Page 144 of Beautiful Collide

I can’t help the grin that tugs at my lips. “I can think of a few ways,” I say, my voice dipping into something lower, something teasing.

She rolls her eyes, but the faint blush on her cheeks gives her away. “I’m being serious, Hudson.”

“So am I,” I reply, leaning closer.

She gives me a look, but she doesn’t pull away. Instead, she shifts, her legs brushing against mine. “You want me to distract you?”

“Wouldn’t hurt,” I say, smirking.

She narrows her eyes at me, then slowly, deliberately, she straddles my lap.

My breath catches as her hands rest on my shoulders, her touch warm and familiar.

“Like this?” she asks, her voice soft but with an edge of mischief.

“Perfect,” I murmur, my hands settling on her waist.

She leans in, her lips brushing against mine in a kiss that starts slow and sweet but quickly deepens. Her fingers thread through my hair, and for the first time all night, my mind goes blissfully quiet.

She pulls back slightly, her forehead resting against mine. “Feeling better?”

“Much,” I whisper, my grip tightening on her waist.

She smiles, and it’s the kind of smile that makes me think, just for a second, that maybe everything really will be okay.

For the rest of the night, I don’t think about the game, the pressure, or the noise waiting for me tomorrow.

There’s only her.

And it’s enough.

More than enough.

52

Hudson

Molly:Good luck today, Wilde.

Hudson:Wow. Encouragement? From you? Did hell freeze over?

Molly:Don’t get used to it. I just don’t want to hear you whine later if you lose.

Hudson:IfI lose? Hex, please. I’m a sure thing.

I’m not,but I don’t let myself freak out over it. I know she’s kidding with her attitude. The woman helped me out last night. Calmed the storm inside me and didn’t leave until she was one hundred percent sure of it.

Molly:?? You’re pacing, aren’t you?

Hudson:No.

Molly:You’re totally pacing.

Hudson:How do you even know that?

Molly:Because you get cockier when you’re nervous.

Hudson:I’m not nervous.

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