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I glanced over the rink as the handful of people skirting around the ice went along their business. The sun was high in the sky, lighting everything, and I was with Hunter, so I was safe.
“If you’re scared, we can go back to—”
“I’m not scared.”
I laughed as I tugged him toward the warming house to get our skates. After a few tries we got the right sizes and were hobbling on the padded floor to the ice.
“You’ve never done this before, huh?”
“That’d be a hells-to-the-no. You?”
“Long time ago. Should be interesting…” I toed off and gave a couple pushes, testing out my legs.
Everything came back to me in a rush, and my mind whirled as the comfortable memories flittered in. Dad used to take me skating, even on the coldest days when Mom wouldn’t come out. It was our thing.
Back when our relationship was easy, and not tainted by what had happened to me. I longed for those carefree days again.
I spun a slow circle as I got more comfortable on the skates, and a surge of excitement zipped through me. Talk about a rush, and it didn’t accompany a panic attack in three years and…. I couldn’t remember the day count.
Holy crap, I couldn’t remember.
Toeing the ice, I stopped myself, racking my brain to remember how many days. When I couldn’t, I laughed. I could have figured it out if I thought about it, but I didn’t want to give it that much energy. It’d already owned me for all those years.
“Wow,” Hunter said as he wobbled toward me. “I think I see steam coming out of your ears.”
I looked up, and found him staring down at me, his nose already red. He wore a black skull cap that that hid most of his blond hair. The cap didn’t faze me, never had, probably because it was attached to him. Despite his intimidating size, he equated calm in my broken mind.
Sure, he had a hint of fury flickering behind those eyes once in a while, but that was fine. I was fine with it.
With him.
“Everything okay?” He finally reached me.
I laughed at the sight of him ankle-beating those skates so badly.
“Okay, laughing-totally-not-cool, girl.” He winked. “Let’s see how you do in the boxing ring.”
Deal.” I spun and pushed off a few times, then crossed over, doing a circle as I built momentum. His eyes widened again, and a smile curved his full lips.
I’d kissed those lips last night. Technically twice, but I didn’t count that lame first kiss of mine. But hey, at least I’d tried, and it led to the most delicious kiss I’d ever had.
I pushed off one more time, put my arms out for balance, and toed off. One little jump got me a couple of inches into the air as I turned, then landed on my skate.
“Holy shit, Lina.” Hunter smiled as he kept his arms out to the side to stay balanced even though he wasn’t moving.
I skated toward him, never taking my eyes from his. People around me blurred from my vision as I focused on him. Only him.
He reached for me, and I pushed even harder, anxious to touch him. We both had thick gloves on, but I didn’t care. He was the first man Iwantedto touch in three years and some odd days. He’d helped me break out of my prison. He was the one person I trusted more than I’d ever trusted anyone in my life. Even my folks.
For how quickly they abandoned me when my disorder got bad…No. I wouldn’t think of those things right now. I had a real chance with Hunter now that he had relaxed and was open to giving us a try. Fear had prevented me from taking any chances for so long; this time was mine.
No, ours.
“It’s coming back to you, no problem,” Hunter said as my hand fell into his.
“This feels so awesome!” I leaped into his arms and hugged him tight.
“Whoa!” His skates flew out from beneath him, and we went down.
