All Chapters of DANGEROUS ICE: MY HOCKEY NEMESIS IS MY SINFUL OBSESSION: Chapter 101 - Chapter 110

The heavy wooden stick hit my lower back, and the sudden impact pushed all the air out of my lungs. I slammed into the hard ice with a loud thud, and a terrible shock of pain radiated up my spine. My vision went dark for a few seconds because my body simply forgot how to breathe. I lay flat on the frozen surface, and I listened to the chaotic noise erupting all around me.I heard Carter shouting loud, and I heard the sound of heavy skates scraping the ice as my teammates rushed forward to defend me. A massive physical fight broke out near the goal net, and the referees blew their silver whistles over and over to stop the brawl. I did not care about the penalty minutes, and I did not care about the angry opposing player who hit me from behind. I only cared about finding a single breath of air to stop the burning sensation in my chest.My chest heaved up, and I finally sucked a sharp gasp of cold air into my empty lungs. The oxygen burned my throat, but the deep breath proved my back wa

I stared at the bright phone screen, and I read the terrible email from the university financial office over and over again. My nursing scholarship was gone because Richard Rossi pulled the funding from his corporate subsidiary.The school wanted me to pay my full tuition balance by next week, and they threatened to kick me out of the program if I failed to pay the bill. I felt a cold wave of dread wash over my skin, but I forced my facial expression to stay blank."What is wrong?" Michael asked me from the other side of the large hotel bed. He sat up under the warm blankets, and he looked at my face with deep concern."Did my father find a new way to hurt us?" Michael asked again, and he reached his hand out to touch my shoulder.I looked up from the glowing screen, and I looked at my partner's face. Michael smiled just a few minutes ago, and he was so happy about his amazing meeting with the professional hockey scout.He fought a brutal war against his father to win his freedom, and

I held the printed email in my hand, and I stared at the official university letterhead while a fierce anger grew in my chest.Axel sat in his wooden desk chair, and he watched my face with wide and anxious eyes as he waited for my reaction."Why didn't you tell me this?" I asked him, and I kept my voice low so I would not scare him."I did not want to ruin your good mood," Axel answered, and he pulled his knees closer to his chest to make himself look smaller."You were so happy about the professional hockey scout, and I wanted you to enjoy your big victory," he added with a very soft voice."You thought a hockey game was more important than your medical degree?" I demanded, and I tossed the crumpled paper onto the desk."My father attacked your education while I was playing a game, and you decided to hide the damage from me," I told him."I am not mad at you, Axel," I clarified fast, because I saw him flinch at my stern tone and my dark expression."I am furious at my father, becaus

I looked down at Michael kneeling on the soft carpet, and my heart broke when I saw the single tear fall down his face. He looked very vulnerable right now, and he dropped all of his stubborn pride just to make sure I was safe.He was the strongest man I knew, yet he begged me to accept his financial help because he loved me. I realized my own pride was hurting both of us, and I was pushing him away for no good reason.Accepting his help was not a sign of weakness, and taking his money did not make me a dependent child. It meant we were equal partners in this relationship, and partners always share their heavy burdens with each other."You do not have to beg me," I whispered softly, and I reached my hands down to cup his warm face. "I will let you pay the tuition bill, and I will let you take care of me."Michael let out a huge breath of air, and he leaned his forehead against my stomach. He wrapped his strong arms tighter around my waist, and he held me with so much gentle care.I sa

We woke up early the next morning because we wanted to call the phone number on the red rental sign. Michael dialed the landlord on his cell phone, and he arranged a private tour of the apartment building for us.We left Gabriel asleep in his bed so he could get some extra rest before his morning classes started. We walked across the quiet campus together, and the bright morning sun warmed my face during our short trip.The streets were very calm at this early hour, and we did not see any reporters hiding near the sidewalks. We crossed the main road, and we stopped right in front of the beautiful brick building we saw last night."This place looks even better in the daylight," Michael said, and he pointed at the large glass windows. "The metal security gate is very tall, so my father's men will never be able to bother us here.""I really love the private courtyard behind the fence," I agreed, and I admired the green grass near the front entrance. "Gabriel can sit outside and read his