Page 87 of Back On Ice

Taking his hand, he grips my chin, tilting my head towards him. His lips capture mine, slowly and full of love as a contented sigh leaves me.“That goes for you too, Angel. Nothing in this world will ever separate us again, I promise.”

His words settle over me in a reassurance I didn’t know I needed, and I can feel the truth of them. His dad is gone, and we won’t need to live our lives looking over our shoulders. Nothingcan stand between us and a future of love and happiness. We’ve been through so much already, I know we can face down anything as long as we’re together.

Chapter Thirty Six

SOPHIE

Shortly after the ultrasound,Abbie found us, letting me know her dad drove my car here for me. She’ll take him home. She hands me the phone I left on her dad’s living room floor and my purse. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Carter,” she says, nodding at him.

Tears well in her eyes, and I hold my arms out to her, dropping the ultrasound face down next to me. “Oh, come here, you big softie.”

She throws herself at me, laying her head on my shoulder and wrapping her arms around both of us. “My dad got filled in by Detective Peterson. I hope you don’t mind, but I called Jake. I thought he’d want to know and be here.”

“Thanks, Abbie,” Carter says warmly, patting her head like a puppy. She snorts, and stands up, wiping at her eyes right in time for Jake to show up.

His eyes fly to the bandage on Carter’s arm, looking shocked. “Holy shit, man, are you okay?” he asks, still standing in the doorway, running a hand through his messy brown hair

“I meant to call you, but then I couldn’t get a hold of Sophie. It’s just a graze, though,” he says, shooting his friend a guilty smile. Jake’s features relax as his blue eyes light up in relief.

“Thanks for calling me, Abbs,” he murmurs into Abbie’s ear, pressing a kiss to her hair before coming around to Carter’s other side. Blushing, Abbie looks taken aback at his public display of affection, but she recovers quickly, shrugging. “He’s your best friend.”

Jake looks to Carter, eyeing his bandage. “Fuck, he actually shot you. But… it’s over? He’s really…?”

“Detective Peterson says that between the financial crimes and the attempted murder charge, we won’t ever have to see him again.” I pick the ultrasound photos back up, thankful we’re all safe.

“Thank fuck,” Jake mutters, suppressing a shiver. “That guy always gave me the creeps.” His eyes slide from Carter to me, and then to the ultrasound picture in my hand, his jaw dropping. “Is that…?”

My cheeks hurt from how hard I’m smiling. “Uncle Jake, Auntie Abbie, meet Little Biscuit.” A small squeal leaves Abbie as she goes to stand next to Jake, both of them looking at the photo.

“It’s like a little bean…” Jake mutters, his eyes wide.

“A kumquat,” I supply helpfully, snuggling back into Carter’s chest and watching their expressions.

“So tiny,” Abbie coos, wiggling her finger in front of the photo like it’s the actual baby.

“I’m so happy for you guys,” Jake says, gently grasping Carter’s shoulder. “You deserve all the happiness in the world.”

“I think he just told me he loves me,” Carter stage-whispers, mock surprise on his face.

“Oh, shut up, dickhead,” Jake laughs. “You know I do.”

“Little Biscuit…” Abbie chuckles and shakes her head before taking the photos from Jake. Pure adoration lights them as shetrails a finger over the little blip where the heartbeat is, then seems to snap out of it and whips a hand towards Carter. “You’renot allowed to pick baby names anymore.” We dissolve into a fit of giggles while Carter and Jake chuckle and shake their heads.

For the first time in a long time, I’m no longer carrying the weight of years of regret on my shoulders.

I’ve never felt more free.

“You ready?” Carter asks, tightening his arm around my shoulder as we prepare to leave his hotel room the next day. By the time they had discharged him from the hospital, it was one in the morning, and I drove us both back to his room before we collapsed in the bed, exhausted as hell.

“So ready.” I nod, grasping his hand. He looks as delicious as ever in dark wash jeans and a green t-shirt that hugs his muscular chest and shoulders. I’m itching to peel it off him and run my tongue between his pecs.

My train of thought startles me. It must be the hormones. Ignoring my newfound urge to lick Carter, at the most inconvenient times, I shoot him a smile. “It felt strange keeping it from them. Now that the threat of your dad is gone, and things are finally settled between you and me, I want to tell them in person.”

He brushes some of my long, curled, auburn hair from my face before pressing a kiss to my temple and handing me my phone. “Let’s do this then.”

The drive to my parents house is short, but that doesn’t stop me from being weirdly nervous about telling my family. Carter tightens his hand around mine, stopping me from compulsivelybrushing down the skirt of my sundress. “You’re killing me in that outfit, Angel. If you keep drawing attention to the skirt of your dress, I might just have to pull over and remove the whole thing for you.” The heat in his voice sends a jolt of need straight through me, and I’m half tempted to do it again, just to see if he follows through.

Shit, these hormones are out of control.

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