Page 13 of On Thin Ice

“It’s okay, he can start his training earlier,” I said, feigning innocence.

Okay, a vein suddenly bulged on Bryce’s forehead. Yup, I’d definitely hit something there. My inner slut and inner brat teamed up, dreaming about the roughest sex ever. Maybe if I pushed his buttons a little, he would want to reclaim me and remind me I was his.

Or finally talk. Like a mature adult.

Yeah, maybe I was pissed off too, more than I’d realized. Maybe it was the stress of the competition or my fear of losing him, but it drove me crazy that he refused to talk about what we wanted until the end of the Olympics.

“No, he can’t,” Bryce hissed at me. “I want you focused on the gold, Livia. And you,” he started, fixing his gaze on poor Alec, who suddenly made himself smaller, “do I need to talk to your coach about disturbing another competitor’s schedule?”

I pitied Alec a little as he mumbled something about how he was going to come back later, after we were done. Bryce narrowed his eyes while the guy hurried out, then turned back to me.

“Start the choreography from the beginning. You’re going to do it over and over again until the time ends.”

“What!? You just said it was perfect.”

“It was before you lost your focus. Go on, start with the opening spin.”

“No,” I said, skating closer to him. “I’m not going to work my ass into oblivion just because you’re jealous.”

The glance he gave me sent a thrill of arousal through my core. Fine, I had to admit that a wicked part of me enjoyed annoying him. Damn, how the hell was I discovering so many sides of myself every time he was around?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. But it doesn’t matter. Now, stop wasting time and do what I said.”

“Or maybe I’ll invite Alec for coffee. He might ... you know ... talk. About us.”

“Don’t be stupid, Livia. There are only a few hours until the biggest event of your life. Don’t ruin it and throw your career in the trash bin for a stupid game.”

“I can do whatever I want, Bryce. If I want to flirt with someone, I can. And you shouldn’t care about it.“

“But I care because you’re mine!” he hissed, and given the low note his voice took, I knew I had pushed a chord there. “I mean, you’re my figure skater.”

“Your figure skater. That’s all I am, right?”

He let out an exasperated sigh that triggered me even more. I knew it wasn’t the right moment for this, that I should calm down and wait until tomorrow, but fuck it. I felt like I was going to choke if I continued to hold back the words I was dying to say aloud.

“That’s not true, Livia, but...”

“But what, Bryce?” I said, gliding right in front of him. “What am I to you, then? A fucktoy? Someone you like to fuck and nothing more? Because that’s how I feel right now, and it hurts like hell.So, if that’s all I am to you, then fine, but you have no right to tell me who I can flirt with.”

“Livia...” He groaned and pressed his palms on my shoulders. “This is not the right time for...”

“I love you, Bryce,” I cut him off before I could stop myself. “I love you, and I fucking want you, and I don’t care if anyone knows about us or not. But if you don’t want me, at least tell me the truth.”

He froze. Great, he was now shocked and ready to run the hell away because he realized I was a problem. I was the stupid one who fell in love with him when he only wanted to fuck. So now, because of my big mouth, not only was I going to lose my coach right before the Women’s Singles, but also my lover.

“You love me...” he whispered, breaking the silence after a few moments.

I avoided his gaze as I murmured, “I do.” I couldn’t bear seeing the coldness that might appear in his eyes.

Electricity zig-zagged through me as he yanked me closer with a rough gesture and crushed his lips to mine. My heart skipped a beat, and I instinctively hugged his neck while deepening the kiss. If this was the last time I might feel his lips on mine, I wanted to savor every inch of them.

He cupped my face in his palms, making me look at him when we broke apart for air. His eyes pierced into mine, and instead of the coldness I was afraid I would see in them, I could distinguish only tenderness and adoration.

And love.

Bryce swallowed hard, and for the first time, he seemed to be unable to find his words. In the end, as he spoke, his voice was low and carried a note of fear.

“I love you too, Livia. I fell in love with you when we met, but this is too dangerous. Maybe after I retire, we can...”

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