Page 51 of Icebound Hearts

I try to sleep. But the pain in my shoulder is unbearable. I sit up on my bed in the darkness of my room, my arm throbbing even through the pain meds, and the weight of it all—the surgery, the recovery, the lost time—crushes me.

Tears slip down my cheeks before I can stop them, silent and heavy, and I bite my lip to keep the sob inside, but it’s no use. My heart starts pounding out of my chest as I sob. The door creaks open. At first, I think it’s Alina. But I see him.

Aiden steps inside quietly and carefully, as if he knows he’s walking

straight into a war zone. I stiffen, scrubbing at my face quickly, forcing myself to sit up even though my body protests the movement.

“Get out,” I yell, but he doesn’t. He just closes the door behind him, his gaze locked onto mine, dark and unreadable.

“No.” Anger flares in my chest.

“I don’t want you here.” He slowly steps towards me, stopping at the edge of my bed.

“I don’t care.” I glare, but he doesn’t move, doesn’t flinch.

“Go away, Aiden.” He exhales through his nose, like he’s barely holding onto his patience.

“You’ve been shutting everyone out,” he states, anger dripping from his voice.

“So what?” I snap. “It’s my life, my career—”

“And you’re just going to give up?” I freeze.

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to,” he mutters. “I see it all over your face.” Something cracks inside me.

“What do you want from me, Aiden?” My voice breaks on his name, and I hate it. I hate how weak I sound, how raw I feel. Aiden doesn’t answer right away. He just looks at me, his expression unreadable, but there’s something in his eyes— something that makes my throat tighten.

“I want you to let me be here for you.” I let out a shaky breath, staring at him like I don’t know who he is.

“Why?” I whisper. His gaze flickers, something unreadable passing over his face before he says, low and rough—

“Because I can’t stand seeing you like this.” My lip trembles, and I shake my head. “I—” Before I can say anything else, he’s closing the space between us, carefully sitting on the edge of my bed. He doesn’t touch me, doesn’t push—just waits. And I hate that it works. I hate that my walls are already cracking. So I do the only thing I can do. I let go. I fall. Aiden catches me the second I do. I don’t know who moves first, but suddenly, I’m in his arms, my face buried in his chest, and I’m crying. Not silent tears. Not quiet grief. Broken.

I sob, leaning into him, my body trembling, and Aiden just holds me, his grip tight, solid, real. He runs his right hand through my hair to comfort me, pressing his lips against my temple, and he doesn’t say a word—just lets me fall apart in his arms. I shouldn’t be doing this. I shouldn’t be letting this happen. But right now, I don’t care. Because the pain—the aching, burning, all-consuming pain that has settled deep in my chest—won’t stop, and I need something to drown it out. I need him to drown it out. So, when Aiden dark eyes flicker to my lips, I don’t hesitate.

“Aiden. Make me forget. Please?” A single tear slips down my cheek.

His entire body goes still. I place my left hand on his jaw, my thumb rubbing his jaw. “Please, make me feel something other than pain.”

Whatever restraint he had left shatters. Aiden crushes his lips against mine, his hands immediately claiming me, one gripping the back of my neck, the other wrapping around my throat firmly. I melt into him, letting the kiss consume me, devour me. My tongue glides over his bottom lip, and when he groans, Ismile against his mouth. He pulls me onto his lap, his strong hands guiding me as I straddle him. Aiden grabs my ass and pulls me down against him, forcing a gasp out of me.

“Aiden,” I moan, my lips brushing against his ear. His entire body tenses beneath me, his grip tightens, and his mouth latches onto my neck, sucking, biting, owning. I arch against him, my fingers tangling in his hair, tugging when he finds the sensitive spot beneath my jaw. God. I can barely breathe.

I rock against him, feeling every hard, heated inch of his pressed against me, and my mind goes blank. Aiden groans, flipping me onto my back, careful not to jostle my injured shoulder. He hovers above me, his hands trailing up my sides, slipping beneath my shirt, his touch burning against my skin. Then, his eyes darken.

“Careful, my angel. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.” His voice is hoarse, thick with restraint. I bite my bottom lip, my chest rising and falling rapidly as I stare down at him, drunk on the way he looks at me like I’m something holy. He slides his hands higher, fingers grazing the bottom of my breasts, and my breath catches. I need more.

I don’t even hesitate. I pull my shirt over my head, baring myself to him. Aiden sucks in a sharp breath, his eyes dropping. He licks his lips, his throat bobbing as he takes me in. “Fuck Goldie.” He whispers, taking me in. Heat pools low in my stomach, my core tightening. Aiden's hands roam over my ribs, and his touch is both soft and desperate. He leans down, pressing open-mouthed kisses along my stomach, then up—higher, higher—until his lips brush the top of my chest. Then he sucks hard, leaving his mark, claiming me. I whimper, my fingers digging into his shoulders, my body writhing beneath him.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he murmurs against my skin, his voice raw like he’s trying to memorize me. I reach for him,letting my hands explore every inch of his body—the solid lines of his abs, the dip of his waist, the way his muscles flex under my touch.

“It’s not fair.” I lean forward, brushing my lips over his stomach. “You’re built like a fucking sculpture.” Aiden lets out a deep chuckle, but it dies quickly when I kiss each ridge of his abs, my tongue flicking against his skin. His entire body shudders.

“You’re one to talk. You look like a fucking Godess Kat.” His voice is wrecked, his eyes hungry as they rake over me.

I smirk, pulling his bottom lip between my teeth before sucking on it. Aiden groans, gripping my waist tightly, his fingers digging into my skin.

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