Page 128 of Cryptic Curse

It hits me like sunlight after a storm—sudden, blinding, warm in places I didn’t know had gone cold.My chest feels too big for my body, like it’s stretching to hold something that finally fits.

Everything feels sharper.Brighter.My heart’s beating fast, but not from fear—no, this is joy, raw and wild and crackling in my veins.

For a second, nothing hurts.Nothing’s wrong.I’m justhere, and it’senough.More than enough.

I want to laugh.I want to run.I want to tell someone, anyone, that this moment matters—because it does.Itsodoes.

“That’s it, baby.”

From somewhere around me, Hawk’s voice.His low, rich, and perfect voice.

And more elation.More lightness in my limbs, like gravity’s loosened its grip just for me.More electricity humming beneath my skin.My thoughts are sharp and fast, but they don’t scare me—they dance, leaping from one joy to the next like a song I never want to stop hearing.

More freedom.Moreyes.More of that wild, unstoppable feeling that anything—everything—is possible.I want to bottle it.Hold it.Live inside it forever.

Because in this moment, I’m not weighed down by what I’ve lost or afraid of what’s coming.I’m just…complete.

Overflowing.

As if all the empty places in me have been filled with gold.

Until finally, he pushes into me so hard I’m sure he’s touching my very soul.

Every last contraction of his release fills me with joy.

In my heart, a truth forms.

No matter what happens—whoever is trying to threaten me—Hawk and I can face any kind of cryptic curse and untangle it together.

39

HAWK

Fuck.

I’ve had plenty of women in my life, but damn…

That was one tight little pussy.And Daniela’s body… So beautiful with curves in the right places, lean in others.Perfection.

I want to take care of her.Maybe forever.

But I’m not a moron.I know I’m just full of oxytocin from my orgasm.Still, though…this was different.

Different in an amazing way.

I kiss her forehead.“Stay here.”I rise and go to the bathroom, run a soft cloth under warm water, and return to the bedroom.I’m about to lie back down on the bed when my doorbell rings.

Daniela’s ears perk up.“Who could be at your door at this hour?”

I shrug.“Probably a delivery.”

“Are you expecting anything?”

I shrug.“Mom sends me cute little gifts now and then.Cookies from a local bakery, stuff like that.”Usually because she’s feeling guilty about something she’s said, but I leave that part out.“But it’s going to have to wait.”I sit down on the bed, run the cloth up her left leg.“Let me take care of you.”

“You already did,” she says.

“Shh…” I spread her lovely legs and slide the warm cloth between them.