Page 204 of Beautiful Collide

“Yet you said, ‘I do.’”

“Har, har. Go to sleep.”

“Whatever you want, Hex.”

I feel him shift, and before I can react, his arm wraps around me, pulling me closer.

Now, my head rests on his chest, and I can hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, slow and even.

This man does crazy things to me.

Be strong.

There is no having sex in his childhood bed with his parents down the hall.

Just as I’m about to turn over and try to scoot as far away as possible, he presses a soft kiss to the top of my head, lingering just a second too long, and my breath catches.

Calm down, girl.

Just because he kissed your head doesn’t mean he wants to—okay, maybe he does.

Because, at this exact second, I can feel his hand begin to trace a slow, deliberate path down my back, his fingers barely grazing my skin through the thin fabric of my shirt.

Okay, that means he does, right?

If I’m reading this right, he wants me. Now the question is, am I willing to risk his parents hearing just to feel him inside me right now?

“Hudson,” I whisper, but I don’t pull away.

His hand pauses for the briefest moment before continuing its gentle exploration, the warmth of his palm leaving trails of fire on my skin.

“What?” he murmurs, his voice rough with something I don’t dare name.

“This isn’t . . .” My voice falters as his finger dips lower, brushing against the curve of my hip.

“Isn’t what?” He’s teasing now, and I’m ready to snap.

I lift my head to meet his gaze, and the intensity in his eyes steals whatever words I thought I had.

He shifts again, his free hand coming up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing across my skin with a tenderness that makes my chest ache.

“Say the word, Hex,” he whispers, his voice barely audible. “And I’ll stop.”

I don’t say anything. Instead, I lean in, closing the gap between us, and press my lips to his.

The kiss starts soft and tentative but doesn’t stay that way.

Soon, his fingers are entangled in my hair as we devour each other’s mouths.

Maybe if he weren’t such a good kisser—oh, who am I kidding? I still wouldn’t be able to stop.

I want Hudson Wilde.

I want him with every fiber of my bones.

Right here. Right now.

He pulls back just enough to rest his forehead against mine, his breathing uneven.

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