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“I… I don’t follow.”
“I think you do,” he said, yanking the door open and motioning for me to go on ahead. My heart was a band of wild horses galloping in my chest as we headed for the counter.
“Mason,” the heavy-set man said. “Good to see you.
“We all set?”
“Place is all yours. Feel free to grab your skates. The rest is all taken care of.”
The rest?
A trickle of unease went down my spine. “What did he mean, the rest?”
“You’ll see. Come on.”
In less than five minutes, we had our skates on and were heading for the rink. The blast of cold air as we went through the doors was a welcome reprieve from the heat simmering inside me.
It was strange being here when the place was empty. I was used to an audience. Fresh-faced kids and their parents oohing and ahhing as I whipped around the rink.
Mason let me go on ahead, and I did a couple of circles before I realized he’d stopped at the boards.
“Aren’t you skating?” I frowned.
“I am. But I want to watch you first. Show me what you’ve got, blondie.”
“Seriously, you want to watch me skate?”
He nodded, his eyes dark and stormy.
“Fine.” With a little shrug, I pumped my legs and took off at lightning speed, laughter bubbling in my chest as I glided around the rink, arms out by my sides. Steadying my weight as I changed height. Up and down. Round and round.
Skating brought me so much joy. Eddied every bad thought out of my head. But having Mason’s hungry gaze on me while I skated was a whole new experience.
Butterflies soared into my stomach as I passed him, his dark eyes tracking my every move. Eventually, I slowed down, catching my breath. My cheeks were cold, and my lungs burned, but I’d never felt more alive.
“So, what did you think?”
Mason reached for me, pulling the hem of my hoodie until we were chest to chest. His arm went around my waist, holding me there.
“You’re good, blondie. Really fucking good.”
“I love skating.”
“It shows.” He swallowed. “But can you do it with a stick in your hand?”
“W-what?”
“You play.”
“No, I don’t.” I tried to pull away from him, but he held firm.
“I looked you up, Harper. I know.”
“Y-you… oh my God.” I squeezed my eyes tight, trying my hardest not to let the tears fall.
He’d Googled me.
Mason Steele had Googled me and discovered my biggest secret.
