Holly shrugs, her expression softening. “He acted like he had some kind of deep, dark secret to reveal. But there’s nothing I’ll believe from him. Honestly, he reminds me way too much of Jake. He’s just the sleazy reporter version.”

Hearing her compare Blue to Jake almost makes me laugh. Her trust in me, despite everything, makes the knot in my chest loosen just a little more. Maybe she’s the only person who doesn’t see me as the guy with walls as thick as the rink’s boards.

“Thanks,” I mutter, voice quieter than I meant. Her words and the belief they connote mean more than she knows.

Her head tilts, studying me. “What can I do to help?”

A smile creeps up before I can stop it. “You really wanna know?”

She nods, eyes hopeful. What can she do? Nothing, really. But knowing she’s here, not backing off even when things get messy? It’s enough to make me breathe a little easier. I don’t want to throw this on her, but there’s a part of me—selfish as it sounds—that just needs her right now.

A slow grin spreads. “You could kiss me.”

Her eyes flicker with amusement, a smirk pulling at her lips. “That’s all it takes to fix everything, huh? A kiss?”

“Never said I was complicated.”

She huffs a laugh, rolling her eyes. “Here I was, not knowing the ice king only needs a little kiss to melt.”

My chuckle is low and deep. “Guess you’ve figured me out.”

She arches a brow, stepping closer, the playful glint in her eyes shining bright. “Not even close.” Then, before I can say another word, she’s on her tiptoes, lips brushing against mine in the softest, sweetest kiss.

For a second, everything else fades. The tension, the pressure, the noise—it all disappears, leaving just us. But softand sweet doesn’t last long. The second her hands slide up my chest, curling into my shirt, the heat between us kicks into overdrive.

And just like that, the space between us disappears. Her lips meet mine, soft and warm, and the weight I’ve been carrying starts to lift. The world fades out for a moment—no Blue, no family drama, no ghosts of the past. Just this. Just her.

The kiss deepens, her hands sliding up to my shoulders, pulling me closer. It’s like every frustration, every bit of anger and pain, melts away with each touch. Nothing else matters. Just the heat between us, the way her body feels pressed against mine.

Her fingers slide into my hair, tugging gently, and it sends a shiver down my spine. My hands move to her waist, gripping her tighter as the kiss grows more intense. There’s a hunger there now—like everything that’s been simmering under the surface has finally boiled over.

She gasps as I pull her even closer, the sound sending a spark through me. The kiss becomes more desperate, more demanding. Her body arches against mine, and the tension that’s been building for so long snaps, igniting something we can’t stop.

Clothes start to come off in a flurry of movement—her shirt first, then mine, hitting the floor in a messy pile. Her skin is soft under my hands, and I trace the curve of her back, feeling her shiver beneath my touch.

“Ethan,” she breathes out, her voice barely more than a whisper. It’s the sound of want, of need, and it fuels the fire burning between us.

My lips move to her neck, tasting the soft skin there as her breath hitches. She responds with urgency—fingers gripping my shoulders, naked breasts pressing closer into my naked chest—sending crazed flares of need up my brain. Every inch of herpulls me in, makes everything else disappear until it’s just her, just us.

‘“Come,” I drag her towards the couch, and she falls onto it.

She gazes up at me, her eyes wide as they dance across my face and chest and settle at my hips. It’s almost unsettling to feel her eyes stir me into rock-hard bone without touching. I need her touch. She leans back, giving me an unobstructed view of a pair of gorgeous breasts. I stand still and stare down at her peaked nipples for a moment.

“What?”

“You’re so gorgeous; you’re irresistible, Holly.”

She laughs. I lean over her, cupping her breasts. She arches into me, her body melting into my hands, against my body. Her chuckle changes to groans, showing how much she loves my touch, the teasing of my hands, my fingers twisting her nipples softly. I go one further, closing my mouth around one nipple, flicking my tongue in teasing circles.

“I want you right now.” She whimpers, grabbing my hand, putting it between her legs, and wiggling her waist to help as I jerk her jeans down to expose wet panties.

“You’re wet,” I whisper, one hand slipping inside her panties. She growls, pushing against the hand, wholly insatiable and out of control. “I’m glad you’re ready for me.”

My teeth nip her earlobe, and two fingers slip in to send her gasping.

“Ethan—” Her eyes shut, and her head drops on my shoulder.

I lift her jaw with the other hand. “I want to see the look in your eyes as you come, love.”