Page 76 of Expose on the Ice

We finish washing, trading playful touches and stolen kisses. As I run the soap over Lily’s back, I marvel at how right this feels. How, even with the difficulties brewing outside, I feel more at peace than I have in years.

"What are you thinking?" Lily asks, turning to face me.

I cup her face in my hands, studying her features. "How lucky I am."

She blushes, her cheeks turning pink. "Sap," she teases.

When we’re done, I step out of the shower, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around my waist. As Lily follows, I can’t help but admire her.

She’s breathtaking.

But it’s not just her physical beauty that captivates me. As I watch her towel off, I’m struck by a wave of emotion so intense it nearly knocks me off my feet. This woman – this brilliant, stubborn, compassionate woman – has seen me at my worst, and helped me find my best.

"What?" Lily asks, catching me staring.

I shake my head, a smile tugging at my lips. "Just admiring the view."

She rolls her eyes.

As we move to the bedroom to get dressed, I catalog every detail of her. I feel overwhelmed by the depth of feeling coursing through me. It’s not just desire, but also a bone-deep certainty that this woman is for me.

As I dress, I keep stealing glances at Lily. She’s perched on the edge of the bed, scrolling through her phone with a furrowedbrow. Even with the weight of what’s coming pressing down on us, she looks determined.

Ready.

When we’ve both finished dressing and Lily has finished scrolling, she gathers her things, preparing to leave. But I feel a sudden surge of emotion. I pull her into a fierce embrace, burying my face in her hair, squeezing her tight.

"Carter?" she asks, her voice muffled against my chest.

"Yeah?" I say.

Lily’s arms tighten around me. "We’ve got this."

I hold her for a moment longer, drawing strength from her presence. Then, reluctantly, I let her go. And, as she heads out the door on the way to meet Frank, I hope she’s right, because the challenges ahead are about to begin.

CHAPTER 30

CARTER

Ipull into the parking lot of the Frost Giants’ facility, my hands gripping the steering wheel so tight my knuckles are white. The familiar sight of the arena looming before me should be comforting, but today it feels like I’m walking into the lion’s den.

My phone buzzes with a text from Lily:

"You’ve got this."

A small smile tugs at my lips despite the knot in my stomach. The way she looks at me, touches me, loves me – it’s like she’s cracked open my chest and poured light into all the dark, broken places inside. And she’d still been there this morning.

But now reality is crashing back in.

The truth about Sarah’s death and the cover-up is about to explode, and I have to face the music. At least this time I’m taking the initiative rather than letting some newspaper choose how and when it lands.

I take a deep breath, inhaling the crisp morning air as I step out of my car. My legs feel like lead as I walk towards the entrance, each step bringing me closer to a conversation that could end my career and cause untold pain to my family... or what’s left of it.

As I push through the doors, I hope my face doesn’t betray the turmoil churning inside me. The familiar sounds and smells of the facility wash over me – the faint scent of sweat and ice, the distant clang of weights in the gym. How many times have I been here, carrying the weight of my secret?

Too many.

I spot Mark Turner speaking to Coach Carson near the locker room entrance. They both look up as I approach.