Page 107 of Boots & Scars

The students sighed in relief and began to shuffle off the ice. Everly stayed where she was, her eyes locked onto mine like a hawk zeroing in on its prey.

As they filed out, one kid lingered behind, still struggling to get his skates off. I skated over and helped him with the laces.

“Thanks, Coach,” he mumbled before heading off to join his friends.

The rink emptied out slowly until it was just us left in the icy expanse. She crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head slightly, clearly unimpressed by my methods.

Either way, she wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

I skated over to the skate counter where Everly stood, her arms still crossed. The air between us felt charged, electric. I placed my hands on either side of her, boxing her in. Her eyes widened, but she didn't back down.

“Is there something you want to say about my teaching methods, sweetheart?” My voice was low, challenging. “You think you know better than me how to do it?”

Her lips parted as she inhaled sharply. “You could be less rude,” she started, but I leaned down and cut her off with a kiss.

Our lips collided with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. Her initial surprise melted into something more—something that mirrored the fire burning inside me. I pressed closer, deepening the kiss, my hands sliding from the counter to grip her waist.

Her fingers found their way into my hair, tugging gently as if she needed to hold onto something solid. The taste of her consumed me, each movement of our mouths fanning the flames higher. The world around us vanished; there was only Everly and this raw, undeniable connection.

My hand slid up her back, pulling her even closer until there was no space left between us. Her breath hitched, and I could feel the rapid beat of her heart against my chest. It was intoxicating, this blend of desire and need.

I was tempted to take things further—to explore every inch of her right here and now—but a small voice in the back of my mind reminded me where we were. Reluctantly, I pulled back just enough to break the kiss, resting my forehead against hers.

She looked up at me through half-lidded eyes, lips swollen from our passionate encounter. For a moment, we just stood there, breathing each other in.

“Less rude?” I murmured against her lips, a smirk playing at the corners of my mouth.

Her laugh was breathless but genuine. “Maybe just a little.”

I couldn't help myself. Her laughter was a drug, and I needed another hit. I leaned in and captured her lips again, my hand slipping into her hair. The world outside ceased to exist. All that mattered was the way she responded to me, the way her body fit perfectly against mine.

Our kiss deepened, becoming more urgent, more consuming. I could feel the heat between us rising, the ice beneath our feet a distant memory. She moaned softly into my mouth, and it was like gasoline on a fire.

Then, a sound intruded—a throat clearing loudly from behind me. I knew I should have acknowledged it, but I couldn't bring myself to care.

Not yet.

My hand cupped her face as I continued to kiss her, refusing to let go until I was good and ready.

Only when I felt I'd had my fill—at least for now—did I pull back, breathing heavily. Her eyes fluttered open, glazed with desire, and it took every ounce of willpower not to dive back in.

Finally, I turned around, still feeling the imprint of her body against mine.

Standing there with a stern expression was my father.

For a moment, I just stared at him. I hated this man. Hated how he represented everything wrong with my family. Hated how he reminded me of every time I’d failed to live up to expectations. He stood there, his presence an unwelcome shadow on an otherwise perfect moment.

"Aren't you going to introduce us?" he asked, his voice laced with that condescending tone I knew all too well.

"No," I replied, the word coming out sharper than I intended.

"No?" His eyebrows shot up in mock surprise. "This is the girl you went to jail for, isn't it? What? You didn't think I was going to find out?"

I clenched my jaw, refusing to let him get under my skin. "I didn't care one way or the other. You certainly didn't."

His eyes shifted from me to Everly, and I instinctively stepped in front of her, blocking his view. The last thing I wanted was him anywhere near her.

"You've got your father's eyes," he said, trying to peer around me.

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