Page 160 of Beautiful Collide

Molly groans before dragging a hand down her face. “I hate you so much right now.”

I take a step closer, my large frame invading her space.

She’s cute when she’s mad, and if looks could kill, I’d be currently reading my own obituary.

“Liar.” I lean down and place a kiss on her head, then step around her and walk inside like I own the place. Bold move, since she’s most likely currently plotting my demise.

It takes her a few seconds to shake herself out of the haze she’s in.

“How the hell did this happen?” She crosses the space before plopping down on the couch.

“It started with you saying in the room, and I quote, ‘You’re so funny, Hudson. I’d totally marry you in Vegas.’”

“Seriously. That was clearly a joke.”

“Was it, though?” I drop down onto the chair perpendicular to the couch. “Because if I remember correctly, you were very excited about it.”

“No, I wasn’t.” She glares at me.

“And then I said once we hit the Strip, ‘You know, you’re right. We should just get married. Solve all our problems in one shot.’”

“That doesn’t prove anything.”

“I take it you don’t want me to show you the video of you begging me to marry you, then?”

“I didn’t do that.”

I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone. She throws a pillow at me, but I’m too fast and deflect it.

“So that’s a no, you don’t want to see it?”

“Yeah. That’s a no.” Her jaw is locked so tight I’m afraid she might snap.

Honestly, I should probably stop while I’m ahead, but I never pretended to be smart.

“Calm down, Hex. It was all in good fun. It’s not the end of the world.”

She covers her face with her hands and groans again. “Why didn’t you stop me?”

I shrug. “I tried. Sort of. Well, not really. Plus, you said you loved me.”

Her hands drop from her face. “I did not say that.”

“Fine, you didn’t.” I flash her my phone. “You sure you don’t want me to play the recording?”

She lunges for me, but again, I’m too fast for her. I blame it on my stellar hockey reflexes. I pull her onto my lap, and she squirms, trying to break free from my grasp. “Relax. Don’t fight it.” I kiss her head again. “For what it’s worth, you’re a pretty great wife so far.”

Her chest rises sharply, and she blows out a loud, frustrated breath, nostrils flaring and all.

“We’ve been married for less than twelve hours, Hudson.”

“And it’s been the best twelve hours of my life.”

It might be a slight exaggeration, but not by much.

Molly’s face grows serious. A storm is brewing behind her green eyes.

I finally let her go, and Molly sits on the edge of the couch, her shoulders stiff, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She looks like she might fall apart if she lets herself go.

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