Page 118 of Ice Princess

Why waste my breath?

It’s better if I don’t break down in front of them, better if I brush it off and act like the painful words and the cold dismissals don’t leave a dent. At least that way, I won’t be judged or told I’m superficial for wishing the world would take me seriously.

At least then, I can tell myself that they’re right. That it’s okay to be ignored, talked over, and misjudged because of other people’s assumptions.

It’s okay.

Everything’s okay.

Even if it’s not, I’m too pretty to be sad or upset—at least, that’s what I’ve been told.

So I wrap my arms around the neck of a blue-eyed hockey player who hates me.

I pull his lips to mine and I seal it with a kiss.

This is the script I wrote for myself.

Rebel Hart and Gunner Kinsey. This is the lie people need to believe.

Is Benji watching?

I keep my lips pressed to Gunner’s. Lifelessly, I go through the motions of the kiss and hope it’s convincing enough. The best thing I can do right now is prove to Benji that I’m in a happy, committed relationship.

At least, if I have a boyfriend, he’ll finally back off and I won’t have to bear the humiliation of being the girl ‘for sale’.

Gunner’s grip on my hip tightens and he nudges me back an inch. As he pushes me away, embarrassment snatches the courage from under my feet.

My good sense returns.

What the heck am I doing?

Panic roars louder than an overheating engine and I look up at Gunner, noticing the storm in his pale blue eyes.

Is he angry?

I wince and hang my head, preparing to step back.

But Gunner stops me by framing his large hands on my face and lifting my chin. His lips descend on mine tenderly.

No chaos.

No wild, untamed emotions.

It’s so, so gentle that I can barely breathe.

His mouth cups mine like a quiet symphony, as if he’s tasting my pain and heartache. A rough, calloused thumb brushes across my cheek, soothing me like a warm blanket on a cold night.

You matteris what his kiss whispers to me.You matter, Rebel.

I might be completely delusional and reading way more into the kiss than is really there, but something inside me releases. A tear rolls down my cheek.

Before I’m ready, Gunner pulls away and wraps me in a protective hug. I melt into his massive body, clinging to him while his tree-trunk arms and brawny chest completely block out the world.

“Rebel,” Benji’s voice seeps in from somewhere beyond the warm cocoon.

“We’re leaving,” Gunner announces in his deep, intimidating voice. I feel the rumble of his words travel from his chest.

“But, I need to talk to…”

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