Page 15 of Waltzing on Ice

I think about how, when I hesitated on that lift, it wasn’t because I didn’t trust him. It was because I was afraid of what trusting him meant. I think about the way my body responds to his, how he makes me feel things I never let myself feel before.

I think about how empty it felt skating without my whole heart in it. And how he’s the one who makes me want to give everything.

And suddenly, it’s so obvious I almost laugh.

Finn isn’t Lucas. He never asked me to sacrifice who I am. He never made me feel like I had to choose between my career and my feelings. The only person who’s done that is me.

I don’t want to do it anymore. I don’t just want skating, I want him, and this time, I’m going to fight for us.

My heart pounds as I race through the hotel hallways, my silver medal still clutched in my hand like it might disappear if I let go. I don’t know what I’m going to say. I don’t even know if Finn will open the door. But I know one thing—I can’t let another second pass without telling him the truth.

I reach his door and hesitate only for a breath before knocking, hard and fast, like I’m afraid I’ll lose my nerve.

The door swings open a second later, and Finn stands there, looking exhausted, shirtless, and completely unreadable.

I swallow hard. “Hi.”

He leans against the frame, arms crossing over his chest, his expression carefully blank. “Daisy. What are you doing here?”

I take a shaky breath, trying to gather my thoughts, but they’re all tangled together in a mess of emotions. “I—” My voice falters. “Can I come in?”

He hesitates, then steps aside, letting me pass. The room is dimly lit, the only sound is the faint hum of the city outside. I turn to face him, gripping my medal tighter.

“I need to tell you something.”

Finn exhales, running a hand through his hair. “Daisy, if this is about the competition—”

“It’s not,” I cut in. “It’s about us.”

His body tenses, but he doesn’t say anything. Just watches me, waiting.

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “I was scared, Finn. Scared of how much I feel when I’m with you. Scared of what it would mean if I let myself have you and skating. I thought I had to choose. But I don’t. I don’t want to choose.”

His jaw tightens. “Daisy—”

“I love you.” The words tumble out, raw and desperate. “I love you, and I’ve been an idiot, and if you still want me, I—”

I don’t get to finish, because Finn moves in a blur, his hands cupping my face as his mouth crashes against mine. This kiss isn’t careful or tentative. It’s everything we’ve been holding back—hot, deep, consuming. I clutch at him, pressing closer, losing myself in the feel of his body against mine.

When we finally break apart, we’re both breathless. Finn rests his forehead against mine, his voice rough. “You’re not getting rid of me that easy, baby.”

I smile, tightening my grip on his shirt. “Good. Because I’m not running anymore.” And this time, when I kiss him, I know, this is real.

Chapter Thirteen

Finn

The second Daisy says she loves me, I fucking lose it. My hand grabs the back of her neck, yanking her into me. Our mouths crash together, desperate, all tongue and teeth, like we’re trying to devour each other.

“You fucking own me,” I growl against her lips, lifting her off the ground. She gasps, wrapping her legs around my waist as I press her up against the wall. “Say it again.”

Her fingers claw into my shoulders, her breath hot against my ear. “I love you.”

I let out a sound that’s half groan, half growl. “Goddamn right, you do.”

I tear at her clothes, yanking her shirt over her head, my lips trailing down her neck, biting and sucking until she’s gasping my name. Her nails rake down my back as I grind against her, the friction unbearable.

“Finn,” she whimpers, rolling her hips against mine. “Please.”

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