Page 5 of Ice-Cold Obsession

“Are you religious or something?” I ask, nodding toward her dress.

Her eyebrows lift. “Not really. Why?”

“It just seems like you’re not really into this scene.”

“I’m fine,” she says, and there’s something in her tone that’s almost dismissive.

I study her for another second, trying to figure her out. She’s playing a game, or she’s genuinely this naive, but either way, I’m going to have her. I don’t care how long it takes.

Unless she’s into girls, but it doesn’t look like she’s watching them either.

“Well, if you need anything, let me know,” I say, pushing myself off the wall. “I’ll be around.”

She nods, and I walk away before she can see the frustration building in my chest.

I grab another cup from the kitchen and scan the room again. Ashlyn is still hovering nearby, and there’s a brunette I’ve seen at a few parties, who’s been watching me since I walked in.

I decide to test something. I go over to the brunette and start talking to her, letting my hand rest on her waist. She leans into me immediately, laughing at something I say, and I glance over my shoulder to see if Scarlett’s watching.

She’s not.

She’s talking to someone else now. It’s some guy I don’t recognize, and she doesn’t even glance in my direction.

What the fuck?

I turn back to the brunette, but I’m already losing interest. She’s boring and predictable, and the whole thing feels like a waste of time. I pull away and mutter something about needing air, leaving her confused.

I head outside and lean against the railing, staring out at the yard. My jaw is tight, and I can feel the frustration simmering under my skin.

Scarlett doesn’t know who I am, or she doesn’t care. And that shouldn’t bother me, but it does.

I’ll make her care. I’ll make her want me, and when I’m done with her, she’ll be just like every other girl who thought she was different.

She’ll be mine.

Chapter 3

SCARLETT

MY HANDS CURL INTOfists, and I have to force myself to breathe slowly. Gabriel’s a total asshole who wanted into my pants right away, and I can’t believe Carla saw something in him. Pretending to be sweet was disgusting, but it’s what I need to do, because I’m certain Gabriel will target me now.

The next morning, I wake up with my jaw sore from clenching it all night. I couldn’t stop replaying the party in my head and stop seeing Gabriel’s smug grin and the way he looked at me as if I was something he could have whenever he wanted.

But that’s exactly what I need him to think.

I grab my phone and check his social media. He posted a story an hour ago with a photo of the rink and some caption about early morning practice. I know his schedule by heart, but seeing it confirmed makes everything feel more real.

I pull on my jeans and a sweater, which is casual and approachable enough, and head out. There’s a coffee shop near the rink that I scoped out, and I make my way there slowly, taking the long route past the campus landmarks where Gabriel might see me.

The coffee shop is busy but not crowded. I order a latte and a sandwich, then find a bench outside where I can sit and watch the flow of students. My phone is open on my lap, tracking Gabriel’s teammates’ social media. Cory just posted from the gym. Taj is still at the rink. Gabriel hasn’t posted anything new, but I know he’s around.

I take a bite of my sandwich and pretend to be absorbed in my phone, but my eyes keep scanning the area while I wait.

A few minutes later, I spot Gabriel. He’s strolling across the quad with another guy, both of them in Northstone Hockey hoodies. His hair is messier than usual, probably from a shower after practice, and he’s laughing at something the other guy is saying. He seems so relaxed, as if the whole damn world belongs to him.

My stomach clenches, but I keep my expression neutral and focus on my phone.

“Hey.”