Chapter 13 #2
I know he’s offering me some of his food, but that’s not where my brain goes. Suddenly, I’m a fifteen-year-old boy and thinking about sex.
Again.
“No thank you,” I respond as we dive into our delicious food.
We chat about everything, from work that day to family and friends.
We catch up on town gossip, and I do my best to fill him in on what’s happened with classmates we had over the years.
It’s comfortable, and every time someone stops by to say hello, Burk is gracious and friendly.
When our meals have been consumed—or at least most of mine—he jumps up and throws our containers in the trash. “Are you ready?”
“For ice skating? I’m always ready,” I declare with a big smile.
“Do we need to run back to your place to get your skates?” he asks.
Even though my apartment is literally across the square, I shake my head. “I’m just going to use theirs. It’ll be easier and quicker.”
“We can run back. It won’t take long.”
I appreciate the offer, but it’s not necessary. On the weekends, during festival hours, you can rent skates. “No, really. I usually just rent them on nights like tonight.” I use my own during the times the rink is available but the skates aren’t.
“All right,” he announces with the clap of his hands. “Let’s do this.”
“I’m going to feel this tomorrow,” Burk announces between fits of laughter. He’s sprawled out on the ice, having fallen for the second time.
A giggle slips from my lips, and I try to cover it with my gloved hand. “You need a little practice is all.”
He starts to stand up, and I reach out to help keep him steady. “My ego is taking a huge hit tonight,” he grumbles good-heartedly.
“I’m sure your ego is plenty padded,” I tease as he returns to his full height.
His eyebrows pull up in question. “Is that an ass joke?”
I can’t stop the laughter once more. “You’re nuts.”
“Because my ass might have some extra padding, but I’ve been told it’s one of my finest features,” he quips, reminding me of one of our early conversations where I basically told him his ass was nice.
Grinning, I take his hand, and we start to skate once more. We make several laps around the rink, and a huge wave of contentment washes over me.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, why?” I ask, turning my attention his way.
“You sighed.”
“Oh,” I reply, feeling heat warm my cheeks.
“I’m just…happy. This is my favorite time of year, and we’re doing one of my favorite activities.
It’s such a beautiful night with the twinkle lights surrounding us and the holiday music.
It feels magical, and I’m just…yeah.” My blush deepens.
“Plus, the company isn’t so bad either.”
He glances down and grins widely. “The company may be my favorite part.”
We skate around the rink for a while, talking and just enjoying our time together. I know this isn’t one of his favorite activities, but he never complains. Just holds my hand and skates beside me as we circle the ice.
Two young kids zoom past us, laughing and carrying on as the boy hollers, “Too slow!”
“Punks,” Burk mutters, making me laugh.
“That’s the exact same thing we used to do at that age,” I remind him as the young boy and girl spin circles around some of the other skaters.
“Yeah, but that boy has talent. I did not,” he grumbles as the boy starts to move backward with ease and confidence.
I giggle and shake my head. “You’re doing just fine.”
“Yeah, well my best asset is going to be bruised tomorrow morning,” he mumbles, cracking the hint of a smile.
Just then, the two younger kids come by once more.
This time, the young boy spins a circle in front of Burk, and what happens next can only be described as chaos.
Burk tries to stop so he doesn’t run into the boy but ends of shifting to the side.
Unfortunately, when he does that, his body pitches somewhat violently and his feet start to dance.
Not in the good way either.
In the flash of a second, he realizes he’s going down, so his grip on me tightens as he attempts to stabilize himself.
It doesn’t work.
The next thing I know, we’re both crashing to the cold, frozen rink in a pile of limbs and pain. My head is kept from hitting the unforgiving surface by being rolled. Before my brain can catch up with what’s happening, I’m lying on top of Burk, his gorgeous face registering pain.
“Shit,” he mutters. “I’m so sorry, are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” I insist, trying not to dwell on the fact my body is pressed against his and feels fucking amazing.
“Did you hit your head?” he asks, searching my face with worry.
“No, I’m fine. You?”
He shifts a little and his face scrunches up in discomfort. “I think I dislocated my ass.”
I bark out a laugh, my focus quickly returning to the fact my breasts shift and rub his chest as I giggle. When our eyes connect, his seem to sober instantly, as if he’s suddenly realizing we’re pressed together very intimately. Not to mention the fact one of his hands is resting on my ass.
Clearing his throat, he suddenly moves. But it’s not either of his hands, it’s his mouth. He plasters his lips to mine, his tongue delving deep as he tastes. I feel my body explode like a firecracker. It’s instant, intense, and burns me in the best way possible.
“I’m sorry!”
Burk and I startle, our kiss—and the moment—broken. We both turn to see the young boy who caused us to stumble and fall crouching beside where we lie. “It’s okay, buddy. I’m not nearly as good of a skater as you are,” Burk tells the young boy, who offers a wide grin.
“I practice a lot. But my mom says I shouldn’t be so cocky and give the other people space,” he informs us, as if Mom had a hand in his apology.
“It’s all good, buddy. Thank you for apologizing,” Burk replies, carefully rolling me off his body and helping me sit up.
“You should practice your swizzles and crossovers.”
I giggle but quickly cover it with a cough and a hand to my mouth.
Burk, clearly realizing my laughter comes at his expense, narrows his eyes at me before turning a smile at the boy. “You’re right, I should get some more practice in.”
“Okay! Bye!” the boy declares before taking off like a bolt of lightning and heading to where the young girl waits for him.
“Well, I do believe I was just told by a seven-year-old.”
Another giggle slips from my mouth. I seem to be doing a lot of that when I’m around Burk. “How’s your ass-et?” I ask, the innuendo hanging heavy between us.
“Sore,” he informs me. Carefully, he stands up before reaching both hands down to me. “Shall we?”
Placing my hands in his, I get up from the ice and stand directly in front of him. The tension grows thick once more, crackling like logs in a fireplace. The heat coming from his body and his eyes mirrors that of my own, and all I want to do is get back to my place and be alone with this man.
The one who started off as a friend, until the lines started to blur.
And that’s exactly what has happened since he arrived back in town.
I want more.
From Burk.
There’s no turning back.