Burning Ice - Chapter 8: Chapter 8
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It was a coworkers of mines 25th birthday so she invited a few of us out to a fancy nightclub downtown. I really had no plans on inviting Robert, he kinda invited himself.
I didn't mind necessarily, I've enjoyed getting to casually know him and he was good arm candy so why not. Robert swore he could also get his a booth, which he was actually able to do so he wasn't completely useless tonight.
"Babe, when you're done with him pass him to me" Stasi would whisper in my ear when we pulled up together.
"I haven't even started with him" we joined in laughter.
The club was super packed tonight. Rob said it was because of the winning game tonight but he didn't clarify which game or team and I honestly didn't even think to ask. I probably should have.
But damn, Robert was laying it on thick tonight with the flirting and the hands on my waist.. like he thought I wouldn't have peeped that. I know what he's doing, trying to subtly but not so subtly claim me and it felt suffocating.
I forced another smile, trying to be polite as Robert's words washed over me like static. He was cute, charming even but right now, I couldn't care less. Tonight wasn't about him, it wasn't about any guy. It was about celebrating my friend, and that's what I was going to focus on.
I nodded along to whatever Robert was saying, but my mind was somewhere else entirely. I scanned the room, searching for familiar faces, for my friends. I didn't need to be distracted by some guy who was clearly more interested in flirting than actually listening to me. I felt a pang of irritation.
I turned my attention back to the group, a couple of my girls were laughing, and I couldn't help but smile. This was supposed to be fun. That's it. No complications, no distractions.
Robert leaned in closer, his voice dropping low, "You know, I could show you around, get you something stronger than a water."
I smiled, but it was more of a polite gesture than anything genuine. "Thanks, but I'm good. Just here to celebrate." I sipped my water.
He hesitated for a second, clearly trying to gauge my mood, before shrugging and leaning back. I saw his gaze linger for a moment longer than necessary, but I didn't bite. Not tonight. I didn't need this, not with everything else on my mind.
I glanced over at the bar, watching the crowd for a second, not expecting anything out of the ordinary. But something felt... off. I couldn't pinpoint it. Maybe it was the music, the chatter, or maybe it was just me, feeling a little too restless, a little too aware of the way Robert's attention felt like a leash around my neck.
I was just about to turn back to my friends when my eyes locked on something unexpected. A familiar face, Nate.
At first, I thought I was imagining it. But no, there he was, sitting at the bar, his back slouched and his gaze distant. His posture was off, like he didn't belong in this place, even though he clearly did. He looked... out of place. Frustrated, even.
And then, for a split second, our eyes met. It wasn't long, just a brief moment where I felt the weight of his gaze, like he was seeing right through me. It caught me off guard. I didn't expect to run into him tonight, much less find him looking so detached, like he didn't want to be here at all.
I couldn't help it but my curiosity flared up.
But there he was. Still staring, like he was trying to figure me out just as much as I was trying to figure him out.
I broke eye contact first, feeling a bit off balance, not knowing why his presence was throwing me for such a loop. There was no reason for me to be this curious about him. I barely knew him. We'd only met once, and it hadn't exactly been an earth-shattering interaction.
Still, I couldn't help but wonder what was going on in that mind of his. But I quickly pushed the thought away. I wasn't about to get caught up in whatever was going on with him tonight. I had my own reasons for being here.
Turning back to Robert, I pushed Nate and the strange moment from my mind. At least, I tried to. But something told me it wasn't that easy.
"Come to the bathroom with me?" Stasi grabbed my hand and more so drug me through the crowd before I could answer her hypothetical question.
I made sure to keep my head down to avoid Nate potentially seeing me but the way his eyes seemed to always be glued on me, I'm sure I failed.
The bathroom was slightly packed with girls Stasi called "puck bunnies". I didn't know hockey had groupies like this. Respect.
I fixed up my hair and pulled down my dress. Stasi gave it to me so it was slightly small but I've been seen in less so I can't complain.
I was barely halfway through the bathroom door when I felt a firm grip on my arm, yanking me into the shadows of a narrow hallway. For a second, I thought I might stumble and fall, but the strong hand on my wrist kept me steady. I turned, ready to lash out, to demand an explanation, but before I could even open my mouth, I saw him.
Nate.
What the hell? I didn't have time to process my shock before I tried to pull away from him, but before I could say a word, he spoke.
"Excuse you, I-" I was ready to unload my wrath onto him before he cut me off.
"Hey" his voice breathless.
His voice... It was deep, rich, like smooth whiskey with just the right amount of a Southern drawl, but there was something else to it. A laid-back, almost surfer-boy tinge that seemed so out of place with the intensity in his eyes. It made him sound like someone who didn't really care, like he was just drifting through life... but I knew better. There was something dangerous behind that casual tone, something that sent a shiver down my spine.
The single word caught me completely off guard. It was so casual, like it was the most normal thing in the world. My lips parted to ask him what the hell he was doing, but before I could get anything out, his lips were
on mine.
I froze. The kiss was sudden, hot, and completely unexpected. It took me a second to even respond. My mind was screaming at me to pull away, but my body... my body didn't want to listen. His lips moved with a force that made me feel something I wasn't prepared for. A shiver ran down my spine as my heart raced, pounding against my ribs.
I should have shoved him away. I should have yelled, demanded an explanation. But instead, I just stood there, rooted to the spot, overwhelmed by the intensity of his kiss. It wasn't gentle or tender. No, it was full of urgency, of something unspoken, something that went deeper than just a simple kiss.
My hands, which had been stiff at my sides, slowly moved up to his chest, unsure whether to push him away or pull him closer. But before I knew it, I was leaning into him, my lips responding to his, a surprising heat filling my body. The kiss deepened, and I found myself caught in it, drawn in by something that didn't make sense but felt too damn good to stop.
It wasn't gentle. It wasn't some tender, calculated kiss. No, it was urgent. It was commanding. Nate's lips were demanding, hot against mine, and I could feel the tension and frustration in every inch of his body. I should've pushed him away, should've protested. But I didn't. I couldn't.
I was taken aback at how much I didn't want to push him away.
The kiss deepened, his hand finding my waist, pulling me closer as if he couldn't get enough of me. My chest tightened, heart pounding, as the electrifying jolt of desire rushed through me. Before I even realized it, my arms were around his neck, responding to the kiss with a fierceness I hadn't expected.
Everything about the kiss felt like a spark, it was raw, unrelenting, and completely
unexpected. His lips moved with such force, such dominance, I couldn't help but melt into it. Every flicker of my hesitation disappeared, leaving nothing but pure, unfiltered need. It wasn't just a kiss, it was like some unspoken connection was being.
I could feel his hard body against mine and my body became hyper aware of it. He was sculpted with stone and carved by Gods. And the jean pants he wore did little to help his bulge as it heated up against the touch of my stomach.
I felt dizzy. I had to be the one to break the kiss, much to both of our disappointment.
I stood there, my head still spinning from what had just happened. My lips were still tingling, a burning reminder of the kiss that had caught me completely off guard. I took a step back, trying to regain some sense of control, but my mind was a mess. I shouldn't have let him kiss me. I shouldn't be standing here, feeling this confused... this... drawn to him.
"What the hell was that?" I finally managed to ask, my voice shaky but strong. I tried to sound mad, but the words felt hollow, like they didn't match how I was really feeling.
He leaned against the wall, looking at me with those damn dark eyes of his.
"You didn't seem to mind" he said, his voice low, almost teasing, but there was a hint of something else there. Something that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
I scoffed, trying to shake off the rush of warmth that spread through me at his words.
"You're out of your mind" I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest. I tried to steady my breath, but I could still taste him, feel the heat of his kiss on my skin.
He didn't seem to be bothered by my resistance. In fact, he looked amused, the corner of his mouth twitching into a smile. "Am I? Or maybe I just know something you don't." a challenge in his voice.
I raised an eyebrow, trying to keep my composure, even though I was anything but calm inside. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
His smile deepened, his eyes narrowing just slightly. "I don't know yet" he said, pushing off from the wall and stepping closer, his presence so overwhelming it made my heart race. "But I'm damn curious to find out."
I swallowed hard, my body betraying me as I felt the pull between us grow stronger. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. I wasn't supposed to let a guy like him mess with my head, especially after everything I'd been through. But here I was, feeling all tangled up inside.
But I wasn't about to make it easy for him.
"Well, if you want to find out, you'll have to work a little harder than that." I said, taking a step back, my voice cool even though my pulse was anything but
He chuckled, a low, dangerous sound that made my heart skip a beat.
"I'm good with hard work" he said, his voice dropping lower.
"I'll be patient."
The way he said it made my skin flush, and I had to look away before I gave him the satisfaction of seeing how much his words were affecting me.
"Don't hold your breath" I muttered, forcing a laugh that didn't quite sound right.
He just smiled, a hint of victory in his eyes as he watched me. "I won't" he licked his lips
And just like that, I felt a strange tension settle between us, thick and undeniable. Something was shifting, but I didn't know what it was yet. All I knew was that I wasn't going to make it easy for him... but damn, I wasn't sure I even wanted to.
I didn't mind necessarily, I've enjoyed getting to casually know him and he was good arm candy so why not. Robert swore he could also get his a booth, which he was actually able to do so he wasn't completely useless tonight.
"Babe, when you're done with him pass him to me" Stasi would whisper in my ear when we pulled up together.
"I haven't even started with him" we joined in laughter.
The club was super packed tonight. Rob said it was because of the winning game tonight but he didn't clarify which game or team and I honestly didn't even think to ask. I probably should have.
But damn, Robert was laying it on thick tonight with the flirting and the hands on my waist.. like he thought I wouldn't have peeped that. I know what he's doing, trying to subtly but not so subtly claim me and it felt suffocating.
I forced another smile, trying to be polite as Robert's words washed over me like static. He was cute, charming even but right now, I couldn't care less. Tonight wasn't about him, it wasn't about any guy. It was about celebrating my friend, and that's what I was going to focus on.
I nodded along to whatever Robert was saying, but my mind was somewhere else entirely. I scanned the room, searching for familiar faces, for my friends. I didn't need to be distracted by some guy who was clearly more interested in flirting than actually listening to me. I felt a pang of irritation.
I turned my attention back to the group, a couple of my girls were laughing, and I couldn't help but smile. This was supposed to be fun. That's it. No complications, no distractions.
Robert leaned in closer, his voice dropping low, "You know, I could show you around, get you something stronger than a water."
I smiled, but it was more of a polite gesture than anything genuine. "Thanks, but I'm good. Just here to celebrate." I sipped my water.
He hesitated for a second, clearly trying to gauge my mood, before shrugging and leaning back. I saw his gaze linger for a moment longer than necessary, but I didn't bite. Not tonight. I didn't need this, not with everything else on my mind.
I glanced over at the bar, watching the crowd for a second, not expecting anything out of the ordinary. But something felt... off. I couldn't pinpoint it. Maybe it was the music, the chatter, or maybe it was just me, feeling a little too restless, a little too aware of the way Robert's attention felt like a leash around my neck.
I was just about to turn back to my friends when my eyes locked on something unexpected. A familiar face, Nate.
At first, I thought I was imagining it. But no, there he was, sitting at the bar, his back slouched and his gaze distant. His posture was off, like he didn't belong in this place, even though he clearly did. He looked... out of place. Frustrated, even.
And then, for a split second, our eyes met. It wasn't long, just a brief moment where I felt the weight of his gaze, like he was seeing right through me. It caught me off guard. I didn't expect to run into him tonight, much less find him looking so detached, like he didn't want to be here at all.
I couldn't help it but my curiosity flared up.
But there he was. Still staring, like he was trying to figure me out just as much as I was trying to figure him out.
I broke eye contact first, feeling a bit off balance, not knowing why his presence was throwing me for such a loop. There was no reason for me to be this curious about him. I barely knew him. We'd only met once, and it hadn't exactly been an earth-shattering interaction.
Still, I couldn't help but wonder what was going on in that mind of his. But I quickly pushed the thought away. I wasn't about to get caught up in whatever was going on with him tonight. I had my own reasons for being here.
Turning back to Robert, I pushed Nate and the strange moment from my mind. At least, I tried to. But something told me it wasn't that easy.
"Come to the bathroom with me?" Stasi grabbed my hand and more so drug me through the crowd before I could answer her hypothetical question.
I made sure to keep my head down to avoid Nate potentially seeing me but the way his eyes seemed to always be glued on me, I'm sure I failed.
The bathroom was slightly packed with girls Stasi called "puck bunnies". I didn't know hockey had groupies like this. Respect.
I fixed up my hair and pulled down my dress. Stasi gave it to me so it was slightly small but I've been seen in less so I can't complain.
I was barely halfway through the bathroom door when I felt a firm grip on my arm, yanking me into the shadows of a narrow hallway. For a second, I thought I might stumble and fall, but the strong hand on my wrist kept me steady. I turned, ready to lash out, to demand an explanation, but before I could even open my mouth, I saw him.
Nate.
What the hell? I didn't have time to process my shock before I tried to pull away from him, but before I could say a word, he spoke.
"Excuse you, I-" I was ready to unload my wrath onto him before he cut me off.
"Hey" his voice breathless.
His voice... It was deep, rich, like smooth whiskey with just the right amount of a Southern drawl, but there was something else to it. A laid-back, almost surfer-boy tinge that seemed so out of place with the intensity in his eyes. It made him sound like someone who didn't really care, like he was just drifting through life... but I knew better. There was something dangerous behind that casual tone, something that sent a shiver down my spine.
The single word caught me completely off guard. It was so casual, like it was the most normal thing in the world. My lips parted to ask him what the hell he was doing, but before I could get anything out, his lips were
on mine.
I froze. The kiss was sudden, hot, and completely unexpected. It took me a second to even respond. My mind was screaming at me to pull away, but my body... my body didn't want to listen. His lips moved with a force that made me feel something I wasn't prepared for. A shiver ran down my spine as my heart raced, pounding against my ribs.
I should have shoved him away. I should have yelled, demanded an explanation. But instead, I just stood there, rooted to the spot, overwhelmed by the intensity of his kiss. It wasn't gentle or tender. No, it was full of urgency, of something unspoken, something that went deeper than just a simple kiss.
My hands, which had been stiff at my sides, slowly moved up to his chest, unsure whether to push him away or pull him closer. But before I knew it, I was leaning into him, my lips responding to his, a surprising heat filling my body. The kiss deepened, and I found myself caught in it, drawn in by something that didn't make sense but felt too damn good to stop.
It wasn't gentle. It wasn't some tender, calculated kiss. No, it was urgent. It was commanding. Nate's lips were demanding, hot against mine, and I could feel the tension and frustration in every inch of his body. I should've pushed him away, should've protested. But I didn't. I couldn't.
I was taken aback at how much I didn't want to push him away.
The kiss deepened, his hand finding my waist, pulling me closer as if he couldn't get enough of me. My chest tightened, heart pounding, as the electrifying jolt of desire rushed through me. Before I even realized it, my arms were around his neck, responding to the kiss with a fierceness I hadn't expected.
Everything about the kiss felt like a spark, it was raw, unrelenting, and completely
unexpected. His lips moved with such force, such dominance, I couldn't help but melt into it. Every flicker of my hesitation disappeared, leaving nothing but pure, unfiltered need. It wasn't just a kiss, it was like some unspoken connection was being.
I could feel his hard body against mine and my body became hyper aware of it. He was sculpted with stone and carved by Gods. And the jean pants he wore did little to help his bulge as it heated up against the touch of my stomach.
I felt dizzy. I had to be the one to break the kiss, much to both of our disappointment.
I stood there, my head still spinning from what had just happened. My lips were still tingling, a burning reminder of the kiss that had caught me completely off guard. I took a step back, trying to regain some sense of control, but my mind was a mess. I shouldn't have let him kiss me. I shouldn't be standing here, feeling this confused... this... drawn to him.
"What the hell was that?" I finally managed to ask, my voice shaky but strong. I tried to sound mad, but the words felt hollow, like they didn't match how I was really feeling.
He leaned against the wall, looking at me with those damn dark eyes of his.
"You didn't seem to mind" he said, his voice low, almost teasing, but there was a hint of something else there. Something that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
I scoffed, trying to shake off the rush of warmth that spread through me at his words.
"You're out of your mind" I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest. I tried to steady my breath, but I could still taste him, feel the heat of his kiss on my skin.
He didn't seem to be bothered by my resistance. In fact, he looked amused, the corner of his mouth twitching into a smile. "Am I? Or maybe I just know something you don't." a challenge in his voice.
I raised an eyebrow, trying to keep my composure, even though I was anything but calm inside. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
His smile deepened, his eyes narrowing just slightly. "I don't know yet" he said, pushing off from the wall and stepping closer, his presence so overwhelming it made my heart race. "But I'm damn curious to find out."
I swallowed hard, my body betraying me as I felt the pull between us grow stronger. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. I wasn't supposed to let a guy like him mess with my head, especially after everything I'd been through. But here I was, feeling all tangled up inside.
But I wasn't about to make it easy for him.
"Well, if you want to find out, you'll have to work a little harder than that." I said, taking a step back, my voice cool even though my pulse was anything but
He chuckled, a low, dangerous sound that made my heart skip a beat.
"I'm good with hard work" he said, his voice dropping lower.
"I'll be patient."
The way he said it made my skin flush, and I had to look away before I gave him the satisfaction of seeing how much his words were affecting me.
"Don't hold your breath" I muttered, forcing a laugh that didn't quite sound right.
He just smiled, a hint of victory in his eyes as he watched me. "I won't" he licked his lips
And just like that, I felt a strange tension settle between us, thick and undeniable. Something was shifting, but I didn't know what it was yet. All I knew was that I wasn't going to make it easy for him... but damn, I wasn't sure I even wanted to.
End of Burning Ice Chapter 8. Continue reading Chapter 9 or return to Burning Ice book page.