Page 194 of Sin Bin

He shook his head. “You come out here.”

“Are you crazy? I’m not stepping out on that ice in these heels! I’ll slip and—”

“I won’t let you fall.” He skated back to her, took her hands in his and carefully led her back onto the ice.

She glowered up at him. “Why do we have to be out here? We’re in an arena full of empty seats. Can’t we sit down somewhere and finish our conversation like rational adults?”

“No,” he grumbled darkly. “You’ve thrown me for a fucking loop. I need solid footing.”

“On ice?”

“I’m comfortable on ice.”

“Well, I’m not,” she huffed, tugging her hands from his so he would stop skating. The ice felt slick and perilous beneath her feet. He’d put her at a disadvantage, which had undoubtedly been his intent. Diabolical jerk.

“Now.” He stood so close that she had to tilt her head back to look up at his scowling face. “Tell me again why you think we should just be friends.”

She stared into his piercing eyes and almost lost her resolve. Almost. “As much as I enjoyed the time we spent together last week, I think we need to keep things platonic from now on.”

His lips twisted into a smirk. “What are you saying? What happened in Vegas should stay in Vegas?”

She flinched at the biting mockery in his voice. “That’s not what I’m saying.”

“Then what are you saying, dammit?” He pushed his face into hers, his eyes glittering fiercely. “The night of my birthday. What was that about, huh? Was I just a pity fuck?”

“No!” she cried vehemently, hurt that he could think such a thing. “Pity had nothing to do with what we shared that night! Or the night after that!”

“I’m not so sure I believe you.” He glared down at her. “First you lied to me about having a boyfriend. Then you tried to foist me off on Ana’s sister. Now you’re dumping me just days after we made love.” He shook his head, his lip curled in a sneer. “I gotta tell you, Jupe. You’re doing wonders for my fucking ego.”

Frustration welled up inside her. “Look, those nights we spent together were absolutely amazing, okay? I’ll never forget them as long as I live—”

“Neither will I!” he shouted, his voice thundering around the empty arena.

Their gazes locked in an emotionally charged standoff.

“Why won’t you give me a chance, Meadow?” he demanded, urgently imploring her with his eyes. “Why won’t you give me a chance to be your man?”

“Because!”

“Because what?”

“There are pictures of us out there!” she burst out shrilly.

His eyes flickered and his jaw flexed. “I’m aware of that.”

“And it doesn’t bother you? Having your privacy violated like that?”

He shoved his hand through his hair. “What do you want me to say? I’m not crazy about being constantly photographed, but it is what it is!”

“Not for me!” she asserted, folding her arms tightly across her chest. “You know how I feel about being in the spotlight, Logan. I don’t want complete strangers prying into my personal life. You might be used to that kind of attention and scrutiny, but I’m not. And I don’t think I ever will be!”

He bracketed her face in his hands, his eyes fiercely probing hers. “What are you so afraid of?”

Her throat tightened. “Logan—”

“I won’t let anyone hurt you,” he promised. “I’ll protect you—”

“Even from yourself?”

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