"Why is it that whenever I try to get closer to you, you always shy away from me?" Aiden asks, hurt dripping from his voice I look at him and instantly i'm filled with regret and fear. "You wouldn't understand Aiden." I say pleading with him "Try me," He challenges. "Listen," I pause. "I need you to understand that when I push you away, it's because it's the only thing I know how to do anymore." He opened his mouth to say something but she stopped him, holding her palm up like a white flag. "You need to understand that everyone else has left and my problem," I say raising my voice. "My problem is that I'm scared," "I'm scared of getting too attached to someone, until eventually, that someone has the power to control me. To end my world when they feel like it." Aidens eyes bore into mine but he doesn't say anything. "Are you attached?" He asks. I glance away and then back at him nodding "With you? Too much." I say as a tear rolls down my left cheek "I'm scared that you are going to leave." I whisper as Aiden wraps his arms around me. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••• A grumpy figure skater and a golden retriever Hockey Captain.

18+ only #1 in Marriage of Convenience [July 2024] "The fewer people that know the truth the better. And if this all goes smoothly, you two will be able to get divorced before the hockey season ends." "I have the places where you both will sign," His eyes lifted and scanned both of us. "But only of course, if you both agree to this." "I'll do it," I said honestly. Minnow sighed outwardly and bit her bottom lip. "If you need more time-" "No," she swallowed, staring at the thick packet in front of us. "I feel like this goes without saying but...no sex. Of any kind. It only complicates things." My cheeks flushed with heat, probably turning pink and Minnow choked. "We won't..." I shook my head, clenching my jaw. Shivers crossed my back. "You don't have to worry about that," Minnow said obviously. "Trust me." ***************************************** Minnow Noel is known for two things: being a hot head and an amazing figure skater. Running from a dark relationship and a past version of herself, she ends up where her skating career all started. Norwegian native Søren Skejeggstad's only focus in life is hockey. With no time for women or a personal life, his only goal is to become the top NHL all-star. But when a major problem arises, he's at risk of losing his dreams if he doesn't figure something out. They were once friends in a past life but now things are cold as ice between them. Just the thought of Søren alone makes Minnow's blood run cold and he'd rather avoid her at all costs. But now an opportunity presents itself and wait...can they get along for a little while or will they end up killing each other before their agreement is through? Started: September 2023 Completed: June 2024

She's a wild, free spirit who sees the good in everyone, and he's the hardened, bad-tempered loner who wants nothing to do with her-yet no matter how hard he tries to push her away, she's the one temptation he can't escape. *** He's never met someone with such a bubbly personality. Not to mention the wildness and odd phrases she says every five minutes. He hates it. He hates how he can't stay away from it. He hates what she does to him; it's not like him to chase after some girl. She gets under his skin like no other. She's never met someone with such a bad attitude. He's ill-mannered and menacing. The glare never seems to leave his face. Considering it all, she can't help but feel the attraction toward him. Dangerous attraction toward a seemingly dangerous man. Maybe it's the tattoos on his arm that gets her attention. Or maybe it's because she can tell there's hope for good under his rough exterior. And she's about to find it, whether he likes it or not. It's no secret that the two of them are complete and total opposites. *** "You like being called Sugar, don't you?" I tease, placing my toothbrush back after finishing. He does the same and gives me a side-eyed scowl. He grips my chin harshly and kisses me. My body temperature raises a good ten degrees and my right leg goes all wiggly. He pulls away. "You like it when I kiss you, don't you?" He teases the same way I did to him and I'm left blubbering. "I think both of our questions are rhetorical," I lower my voice up at him. His lip curls up into a smirk. *** #1 in Young Adult #9 in Badboy #1 in Cold #3 in Goodgirl #1 in Sweetheart #14 in Love *** *Warning* This story contains mature themes (language, scenes)