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She held on tight.
“Skating is all about balance and movement. Let your thighs do the work.”
“We’re moving!” She squeezed his arm as it tightened around her waist. The little girl with the future Gold twirled by as if she were floating. “I swear, she did that to make me feel inferior.”
“Probably.”
“I wasn’t serious.”
“I was.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Now stop comparing yourself to the other children and focus.”
Lucy took a deep breath, the cold air feeling both amazingly refreshing and icy in her lungs. Sean gently moved them forward as he steered her. “Do you feel my legs move?”
She did, and swallowed, acutely aware of Sean’s thighs pressing lightly against the back of hers, first the right, then the left, in a sensual rhythm that both calmed and excited her. She moved at his direction, and soon they were skating, slowly but steady.
“Hey, I’m skating!” She grinned widely, nervous but proud of her accomplishment.
They skated around the rink twice as Lucy gained confidence. “Okay, I’m going to let you go,” Sean said, “but I’ll be right behind you.”
“No—”
But he’d already dropped his arms. She glided forward, trying to keep the same rhythm, but she went too far to the right, overcompensating and turned 180 degrees. She grabbed at the railing, but it was too far and she fell on her butt, her feet shooting out from under her.
“Shit!”
Sean laughed.
She glared at him. “Stop laughing.” Then she smiled. “I’m such an idiot.”
He held out his hand and pulled her up with one smooth move. “Okay, we’ll try something else in the dance family.”
Facing her, he held her waist and started skating backward, pulling her along with him instead of pushing her forward. “You’re going backward!” she exclaimed.
“Would you rather?”
She shook her head and put her hands on his shoulders. They moved fluidly along the edge of the rink. Or, rather, Sean steered them perfectly, seeming to know by instinct and quick glances back exactly where they were on the ice, and where everyone else was as well. Lucy rediscovered her rhythm, and they glided smoothly around the rink, as close as they could get without fully touching, Sean’s movements seemingly effortless. Their flowing dance became more than two friends skating, as the banter subsided and Sean kissed the top of her head. Then her lips. Lightly, sweetly, showing a deep affection that surprised her.
“I’m proud of you, Luce.”
She cleared her throat. “Why?”
“New experiences.”
“I suppose I’m willing to try anything once.”
“Once?” He frowned and looked worried. “You’re not having fun?”
“I’m having fun. Much more than I thought I would. You’re pretty amazing.”
He grinned and winked at her, then kissed her cheek and nipped her ear playfully. “I am, aren’t I?” he teased.
“My, what a large ego you have!”
“All the better to impress you with, my dear.”
Lucy raised an eyebrow and glanced around Sean to make sure no one was in their way. She turned suddenly, in a full circle, surprising him, and he tried to regain control, but she’d gotten her “skating legs” and spun him until he fell on his butt. She grabbed the railing to keep from falling and laughed.
“So that’s how it is.” He grinned. “You’d better watch yourself, Ms. Kincaid, because payback is a bitch.”
