Page 74 of Expose on the Ice

Carter groans, as his pace grows frantic, his grip on me bruising. His hips pound with brutal force now, riding out my orgasm and chasing his own. As his fingers continue to tease my clit, it sends another jolt of pleasure through me, an aftershock that leaves me breathless.

I’m barely coherent, every nerve ending alight with intense sensation. But I can feel his breath hot against my ear, hear the primal growl that escapes his lips, feel each thrust growing more erratic, more desperate.

All those senses tell me he’s on the verge, too.

With a final, powerful thrust, Carter roars his release. The sensation of his cock pulsing, his hot cum filling me, sends another rush of pleasure through me, echoing my own intense orgasm. My body milks him, pulling every bit of pleasure out of both of us until we’re left shaking and gasping together.

For a moment, neither of us moves. The sounds of our heavy breathing fill the quiet room, punctuated by the occasional aftershocks of pleasure that ripple through us. Finally, Carter pulls out and collapses beside me, both of us utterly spent.

I lie in Carter’s arms, my head resting on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. For the first time in months, I feel completely at peace. Safe. Cherished. The warmth of his body and the gentle rise and fall of his chest with each breath lull me into a state of utter contentment.

Carter’s fingers trace lazy patterns on my back, sending pleasant shivers through me. I sigh, nuzzling closer to him. As we lie there, wrapped in each other’s arms, I marvel at how natural it feels. How right. The world outside this room, with all its complications and challenges, seems far away.

Sleep begins to claim me, my eyelids growing heavy. In that hazy space between wakefulness and dreams, a realization washes over me with startling clarity. The thought should terrify me, given our history and the uncertain future we face. But it feels like the most natural thing in the world.

I’m in love with Carter Knox.

I lift my head, meeting Carter’s eyes in the soft darkness. “Carter,” I whisper, my heart pounding. “I love you.”

For a moment, he’s silent, and I feel a flicker of panic. Then his arms tighten around me, and he presses a kiss to my forehead. “I love you too.”

I let out a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding, a wide smile spreading across my face. I snuggle closer to him, feeling his heartbeat quicken to match my own. As I drift off to sleep, I know that whatever challenges lie ahead we’ll face them together.

The thought of the impending storm should fill me with dread.

But, wrapped in Carter’s arms, I feel invincible.

ACT 3

CHAPTER 29

CARTER

The soft glow of dawn filters through the blinds, casting a warm light across Lily’s sleeping form. She is curled against me, her head tucked under my chin, her breath warm on my chest. I woke hours ago, but was happy to lay here forever, savoring the feel of her skin against mine.

Last night had been... I don’t even have words for it.

Intense.

Passionate.

Mind-blowing.

A back-and-forth power struggle that had left us both drained.

But it was more than just the physical. The way Lily had looked at me, touched me, like she saw past all my walls and defenses straight to the core of who I was – it left me feeling exposed in a way I hadn’t allowed in years.

And I love it.

I trace my fingers lightly along her spine, marveling at how right it feels to have her here. In my bed. In my arms. In my life. It’s like she’s carved out a space for herself that I hadn’t even known was empty until she filled it.

The memory of her whispering "I love you" in the darkness sends a jolt through me. Those three words should have terrified me. Instead, they feel like coming home. I press a kiss to the top of her head, breathing in the scent of her hair.

"I love you," I murmur, tasting the words on my tongue. They feel good. Real.

A part of me wants to laugh at the absurdity of it all. A month ago, I’d been convinced Lily was out to ruin me. Now, I can’t imagine facing what’s coming without her by my side. Because there’s no doubt in my mind that what’s coming is going to be a shitstorm of epic proportions.

The story about Sarah’s death and the cover-up is probably already breaking. Or soon will. But for the first time since that night – since Sarah died and my world imploded – I feel... okay. Not great, not by a long shot. But ready to face whatever is coming.

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