Page 100 of Icebound Hearts

Once I’m bundled up, I grab the rest of my gear and head downstairs.

“I’m not excited for this,” Alexei groans as he descends the stairs.

“Baby, I’ll teach you,” Grayson reassures him. “I told you to stop worrying, or you’ll get wrinkles.” I add making Alexei gasps

“Don’t say that to me! My anxiety is already through the roof.” Aiden and I burst out laughing at them. They are the perfect balance together. Alexei is crazy and outgoing while Graysen is mellow and a homebody. They balance each other out.

“Let’s head out,” Will says, grabbing his keys. “I didn’t pack lunch, so we can just eat something up there.” We all nod in agreement, grabbing our gears and heading out of the house.

Since it’s snowing, we take two cars—my Jeep and Will’s truck. We don’t want to risk it with the others. Alexei and Grayson ride with Aiden and me, while Will and Maddie take his truck. “Oh God, babe, we should’ve gone with Will instead,” Alexei complains as we pull out of the driveway. “I can’t do two hours of Taylor Swift or Cigarettes After Sex.” I cackle, holding my stomach.

“Funny, Alexei,” I say dryly. “It won’t be two hours of Taylor.

SZA dropped her new album, and I’m trying to listen to that.”

Alexei lets out a dramatic sigh of relief, and I pout, crossing my arms.

“You like Tay-Tay. I’m not talking to you until you take it back.” Alexei scoffs, turning to stare out the window like a petulant child.

Aiden places his hand on my thigh, giving it a squeeze and my vagina flutters.

My mind flashes back to last night, and I swear I can’t get enough of this man.

Is it normal to have sex three rounds a night? No, right? That’s what I thought.

I swat Aiden’s hand away, and he glances at me, then at the road, then back again—repeating it a few times.

“Don’t touch me. I took an oath to be celibate for the rest of the week,” I announce.

Aiden laughs, keeping his eyes on the road. “When did you do that?”

“Just now,” I say matter-of-factly. “I can’t think around you, and my lady parts seem to only think about you all day, so it’s a problem.”

Aiden smirks, placing his hand right back on my thigh. “Well, my man parts think about you all day too, so it’s not a problem.”

I groan, covering my face with my hands. “It’s okay, baby,” Aiden teases. “It’s normal.” No, it’s fucking not.

“One week, Aiden. You can do it.” I pat his shoulder in encouragement.

Aiden glares at me while I grin at him.

Two hours later, we finally arrive at the resort. Aiden parks, and we all get out, grabbing our gear from the trunk.

I put on my snow boots, zip up my jacket, and adjust my gloves while Aiden secures my helmet and goggles. He leans down, kissing my lips softly before I finish getting ready.

Everyone else gets their gear on, and we grab our snowboards before heading to get our passes. Aiden scans the QR code from his email, and five minutes later, we’re officially set.

“Let’s start at the bunny hill,” I suggest. “We need to see how much work we’re going to have on our hands.”

Everyone nods in agreement, and we make our way over.

I sit down and teach them how to strap their boots into their snowboards while Grayson explains the heel edge and toe edge techniques. Then, I go over how to get off the ski lift, which— knowing this group—will be the first disaster.

Twenty minutes later, we’re on the lift.

I sit next to Aiden, who looks… nervous as hell.

“Don’t be nervous, babe,” I say, squeezing his hand. “I’ll hold your hand going down.”

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