Page 118 of Hot As Ice

“My father pushed her down the stairs and she broke her neck.”

Stevie covers her mouth with one hand. “And you saw it happen? That’s terrible.”

“I hope it’s okay that I’m telling you all this. I haven’t talked about it in a long time.”

“Oh my god, baby, of course it’s okay.”

“I told my grandfather and the police what really happened, but they didn’t believe me. Or they did, and didn’t care, because protecting my father was more important. I still resent my grandfather for that.”

Stevie shakes her head. “I’m so sorry.”

“Jamie is the only other person I’ve ever told this to.”

“What about Ryder?”

“I never told him.”

Stevie intertwines our fingers. “Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me.”

“I’m also telling you because I think—I think my father is hurting Celeste.”

Stevie’s eyes widen. “You think—her arm!”

“Yeah.”

“Oh shit.”

“Yeah. Exactly. And if he did that to her, I have to stop him from doing anything worse.”

“How can I help?”

I lift our intertwined hands and kiss the back of hers. “I’m not getting you involved in my bullshit. I will take care of it. I just needed to talk to someone about it. It’s been weighing on me since that party.”

“Maybe I can invite her out to lunch next month. Maybe she’ll confide in me.”

“Yeah, that’s not a bad idea. She obviously likes you a lot.”

Stevie nods, then shifts and straddles me, placing her hands on either side of my face. “We’re a team, okay? A tiny hockey team of two. You’re the center, obviously, and I’m the goalie, and⁠—”

“Wait. You’re the goalie? Why?”

“Because that’s the most important player on the team.”

I stare at her, then burst out laughing. “What?”

“Yes!”

“I have to tell Martinez you said that.”

She pushes me on the chest playfully. “Shut up. It’s true. The goalie does all the work. Can you imagine 35 or 40 pucks flying at your face every game?”

I shake my head, still laughing. “No, can’t say that I can.”

She shifts on my lap and I groan. “Anyway,” she says. “We’re a team. You’re on the attack, making big plays and scoring, and I keep you safe by preventing others from scoring on you.” She drops a kiss on my nose. “Deal?”

“Yeah. Deal.” Placing my hands on her waist, I pull her in. “You’re my new favorite goalie.”

She rubs herself against me, then gives me a long, thorough kiss. It’s so fucking hot, and my dick is immediately hard. “We haven’t fucked in forever.”