Page 36 of Ice Block

He doesn’t mean that. Because if he meant that, I would’ve been enough for him to stay.

“You don’t hate me, but you don’t want me either.”

He places a gentle kiss on the top of my head. “I’ve never wanted anything more in my life.”

The tears fall even harder now. His hand still holds me so close I can hear the rapid pounding of his heart. So tight it’s like he’s scared he’s going to lose me. Like he doesn’t want to let go either.

“I don’t understand,” I say between sniffles and ugly crying, “Liv says you haveissues, but I just…I don’t understand. Please, Vladi,pleasehelp me understand you.”

He pulls back, searching my face. I’m not sure if it’s the rum, but I swear he has the slightest hint of tears in his eye as well.Is he…crying?

“Are you feeling well enough to lie in bed? Let’s get you out of the bathroom and out of these clothes covered in…” he pauses as he looks me up and down, “your dinner.”

“Great,” I spit out, lowering my gaze to the floor. “You’re just going to avoid my question. Avoid me. I don’t know why I assumed anything changed.”

His hand grips my chin, pulling my focus back to him. “I am not avoiding your question. I would rather not talk to you on the floor with you covered in vomit. Now, let’s try to stand up,lisichka.”

I let out a slight little chuckle, the only type I have the strength for, and give him a nod as he helps me up. I am so wobbly, I throw my arms out for balance, but his calming hand steadies me.

“Arms up,” he says as he pulls my dress away from my body.

I comply without argument. “Are you trying to seduce me, Wolfie?”

This time, he lets out a snort. “While you are the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen, seducing a woman who just threw up on my hotel room floor is surprisingly not a turn-on for me.” He scoops me into his arms again, my body shivering against his, my bra and panties doing nothing to ward off the chill. Lying me down so carefully, it’s as if hecherishesme, a calmness settles in my chest as he pulls the sheets up over me, fluffing the pillow behind my head, and leaning down to place a kiss on my forehead. “I’ll be right back.”

He comes back a few moments later with a bottle of water, the trash bin from the room, and a cold washcloth he places on my forehead. “Here’s something to drink, but just tiny sips. Get some rest,” he says as he turns to walk away.

I reach an arm toward his back. “Wait!” My mind races as fast as the room spins. “Are you leaving? Are you going to stay in another room tonight? Do you not want to be around me because I puked?”

He turns to face me again, this time rubbing his thumb along my jawline. Warmth overtakes me, and sleep begs for me to join it, but he’s right here. Taking care of me. And now he’s leaving.

“Lisichka,I’m not going to leave you. I’m going to go clean up. I promise I’ll be right back. I promise we’ll talk.” He moves his hand to adjust the washcloth on my forehead, pushing another strand of hair behind my ear. “Right now, I need you to rest for a few minutes. Can you do that for me?”

“Yes.” Shit, these fucking tears just keep falling out of my eyes. I know I’m drunk. But…is this a dream?What is he doing to me? He just said,I think, he’s never wanted anything more in his life. I can’t say I don’t feel the same way, but how do I know what exactly he means by that? Is he capable of finally taking what he wants?

And does he really want me?

24

vladi

Cleaning up vomit in my hotel room while mylisichkais lying in bed, taking sips of the bottled water I gave her, wearing nothing but her bra and panties was not on my agenda for the week. While she was kind enough to miss projectile vomiting on me, she somehow managed to get it all over her dress. I don’t want the hotel staff here with her in this compromised state. So, here I am, one of the top goalies in the league, cleaning up a giant mess of vomit in paradise. I would not do this for anyone else. But I will do it forher.

Once I’m done, I quickly rinse off in the shower before heading back to her. As I climb into bed, I see the still-standing wall of pillows she has built between us. I suck in a sharp breath knowing they’re only there because of me.Fuck that. I start throwing the damn things off the bed, not caring where they land.

“What are you doing?” she mumbles, stirring where Istillcan’t see her.

How many of these fuckers did she put between us?

“You are sick. I need to be able to see you in case you need help. Is that okay?”

She nods her head. “Yeah.”

I grab the last remaining pillow and place it across my lap. “Come. Lay your head here.”

She does as I ask and curls up next to my hip.Good. I need my hands on her.My lisichka.She reaches up, tracing the outline of the tattoo on my chest. I’m taking care of her, but her touch filtering across my skin is taking care of me too.

“What does this mean? The moon with the star on it?”

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