All Chapters of On Thin Ice: A Forbidden Step Siblings Affair: Chapter 171 - Chapter 180

ValentinaThe clock on the wall reads 12:47 AM.I've been staring at the same spreadsheet for the past twenty minutes and the numbers are starting to blur together into meaningless shapes."Miss Vega, focus."I snap my attention back to the document in front of me. "Sorry."Jace doesn't respond, just continues working through his own stack of papers with that infuriating level of concentration that makes me want to throw something at him.We're sitting side by side in the executive lounge—a fancy name for what's basically a glorified break room with leather couches and a coffee machine that probably costs more than my car. The table between us is covered in documents, folders, and empty coffee cups.So many coffee cups.Jace's tie is loosened around his neck, the top two buttons of his shirt undone, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His blonde hair is messy from running his hands through it repeatedly, and there's a slight shadow of stubble on his jaw that wasn't there this morning.He

Valentina I'm pacing in my bedroom, my reflection staring back at me from the mirror with accusatory eyes. Why did he ask me to leave? Was I too obvious? Too awkward? God, I've been so unprofessional lately it's getting pathetic. First showing up late, then the coffee incident, now freezing up during an important meeting because my ex-fiancé decided to show his disgusting face. I saw Tristan stormed out of the conference room afterward, his expression thunderous. Saw the way he looked at me angry and furious. My stomach drops just thinking about it. Things must have gone south. The meeting must have fallen apart. And it's probably my fault. Part of me hopes it did fall apart. Hopes Tristan lost whatever deal he was trying to make. That manipulative, cheating bastard deserves to lose everything after what he did to me. I grip the edge of my dresser, my knuckles going white. I can't believe I was in love with him. Actually thought I'd spend the rest of my life with that

Val.The heavy thud of the door echoes in my ears, vibrating through my skull, pinning me in place. Jace’s body is a wall of heat and muscle, his forearms caging my head, his hips grinding his hard cock against my stomach. Punished? That single word hangs in the air between us, a dark, delicious promise.His mouth crashes down on mine.It’s not a kiss. It’s a claiming.His tongue forces its way past my lips, a hot, demanding invasion that tastes of expensive whiskey and pure, undiluted power. I can’t think. I can only feel. My hands fly up, not to push him away, but to claw at the broad expanse of his shoulders, the crisp fabric of his shirt crumpling in my fists. A low, guttural sound rips from his throat, vibrating through my entire body. 'Yes. This. Exactly this.'He tears his mouth from mine, his breathing a ragged storm. “Open your fucking eyes, Valentina. Look at me.”I didn’t even realize I’d closed them. My eyelids flutter open. His gaze is black fire, scorching me, seeing e

ValentinaMy body aches everywhere.And I mean everywhere. Muscles I didn't even know I had are screaming in protest as I sit up slowly, carefully.Jace is asleep next to me, his back to me, the sheet riding low on his hips. We're both completely naked—evidence of a night that spiraled completely out of control.My face flushes hot as memories flood back. The VIP room. The car—oh God, the car, with his driver right there separated only by a partition. And then his house. We didn't even make it past the entryway before—I press my hands to my burning cheeks. We're both insane. Completely, utterly insane.But I can't bring myself to regret it.I reach out tentatively and run my hand through his hair, so light I barely touch him. He's beautiful like this—relaxed, peaceful, the hard edges of his face softened by sleep.He moans softly and shifts slightly.I pull my hand away quickly, my heart jumping. The last thing I need is for him to wake up and find me staring at him like some lovesic

JaceThe room goes silent.That thick, suffocating kind of silence where everyone's thinking the same thing but no one wants to say it out loud.Isabella's smile vanishes completely, replaced by something cold and hard. Rae's hand moves protectively to her swollen belly, her other hand reaching for Gray's automatically. Valentina looks between all of us, confusion written across her face as she tries to piece together what just shifted in the atmosphere.Gray's expression has gone completely cold. The warmth from moments ago—the teasing, the easy camaraderie—it's all gone, replaced by the hardened version of himself that only appears when Edward is mentioned."What makes you ask that?" His voice is carefully controlled."I just—" I run a hand through my hair, immediately regretting bringing it up. "I wanted to make sure. That it's still locked up. That there haven't been any... incidents.""Jace." Gray moves closer, lowering his voice. "Can we talk? Outside?"I nod and follow him back