Page 66 of Icebound Hearts

His fingers trace slow, teasing circles along my bare hip. “How much you fight me on it.”

I bite my lip, hating the way my body immediately responds to him, heat creeping up my neck. “You’re insufferable.”

Aiden smirks. “And yet baby, you still ended up in my bed.”

I gasp, shoving at his chest, but he just laughs, catching my wrist and rolling us over so that he’s hovering above me, his weight pressing me into the mattress.

His smirk fades as he studies me, his gaze dark and unreadable.

“You okay?”

The question knocks the air from my lungs.

Because he means it. It’s not just an empty phrase—he’s really asking. Really checking in. And for a moment, the weight of it—of him—is almost too much.

I swallow hard, nodding. “Yeah.”

Aiden watches me for a second longer, then nods, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead before finally rolling off me, giving me space.

And that—more than anything—makes my chest ache.

Eventually, I do escape his room, slipping into the kitchen to find Alina already there, sipping coffee and scrolling through her phone.

The second she looks up, her eyes narrow. “Oh my God,” breathes. “You finally did it.” I freeze.

“What—” She gasps, smacking the counter. “You did! You and Aiden—” I lunge for her, clapping a hand over her mouth.

“Shut up!”

Alina’s eyes are gleaming as she pulls my hand away, grinning like she just won the lottery. “Was it good?”

I groan. “I hate you.”

“You love me.”

“I regret telling you anything.”

She wiggles her eyebrows. “Oh, but you didn’t tell me everything.” I groan again, grabbing my coffee and stomping toward the living room. “I’m leaving.”

Alina cackles behind me. “I love this day!”

I should tease her back, say something about Roman, but this thing between them is very confusing. She has been sleeping over almost everyday and i know she loves Roman, but i hate when they argue and fight. The walls in this house are too thin.

Later that day, Aiden and I end up at the rink again. Because as much as my body still aches from last night, I need this. I need the ice, the movement, the reminder that I’m still me—still capable of fighting for what I want, for what I deserve.

Aiden skates beside me, hands in his pockets, watching as I test my limits, stretching, moving carefully. “You’re pushing too hard,” he says eventually.

I exhale, rolling my shoulders, testing the ache.

“I have to.” Aiden sighs, stopping in front of me, his brows furrowed.

“Kat—”

“I need this, Aiden.”

His jaw tightens. “I know.”

I swallow, shifting my weight on my blades. “Then let me.” For a second, he doesn’t say anything. Then—

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