Page 85 of Icebound Hearts

The words hit me like a gut punch. Because I care about him too. More than I should. I swallow hard, shifting closer. “Aiden, I—”

“Don’t.” He looks up at me, his expression raw. “Not if you don’t mean it.”

The words die in my throat. Because I don’t know what to say. I do the only thing I can. I lean in. Aiden inhales sharply, his hands tightening on his knees, like he’s holding himself back. Like he’s waiting.

I kiss him.

Soft, slow, but undeniable.

Aiden doesn’t hesitate. The second our lips touch, his hands are on me, pulling me into his lap, his fingers digging into my waist. He kisses me like he’s making a point, like he’s trying to prove something, and maybe he is.

Maybe we both are.

When we finally break apart, I rest my forehead against his, my breathing unsteady.

“We’ll figure this out,” I whisper.

Aiden lets out a slow breath, his hands still gripping me like he’s afraid I’ll disappear. “Yeah.”

And for now, that’s enough.

Chapter thirty - seven

KATERINA

The atmosphere in the arena is out of this world. The crowd roars, the boards rattle, and the energy is so thick it feels like it could crack the ice. The boys are

seconds away from qualifying for the Frozen Four, and if the last three periods have proven anything—it’s that Aiden Knight is unstoppable.

He’s everywhere on the ice, driving plays, cutting through the defense like they’re nothing. His skates carve deep, his shots are lethal, and the way he commands the game is almost terrifying. He plays with the kind of fire that makes it impossible to look away.

And me?

I’m gripping the edge of my seat, heart pounding, watching as Aiden dangles past a defense man, fakes out the goalie, and buries the puck top shelf.

The crowd erupts.

I shoot to my feet as the boys pile on top of him, screaming in victory. The final buzzer sounds, and just like that—

They’ve won. They’re going to the Frozen Four.

Alina and Maddie are screaming next to me, jumping up and down, and even Alexei is cheering like he’s the one who just scored. I feel my heart swell as I watch Aiden skate to the boards, tilting his helmet up to scan the crowd. The second his eyes find me, my stomach flips. He smirks, tapping his stick against the glass before skating away.

Cocky asshole.

The post-game celebration is chaos. The entire hockey house is packed, music blaring, drinks flowing, and people celebrating like the boys already won the championship. But the real celebration? That’s outside.

The bonfire is already roaring, casting flickering shadows across the backyard as players, friends, and fans gather around. I’m standing near the fire, bundled in Aiden’s hoodie—because, let’sbe honest, at this point, half my wardrobe is his—when he finally emerges from the house, fresh from a shower, looking

infuriatingly good.

His hair is still damp, curling slightly at the ends, and his sweatshirt hangs loosely off his frame. His sharp gaze locks onto me immediately. “You’re stealing my clothes again.” I smirk, tugging the sleeves over my hands.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Aiden stops in front of me, arms crossing. “That’s my hoodie, Angel Face.” I blink innocently.

“Oh? Weird. Must’ve gotten lost in my drawer.” Aiden huffs, but there’s a ghost of a smile tugging at his lips. He reaches out, tugging at the hem of the sweatshirt, pulling me slightly closer. “One of these days, I’m going to start stealing your clothes.” I raise an eyebrow.

“I’d pay to see you in one of my crop tops.” I say with a giggle.

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