Page 59 of Hot As Ice

“Yeah. I make jewelry as a side hustle.” She looks down at the ground. “It’s nothing.”

“You’re talented.”

She blushes harder, not saying anything.

The drive to my family estate is mostly silent. I’m too in my head to try to make conversation, but I have my hand on Stevie’s knee the whole time, because touching her is crucial. It steadies me. I’m not about to tell her that though.

She puts her hand on mine on her knee and rubs small circles with her thumb. “I was watching a hockey game on TV today,” she says.

“Really? Who was playing?”

“Um, I don’t remember. The Bruins? And some other team.”

I chuckle. “Uh huh.”

“It’s more fun when I watch you at the arena,” she admits. “But I’m trying to understand the game better. It was a replay though.”

“Yeah?”

“I just don’t understand how they let the players beat each other up. That doesn’t happen in any other sport. Right?”

“Fighting is part of the game in hockey. People love it.”

“But some hockey players don’t have teeth!”

I laugh. “It’s the price they’re willing to pay.”

Stevie frowns. “I just don’t get it.”

I rub her knee. “That’s alright, baby. I promise I’ll try to keep all my teeth for you.”

She grins. “You’d better.”

We pull into the drive leading up to my family estate, where only my father lives now. A large wrought-iron gate opens smoothly, ushering us inside. It’s a few minutes of driving before the mansion comes into view. Beside me, Stevie sucks in a breath.

“This is where you grew up?” she asks, incredulous.

“Unfortunately,” I mutter.

When I pull up in front of the mansion, two servants are waiting to open mine and Stevie’s doors, another little detail that seems to unnerve Stevie, although she doesn’t say anything. I round the front of my car and come to stand beside her. Taking her hand in mine and intertwining our fingers, I lead her up the stairs to the front door. She’s uncharacteristically quiet the whole way up.

“Don’t be intimidated,” I tell her. “It’s all a bunch of bullshit. And if you wanna leave at any point, just give me a signal.”

She nods, still quiet.

Finally, we’re inside, and Davis, the butler, takes our coats. “Your family are gathered in the dining room, Mr. Cruise,” he tells me. I nod and walk towards it, letting Stevie precede me with a hand on her lower back.

“I’ll give you the tour later, if you want,” I whisper low in her ear, and then we’re in the dining room. The enormous table is set for six. Plates of food are hidden under silver domes. The chandelier looks like it’s been polished to within an inch of its life. I give it all a cursory glance. What really gets my attention is the petite woman standing to my father’s right, smiling up at him as they speak. My father is swirling brown liquid inside a crystal glass, looking smug.

Gramps is the first to notice us. “Hunter, my boy. Glad you and your lady friend could make it.” He approaches us with a twinkle in his eye. Taking Stevie’s hand, he presses a kiss to her knuckles. “Forgive me my old-fashioned mannerisms, my dear.”

Stevie beams. “I don’t mind at all, Mr. Cruise.”

Uncle Jack is next to greet us. He gives me the old handshake into half hug with a few thumps on the back maneuver. “Looking good, nephew.”

“Thanks, Jack. You too.”

Next, he looks Stevie up and down. “Lovely dress on a lovely girl.”