Page 135 of Redeeming the Villain

A tear rolls down my cheek. “It was a team effort from both Malik and I.”

Darius laughs, a sob breaking free from his throat. “I know Malik. I’m sure it was one hell of a job. But we’re grateful nonetheless.”

I laugh as the brightness dims in the arena. The light show begins on the ice as the build-up song plays loudly through the speakers, cutting off our conversation. The announcer begins shouting into the mic, announcing each starter as they skate out onto the ice and take their place on the blue line.

Alicia reaches over and squeezes my hand with hers. Looking up to her eyes, I find them brimmed with tears. I can see the love they have for him, like he’s their son.

She mouths,Thank you.

I nod and squeeze her hand back, enjoying the moment.

After the anthem is performed, they set up for the start of the game. The Legends versus the Kraken. Blair, my resident hockey expert, fills me in on all the stats of the team and the likely outcome. Honestly, it’s so impressive that she can keep everything straight in her mind.

Apparently, the Kraken have two of the top scorers in all of college hockey on their team. Which doesn’t sound super beneficial to us. But she assures me that Griffin and Dean are the best defensive duo, and the Kraken will have one hell of a time trying to score on them.

She’s right.

By the end of the second period, the score is one to zero, with us in the lead.

After a quick bathroom break and concession stop, I head back to my seat.

Someone grabs my wrist, and I’m suddenly pulled inside of a room, the door shutting behind me.

“Ahh!”

But the moment his scent fills my nose, I relax.

“Hey, Bug.”

“What are you doing here?” I gasp, playfully slapping his chest.

“I needed this.” He grabs my jaw and tilts my head back at the same time his lips crash down onto mine.

He breathes me in with his kiss, devouring me as his tongue starts dancing with mine.

I moan into his mouth, and he groans, his fingers grabbing my waist. After getting his fill, he pulls back like it’s the hardest thing he’s ever had to do.

“Wait for me in the lobby with Blair and Lumi after the game.Please.”

He kisses me again, and I melt into a puddle.

Pulling away, I bite down on my tingling lip. “What’s in it for me?”

He squints at me. “Oh, really? Just seeing me isn’t enough?”

Cocking my head to the side, I playfully wince. “I don’t know.”

Suddenly, I’m airborne, my legs wrapping around his waist as if it were their most natural position.

Pressing my back against the wall, he claims my lips with his. “How about I promise to love you forever?”

“That easy?” I challenge him between kisses.

He nods, his lips pressed into mine. “The easiest thing I’ll ever do is love you forever, Alora.”

My chest bursts with joy, and I kiss him ferociously as the world around us seems to fade away.

I’ve lived my life safely, following orders from my father, being the perfect student and the adoring daughter. I did those things for my dad, my teachers, and my peers to earn their love. But I don’t have to earn Malik’s; he loves me for free.

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