Page 61 of Ice Block

“This is too much. This bottle is over a million dollars.”

Hayes shrugs. “I had a connection that got me a good deal. Besides, I knew you always dreamed of having this in your collection, so I worked some magic to make it happen.”

My mind spins as I choke back what seems to be a tear forming in my eye at his kindness. He’s been a support system to me for all these years, he and Kristi both, constantly offering their homes and compassion. And now, I’m holding this bottle in my hand.I can’t believe it.I’ve dreamed of this for so long, but never felt like it was a wise decision to spend so much money on something that would sit on a shelf, outside of taking a drink from it on a special occasion.It’s not that I don’t have money, but spending that much on a bottle?

“You really think I hate the sun so much you got me a million-dollar bottle of vodka?”

We laugh as he brings me in for a hug. I’m not as upset about this hug as I usually am, but he’s also not Bougie.

“Thank you, Larsy. It means a lot.”

“You mean a lot to me too, Vladi. You mean a lot to all of us here.” He pulls back, narrowing his eyes. “I wanted to ask you something, and it’s only out of love.”

The fucking moment is ruined, my stomach churning as I crack my knuckles. I really don’t want to drink this bottle before I even get it home on my basement shelf, but I already feel like I need to drown the panic warring within me. I give Larsy a look, telling him as much.

“Do you love her?”

I look down at the bottle again, hoping it will give me the answer.It doesn’t.I’m still clueless. “I don’t know what it means to love someone.”

He places a hand on my shoulder. “I don’t know if it’s the same for everyone, but I can tell you there isn’t a doubt in my mind, Olivia is the one. I love her. It’s as simple as that. My heart aches when she’s not around. I think about her constantly. When we are together, it’s like no one else in the world exists. She makes me laugh more than anyone else. She is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, but it’s so much more than her looks. She’s beautiful when she’s lounging around with no makeup, unbrushed hair, and horrible morning breath. Seriously, it’s like she eats onions in her sleep.” I blow out a breath as we both laugh at the things we will do for a woman. “But Vladi, it’s the beauty underneath all that I love even more. She is kind, smart, talented, funny, and somehow, she puts up with all my shit. She’s my home. And I can’t everimagine my life without her. I want to call her and tell her everything I do when she’s not around. She’s…she’s my whole world.”

His words hit deep, like a shot to the chest.I want that.Ifeelthat. But can I have that? “How do you know you can keep her safe? How do you know you won’t screw things up? How do you know you won’t lose her?”

“You don’t. None of us are guaranteed another day on this earth. I mean, God forbid anything happen to any of us, but, like Zack always tells me—we play without fear, why not love without it too? You can’t stop bad things from happening. All you can do is try and enjoy the good things life has in store for you. And, if you ask me, for you, that’s Maggie.”

I nod, surprising myself again by giving Larsy a hug.

“Wow, man, another hug? Initiated by you?”

“Don’t get used to it.” We loudly laugh again.

“Come on, we’re all going to hang out at this outdoor dance club. Maybe you should bring a date,” he says with a wink as he walks away.

My heart pounds as if a thousand pucks are slamming against my helmet all at once. A date. Withmy lisichka. She’s standing with all her friends as they laugh about something. Her smile is a mile wide, bringing one to my own face, and I’m certain she’s the one making all of them laugh. Her gaze finds mine across the room and her smile widens even more. Refusing to let the tightness stealing my breath control me, I make my way over to her, pushing past tables and chairs as if they’re skaters on the ice. She whispers something to Olivia, then walks my way, closing the distance between us.

“Hey, Wolfie,” she teases, “what are you doing all the way over here? Shouldn’t you be sitting in a corner brooding?”

“I could do that,” I say, grabbing her hand and bringing it up tomy lips for a kiss. “Or you could join me at this after-party everyone is going to.”

She tilts her head to the side with one brow raised. “Are you asking me out on a date?”

I rub my thumb along her knuckles. “Would you go on a date with me, Magdalina?”

“Oh, I don’t know; let me check my schedule. I think I’m due for another life jacket fitting in the next hour.”

I glare at her, knowing exactly what she’s doing. She’s trying to get me worked up, and dammit, she’s good at it.And fuck if I don’t like it.I surprise her, twisting her arm gently behind her back to pull her in close. “The only person that will ever be demonstrating life jacket safety with you again will be me.”

“Wow…still jealous and possessive, I see?” She pants, her chest heaving against mine as her lips curl into a smile. “I would love to go on a date with you.”

I fully press my lips to hers, pulling her even tighter against my body, claiming her with a kiss and not giving a fuck that all our friends are watching us. I don’t care. Because Maggie James ismine.

39

maggie

Now that it’s out in the open that Vladi and I hooked up, I have zero reason to hold back being handsy with him at this little night club. My inner feral cat has come out to play, dragging his fine ass out onto the dance floor after he protested for what seemed like an hour claiming he didn’t want to leave his drink unattended. Who knew whispering in his ear that if he danced with me, I’d let him give me a Turkish Snowcone when we got back to the room would work as well as it did. He gave me a very confused look and asked what that was, but I told him he had to come dance with me to find out.

Now moving in sync, our bodies pressed so closely together there isn’t any room for air, I can’t help but have my hands rubbing over every inch of his chest. Our friends are all engrossed with their own partners so they don’t notice us, and even if they see us, I don’t give a fuck. Vladi asked me to come here with him. He actually used the worddate.He’s here. With me. Out in the open. For the world and our nosy-ass friends to see. I’m taking advantage of this moment. Taking advantage of him. Am I squeezing this man’sass on the dance floor? Fuck yea I am. Is he enjoying it? Fuck yeah he is. Standing this close to him, grinding our bodies against each other, there’s no way I couldn’t notice he wasn’t enjoying it, even if I had to drag him out here kicking and screaming. But now? He’s looking at me like a real wolf ready to capture and devour a fox.Note to self: order a super slutty fox costume. Also, a red riding hood one. Maybe a wolf or a hunter for Vladi.

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