Page 70 of Expose on the Ice

I sigh. "What are we going to do, Carter? The story? My job?"

He shrugs. "Worry about it tomorrow."

Carter’s apartment, once so impersonal and cold, now feels warm and alive with possibility. As I look into his eyes, I see not just the guarded hockey star or the man haunted by his past, but someone who is allowing himself to be truly seen – perhaps for the first time.

"And tonight?" I say, breathless.

"That’s for us."

I step closer to Carter, drawn by an invisible force. Our eyes lock, and at that moment, all the tension, frustration, and longing of the past weeks crystallize into a single, electric instant. Without a word, we come together in a passionate kiss.

I melt into his embrace, my body molding against his as if we are two pieces of a puzzle finally fitting together. All the pent-up emotions I’d been holding back come rushing to the surface – the hurt, the confusion, the undeniable attraction.

"Damn, I don't have a condom," Carter mutters against my lips.

"You're a pro hockey player and you don't have a condom? How many little Carters are out there?" I tease, nipping at his lower lip.

"Uhh..."

"Good thing I'm on the pill," I whisper, pulling him back into another deep kiss.

We kiss with a hunger that shocks me. Carter’s arms encircle me, pulling me even closer. I can feel the heat of his body through his shirt, the rapid beating of his heart echoing my own. My hands find their way to his back, tracing the contours of his muscles, memorizing every plane and curve.

His fingers tangle in my hair, gently cradling the back of my head as he deepens the kiss. I sigh into his mouth, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. It feels like coming home andstepping off a cliff all at once – safe and terrifying, comfortable and exhilarating.

I gasp as Carter breaks the kiss, both of us breathing heavily. His eyes search my face, and I know he can see the desire mirrored there. The world around us fades away until there is nothing but the two of us, lost in this moment.

My heart races, and I can feel the heat radiating from Carter’s body. His hands, still tangled in my hair, send shivers down my spine. I am acutely aware of every point where our bodies touch, every breath we share, and the heavy weight of the moment.

"Lily," Carter whispers, his voice husky with emotion. "Are you sure about this? Once we cross this line…"

I know what he means. Outside this apartment, our worlds are about to implode. The story of Carter’s past is going to break, and my career is hanging by a thread. Everything we’ve built, everything we’ve worked for, is on the brink of falling apart. But right here, right now, it feels like none of that matters.

"Yes," I breathe, my hands gripping his shirt. "I’m sure. I want this. I want you, Carter. More than anything in the entire world. We can figure the rest out later."

I squeal with scandalous joy when he picks me up and carries me across the living room, headed for the bedroom. I can’t resist any longer. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him in for a searing kiss. His steps falter for a moment as he returns the kiss, nearly stumbling into a side table.

"Careful, hotshot," I tease, breaking away. "I’d hate for you to injure yourself before the main event…"

He chuckles, his breath warm against my neck, and suddenly, we’re moving again. Through the door, to the bed. Unlike the living room, I don’t have an opportunity to take in the decor here, but Carter gives meplentyto look at.

Carter and I tumble onto the bed, a tangle of limbs and desire. His weight presses me into the mattress. I run myhands over his broad shoulders, marveling at the strength coiled beneath his shirt, and what it means for the next few hours.

"God, Lily," he breathes against my neck, his stubble scraping deliciously against my sensitive skin. "I’ve wanted this."

I arch into him, savoring the friction between our bodies. "Me too," I admit, my voice husky with need. "Even when I wanted to strangle you."

He chuckles, the sound vibrating through me. His lips find mine again, and I lose myself in the kiss. It’s hungry, desperate, filled with all the longing we’ve both been holding back. My fingers tangle in his hair, pulling him closer as if I could somehow meld us together.

Carter’s hand skims down my side, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. When he reaches the hem of my blouse, he hesitates, his eyes searching mine for permission. I nod, breathless with anticipation. Slowly, reverently, he slides his hand beneath the fabric.

The first touch of his calloused palm against my bare skin sends shivers racing through me. I gasp, arching into his touch. I let my hands wander, tracing the defined muscles of his back through his shirt. When I reach the waistband of his jeans, I tug him closer, grinding my hips against his.

Carter groans, burying his face in my neck. "If you keep that up, this will be over fast…"

I laugh, breathless and giddy. "We can’t have that, can we?"

With a wicked grin, I flip us over, straddling his hips. The new position sends a jolt of pleasure through me, and I can’t resist rocking against him, savoring the hardness I can feel even through our clothes.

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