Page 84 of Expose on the Ice

I grin, feeling a warmth spread through my chest that has nothing to do with the physical exertion of the game. "I’m glad you were here to see it."

We stand there for a moment, just looking at each other. I want to pull her into my arms, to kiss her right there in the middle of the hallway. But people surround us, and I’m not sure how public she wants to be about… aboutus.

"Knox!" Coach Carson’s voice booms from behind me. "The media’s waiting. Let’s go, son."

I nod, shooting Lily an apologetic look. She just smiles and mouths, "Go get ‘em."

The press conference is a blur of questions about the game, our strategy, and our chances for the playoffs. I answer on autopilot, my mind constantly drifting back to Lily. I can see her standing at the back of the room, and every time our eyes meet, it feels like a jolt of electricity.

As the conference wraps up, one of the PR staff approaches us. "Carter, Lily, can we get a quick photo for the team’s social media?"

I hesitate for a split second, glancing at Lily. She nods. We stand side by side, and I’m acutely aware of every point where our bodies touch. The heat of her arm against mine, the brush of her hip. The photographer gestures for us to move closer, and I slip my arm around her.

"Smile!" the photographer calls.

As we pose, I find myself overwhelmed by a rush of emotions. Pride in our win, gratitude for Lily’s unwavering support, anda deep, almost frightening sense of rightness. This feels really good. This feels… like home.

The camera flashes, capturing the moment. But I can’t look away from Lily. Her green eyes are sparkling, her lips curved in a smile that is both professional and intimately familiar. All sorts of thoughts about what we could get up to later flash through my mind…

Before I can second-guess myself, I lean in close, my lips brushing her ear. "Come over tonight?" I whisper, my voice husky with desire.

She turns her head slightly, her lips nearly touching my cheek. "Thought you’d never ask," she murmurs, a conspiratorial giggle in her voice.

CHAPTER 34

LILY

Stealing glances at Carter across the table, I push my salad around the plate. The sun catches his dark hair, highlighting the relaxed set of his shoulders. It’s still surreal being out in public with him like this. No more sneaking around or pretending our relationship is purely professional.

"You going to eat that or just play with it?" Carter teases, reaching across to steal a cherry tomato from my plate.

I swat his hand away, laughing. "Hey! Just because you inhale your food doesn’t mean the rest of us have to."

He grins, popping the tomato into his mouth. "Gotta keep my strength up for tonight’s game."

"Oh please," I roll my eyes. "As if you need any help dominating on the ice."

Carter’s eyes soften, and he reaches for my hand across the table. My heart flutters as he squeezes it, and it’s moments like these that make me wonder how I’d ever thought I could maintain a professional distance from this man. He’s hot, he’s kind, and he’smine.

"So," Carter says, his thumb tracing circles on my palm, "had any ideas yet on what you want to do next?"

I sigh, the familiar weight of uncertainty settling in my chest. "I don’t know. I’ve been enjoying the break and I’ve had one idea for a story, but…"

"But you miss it," he finishes for me.

I nod, surprised by how well he understands me. "Yeah, I do. But I just don’t know if I want to go back to journalism after everything that happened."

Carter opens his mouth to respond, but a sudden camera flash interrupts us. I blink, momentarily disoriented, before realizing what’s happening. They’ve arrived, as Carter said they might at some point, part and parcel of life in the spotlight.

Paparazzi.

They swarm around our table, cameras clicking furiously. Questions fly at us from all directions. They’re here for Carter, not me, but the experience is like a tsunami of attention suddenly aimed in my direction.

"Carter! Is this your new girlfriend?"

"How long have you two been together?"

I freeze, overwhelmed by the onslaught. But Carter’s grip on my hand tightens, grounding me. He stands up, gently pulling me with him, giving them nothing, saying nothing. As Carter shields me from the cameras, guiding me towards the exit, a thought strikes me.

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