Chapter 174:An Awkward Encounter

(Emma's POV) The cold air stung my face as I stumbled on the icy ground, trying to regain my balance. My hands reflexively shot out to steady myself. The next thing I knew, my fingers had latched onto something… unnatural. It wasn’t cold or hard like the ground. Oh no. No, no, no! I froze, mortified, as I realized my hand was firmly gripping Erik Blackwood’s belt. His belt. The leather looped snugly around his expensive designer pants. Erik’s sharp intake of breath was audible. His designer glasses had slipped down, landing askew on his otherwise impeccable nose. He stared down at me, his icy blue-gray eyes narrowing dangerously. "Let. Go." His voice was clipped, taut with annoyance. Each word hit like a drop of freezing water against my burning face. My mouth flapped soundlessly as the horror of the situation caught up with me. Let go? Yes, of course. My hand should obey... but it didn’t move, instead remaining rooted to the spot in terror. "I-I’m sorry!" I finally managed to sq