Page 212 of Beautiful Collide

Despite everything in our past and the little lie the first time we met, he never let me down.

I keep that thought in my head as I give my trust to him and kick off from one foot to the next, gliding across the ice.

“See . . .” He places a kiss on my hair. “Not so bad, right? Now let’s try this.” He lets go of me and starts to skate until he’s facing me, but he’s skating backward this time, taking my hands in his.

Yeah, I think I liked it better when his arms were wrapped around me.

“Nope.” I glare at him. “I’m not ready for this. I’m totally going to fall.”

He grins, his hands tightening slightly on mine. “I wouldn’t let that happen.” Something about the way he says it, so matter-of-fact, makes me believe him.

It takes a while, but after a few laps around the rink, I find a rhythm, and I’m no longer as wobbly.

Hudson lets go of one of my hands and pivots his body, so he is now skating beside me.

“All right.” He slows to a stop. “Time to change it up.”

That doesn’t sound promising.

I stop awkwardly, nearly losing my balance.Real smooth, Molly. Real smooth.“Um, what?”

His lips part, and now I know I should be worried because the grin he gives me is mischievous as all hell. “I want you to close your eyes.”

“Nope. That would be negatory.” I immediately shake my head. “That is never going to happen.”

“Molly.” His voice is softer now. “Would I steer you wrong?”

“Yes.” My answer comes out so fast that Hudson’s lip twitches.

He inclines his chin down, looking me straight in the eye. “Molly . . .”

“Don’t Molly me.”

“Please trust me.” Something about the way he says that makes my pulse race a little faster. Can I really deny him this?

I stare at him, my heart pounding. “Hudson, I can barely stay upright as it is.”

“You’re better than you think.” He steps closer. “And I’m right here. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

The words sink in, heavy and reassuring.

I want to believe him. I want to trust him.

But the idea of giving up control, even for a moment, makes my chest tighten with anxiety.

He must see the hesitation in my eyes because he steps even closer, his hands resting lightly on my shoulders.

“It’s just you and me.” He squeezes lightly. “No one else. No cameras, no reporters, no pressure. Just us.”

I take a shaky breath, his words melting the edges of my fear. Slowly, I nod. “Okay.”

“Okay,” he says, his smile widening. “Close your eyes.”

I do, squeezing them shut as I feel his hands slide down to my waist.

“Good,” he says. “Now let me guide you.”

With my eyes closed, my other senses kick up a notch. I’m hyperaware of his presence as he steadies me and skates usaround the rink. It feels as if the world centers around us, and we are the only people.

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