Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
P almer
The moon is high, casting silver light across the Phantom River, turning the rushing water into liquid mercury. The air is thick with the scent of pine and earth, the warmth of summer lingering even in the dead of night.
Hudson's arm is heavy around my waist as we lay stretched out on a thick blanket beneath the sky. His body is heat and solid muscle, the rough scrape of his calloused fingers tracing slow circles over my bare stomach.
I shiver. Not from the cool breeze, but from him .
His touch. His presence.
His claim.
"You cold, Treasure?" His voice is deep, husky.
I shake my head, shifting to press my chest against his. "Not even a little."
His lips twitch. "You sure? 'Cause you're trembling."
I huff out a laugh, sliding my fingers down his abdomen. "Maybe it's because I'm lying next to a six-foot-four mountain of muscle.”
His nostrils flare, and before I can blink, he rolls on top of me, pinning me beneath him, the weight of him deliciously suffocating. I barely get a breath in before his mouth is on mine, deep and demanding, his tongue sweeping inside like he’s claiming more than just my lips.
Like he’s claiming my soul .
I whimper against his mouth, my legs parting to cradle his hips. With a deep, satisfied growl, he slides against me again, stretching me, filling me in a way that makes my toes curl into the blanket beneath us.
“Hudson—”
“Shh, Treasure,” he murmurs against my lips, rolling his hips slowly, making me feel every inch of him. “Let me love you the way you deserve.”
I cling to him, nails scraping down his back, my heart racing. “You do love me.”
His movements falter for a split second before he leans in, his forehead pressing against mine.
"Yeah," he rasps. "And I'll love you forever."
The words send a shudder through me, my body arching as he moves with purpose, slow and deliberate, like he has all night to worship me.
And maybe he does.
Maybe this is what forever feels like.
The river rushes beside us, birds chirping somewhere in the trees, the whole mountain bearing witness to this moment.
This man.
My man.
"You’re so soft and silky and sweet," he growls, his voice rich with admiration as his hands caress my skin.
"Thank you," I whisper.
He shifts slightly, his eyes lingering on me with an intensity that sends a thrill through my body.
He's been utterly charming and attentive, the tension that usually hangs around him replaced by a relaxed, playful demeanor that I find irresistibly captivating.
I can't deny it anymore.
He has me wrapped around his finger, and I don't mind a bit.
"I can only imagine one thing sweeter," he murmurs. My eyes widen, heart racing in anticipation.
Every part of me responds to him, and just the thought of being in his arms, feeling his warmth against me, is enough to make my heart race and my body long for more.
His hand rests at my waist as his lips move against my neck. "What do you like, Palmer?"
I can't find my words, my breath escaping in shallow, panting whispers, feeling the tension between us intensify.
"I love being with you," I manage to say.
He grins, a wave of pride emanating from him. "Glad to hear that."
Then, he does what I've been hoping for—he presses his lips to mine, starting soft and then with increasing passion.
"You have no idea what you do to me," he murmurs between kisses. "I exhaust myself imagining all the ways I could kiss you." He nips at the corner of my smile. "Make you feel soft and warm in my hands." His hands journey up my body, exploring the curves of my hips and waist.
He tightens his hold, pressing me against his solid form.
"Do you want me to keep kissing you, Palmer?"
I nod softly, my tongue flicking out to trace his sensitive lips.
"Say it."
I nod. "Please, kiss me, Hudson."
My words unleash the wildness within him; his hands grip my hips, pressing closer, and he runs his tongue along the seam of my lips.
Our tongues dance and tangle together as his deep scent of sandalwood and smoke envelops me, sending shivers down my spine.
"You make me want things I’ve never wanted before.” His hands glide up my thighs, fingers pressing into my skin as he draws me closer to him. “I want to spend all of my nights buried between these beautiful thighs," he whispers.
Gently, he parts my legs, his thumbs tracing the damp seam of my cotton underwear.
"So fucking soaked for me, my sweet, beautiful Treasure," he says with a teasing pat to the center. "I love how responsive you are to my touch."
A moan escapes my lips, my back arching, instinctively moving toward his mouth.
"Eager pussy we have here," he grins, brushing his nose against the moist fabric. "And smells sweeter than a fresh ripe peach."
His hands explore my skin, lifting my dress as they roam, caressing every inch with reverent care.
"Should I taste this juicy pussy?" he asks, his voice dripping with desire.
I hum, aching with longing, our fingers intertwining at my chest.
"Say it," he orders softly.
"Please, eat my pretty pussy. I’m so soaking wet and ready for you," I whisper, giving in to the overwhelming need.
I gasp as his growl reverberates against my core, sending shivers down my spine and making my panties damp with longing. "You enjoy that dirty talk, don't you, my gorgeous girl?"
A soft moan escapes my lips as I instinctively press my hips closer to his face, craving more.
"Say it," he urges.
I let out a frustrated sigh, squeezing his hand, silently pleading for him to continue.
"Say it," he repeats, his voice laced with a need for reassurance that I’m comfortable with everything unfolding between us.
"I love when you talk dirty," I whisper, my voice barely above a breath.
"Good," he murmurs, his nose brushing against me, hinting at ripping away the thin barrier between us with his teeth. "Now say it so the neighbors can hear you."
For a moment, I hesitate, considering his words, but before I can decide, he nips at my engorged clit with his teeth, the sensation against my skin enough to drive me wild.
"Oh! My! God! Hudson, yes, please, please, keep talking dirty to me. Please don’t stop," I scream, my voice echoing in the room.
He chuckles against my now bare center, his mouth watering at the sight of me.
"That's what I like, baby," he says, his hands gripping my thick thighs, pulling me closer, back where I belong, against him. "Keep it nice and loud. It’s hard to hear when I’ve got your beautiful thighs around my ears."
My lips part slightly as his tongue traces their seam, and I tremble uncontrollably. "Hudson–oh God!"
He grins, delving deeper, his tongue exploring my sensitive folds with an intensity that sends heat coursing through my veins.
Every breathy moan I release seems to echo around us, mingling with the sound of his zipper as he presses against the counter. His eager movements stir a fire within me, as he licks at my hot, slick center, his hands tweaking my nipples and exploring the soft curves of my breasts.
A groan vibrates against my most sensitive spot and makes me ache for him, imagining his own release as he gives in to his desires.
With an erotic shudder, I feel my body tensing, my thighs trembling by his ears as my soft pants transform into desperate cries. I climax, his lips savoring every bit of my essence.
"Now that I’ve had a taste of the best peach in the world," he sucks extra hard at the nubs of my nipples, making them stand stiff and pert, before ending at my juicy mouth, kissing sweetly and grinding against my warm silky folds.
"Sweetest pussy on Earth," he murmurs as he kisses me slowly. "I may never leave."
His eyes bore into my soul, making me want to do the wildest thing I’ve ever imagined—stop right here and beg him to take me, now and for the next thousand tomorrows.
"Please, I want to feel you," I plead.
I feel a surge of excitement, warmth pooling between my legs.
"Feel like I waited a lifetime for you," he murmurs before capturing my lips in a passionate kiss, his hard length sliding through my warm and silky folds. The searing touch of his skin against mine sends waves of fire coursing through me, every nerve in my body electrified and ready to explode.
"So sweet and juicy for me," he whispers, slowing his movements, angling himself at my entrance, hovering just at the edge. He kisses me long and slow, ensuring I know that this matters, that we matter.
"Every moment we spend together is the best moment of my life," he whispers, pressing a little deeper inside me, "and then comes the next day, and somehow it gets better."
I sigh softly as he thrusts a little deeper with each stroke, his hands gently cradling the soft roundness of my breasts. He tries to kiss away the discomfort of his thick intrusion.
"I'm making it my mission to give you an amazing life," he murmurs, his tongue slipping against mine. A primal growl seems to resonate within him, urging him to claim me and then shower me with fierce, trembling pleasure.
"I'm ready for forever with you," I whisper, sensing his thoughts.
He gulps. "I’m so damn ready for you too, sweet girl."
He pushes, delving deeper inside my body. A growl escapes him as he thrusts with wild intensity.
"Damn, every inch of you feels so good. Every smooth ridge, I can feel the end of you. Feel your pulse quickening around me. Your clit swelling against my pelvis when I grind into you," he whispers, and I tremble, my body clenching around him, my legs quivering, nails digging into his back as waves of release surge through me.
"I’ve waited so long . . ." I murmur between panting breaths.
"For what, baby?" he asks, his voice strained as he continues to thrust, hitting the end and swirling his hips, causing me to moan repeatedly. I'm losing myself. Losing myself in the pleasure. He can see it in my eyes—the way my neck arches, the way my nails claw at his back, his arms.
I am starved for him, he is the most exhilarating thing I've ever experienced.
"For you. I've been waiting so long for you," I murmur as he envelops me. My heart pounds wildly, and I see his eyes widen at my words. I watch him searching my face, feeling every part of my expression, my full lips red and swollen from his kisses. I lift one elegant arm, grasping the bedpost behind me. There he is, taking my breath away.
The way I surrender myself to him. By giving him everything I have, I possess him. Everything snaps into focus—life with him. Our kids. Our grandkids. He and I. My world shifts, and he becomes my axis. I revolve around him. I will do anything for him.
"I’ve never felt this way, Palmer. I was born to make you happy," he professes between our movements as I feel myself clench around him again, my nails digging into his bicep, sending waves of pain and pleasure through his body.
"I can’t stop thinking about cumming deep inside this juicy little peach of mine," he whispers, catching my earlobe with his teeth. "I can’t stop thinking of planting my seed inside you, seeing what beautiful babies we’d make."
My arms wind around his neck as my hips rock against him, and when he sucks one of my pebbled nipples into his mouth, I nearly come unglued. With the throatiest, sexiest moans, my body begins to tremble slowly, his hand connecting with my sensitive clitoris, fingers dashing between us until I’m cumming, crying out in waves of sweet pleasure.
"That's it, coat my cock with all that sweet juice. I’m addicted to watching you cum, sweetheart."
Before I can fully process what's happening, my tiny fingertips dance between my thighs, teasing his balls in the most deliciously forbidden ways. His sharp intake of breath signals his release as it rockets through him at my unexpected touch.
He comes in thick jets, unable to even consider pulling out before I've drawn every drop from him.
"You're magic." His strokes slow, our lips meeting softly as he eases in and out of me fluidly. Enveloped in his arms, he hovers above me, kissing me until we're both gasping for air.
He shifts to my side, pulling me perfectly into his arms so he can wrap one hand around my waist and let his fingers glide over my sensitive clit. I bite down on my lip. He tweaks my nipple, drawing a sensual sigh from me. His fingers rub my clit with renewed speed, another orgasm building within me. My knees tremble as another wave of pleasure surges through me,
"Something on your mind, precious?" He laughs softly, his fingers gently caressing my skin, while his lips leave a trail of kisses along my shoulders.
“I can’t form words when you’re touching me like that.” I giggle as he tucks me under his arm and I trace lazy circles over his ribs, my cheek pressed against the steady rise and fall of his breathing. The night is silent except for the occasional hoot of an owl and the soft rustling of the wind through the trees.
"You’re quiet," I murmur, tilting my head to look at him.
His fingers stroke down my spine. "Just thinking."
I lift a brow. "That’s dangerous."
He chuckles, his chest rumbling beneath my cheek.
I push up on my elbow, studying his face in the moonlight. "About what?"
He doesn’t answer right away, his gaze flickering between me and the sky. Then, with a deep inhale, he turns his full focus on me, eyes dark and unreadable.
"Babies."
I blink. "What?"
His lips twitch, but his expression stays serious. "You. Me. A whole mess of kids running around this mountain raising hell."
My breath stalls, my heart skipping.
"You want?—?"
He rolls, pressing me beneath him again, his big hands framing my face. "I want a family, Palmer." His voice is rough, full of something raw. "I want our family."
Emotion surges in my chest, thick and heavy.
"How many?" I whisper, teasing, but my voice wobbles slightly.
Hudson smirks, leaning down, brushing his lips over mine. "Enough to keep this mountain loud."
My heart swells.
I never thought I’d have this.
A man who wants me , all of me. A future that doesn’t look like running, hiding, and surviving.
But Hudson?
He’s giving me more .
And damn if I don’t want to give him everything, too.
"Then we better start practicing often," I murmur against his lips, wrapping my arms around his neck.
His growl is low and dangerous. "You trying to kill me, woman?"
I giggle, but the sound turns into a gasp when he shifts, positioning himself at my entrance again.
He kisses me slow and deep.
"Say it again," he murmurs.
I smile against his mouth, my heart bursting.
"Make me a mama, Hudson Kane."
And then, in the middle of the wilderness, beneath the stars, he sets out to do exactly that.