He scowls, making me laugh. God, I haven’t laughed or felt carefree in so long. Have I ever felt this way? I don’t think so.

The cold rushes past me as I skate. I fly to the edge of the pond, toward the bench because I have an idea, and I suspect he’s going to love it. Snowflakes whip across my cheeks and melt into my hair. I feel breathless. Light, almost like I’ve finally outrun the weight that’s been sitting on my chest.

When I reach the bench, I collapse onto it, unlacing and then kicking off my skates with numb fingers. My tennis shoes are stiff, the leather half-frozen, but I manage to tug them on. I probably shouldn’t bother because they’re not going to be much protection for what I have in mind.

I glance out at the pond again. Riven has skated closer and he’s watching my every move. He’s just standing there, silhouetted by moonlight, chest rising and falling. His arms are down, but his entire body is coiled like a loaded spring.

My stomach flips. It’s wild to feel so safe… while being hunted. Because that’s what I want him to do to me tonight, and I can tell he’s going to enjoy it immensely.

I remember the first time we ever wrestled in the snow behind the barn. He tackled me into a drift and pinned my wrists above my head. He grinned down at me, breathing hard. And I’d known then and there that Riven likes the chase.

When he finally starts walking toward me, his eyes are trained on me like I’m his favorite fucking sin. He doesn’t say a word as he sits next to me, taking his skates off and reaching for his shoes.

“Give me a head start,” I say, breathless, as I stand up. “It’ll make it more fun.”

He narrows his eyes. “Make what more fun?” He knows, but he wants me to say it and I’ll give him anything he wants.

“You can’t lie to me, Riven.” I smirk, unzipping the jacket he let me borrow. “You don’t want our first time to be sweet and slow.”

I shrug the jacket off my shoulders and toss it toward him, watching his gaze darken as it hits him square in the chest. “You want to chase me into the woods,” I continue, voice lowering to something silkier, a tone I didn’t know I was capable of. “You want to hear me beg, see me try to escape, make me yours in the most primal way. You told me that, and I’ve decided that I want that too, Riven.”

His eyes flare, but he doesn’t comment.

“I want you to chase me,” I whisper. “I want to be the only thing you desire. I want you to lose control. Snap. Take me.”