H e was insatiable.

Turned out so was I .

"I think I'm dying," I told him as he fell back to the side of the bed. The light outside the window was fading and my stomach growled audibly .

Hudson smirked a little at my loud tummy, but only said, "I'm dying too. Nice way to go though, huh ?"

"Har har, funny man." I flipped onto my belly. "How do you even have energy to do... what you do? Are you like a camel storing fat somewhere ?"

"A sex camel, that's kind of a funny image." His grin was lopsided. "No, truth is I'm starving. That's why I keep eating." He slid his hands between my legs .

I swatted him. "Man cannot live on pussy alone ."

"Maybe." He arched his eyebrows. "But think of the scientific break throughs if I prove that theory wrong ?"

"You're a scientist now ?"

"Of this body?" He trailed his fingers up my side. "Call me goddamned Einstein ."

I laughed and knocked him in the arm with my hand, a weak little punch that did nothing but make him grab my fingers to kiss them. "Feed me," I moaned .

"I'm keeping you safe," he murmured into my neck. "No one can kidnap you so long as you're locked in my room ."

I laughed, letting him kiss a trail back up to my ear. "Oh is that what this is? Locked up for my own protection ?"

"They still haven't found those girls, you know ."

I winced. "Well I trust you to keep me safe from harm," I told him, pressing my finger to his nose. "You can even pick the place ."

He scrunched up his face. "I supposed we could go back to that cafe ."

I nodded. "I suppose we could. Only one problem ."

"What's that ?"

"I'm too weak to move ."

He looked oddly pleased about that. "I'll carry you ."

"Oh wonderful. That won't be embarrassing in the slightest ."

"For who? You? Because I'm totally fine with dragging you around like a caveman ."

I laughed. Back when I'd thought he was too much for me, the idea of Hudson as caveman would have freaked me out. Now it only turned me on .

"Let me get dressed at least ."

"Aw man," he mock pouted .

"You should put some pants on ."

"It's really inconvenient when I get hard for you," he complained. "What if I suddenly need to fuck you again ?"

"Try to hold off on fucking me for at least an hour. Just think how much better it'll be once you fuel up ."

He turned his head and raised his eyebrow as in serious contemplation. "Fine. When you put it like that I can see the benefit of allowing you out of my bed. But only for an hour," he warned .

I laughed. "Deal." Honestly the idea of leaving made me almost nervous, like we'd be breaking some kind of fragile spell that kept us safe in here, away from all the reasons we shouldn't be together .

I gathered up my clothes, making sure my sketchbook was tucked into my bag. It hadn't been getting as much use as I'd wanted, but I really wanted to sketch Hudson in this moment .

The moment I knew I loved him .

The cafe was a short walk, but I was so sore that it took me forever to stumble up the slight incline up from the villa. Hudson kept a protective hand at the small of my back and for the first time in my life I got to feel what it was like to have a strong man standing next to me, helping me even when I was sure I could do it by myself. He just...did things. Without needing prompting or encouragement. I felt like I could relax into this kind of treatment. It felt almost like getting spoiled, but more than that it felt...easy .

He made me feel at ease .

I'd never felt this way before. Always worrying, ten steps ahead of people. I was the one who looked out for the feelings of everyone around me. I was a walking open wound, always having other people's shit poured into me. He made me feel like that wasn't necessary .

No one had done that for me before .

Back at the cafe, he pulled out my chair, then settled down across from me, then thought better of it and scooched the chair around until we were brushing arms. I ordered for us both in my schoolgirl Italian and he trusted me enough to order for him .

"This espresso tastes like angels made it," I sighed as I sipped the hot nectar the waiter brought over immediately. "Taste." I leaned over and tipped the tiny cup against his lips. He made a face, but dutifully took a tiny sip, then shook his head, grimacing .

"You don't like espresso?" I laughed as he gagged .

"Bad for my voice," he explained. "I never drink coffee. Acid ."

I blinked a little. "You're really devoted to the band, aren't you ?"

"This shouldn't surprise you ."

"It doesn't, I just..." It was hard to say what exactly I wanted to say. How I appreciated the risk he was taking for me. For us. I leaned over and closed my hand over his hand. "I love you," I told him .

He grinned and leaned in, kissing me in full view of everyone on the sidewalk. "I love you more ."

"Well that's debatable ."

"I can prove it ."

"Hudson!" I squealed as he slid his hand into my lap .

"Hudson!" a voice bellowed from across the street .

We both froze. His voice was still sinking into me, even as my brother bellowed again and charged into traffic. Tires squealed and shouts and curses in Italian flooded the narrow street .

Hudson unfroze first and leaped to his feet, dropping back into a fighting stance. I started wishing like hell that the earth would open up and swallow me .

But Vesuvius didn't suddenly erupt and save me. The heavens didn't open in a sudden storm. So there was nothing to do but push myself up to stand with Hudson and face down my brother. I reached for his hand, but it was clenched in a fist, ready .

My throat tightened. "Niall," I started to say, lifting my chin to meet his eyes as my brother stormed up to us. "We were going to tell you ..."

But he didn't even hear me. He just charged right past, and straight into Hudson .