Page 129 of Hot As Ice

“Is that a threat?”

“Could be.” I approach him, grabbing a candleholder off the fireplace as I do so. It’s shaped like a raven. Hmm, apt.

“You broke Celeste’s arm, didn’t you?” I ask, looking him straight in the eyes. They’re the same color blue as mine. I always wished my eyes were brown like my mom’s.

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“You did, didn’t you? You’re not denying it.”

“I absolutely am denying it!” His face is red, eyes blazing. And yet I still feel no fear.

I look down at the candleholder in my hand, then back into his ruddy face. “Hmm.”

“What do you think you’re doing? I’ll cut you off so fast your head will spin.”

“I’m not afraid of you anymore. And if you hurt Celeste again, I’ll kill you.” I place the candle holder back on the mantel. “See ya, pops.”

I walk out of the library feeling like a god.

“WHERE WERE YOU?” Stevie asks when I get back to the party. She grabs my hand and drags me to the dance floor. A slow song I don’t recognize is playing. “You’ve barely danced with me tonight,” she says with a mock pout.

I slide my arms around her waist and pull her tight against my chest. “Sorry, princess.”

She smiles up at me shyly. “Can we have sex later tonight?” she whispers.

“Baby, are you kidding me? When’s the last time we went a night without fucking?”

She giggles, cheeks flushing. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was a little tipsy. But I think she’s just high from all the dancing. The girl loves it.

She puts her head on my shoulder and we sway slowly to the music.

Uncle Jack watches us from against the wall. I raise an eyebrow at him, and he lifts his drink. I’m still pissed at him, but I plan on talking to him again this week. He owes me answers. So does my grandfather.

To my left, Jamie is dancing with Becca. My other teammates have also mostly paired off with some of the other women. It’s almost 11pm, and the birthday cake will be served soon. Then I can bow out, take Stevie home, and fuck her all night. That’s going to be my real birthday present.

Finally, the lights dim, one of the servers hired for the night brings out the birthday cake, my friends gather around me, and I make a wish as I blow out the candles. The cake is devoured in no time at all. Ryder takes three pieces. Not that I’m counting. Later, it takes about 20 minutes to say goodbye to everyone, thank Celeste for organizing the party, say goodbye to my uncle and grandfather, and leave. My dad never made another appearance after I left him in the library.

When we get home, Stevie stops me from undressing her right away, much to my dismay. She disappears into one of the other bedrooms and comes out with a gift-wrapped box, handing it to me.

“Baby, I didn’t know what to get you. I feel like you have everything.” She bites down on her lower lip, looking adorably unsure.

“I’m sure I’m going to love it.”

I unwrap the gift. It’s a framed piece of dark blue paper with our names at the top written in gold, an image of a crescent moon, a date, and at the bottom it says: This is what the moon looked like the day we met.

I stare at it for a minute, then I notice Stevie fidgeting beside me.

“Is it stupid?” she asks, anxiety filling her voice. “Do you hate it?”

“It’s perfect,” I say, not taking my eyes off it.

“I know the day we met was…weird. But it was the night you rescued me, and it was the start of everything, and when I look back at it, it’s such a special day for me.”

I look at her finally. “Baby, I love it. Thank you. No one’s ever gotten me something like this.”

She smiles, still looking uncertain. I lean in and kiss her. “I love it, princess. So, can we fuck now?”

She gives me a naughty smile and starts undressing. First, I eat her out until she comes all over my tongue, then I flip her around and drill into her from behind. Her sexy moans and sweet sighs make me come faster than I’d like, but the orgasm is fucking incredible, so I can’t complain.