Page 19 of Back On Ice

I haven’t been kissed like this since… fuck. I don’t think I’ve ever been kissed like this. His mouth dominates mine, his tongue demanding immediate entrance. I comply, sinking into the warmth his touch brings, awakening feelings within me that have been long dormant.

His other hand moves to wrap around my waist, and his hard length presses into my stomach as he pulls me closer. I’m being claimed and consumed. So much so, it isn’t until he breathes “Sophie” against my lips that I snap out of it.

What the fuck am I doing? This is Carter. The man who ripped my heart out and stepped on it. I can’t let myself forget that.

My fists in his shirt turn to palms against his chest as I push away from him, breaking our kiss. He lets me go easily, his eyes a little glassy as he looks at me.

This can’t happen.

With our history, this can only end badly.

Shaking my head, I take a couple of steps back before turning around completely and leaving the rink.

It’s not until I’m driving home in my car that the reality of what just happened hits me.

Carter kissed me.

He didn’t just kiss me. He kissed me like his life depended on it. Like I was the air he needed to breathe. I remember it being good… but had it always beenthatgood?

My fingers brush over my lips, still tingling from the force of the way he claimed me.

It’s not like I haven’t been with anyone since Carter left. I’ve been on a few dates and had a handful of hookups over the last nine years, the latter were always people passing through town. I couldn’t risk having a one night stand with someone I already knew. This town is too small and word gets around too quickly. Instead, when the need to relieve tension would arise, I’d hit Danny’s, hoping to find someone who would be gone the next day.

The encounters were often fumbled, awkward, or unsatisfying. Who am I kidding? They were all of those things, every time.

None of them ever elicited this kind of response from me. This burning coil ofneed?—

Shit, I need a distraction. Any distraction. And possibly a cold shower.

But first, the distraction. Problem is it’s Sunday evening, and everything is closing. I can’t even stop anywhere for… shit. Dinner.

I completely forgot I’m supposed to have dinner with Tom and Jordan at my parents’ house. That’s something that I amnotin the mood to deal with right now. I’d have to hear more about Carter. Mom would ask me questions, no doubt with an elbow jab and a wink. Jordan would talk about how cool it is he’s staying here, and I would be left red-faced, with the memory of that sinful kiss locked in my mind.

No, thank you.

Opting to head home, I shoot off a text when I park:

Me: Hey guys, sorry to miss dinner, but I have a pounding headache. I’m going to just stay home tonight.

Mom: Feel better, sweetie! Are you drinking enough water?

Dad: Love you, champ. Feel better.

Tom: *eye roll emoji*

Scowling at my brother’s text, I leave the group chat and send him a private message:

Me: *middle finger emoji*

Tom: *laughing emoji*

There’s no way Tom knows about Carter kissing me… right? No, he’s just being an ass. I haven’t directly asked him if he’s the one who told Carter about the rinks being in trouble, but I can fucking tell. He apparently kept in contact with Carter and never told me.

Tom’s so on my shit list for now.

Damn traitor.

My shoulders finally deflate when I walk into my house. At least with Tom and Jordan at my parents’, I’ll be home alone for a while.

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