His Dangerous Love On Ice Chapter 24: Cole's Pov

COLE’s POV

"You've been different since the game." Her voice was soft, careful. "You almost cost us the win, Cole. You went after Zane like... I don't know. Like it was personal."

"It wasn't personal. He was playing dirty."

"He always plays dirty. You know that." She pulled back just enough to look at me. "But you've never reacted like that before."

I kept my face neutral, kept my hands steady on her hips. "What are you getting at, Soph?"

She hesitated, biting her lower lip. Then: "There was a girl. Dark hair, sitting in the VIP section. She was screaming your name…I think during the second period, but then..." She paused. "Then she was screaming for Zane."

Fuck.

"And?" I kept my tone light, almost bored.

"I asked around." Sophia's eyes searched mine. "Her name is Olive Monroe. She's your ex."

The air left my lungs but I didn't let it show. I just laughed, shaking my head like this was the most ridiculous thing I'd ever heard. "That's what this is about? Olive?"

"You never mentioned her."

"Because there's nothing to mention." I pulled her closer again, forcing myself to stay calm. "We broke up. It's over. I barely think about her."

"Then why was she at the game?"

"How should I know? Maybe she's trying to get back at me. You know how breakups are—people do stupid things." I let my thumb brush along her waist, distracting her. "She's probably just mad I moved on."

Sophia's expression softened a little. "She seemed really into Zane."

"Good for her." I kept my voice even. "If she wants to embarrass herself chasing after someone who's way out of her league, that's her problem."

"You really don't care?"

"Not even a little." I leaned in, pressing my forehead to hers. "The only person I care about is standing right in front of me."

She exhaled, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. "I just... I don't want drama, Cole. If she's going to be around, if she's going to cause problems—"

"She won't." I cupped her face, making sure she was looking right at me. "I promise. Olive's not important. She never was."

The lie came so easily it almost scared me. But Sophia believed it. I could see it in the way her eyes softened, the way she leaned into my touch.

"Okay," she whispered.

I kissed her before she could think too hard about it. Slow at first, then deeper, my hands sliding up her back and into her hair. She made a small sound against my mouth and I took that as permission to push further, backing her up against the bench until she was sitting and I was standing between her legs.

"Cole—" she breathed, but I cut her off with another kiss.

This wasn't about her. It was never about her. It was about making sure she stayed exactly where I needed her—close to me, far from the truth, and completely convinced that I was the good guy.

Her hands found my chest and for a second I thought she'd push me away, but she didn't. She pulled me closer instead, her fingers curling into my shirt.

Good.

I kissed her harder, let my hands wander just enough to make her forget about Olive, about Zane, about anything except this moment. When I finally pulled back, her cheeks were flushed and her breathing was uneven.

"Better?" I asked, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

She nodded, still a little dazed. "Yeah."

"Good." I kissed her forehead, then her nose, playing the role of the perfect boyfriend. "Now stop worrying about my ex. She's nothing."

Sophia smiled, believing every word.

I pulled away and grabbed my water bottle, taking another drink to hide the satisfaction crawling up my spine. She had no idea. None of them did.

Olive thought she could move on. Thought she could show up at my game and scream for someone else without consequences. But she didn't understand how this worked. She'd never understood.

I'd spent two years building this. Two years playing the long game. And I wasn't about to let some hurt feelings and a public tantrum ruin it.

Zane Mercer was still the goal. And Sophia—sweet, trusting Sophia—was still my way in.

Olive could scream all she wanted.

In the end, I'd still win.