Page 96 of Icebound Hearts

“Aiden, don’t you dare!” I yell, already knowing what’s coming next. I barely make it a few steps before a cold thud hits me square in the back. I spin around, glaring daggers at my traitorous boyfriend.

“You asshole,” I seethe. “Now you’ll get it.” Bending down, I grab a handful of snow and pack it into a tight ball.

Aiden smirks. “Thanks for the view, angel. God damn.” I grin, turning just in time to launch the snowball at his chest. The impact stuns him. His smirk drops.

“Baby,” he says, eyes widening. “I don’t have a coat on.

Remember that.” I scoff.

“Not my problem.” Before I can react, Aiden lunges. I scream, trying to escape, but his strong arms wrap around my waist, lifting me effortlessly off the ground.

“Aiden, no!” I wiggle, trying to free myself, but it’s too late. Aiden smashes a snowball against the side of my face, making me gasp.

“I, am going to kill you.” He laughs, sliding a hand to the back of my head and pulling me in for a kiss.

“No, you won’t,” he murmurs against my lips. And, of course, he’s right.

I melt into his embrace, my arms wrapping around his neck

as his lips move against mine. His tongue slides into my mouth, deepening the kiss, and when his hand slips down to squeeze my ass, a quiet moan escapes me.

“How’s that for a distraction?” he smirks. I grin. “Best distraction ever.” I go in for another peck, but Aiden bites my bottom lip, pulling me in for something rougher.

“Fuck, baby,” he groans, pressing himself against me.

“You make me feel like a fourteen-year-old horny teenager who’s never had his dick wet before.” I burst out laughing, shaking my head.

“I would offer to help,” I tease, “but considering our families are inside, I don’t think that’s the best idea.” Aiden groans, gripping me tighter. “You’re evil.”

“Think about your grandma naked,” I suggest, “or Roman crying.” His eyes snap open.

“Yep. That did it.” I chuckle, wrapping a hand around his bicep.

“Let’s go back inside?”

He nods, pulling me toward the door. The warmth inside the house is a stark contrast to the cold I just escaped. As soon as I step back in, I spot Alina across the room and immediately make my way toward her, wrapping my arms around her.

“Hi, bestie,” she whispers, hugging me tightly. Alina told me yesterday that after the semester ends, she’s flying back to Russia for the next six to eight months. She needs a break—to spend time with her grandma, to breathe, and away from Roman.

I know the real reason, though. She’s hurting. She doesn’t want to keep begging Roman to love her, and I get it. I understand more than I wish I did. Roman is a good guy— he really is—but the two of them are horrible at communicating. They keep hurting each other in ways that can’t be undone. When she told me her plan, I agreed that the break was a good idea. That no matter what, we’d all be here when she came back.

Well, almost all of us. I graduate at the end of next year, and my goal is the Olympics. I don’t know where life will take me after that.

“Are you okay?” I ask, brushing her blonde hair out of her

face.

Alina exhales shakily. “No. I love you, but I really don’t want to be here. I keep seeing him, and it feels like my heart is going to give out. I love him, Kat, but he will never love me like that.” I pull her in tighter as her eyes fill with tears.

“Listen to me,” I whisper, my voice firm. “You are the strongest person I know. And one day, you’ll find someone who loves you as madly as you love them. Someone clingy, possessive, jealous—all the things you say you hate but secretly love.” I smirk, making her chuckle through her tears. “If Roman isn’t that person, then someone else will be.”

She nods, laughing softly. “I’m so lucky to have you in my life. How will I survive six months without you?” I grin, linking my arm through hers as we head toward Alexei.

“Well, that’s what Face-Time is for.” Alina nods but suddenly stops, and stares at something near my head.

“Why is there snow in your hair?” she asks, frowning. I glare across the room at Aiden. He smirks, winking at me. Alina chuckles, shaking her head.

“You two are menaces.”

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