Page 123 of Icebound Hearts

I smile against his chest, letting my fingers trace the lines of his muscles, memorizing the way he feels beneath my touch. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He exhales deeply, like he’s been holding onto something for far too long, like he finally believes me. Neither of us moves for a long time, content to just exist in this stolen moment, but eventually, my stomach betrays me, growling loud enough to make Aiden chuckle.

I groan, burying my face in his chest. “You better not say anything.”

His laughter vibrates against my skin. “You’re adorable when

you’re embarrassed.”

I smack his arm half-heartedly, but he just grabs my wrist, pressing a kiss to my palm before intertwining our fingers. My heart stutters.

God, I missed this. Him. Us.

I shift to look up at him, my fingers still tangled with his. “So… what now?”

Aiden’s lips twitch, but there’s something soft in his eyes. “You tell me, Angel Face.”

I roll my eyes at the nickname, but the warmth spreading

through my chest is undeniable. “Well, I was thinking pancakes.”

He huffs a laugh, pulling me on top of him effortlessly. “Not what I meant, but now that you mention it, I am starving.”

I grin, poking his chest. “Fine. We’ll discuss the meaning of life after pancakes.”

The kitchen is warm, filled with the scent of coffee and vanilla as I flip pancakes onto a plate. Aiden leans against the counter, arms crossed, watching me with a look I can’t quite place.

I raise an eyebrow. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

He smirks. “Just making sure you don’t burn down the kitchen.”

I toss a piece of pancake at him, which he catches effortlessly, popping it into his mouth. “Rude.”

He grins, but then his expression softens, his fingers brushing against my waist as he pulls me closer. “You know I’m never letting you go again, right?”

I swallow, my hands resting against his chest. “Pretty sure you told me that last night, while you were ten inches deep in me.”

He studies me for a beat with a smug grin, then dips his head, kissing me slow and deep, like he’s sealing a promise neither of us is willing to break.

And for the first time in a long time, I don’t feel the need to run.

Because I am home. And home is him. Happiness feels foreign.

Like something I’m still getting used to. Like something I’m scared might slip through my fingers if I hold onto it too tightly. But Aiden? He doesn’t let me doubt it. Doesn’t let me question it. He just stays—unwavering, steady, constant. And every time I catch him looking at me like I hung the stars, I start to believe that maybe, just maybe, this is real.

The first test comes when we walk into the rink together the next morning. Eyes snap to us instantly, whispers already forming in the air. I don’t know what they expected—that we’d pretend last night didn’t happen? That I’d keep pushing him away, keep running from the inevitable? Not anymore.

Aiden’s hand stays on my waist as we make our way inside, his grip firm, as if daring anyone to question this. And I should feel self-conscious, I should feel overwhelmed by the attention, but instead, I just feel… light. Like nothing else matters. Like he is all that matters.

Alexei skates up to us, crossing his arms with a knowing

smirk. “Finally. Thought I was going to have to lock you two in a room to figure your shit out.”

I roll my eyes, but Aiden just shrugs. “Wouldn’t have worked. She’s too stubborn.”

Alexei snickers. “And you’re not?”

“Fair point.”

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