Page 149 of Beautiful Collide

“Took you long enough to get here tonight.” His trademark smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth. There it is. That stupid, cocky smirk should annoy me, but somehow, it only makes me want him more.

“I’ve been here the whole time. You just couldn’t find me.” I shrug.

“Damn, Hex. You always have to make things difficult.” Despite his words, I can hear the humor in his voice.

Difficult? Who’s he kidding? He loves the chase. And we both know it.

“Do you know how hard it is to sneak away without Cassidy and Josie interrogating me?” I fire back, loving the playful banter Hudson and I are known for.

Hudson pushes back off the wall, stepping closer. The dim light from the main part of the club illuminates his face. He’s smiling down at me in a way that quickens my pulse. This man does crazy things to me. Makes me feel alive and like anything is possible.

Like I’m the only person in the world for him.

“It’s worth it, though.” His hand brushes against mine, and it sends a shiver up my spine.

Such a small gesture, yet it has the ability to turn me into mush.

How does he do that? It’s just a touch, but it sets my entire body on fire.

I lean into his warmth, wanting desperately to close any distance between us. When I feel the heat of his body against mine, a sigh escapes my mouth. “It is.”

“Then why are we sneaking around?” he asks, his voice low and, if I’m not mistaken, sad.

I wish I had an answer. But I don’t. Other than to say Dane. I’m not sure how Dane would respond, but in truth, I’m not ready to find out. I don’t want to ruin this, whatever this is with Hudson, so if that means keeping us in our bubble a little longer, so be it.

I shrug. “Because if Dane finds out, he’ll kill you.” My answer is matter-of-fact, but it’s the truth. Murder wouldn’t be off the table for Dane.

Sucks.

If Dane is one thing, it’s protective.

Too protective. Sometimes, it feels like I’ll always be the little sister he had to save.

Even now that I’m an adult, he still takes his role as my guardian very seriously. “Also, let’s not kid ourselves. It’s not just Dane.” I roll my eyes despite the fact that he can’t see it since I’m pressed against his chest. “It’s the whole team. They’d never let us live it down.”

“True,” he concedes with a laugh. “But you like sneaking around. Admit it.” His voice dips into a teasing whisper.

Do I?

Or do I just tell myself that’s the best alternative?

I bite my lip, fighting back a laugh. “Maybe I just don’t want to be alone, and you’re the best option.”

“Mason or Wolfe aren’t up to your standards?” He chuckles. I love the sound. It makes me feel warm inside.

No one else comes close to you, Hudson.

Not even close.

His hands tighten around my waist, pulling me flush against his body. I can feel the hard contours of every muscle he has. Everything in the club fades away. It’s just us at this moment.

This.

This is why I can’t stay away.

“Fuck, I want you so bad right now,” Hudson groans.

“Who knew you were into that kind of thing.”

---