Page 50 of Truth or Dare

I leaned down, burying my face in the curve of her neck, breathing in the scent of her skin, her perfume lingering faintly. The reality of her being here felt surreal. I couldn’t imagine anyone else lying in this spot but her. She was where she belonged, with me, not with Evan.

"I like it too," I murmured, the words brushing against her neck.

I kicked off my sneakers, stretched out beside her, and settled my face on the same pillow as her. Presley reached out, her fingers tangling in my hair, smoothing it back as she looked at me.

"I missed you," she said, her voice a soft confession.

"Did you have a good nap?" I asked, smirking as I watched her yawn, her eyelids still heavy.

"It’s better when you’re next to me," she replied, a teasing smile lighting up her face.

I glanced toward the pillow. "Did you read the note?"

She fished a crumpled slip of paper from under the pillow, straightening it out before sitting up to read. “She walks in beauty, like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies. And all that’s best of dark and bright meet in her aspect and her eyes. Thus mellowed to that tender light which heaven to gaudy day denies.” She looked up at me, her expression a mixture of curiosity and wonder. "What does it mean?"

"It’s by Lord Byron," I explained, watching her closely. "The poem is calledShe Walks in Beauty. It’s about how inner and outer beauty blend in a way that’s breathtaking, and you, Presley… you’re breathtaking."

Her eyes shimmered, a few unshed tears catching in her lashes. "Hudson, you're… you're so different."

I gently brushed my thumbs over her lids, wiping away the tears that escaped. "Different how?"

Her soft laugh filled the silence between us. "You’re… you have this old soul. Are you sure you’re still a teenager?"

I chuckled, leaning in to press a gentle kiss on her lips. "Pretty sure. I’ve just… had a lot of time to read, growing up. Anything to distract me from missing you."

She bit her lip, placing a hand over her heart as her gaze softened. "I missed you too, Hudson. I never thought I’d see you again."

She echoed the words I’d been carrying for so long. I had spent years thinking about her, imagining what it would be like to see her again. I even went through phases of stalking her online, only stopping when it seemed like too much. But then,my mom told me we were moving back to Asterdale, and it was like I finally had a second chance.

"Did you ever look me up?" I asked, needing to know.

"A few times," she admitted, a shy smile tugging at her lips. "But I found a bunch of Hudson Everts, and some profiles were private. I… I gave up after a while. Had I known…"

"My profile picture isn’t me. It’s the cover of a poetry book."

Presley grinned. "I know. I saw it."

I glanced at my desk and noticed her jeans neatly folded on the edge. My heart stuttered a little. "So… any particular reason you’re not wearing jeans?"

She laughed softly, settling back under the covers. "They’re the worst to sleep in. Last year, I crashed at Reagan’s after a party, still in my jeans. Woke up feeling like a crumpled piece of paper. Never again."

I smirked, letting my gaze travel over her. "Think I could get a preview of what you’re wearing now?"

She rolled onto her back, slipping under the covers, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Why don’t you take off your jeans and find out?"

"Damn, Pres…" I groaned, shifting to slide in beside her, feeling the warmth of her body radiate through the thin fabric between us.

I slippedmy arms around her, lifting Presley from the bed, her back pressed flush against my chest. My arm wrapped tightly around her waist, supporting her weight as I moved slowly, savoring the feel of her. I knew holding her this way would give us a different connection, one that brought us closer than ever.Each thrust felt deeper, and Presley’s head tilted back, resting on my shoulder, her eyes closed in bliss.

“Oh God… Hudson… this feels so good,” she breathed, her voice low and filled with longing.

The heat and intensity between us were electrifying. I wanted nothing more than to feel every part of her, but the distance of a barrier was a reminder to hold back. Someday, I thought to myself, we’d cross that line, but not yet. Right now, this was perfect.

With one handanchored around her waist, I slid my other down, my fingers finding her tight pearl, rubbing it in gentle, insistent circles. She tensed in my arms, her breathing shallow as she leaned into every touch, every movement.

“Let go,” I murmured, my lips brushing against her ear.

Her breath caught. “Hudson… I… I…”

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