PERIPHERY | NH |

FORTY TWO

Hunter

Home.

Being with Niall is like being home.

Without him my life lacked the color only he can bring into something, turning all the dull pieces into bright, vibrant works of art.

Everything feels right — like this was where I was always meant to be.

Taking his hand as he comes off the stage, pulling me into his body, I can't begin to explain what it does to my heart.

And my soul.

"You were ama—"

Cutting my words off, Niall pulls me into the dressing room before turning me, pressing my back against the door before covering my lips with his own.

"You have no idea how much I've missed you — how much I love you." Trailing his lips across my jaw, his hands slide under my shirt and across my warm skin. "I can't lose you again, I won't."

Desperate to feel more of him, my body arches into his as my hands work to untuck his shirt. "You won't lose me. Never. I don't want to be without you."

"Hunter." My name is a reverent prayer from his lips as he flicks the lock on the door before reaching for the hem of my shirt and pulling it over my head, leaving kisses down my sternum and across my chest. "Please."

I reach around my back and unclasp my bra, letting it fall to the floor before getting Niall's shirt off, running my hands down his chest. Not one to waste time, I moan when Niall takes my sensitive nipple into his mouth.

"Niall—" Breathless from the overwhelming emotions coursing through my body, I drop my hands to the waistband of his pants and unclip the button before trying to push them down his legs. "I want you. I've always wanted you. It's only ever been you."

Lifting his head, his blue eyes bore into me for only a moment before pressing his lips to mine. Nothing about this kiss is gentle — it's rough.

Needy.

"I want to take my time with you, savor you." His tongue flicks across my bottom lip right before he pulls it between his teeth, letting it pop back into place. "But I don't think that I can. I need you, bookworm."

Just hearing my nickname from his lips makes my body warm, thinking about how long it's been since I've heard it. "Then take me. Savor me later — I don't care."

Niall's lips are all over me as he reaches for the button of my shorts, easily getting it undone and pushing them to the floor before pulling my underwear to the side, his fingers finding the mess he's created.

"You're so wet for me, aren't you?" Teasing my clit, I tilt my head back with a whimper. "Jesus Hunter, I love you so much. So fucking much."

I nod as he nips at the skin of my throat, still teasing me with his fingers. "Stop teasing me."

"Fine." Using two fingers, he presses inside of me as his thumb takes over the movement on my clit. "How's that?"

Pulling his fingers forward, I roll my hips forward as he finds the perfect spot and applies the right amount of pressure. "That's— that's fine."

Thrusting his fingers, he rests his forehead against mine. "Fine? That's all?" I groan when he pulls his fingers back, bringing them up to his lips and licking them clean. "That just won't do, will it?"

"What are you—" Stopping my question short, I watch as Niall sinks to his knees in front of me.

"I remember the first time I was on my knees for you, in your kitchen." Running his hands up my thighs, Niall grabs my waist before leaning forward to run his tongue through my arousal. "Thinking back to it... I think I was always meant to be there — on my knees for you."