Captured Love (The Crestwood University #3)

29. Selene

29

SELENE

A s I walk up to the Crestwood Red Wolves’ rink, I’m feeling both confident and nervous at the same time. I’m proud of myself for deciding to try something new but also wondering what the hell was I thinking. Why did I think it would be a good idea to learn how to skate?

Because of the man standing next to me. Holding a bag with our skates in it.

“So the arena is closed today?” I ask as we walk up to the entrance.

A smug grin spreads across Knox’s face. “Yep, just you and me, picosita. I pulled some strings to get us private ice time.”

I raise an eyebrow at him. “Wow, using your hockey star status to impress a girl? How original.”

He just laughs, completely unfazed. “Hey, it worked, didn't it? You're here.”

I can't help but smile back. He's not wrong.

When we enter the arena and make our way toward the ice, he does this very exaggerated gesture that includes a mock bow and says, “Welcome to my world.”

I laugh at his antics, and it makes me feel a little better. “Wow, this is...intimidating.”

Knox grins. “Nah, you got this. It's just frozen water.” He sits on a bench and pulls out his own skates and then the ones I borrowed from Isla. Thankfully, we are the same shoe size.

“Nervous?” he asks, glancing over at me.

“No,” I lie. Truth is that my stomach is in more knots than I should put these laces in.

“Ice skating is easy once you get used to it.”

I snort as I watch him start tying his laces. I try to follow suit, but I’m not nearly as comfortable obviously. “Easy for you to say, Mr. Hockey Hottie. Some of us weren't born with blades attached to our feet.”

“Hockey Hottie?” He raises an eyebrow. “I like it. Has a nice ring to it.”

“And I immediately regret saying it. Your ego definitely doesn't need any more stroking.” I finish tying my laces and stand up unsteadily. I move too quickly and end up flailing my arms like a chicken.

Knox reaches up and catches my arm, steadying me with a strong grip. “I know something that would love some more stroking…Whoa there, Bambi. Take it easy.”

I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks just before I narrow my eyes at him. “Did you just compare me to a cartoon deer?” I intentionally ignore what we both know his first sentence was hinting at.

“If the skate fits.” He shrugs unapologetically. “But don't worry, by the end of this lesson, you'll be skating circles around me.”

“Doubtful,” I mutter, but I can't help but smile at his confidence in me.

Knox finishes lacing up his skates and stands as if he’s spent more time on the ice than on solid ground. Because he probably has. He offers me his hand. “Ready to kick this ice’s ass?”

I eye his outstretched hand warily. “I'm pretty sure the ice is always going to kick my ass, but I guess there's only one way to find out.” I place my glove-covered hand in his and enjoy the feeling of his hand holding mine once more.

We wobble-step our way to the rink entrance and I pause. Holy shit, this is big. I smirk when I mentally say, That’s what she said.

Sensing my hesitation, Knox squeezes my hand. “Hey, I've got you. We'll take this as slow as you need.”

I nod and let him guide me onto the ice. The moment the blades touch the slick surface, my legs start to tremble. Knox glides backward, holding both of my hands now, his eyes locked on mine. “That's it, nice and easy.”

I try to mimic his movements, but my skates seem to have minds of their own. I end up falling into his solid chest. “Sorry!” I yelp, my face burning with embarrassment against the cool fabric of his sweatshirt.

Knox chuckles, the sound rumbling beneath my cheek. “No worries, I like you throwing yourself at me.”

I pull back and glare at him. “In your dreams, Sanchez.”

“Every night, Davis.” He winks, then starts skating backward again, pulling me along with him. “Now, bend your knees a bit and try to find your center of gravity.”

I do as he says, focusing on keeping my legs steady. It's not easy, especially with the way he's looking at me. It’s as if I'm the only person in the world that matters. “Like this?”

“Perfect.” His praise makes me feel things I shouldn’t feel while ice skating. “You're a natural.”

I snort. “Hardly. But I guess I have a decent teacher.”

“Just decent?” He clutches his chest in mock offense. “I'm wounded.”

“I'm sure your ego will survive.” I manage a small glide forward, feeling more than relieved when I don't immediately faceplant.

Knox matches my pace, his hands still anchoring me. “There you go! See, I knew you could do it.”

We continue like this, him skating backward while giving me tips and encouragement, me focusing on staying upright and not making a complete fool of myself. Before I know it, we've made a full lap around the rink.

“I think I'm actually getting the hang of this,” I say, surprised at how much I'm enjoying myself.

“Told you.” Knox slowly releases my hands, moving to skate beside me instead. I feel momentary panic at the loss of his support, but I manage to keep my balance. We glide together, our movements becoming more in sync as if we've done this a thousand times before.

As we complete a few laps, I’m beginning to feel more confident. The fear I had when I first stepped onto the ice has melted away, and in its place is a giddy sense of accomplishment. I'm actually doing this!

Knox must sense the change in my demeanor because he turns to me and says, “Ready to try it on your own?”

My stomach does a little flip at the thought, but I nod. “I think so. Just don't go too far, okay?”

“I'll be right here,” he assures me, gradually slowing his pace until he's a few feet behind me.

I take a deep breath and focus on the rhythmic glide of my skates against the ice. Left, right, left, right. I wobble a bit, my arms instinctively reaching out for balance, but I manage to stay upright. A laugh bubbles up from my chest as I realize that I have this.

“You’re killing it,” Knox calls out from behind me.

His encouragement fuels me, and I pick up speed, loving the cool rush of air against my face. I feel free. Of course, that's when my left skate decides to revolt, sending me forward with a yelp.

But before I can hit the ice, strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me back against Knox's chest. I can feel his heart beating rapidly against my back, matching the frantic pace of my own.

“Whoa there,” he says, his warm breath tickling my ear. “I've got you.”

I let out a shaky laugh, adrenaline still coursing through my veins. “My hero,” I say, only half joking.

He helps me regain my balance but doesn't let go right away. We stay like that for a moment, his arms around me, my hands resting on his forearms. It feels intimate. Safe. Like this is exactly where I'm supposed to be.

“I think that's enough excitement for one day,” Knox says, his voice low and husky. He slowly releases me but takes my hand.

I nod in agreement. My heart is still pounding from both the near-fall and the feeling of Knox's arms around me. “Yeah, I think my legs have turned to jelly.”

He laughs and begins guiding us toward the rink exit. “You did great though, seriously. I'm impressed.”

I shrug, trying to play it cool even as a grin spreads across my face. “Well, I had a pretty great teacher.”

“Pretty great, huh?” The smirk on his face tells me where this is going.

“Okay, fine. An amazing teacher. The best.” I roll my eyes dramatically. “Happy now?”

“Ecstatic.” He helps me off the ice and to a nearby bench.

We sit down and start unlacing our skates. As we remove them, I catch Knox watching me with a soft expression. He reaches over and runs his fingers down the side of my face, allowing them to linger on my cheek.

“Selene, I...” He pauses, as if searching for the right words. “I've been wanting to ask you something.”

My brain is trying to process if this is a good thing or not. “What is it?”

He takes my hand, his thumb tracing gentle circles on my skin. “These past few weeks, getting to know you, spending time with you... It's been incredible. You're unlike anyone I've ever met.”

A nervous giggle falls from my lips. “Knox...”

“Let me finish,” he says with a small smile. “I know we started off well, then it quickly got messed up, and we’ve spent a lot of time building this into something special. At least, I think so. Just everything about you and the way you challenge me to be better. I don't want to imagine my life without you in it.”

I swear I’m almost frozen in place, but at least I’m still able to speak. “What are you saying?”

He takes a deep breath, his brown eyes locking onto mine. “I'm saying that I want to be with you, Selene. Officially. I want you to be my girlfriend.”

My heart skips several beats at his words. Did I hear him right? I realize I've been silent for too long when I see a flicker of uncertainty cross his face.

He starts to pull his hand away. “If you don't feel the same way, I understand. I just thought?—”

“No!” I blurt out, grabbing his hand and lacing our fingers together. “I mean, yes. Yes, I want to be your girlfriend.”

The smile that spreads across his face is blinding. He tugs me closer, his free hand coming up to cup my cheek. “Yeah?”

I nod, feeling giddy again and lightheaded in the best possible way. “Yeah. I want this, Knox. I want you.”

He leans in, resting his forehead against mine. “You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that.”

“I think I have an idea,” I whisper, my gaze dropping to his lips.

He closes the distance between us, capturing my mouth in a slow, deep kiss. I melt into him, my hands sliding up his chest to loop around his neck. The kiss starts off gentle, but soon the intensity builds, and I find myself getting lost in the feel of Knox's lips moving against mine. His hands slide down to my waist, pulling me closer until there's no space left between us.

I tangle my fingers in his dark hair, and he lets out a low groan that sends shivers down my spine. When we finally break apart, both of us are breathing heavily.

Knox rests his forehead against mine again. “This is the best feeling in the world.”

“I completely agree. I guess that means I need to come to your games when I can, huh?”

Knox moves back slightly and nods. “Absolutely.”

I grin at him. “Well then, you better put on a good show for me, Hockey Hottie. I expect to be impressed.”

“Oh, I'll impress you alright. Just try not to swoon too hard when I score a goal and point at you in the stands.”

I shove his shoulder playfully. “You're so full of yourself. I take it back, I don't want to be your girlfriend anymore.”

He captures my hand and brings it to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on my knuckles. “Too late, you're stuck with me now.”

I smile as I stare into his eyes. “I guess I can live with that.”