Page 127 of Ice Princess

The heat in the air.

Gunner Kinsey has real feelings for me.

No, it’s more than that.

I saw the truth flash across his face like a message written in the stars. This is more than combustible lust between two people who hate each other.

Gunner Kinsey wants me. Craves me.

And I… I…

“I have to go.” I spin around like the treehouse is on fire and scramble down the ladder. One shoe falls off when I jump to the ground, but I don’t stop to pick it up.

Running half-barefoot down the trail, I fling my car door open. Thankfully, Gunner left my keys in the truck. This is Kinsey land and no one in town is dumb enough to steal from the most powerful family in Lucky Falls.

Twisting the key until the car rumbles to life, I back out of the lot like a crazy woman, nearly slamming into a tree. Just then I see Gunner scaling down the ladder. He notices my slipper and picks it up, glancing at it and then at me.

Slamming my foot on the gas, I tear a path through the orchard and down the road that leads out of the Kinsey farm.

Carol Kinsey is driving up to her garage when I speed past.

Her eyes, as pale blue as Gunner’s widen on impact. The confusion in her gaze shifts to disdain when she recognizes me.

How much deeper would that scowl go if she knew how badly I wanted to keep kissing her son?

My heart tumbles.

I grip the steering wheel and press harder on the gas, trying to outrun those scandalous thoughts.

Gunner Kinsey has feelings for me.

And I… I…

I slam my foot on the brakes as the adrenaline in my blood finally retreats enough for me to think.

What do I feel for Gunner?

I hate himfloats through my mind on auto-pilot.

But the negative feelings have lost their sting, overshadowed by all the moments we’ve shared.

I think about the night his head slid on my shoulder in the hospital and about how hurt I was when he left Lucky Falls without telling me. I think about how safe I felt in his arms when he hugged me earlier and how moved I was when he arranged the community service day.

I park the car to the side, my head a mess of tangled thoughts.

Do I like Gunner? CAN I like Gunner after… everything?

I groan.

This is all so complicated. Why couldn’t he keep hating me in peace?

“Stupid Gunner Kinsey,” I grumble, beating the steering wheel. “Obnoxious, massive pain in the?—”

Knuckles rap against my window and I jump.

Gunner is standing outside the truck. Sweat slides down his face and his chest heaves violently.

Did he… run here?

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