sex, stealing whatever comeback she had planned.

“Damn right.” My grin returns as I bury my face in her neck, letting the scent of her, familiar, comforting, all mine, wash over me. In reality, I’m not gonna be number one draft pick, but it never hurts to dream.

She shifts her wet center close to the head of my cock, and I groan, unable to control myself any longer. “This is gonna be hard and fast, baby, so hold the fuck on to me.”

She nods as her legs widen as I slip inside her, feeling so fucking close to heaven.

Daphne gasps, her breath catching as her nails bite into my shoulders. Her body arches beneath me, her warmth pulling me closer, begging me to lose myself in her. “Don’t hold back,” she whispers, her voice soft but firm, and it’s a challenge that ignites something primal inside me.

When I thrust into her, it’s not just heat. She surrounds me, draws me in, and for a moment, it feels like I’m unraveling and holding myself together all at once.

“Fuck, Daph,” I groan, the words coming out rough as her body clenches around me. “You feel so damn perfect.” I lower my head, pressing my lips to her neck as my hips find their rhythm.

Moaning, her head falls back, her throat exposed and just asking for my mouth to mark her. Her body meets mine perfectly, every movement driving me deeper, pulling me closer. “Hudson…” she breathes, and hearing my name on her lips like a plea pushes me past the edge of control.

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