Hands Off The Ice King novel Chapter 90

Chapter 90

Chapter 90

Hope’s POV

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Connor wouldn’t stop looking at me all night, so I left the function hall to get some fresh air and, more importantly, to get away from him.

However, it seemed staying there and enduring his attention was better than enduring the scene in front of me now.

Levi stood in front of a suite, its door wide open and filled with warm ambient lighting, most probably from candles. Behind him was Delaney, her arms wrapped around his waist as though she belonged there.

When her face fully emerged, I saw that her makeup was smudged, her lipstick smeared across the corner of her mouth

I felt my heart stop.

Even if they weren’t in a romantic relationship, there had to be something….

That explained why Levi was good at kissing.

The thought hit me like a punch to the chest.

I felt tears prick the back of my eyes. My vision blurred for a split second, but I blinked them away. Now was not the time.

I forced a smile onto my face despite the lump growing in my throat.

“Umm… I’m sorry. I was just passing through. I didn’t mean to interrupt whatever was happening between you two.”

My voice sounded surprisingly steady.

I glanced at Delaney and found her already looking at me.

A small smirk curved her lips. The kind of smile that silently declared victory.

I cleared my throat before turning around, refusing to let either of them see what was happening inside me.

I’d give her that.

She had won.

But…

Was there even a game to win in the first place?

Was I ever even part of it?

I shook my head, trying to push away the ridiculous questions. My feet carried me farther down the hallway without any destination in mind.

I just wanted to leave.

Every step felt heavier than the last.

The farther I walked, the colder the air became. I was getting closer to the open balcony at the end of the corridor when I suddenly felt a hand wrap around my shoulder.

I gasped.

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Chapter 90

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Before I could react, I was gently but firmly guided onto the balcony. The sliding glass door shut behind us with a quiet click.

I looked up.

Levi.

His jaw was tight. His brows were drawn together, and frustration was written all over his face.

I didn’t understand it.

Why was he frustrated?

I was the one who had just walked in on him with another woman.

I was the one whose chest felt like it had been ripped open.

Still, I forced every emotion back down.

What right did I have? We had nothing. Nothing except one reckless night together.

“Hope.”

The way he said my name only made the ache inside my chest deepen.

If I opened my mouth now, I was afraid I would cry. So I stayed silent.

“It’s not what it looks like.”

I pressed my lips together before quietly saying, “I don’t think you should explain anything to me.”

His shoulders rose as he let out a slow breath.

“Delaney told me that’s where the afterparty was happening.”

I looked into his eyes and searched them. Still, I couldn’t read him. I didn’t know if he was telling me the truth.

Back then, I had believed Connor always told me the truth, too.

I had never questioned him. I had simply assumed.

Look where that had gotten me.

Now, every explanation sounded like another lie waiting to be discovered.

Silence settled between us.

I lowered my gaze to the floor, unable to keep looking at him.

“My shoulder hurts.”

My head snapped up.

Concern flooded through me before I could stop it.

“Are you alright?” I asked quickly. “Which part?”

He didn’t answer.

Instead, he simply watched me.

10:51 Thu, Jul 16 d

Chapter 90

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His eyes followed every movement as I instinctively stepped closer, my hand lifting toward his shoulder before stopping halfway.

I hesitated.

“Fuck.”

He bowed his head, shaking it once as he muttered the curse beneath his breath.

“Why?” I asked, panic creeping into my voice. “Are you badly hurt?”

“Even now,” he muttered, “you’re making it hard for me to control myself.”

I frowned.

“What do you mean, now, Levi?” I exclaimed, my frustration finally slipping through. “What’s happening with you? Do you want to go to the hospital?”

“I might need the hospital,” he answered vaguely.

I stared at him. Every answer only confused me more.

I inhaled slowly, forcing myself to push my feelings aside.

Right now, I wasn’t Hope. I was his physical therapist. Whatever had happened a few minutes ago didn’t matter if he was actually injured.

“My heart is beating too fast,” he continued.

My expression shifted. I looked at him more carefully. His breathing seemed steady. His face wasn’t pale.

Still…

“Can you breathe properly?” I asked. “Do you feel dizzy? Any chest pain? Wait. I’ll call someone. We should get help-”

I started reaching for my phone. Before I could take another step, his hand wrapped around my wrist.

The contact sent sparks racing down my arm, making my stomach tighten.

I ignored it.

I had to.

“There are more important things to focus on right now,” I muttered, trying to pull away.

Instead of letting go, his fingers tightened just enough to stop me,

“Have I told you how beautiful you looked tonight?”

I paused for a moment, feeling like I had lost my mind.

“What?”

For a moment, I wondered if I had heard him correctly. Wasn’t he just complaining about his shoulder? About his heart? Had he hit his head, too?

“I’m not joking,” he said.

There wasn’t even the slightest hint of amusement on his face. His expression remained completely serious, his eyes never

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