Page 10 of Hungry As Her Python

But when his big arms came around me in a solid, grounding hug, I didn’t resist.

We were friends, right?

Sort of.

Just your average everyday consenting adult friends who’d slept together.

Twice.

Okay, three times if you counted that one night where neither of us actually slept.

And yeah, maybe I’d been the one to put the brakes on things, but some traitorous part of me had been quietly sulking that he’d stopped asking.

I mean, sure, it was my choice, but still what if?

Conrad was the kind of Shifter Witchy women whispered about—big, capable, steady, the kind who could lift you over his shoulder without breaking a sweat.

And I was sure plenty of women were willing.

Not that it was my business.

It wasn’t. Totally not.

Tell yourself that, Bella.

Anyway, I had to admit, it felt really damn good to be close to him again.

“Hey, you’re safe now,” he murmured, holding me like he meant it.

The man was a world-class hugger—none of that stiff pat-pat nonsense.

He hugged with his whole body, warm and protective, until the rest of the world kind of melted away.

“Lawd, I miss you, Sugar,” he said softly, his Southern drawl coming out when I least expected it.

Conrad tipped my chin up with one finger, pinning me with his singularly focused green-eyed gaze.

Oh, no.

Oh, yes.

He leaned in slowly, giving me all the space in the world to step back.

I didn’t.

I couldn’t.

I needed that kiss.

Someone had been setting fires in my bakery.

My whole world was tilted.

But here, in his arms? I finally felt right again—dangerously right.

Like maybe everything would be fine if I just stayed right here.

So, maybe I wasn’t as immune to Conrad Boman as I’d been telling myself all this time.