Page 49

KATERINA

For the first time in weeks, I wake up without the weight of denial crushing my chest.

Because this time, I wake up with him. Aiden’s arms are wrapped around me, his body warm and solid against mine, his breath steady as he sleeps. The room is still dark, the world outside quiet, but in this moment, everything feels right. Like the battle we fought to get here—every push, every pull—was worth it.

I shift slightly, and almost instantly, his grip tightens, pulling me closer.

“Stay,”

he murmurs, his voice rough with sleep, his lips

brushing the top of my head.

I smile against his chest, letting my fingers trace the lines of his muscles, memorizing the way he feels beneath my touch. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He exhales deeply, like he’s been holding onto something for far too long, like he finally believes me. Neither of us moves for a long time, content to just exist in this stolen moment, but eventually, my stomach betrays me, growling loud enough to make Aiden chuckle.

I groan, burying my face in his chest. “You better not say anything.”

His laughter vibrates against my skin. “You’re adorable when

you’re embarrassed.”

I smack his arm half-heartedly, but he just grabs my wrist, pressing a kiss to my palm before intertwining our fingers. My heart stutters.

God, I missed this. Him. Us.

I shift to look up at him, my fingers still tangled with his. “So… what now?”

Aiden’s lips twitch, but there’s something soft in his eyes. “You tell me, Angel Face.”

I roll my eyes at the nickname, but the warmth spreading

through my chest is undeniable. “Well, I was thinking pancakes.”

He huffs a laugh, pulling me on top of him effortlessly. “Not what I meant, but now that you mention it, I am starving.”

I grin, poking his chest. “Fine. We’ll discuss the meaning of life after pancakes.”

The kitchen is warm, filled with the scent of coffee and vanilla as I flip pancakes onto a plate. Aiden leans against the counter, arms crossed, watching me with a look I can’t quite place.

I raise an eyebrow. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

He smirks. “Just making sure you don’t burn down the kitchen.”

I toss a piece of pancake at him, which he catches effortlessly, popping it into his mouth. “Rude.”

He grins, but then his expression softens, his fingers brushing against my waist as he pulls me closer. “You know I’m never letting you go again, right?”

I swallow, my hands resting against his chest. “Pretty sure you told me that last night, while you were ten inches deep in me.”

He studies me for a beat with a smug grin, then dips his head, kissing me slow and deep, like he’s sealing a promise neither of us is willing to break.

And for the first time in a long time, I don’t feel the need to run.

Because I am home. And home is him. Happiness feels foreign.

Like something I’m still getting used to. Like something I’m scared might slip through my fingers if I hold onto it too tightly. But Aiden? He doesn’t let me doubt it. Doesn’t let me question it. He just stays—unwavering, steady, constant. And every time I catch him looking at me like I hung the stars, I start to believe that maybe, just maybe, this is real.

The first test comes when we walk into the rink together the next morning. Eyes snap to us instantly, whispers already forming in the air. I don’t know what they expected—that we’d pretend last night didn’t happen? That I’d keep pushing him away, keep running from the inevitable? Not anymore.

Aiden’s hand stays on my waist as we make our way inside, his grip firm, as if daring anyone to question this. And I should feel self-conscious, I should feel overwhelmed by the attention, but instead, I just feel… light. Like nothing else matters. Like he is all that matters.

Alexei skates up to us, crossing his arms with a knowing

smirk. “Finally. Thought I was going to have to lock you two in a room to figure your shit out.”

I roll my eyes, but Aiden just shrugs. “Wouldn’t have worked. She’s too stubborn.”

Alexei snickers. “And you’re not?”

“Fair point.”

Alina appears beside Alexei, her gaze flicking between me and Aiden before she beams. “Oh, thank God. If I had to watch you two be miserable for another week, I was going to start throwing things.”

I huff a laugh, shaking my head.

“So much for subtlety.”

Alina waves me off, looping her arm

through mine.

“Please, everyone knew you two were inevitable. It was just a matter of when.”

Aiden smirks. “Took her long enough.”

I smack his arm, but he just grins, catching my hand in his and pressing a kiss to my knuckles.

Alina pretends to gag. “Gross.”

Alexei nudges her. “You’re just bitter because your love life is a disaster.”

Her expression darkens. “Don’t start, Romanov.”

I glance at her sharply, catching the way she tenses, the way her expression shutters just a little and suddenly, I know exactly what she’s talking about.

Roman.

Aiden must notice too because his grip on my waist tightens, his voice dropping into something more serious. “Are you okay?”

Alina forces a smile, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m fine.”

I know she’s not. But I don’t push. Not yet. Instead, I squeeze her hand, offering silent reassurance before turning back to the ice. Because for the first time in a long time, I’m okay, and I refuse to let anything take that from me. Last night while we were tangled in the sheets, he asked me to be his girlfriend again. The words still feel strange on my tongue.

Girlfriend. It feels different. It feels real now that we have come clean about our feelings.

After practice, Aiden doesn’t tell me where we’re going. He just shows up at my door with that stupid cocky smirk and a hand outstretched toward me like it’s the easiest thing in the world.

“Come on, Angel Face. Let’s go.”

I narrow my eyes at him, arms crossed. “Where?”

He just grins. “You’ll see.”

I pretend to be annoyed, but there’s no stopping the warmth spreading through my chest. So, I roll my eyes, grab my jacket, and let him take my hand.

The drive is quiet, but not uncomfortable. His fingers tap absently against the steering wheel, his free hand resting on my knee, tracing absentminded circles through my leggings. I hate how much I like it. The casual intimacy. The way he just does things without thinking, like it’s second nature. Like touching me is a habit he never wants to break.

We drive for about thirty minutes before I realize where we’re headed. The lake.

My heart does something stupid in my chest.

Aiden parks near the edge, the water reflecting the city lights in the distance, shimmering under the early evening sky. There’s a blanket already laid out a small picnic set up with takeout containers from my favourite restaurant.

My throat tightens. “You planned this?”

Aiden shrugs, but there’s something almost shy in the way he looks at me. “Figured we’ve never had an actual date before.”

I bite my lip, trying and failing to keep my heart from soaring.

“You didn’t have to do all this.”

He steps closer, fingers tilting my chin up so I’m forced to meet his gaze. “I wanted to.”

I swallow hard. “Why?”

His brows furrow slightly, like he can’t believe I even asked that. “Because you’re mine, Kat.”

His voice drops lower, rougher. “And I want to do this right.”

My breath catches. Because God, I want that too.

Aiden smirks like he knows exactly what I’m thinking, then pulls me toward the blanket, making me sit before handing me a takeout box. “Eat. Before you start overthinking and ruin the moment.”

I scoff but take the food, digging in while he does the same. We sit in silence for a while, the only sound the soft lapping of the water against the shore. It’s peaceful. But of course, Aiden can’t let that last for long.

“So,”

he says, wiping his mouth. “How does it feel to be my girlfriend?”

I nearly choke on my food. “You’re so annoying.”

He grins. “But you love me.”

I glare at him, but the warmth in my chest betrays me.

“Unfortunately.”

Aiden chuckles, leaning in to kiss my cheek, his lips lingering for just a second too long. “Lucky me.”

I shake my head, rolling my eyes, but my stomach won’t stop flipping.

Because yeah.

Lucky him.

But also…. Lucky me.