Page 99 of Secrets on Ice

“You will be our age one day,” Emmett reminds him.

This makes him laugh. “And I hope I’m still going at your age.”

“Not sure if that is a compliment or a dig.” I look at Emmett.

“I don’t know either,” he says.

“Nothing but admiration for my elders,” Fish teases, and we both give chase around the gym. We catch him and end up in a play fight together.

“Mercy, stop, I have a photoshoot tomorrow, don’t mess up my face,” Fish yells.

Which makes Emmett and me laugh.

“Okay, pretty boy,” I say, letting him go.

“Fuck you guys, this is my money maker,” he says, waving over his face. “He has a seven-figure photoshoot.”

We make ‘ooh and ahh’ sounds and continue to tease him.

Fish flips us off, still laughing as he grabs his water bottle. “Laugh all you want, assholes. At least I’m getting paid to look pretty. You two just get paid to bleed on the ice.”

Emmett smirks. “Keep talking, pretty boy. We’ll see how pretty you look with a black eye before that photoshoot.”

I shake my head, grabbing a towel to wipe the sweat from my face. The banter feels normal, but it doesn’t do shit to kill the frustration still simmering under my skin. Every time I close my eyes, I see Ember. Her flushed cheeks. Her thighs shaking around my head. The way she tasted. The way she looked at me like she wanted more but was still holding back.

Fish claps me on the shoulder as we head toward the lockers. “Seriously though, Sully. You good?” he asks, noticing I’m distracted.

“Yeah,” I mutter. “Just ready for the season to start.”

Fish gives me a look but doesn’t push it. “Well, if you change your mind about the wife hunt, we’ve got your back.”

I force a laugh. “Appreciate it.”

They have no idea. And I can’t tell them.

Later that afternoon, the apartment is quiet. Cassidy said she was heading out to do some shopping, so when I walk into the living room and see Ember on the couch, I don’t hesitate. She looks up from her laptop, eyes widening slightly as I cross the room. I don’t say a word, I just pull her up into my arms and kiss her, deep and hungry, hands sliding under her shirt to grip her bare waist.

She melts into me instantly, fingers threading into my hair, moaning softly against my mouth. I back her up against the couch, lifting her so her legs wrap around my hips, grinding against her as I kiss down her neck.

“Fuck, I’ve been thinking about this all day,” I growl against her skin, sucking lightly on her pulse point. “You taste so good. Feel so good.”

Her hands slide under my shirt, nails dragging down my back. “Sully …”

I’m about to pull her shirt off when we hear a door opening down the hall.

Cassidy’s voice calls out, “Hey, I forgot my wallet …”

We freeze.

I set Ember down fast, stepping back, heart pounding. She smooths her shirt, cheeks flushed, eyes wide with panic. I turn toward the kitchen like I was just grabbing something, trying to look normal.

Cassidy walks in, rummaging through her bag. “I swear I left it on the counter.”

She looks up, glancing between us. “Everything okay? You two look weird.”

“Yeah, fine,” I say, my voice a little too casual. “Just … talking about the investment thing.”

Ember nods quickly. “Yeah.”