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“Oh my God.” Preston rolled his eyes and hopped off me, grabbing the robe from the end of the bed. “You need to stop acting like you’re ancient.”
“Ancient?” I sat up against the headboard and tried not to grimace at my weary muscles. “I do not think I’m ancient, thank you very much. But with age comes an understanding of my limits, and?—”
“I wore you out last night.”
I opened my mouth, about to protest, but then admitted, “Let’s just say I’m not too keen about the idea of trying to balance on razor-sharp blades.”
“Archerrr.”
I sighed and swung my legs over the bed, and when I got to my feet and Preston’s eyes roamed over my naked body,I hooked my finger in the belt of his robe and drew him in close.“You really want to go ice-skating?”
Preston looped his arms around my neck and nodded. “I really do.”
“Then let’s go ice-skating.”
The smile that spread across his lips lit up the room and warmed my heart, and I wondered if there was anything I wouldn’t give him in that moment to keep him smiling at me like that forever.
THE WIND WAS biting today as we stepped outside of the Plaza and headed toward the end of the block, making our way into Central Park. We’d bundled up in our scarves, coats, and gloves, but somehow the chill still managed to make it through all those layers.
I glanced to where Preston was walking close by—but not actually touching me. Both of us had decided we knew too many people in the city to risk the exposure. But knowing he was there with me, and how we’d spent last night, was enough for right now.
It had to be.
“Just so I know how embarrassed I’m going to be out there, do you do this a lot?” I asked.
Preston glanced at me, his eyes twinkling as we made our way through the park, making sure to keep out of the way of any joggers or cyclists.
“I make sure to get down here a couple of times each winter. I like Wollman Rink or the one in Bryant Park much better than Rockefeller. It’s smaller and gets way too packed. Especially around Christmas.”
“So what you’re saying is, I’m about to look like an absolute fool.”
“Is that what I’m saying?” Preston chuckled. “Why not look at it like—if you fall, I’ll be right there to catch you.”
I stopped in my tracks, and the horrified expression on my face made Preston laugh.“That is not making me feel better.”
“Really? I thought it was kind of cute.” He leaned in and said under his breath, “The idea of you falling for me.”
“On my ass?”
“Well, I said I’d catch you.” The slight quirk of his lips told me he was finding my apprehension far too amusing. “You know, this might be the first thing I’ve found that you’re not good at.”
I scoffed. “And that makes you happy?”
“Not happy. It’s just nice to know you have some flaws.”
“Trust me, I have plenty.”
“Really? Could’ve fooled me. From where I’m standing”—Preston made a show of giving me a thorough once-over—“you are pretty much perfection.”
Damn he was good for my ego. “I’m not perfect.”
“Uh huh, well, tell that to all the single men—andwomen—in New York. You’re a catch, and that pretty much makes you perfect.”
I cocked my head to the side, trying to decide if he was being serious or messing with me. “Just because I’m single?—”
“And good looking.”
I snorted. “—andsogood looking, doesn’t mean I’m a catch.”
