Page 65 of Truth or Dare

He drew a rough breath. “What are you doing?” he murmured, his voice low and groggy.

“I need this,” I whispered, barely able to keep the longing from my voice.

A lazy smile tugged at his lips. “And you couldn’t wake me up?”

I chuckled softly. “Sometimes a girl has to take matters into her own hands.”

His hand brushed my hair back from my face as he pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Except right now, you’re using me,” he teased, shifting slightly, his hands firm at my waist to still me.

I let out a needy whimper, trying to press closer. “Please… I’m so close.”

He whispered against my ear, voice thick with sleep. “Let me be the one to take you there this time.” His words sent a shiver through me, the tender weight of his voice making my heart skip.

I pressed my face into his neck, breathing in the warmth of his skin. “You’re not even supposed to be here,” I murmured, half-smiling, but my heart was racing.

But then he shifted, reaching down to free himself, nudging my panties aside. I froze, suddenly pulling back as reality settled in. He stopped immediately, his gaze searching my face in the dim light.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, gentle but concerned.

I swallowed, my voice barely a whisper. “I need a condom.”

He blinked, then reached over me, flicking on the lamp, the soft light flooding the room. “You’re on the pill, right? And I’m clean,” he said softly. “I haven’t been with anyone since…” His voice trailed off, his eyes meeting mine with an honesty that made my heart twist.

I looked down, not quite able to meet his gaze. “I just… I’m not sure if I’m ready for that.”

Hudson sat up, running a hand through his hair, then quietly moved to his jeans on the chair, pulling out his wallet. I bit my lip, a flicker of fear sparking that he might leave, but instead,he turned back with two condoms, settling beside me with a reassuring smile.

“You should probably keep a box here,” he said lightly, placing them on the nightstand.

My cheeks flushed. “I don’t know if I could walk into a store and buy them. What if someone saw me?”

Hudson’s laugh was a quiet rumble as he tore one of the wrappers, sliding the latex over himself. “Guess we’ll just have to stock up ourselves,” he said, giving me a soft nudge with his knee.

I gave him a playful kick, rolling my eyes. “Very funny.”

He shrugged. “I’m serious. I’ll get you a box.”

I let out a sigh, the moment between us dampened, a twinge of worry knotting in my stomach. I lowered my gaze, not sure how to get back to where we’d been. Hudson noticed, his fingers brushing softly over my thigh.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, the warmth in his voice easing some of the tension.

I took a breath, glancing up at him. “Can you just hold me?”

For a second, I worried he’d be disappointed, maybe even frustrated, but instead, he gave a soft smile, rolling the condom off and tossing it into the trash by the desk. He slid back under the covers, drawing me into his arms without a word, letting his warmth settle around me.

CHAPTER 19

Hudson

Aloud bang jolted me awake. Heart pounding, I glanced down; Presley was still asleep, her face peaceful as she rested against my chest. Carefully, I slipped my arm out from under her, untangling our legs as I edged out of bed. Grabbing my boxers, I pulled them on and eased open her bedroom door.

The sound led me to the bathroom across the hall, where I found Neil leaning over the sink, his palms braced on the vanity, head hung low. He groaned softly, his face pale and drawn.

“Neil,” I said, voice low, stepping into the bathroom. “You okay?”

He let out a weak whine. “I feel like death.”

He dry-heaved, clutching the edge of the sink as he steadied himself. The sight of him, hunched and miserable, made me shake my head. “Still drunk?” I asked, studying his face.

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