Page 52 of Icebound Attraction

We observe each other for a moment. Liam seems to be deep in thought. I see his gaze drift from my eyes to my mouth, and suddenly he closes the distance between us to place his lips on mine.

Caught off guard, I can't push him away and feel myself engulfed by the kiss I've been hoping for with all my heart.

Red alert! Red alert!

10

Liam

I know Chase would never hit on Emily because he suspects there's something between us. He keeps trying to get it out of me. I stand my ground! This guy is good with his questions and his innocent air. But still, when I see the two of them laughing, having a good time, and above all looking like they're confiding in each other, my blood runs cold. I feel like Emily is slipping away from me, and I want to be the one she can do all that with.

So, when we are alone, I can't contain myself, and when I kiss her, everything makes sense.

Her lips are incredibly soft and warm. It's as if the world around us stops. It's not just desire, passion, ardor, it's deeper, more meaningful.

I take her face in my hands and slowly withdraw. She looks up at me with her big blue eyes, filled with surprise and other emotions I can't quite put my finger on.

“Liam...” she whispers. “You... We can't...”

I swallow my own confusion.

“I'm sorry,” I mumble, and without asking for more, I take off.

Suddenly, I feel vulnerable, and all I want to do is go home.

The darkness of my room envelops me as I lie on my bed, my thoughts swirling like a storm. The events of the last few days have swept me up in a tsunami of emotions, and I can't find peace in my own head.

Emily...

Her name echoes in me. I remember her eyes, her lips, the way she laughs. But in the midst of these memories, there's also a truth I can no longer ignore. I'm fighting against myself, caught between my desire to be with her and the ambitions I have for my career.

That kiss turned my emotions upside down. Emily touches me in a way I never expected. What the hell? We both decided we'd better be friends. Well... Her, more than me... But she was right! And yet, here I am - confused, upset and distracted.

I sigh, staring at the ceiling.

Emily or my career?

I feel like I have to choose between an arm and a leg. And whichever way I choose, there will be consequences.

I try to imagine what it would be like not to see Emily at all, to avoid her, to ignore her, to cut her out of my life. Just thinking about it terrifies me - as if I had to give up an important part of my life.

Can I afford to have a relationship while advancing my career? Can I reconcile the two without conflict? Is love really an obstacle to becoming a professional? Some people have done it, haven't they?

I'm trying to think of all the professional players I know who are happily married.

Dude, do you think you're looking at a celebrity magazine? And we're talking about a relationship, not marriage, get off!

And yet, she encourages me in my studies, anchors me in my daily life, pushes me and always sees the best in me. She knows a thing or two about hockey now! What more could you ask for? Should I open up to her about all this?

I rub my forehead.

But Emily has her own dreams and goals, she's made that clear, and I don't want to hold her back in any way.

Damn.

My reflections are meaningless, since she did set limits.

I close my eyes and try to calm down a little.

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