Burning Ice - Chapter 15: Chapter 15

I still can't believe she has a hairless cat. A hairless cat. The little alien had me spooked for a second when it popped up out of nowhere, staring at me with those big, unblinking eyes like it was judging my entire existence. I made a joke about him being an extraterrestrial but Billie wasn't having it. The way she defended him, calling him Ted like he was a little human, had me laughing in spite of myself.
It's weird. Everything about this night has been... different. Her apartment, her cat, the way she talks and moves like she's got this quiet confidence even though I can tell she's nervous. I wasn't planning to ramble about hockey when she asked about the game, but once I started, I couldn't stop. She kept looking at me like she was amused, maybe a little lost, but she didn't interrupt. She just sat there, her eyes warm and a soft smile playing on her lips.
I don't even know what I said half the time. All I could think about was how comfortable I felt, which was strange considering the circumstances. Me in her room, this tiny, cozy space that feels so much like her, like she's letting me see a part of her she doesn't show often.
When she told me to lay down, I hesitated. I mean, it's her bed, her space. I wasn't sure if she really wanted me there or if she just felt like she had to offer. But the way she said it, so casual and teasing, made it hard to say no.
Now here I am, stretched out on her bed that's way too small for me, and all I can think about is how close she is. I glance over, and she's looking at me with this expression I can't quite read and like she's nervous but... something else, too.
And then she leans in.
It's so soft, I almost think I imagined it. Her lips barely brush mine, but it's enough to send my heart racing. When she pulls back, I don't even know what to say. She looks at me, her cheeks pink, and mutters something about how it just felt right.
She's not wrong. It did.
I've kissed plenty of women before, but this... this felt different. It wasn't rushed or calculated or something I saw coming. It was just her, being bold in the most quiet, unassuming way.
The second her lips brushed mine, it was like my whole body froze and ignited at the same time. It wasn't even a deep kiss. Just this soft, fleeting thing but it hit me like a jolt. My chest tightened, my stomach twisted, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
Her lips were warm, gentle, and everything about it felt... right. Too right. My hand twitched at my side, an instinct to reach out, to pull her closer, but I held back. My heart was pounding so loud I was sure she could hear it in the quiet of the room.
Heat flooded through me, settling low in my stomach, and I had to remind myself to stay still, to not ruin the moment by overreacting. But damn, the way she looked at me when she pulled back—uncertain and a little shy, like she wasn't sure what I'd think—made it even harder to keep my cool.
My jaw clenched as I tried to process it all, my pulse still hammering in my ears. The kiss was so simple, so quick, but it sent my thoughts spiraling. I didn't even know I'd been wanting this until it happened, and now all I can think about is how much I don't want it to stop.
I swallow hard, trying to rein myself in as I meet her eyes again. She's watching me carefully, and I can feel the heat still radiating off her, her own nervous energy mixing with mine. My fingers curl into the blanket beneath me, holding myself in place, because if I move now, I'm not sure I'll be able to stop.
God, what is this girl doing to me?
I think about what it would be like to take things further, to explore every inch of her, to lose myself in the feeling of her skin against mine. And for a second, the idea of it consumes me completely. The thought of holding her, kissing her, touching her in ways that go beyond this. I mean hell, it makes me feel like l'm walking a razor's edge.
If we ever go there, I'm not sure how I'll survive it. I don't know if I'll be able to keep my head on straight. The way she's already got my heart racing just from a simple kiss...
I'm not sure how l'll handle the heat of something more.
Hell, I might not survive it.
But damn, if the thought doesn't make me want it more.
I watch her as she stretches and yawns, the way her body curls closer to mine, like she's not even thinking about it. It's such a simple thing, but something about it feels... natural. She's not putting on any act, not pretending to be something she's not. And damn if that doesn't make her even more irresistible.
Her voice breaks through my thoughts, light and teasing, apologizing for being boring. But I can't help the small smile that tugs at my lips. I know she's tired, I can see it in the way she's snuggling in closer, but she's still trying to make sure I'm comfortable, still trying to ease any tension.
"Boring? This is probably the most interesting night I've had in a while." I repeat, glancing down at her, trying to keep my tone playful even though there's nothing about tonight that feels boring to me.
She chuckles softly, the sound making something in my chest tighten. I have to fight the urge to pull her closer, just let myself get lost in the moment. But I know she's tired, and I don't want to push her too hard. I just want to be here, with her, no expectations.
"I'm glad I'm here, too," I say, my voice quieter than I intend, but it feels like the truth. I look down at her, her head resting on the pillow, her eyes heavy with sleep, and I feel this warmth settle in my chest. Something more than the heat of her body next to mine. It's like she's carved out a little space for me here, and damn if I'm not grateful for it.
"I'm glad, too," I whisper, even though I know she's probably already halfway to sleep by now. It doesn't matter. The words still feel like they need to be said.
I just stay there, letting the quiet surround us, and for the first time in a long time, I feel... okay. Like maybe I don't have to be anywhere else, do anything else, because right now, in this moment, this is enough.
I wake up with the soft morning light spilling through the window, my body still heavy with sleep. For a second, everything feels... normal. Quiet. Like I'm not about to jump into a day full of chaos and cameras and expectations. I just want to stay here, with her, in this moment where nothing else matters.
But then my phone buzzes, and I glance at the screen. Vanessa's name flashes, and my heart skips a beat when I see the message:
"Don't forget about the interview in an hour!"
Shit.
I had no idea I'd fallen asleep. Time just kind of slipped away, and now I'm staring at the damn phone, realizing I've got no choice but to leave. My chest tightens, and for a moment, I just want to throw the phone across the room. I don't care about the interview. I don't care about the cameras or what anyone else expects of me.
I care about this—her, here, now.
I look over at Billie, and my stomach does this weird flip. She's still asleep, her head resting on the pillow, her hair all messy and tangled. She looks peaceful, content. And damn, if I don't hate the idea of waking her up.
I let out a quiet sigh, running a hand through my hair. I don't want to go. I don't want to leave this room, leave her. But the reality is, I don't have a choice.
I glance back at her one more time, feeling this deep reluctance knot in my chest. She's not going to be happy I'm leaving. Hell, I'm not even happy about it. But there's a part of me that knows this interview is important, and I have responsibilities I can't ignore.
Still, I wish I didn't have to go. I wish I could just stay here with her, forget about everything else. But for now, I'm stuck. I have to wake her up. I have to go.
Reluctantly, I slide out of the bed, careful not to disturb her. I grab my phone, forcing myself to focus on the upcoming interview even though all I want to do is crawl back into bed with her.
As I stand there, staring down at Billie, I watch her eyes flutter open, confusion lingering in her gaze as she takes in the sight of me still standing by the bed. I can feel the weight of her sleepy stare, but I also know I'm about to break the calm of this moment, and I hate it.
"Hey," I murmur, my voice thick with sleep. "Sorry. I have an interview in, like, forty-five minutes."
Billie blinks a few times, her expression soft, before the corners of her mouth twitch into a smile.
"Celebrity life, huh?" she says, her voice thick with sleep but still managing to tease.
I let out a small laugh, even though I'm not exactly laughing at her joke. She's right, in a way. I hate to admit it, but yeah, I'm more of a celebrity than I'd like to be sometimes. The cameras, the interviews, the constant expectations. It's all part of the package.
But hearing her say it out loud, it hits me differently than I expect. I'm used to hearing people fawn over me, to people treating me like some untouchable athlete. But hearing Billie joke about it, it's like it makes it all feel a little more... real.
"Yeah, something like that," I say, rubbing the back of my neck, trying to brush off the way her words make me feel. But I can't ignore it, not when I'm standing here with her, this girl who doesn't care about the fame or the hype. She sees me for who I am, and that's rare.
I try not to let it linger in my mind as I grab my phone and check the time again.
"I should get going," I say, voice quieter this time. "I don't want to keep them waiting."
Even as I say the words, I can feel the reluctance pulling at me. I don't want to leave her, not when everything still feels so... new. So real. But duty calls, and I've got to go.
Billie doesn't seem to be in any rush to get out of bed, and part of me wishes I could just stay here, with her, for a little longer. But I know better. This isn't the time for that.
I force myself to turn away, but before I do, I take a last glance at her. She's still half asleep, smiling lazily at me, and it makes my chest tighten. I know I have to go, but fuck, it's hard to leave.