I wasglad that I’d spoken to Everly and booked some time on the ice for Clark. He lit up when I told him, and when we arrived at the ice rink, I could tell how anxious he was to get out there.
“You’re not going to do anything crazy,” I reminded him as I let go of the wall and moved to skate beside him.
“You don’t want to race me, Weeze?”
“Not happening.” I arched a brow and then nearly lost my balance because it had been a while since I’d put on a pair of skates.
Clark quickly moved behind me to steady me as I hurried toward the wall, grabbing on just before I made a fool of myself and fell. “It’s just been a while. I’m fine, I promise.”
He skated in front of me as I skated beside the wall so I could grab on if I needed to. “You know what we need?”
“Elbow and knee pads?” I said over my laughter because I was wobbly as hell.
Clark was skating right behind me, and then “Hey, Ya!” From OutKast started playing, and he moved in front of me. He set his phone on the ledge, setting the volume as high as it would go, as he skated backward, smirking at me.
I wondered if he even had a clue how ridiculously sexy he was.
Tousled hair. Green eyes. Broad shoulders. Plump lips.
It was unfair and infuriating all at the same time.
“Give me your hand,” he said.
“No. I need to stay next to the wall.”
“You either give me your hand, or I’m going to start doing some crazy hockey moves, and you won’t be able to catch me to stop me.” A wicked grin spread across his handsome face.
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re a stubborn ass?” I hissed, reaching for his hand as I stumbled over my own feet.
“Many times.” Before I knew what he was doing, he moved behind me, my back to his chest. His legs rested against the outside of mine, and his arms were wrapped around me just above my chest. My breath hitched in my throat, but I didn’t pull away.
“You’re helping me every day in the gym; let me do this for you. This will help you keep your balance. Just follow my strides,” he said, as he spoke against my ear. His lips grazed my skin, and I nearly fell, but he chuckled and held me close. “Look forward, Weeze. I’ve got you.”
That’s the problem at the moment.
When the chorus played and we made our way around the ice, he started swaying both of us to the beat. I couldn’t help but laugh, and my body relaxed against his.
We continued skating this way, the songs changing on his playlist, and he’d change it up and pull back, moving us from side to side and around in a circle.
I was still laughing when the timer went off on my phone, and I realized our time was up.
“Time’s up, Hotshot,” I said, clearing my throat.
He led us to the wall, and I stepped off the ice, sitting down to take off my skates and put on my sandals, as he did the same.
“Thanks for that,” he said. “Man, I needed some ice time.”
“You really love what you do, don’t you?” I asked, but I already knew the answer. This man oozed joy when he was out on the ice. Hell, even in the gym, pushing himself so hard he was soaking wet, he still had a big smile on his face.
“I really do.” He reached for my skates and led us out of the rink. “How about you? Do you love what you do?”
“Well, it’s still new, but I’m passionate about it. I’m excited when I wake up in the morning.”
“Careful, Weeze. Sounds like you enjoy working with me, even if you don’t want to admit it.”
He was right. And this was all getting a little too flirtatious. I needed to make sure I kept my boundaries in place.
I was a professional after all.
