Chapter 8
“You have a pair for figure skating.” Chelsea looked at Grady with surprise as he brought a black pair of skates out of his duffel.
It was the Saturday after the evening at his home.
He had picked her up to go ice skating for their third date, and they had just come inside the rink. “You’re not just a jock.”
He laughed. “I used to skate with one of my older sisters when she needed someone to practice with. She competed with her usual partner, and they did pretty well. They never won any championships, but they did place more often than not.” He dropped onto the bench, tugged off his shoes, and then put on the skates.
She sat next to him and took off her own street shoes. “Every time we’re together, I learn something new and interesting about you.” She set aside her shoes and grabbed her own white skates. “You have many layers, Grady Donovan.”
“You have no idea,” he said with a teasing grin, but something flickered in his eyes that gave her pause.
“You haven’t been convicted of anything, have you?” She laughed as she said it, knowing it was absurd. At least she hoped it was.
“A few tickets.” He laced up his skates. “And you?”
“No toe over the line.” She smirked. “Not even a traffic ticket.”
“Miss Goody Two-Shoes.” He stood as she finished lacing her skates. He held out his hand. “Or is it Miss Goody Two-Skates?”
She grinned. “That’s more like it.”
It wasn’t long before they were on the ice. She had seen Grady warm up for ice hockey, but that was nothing like the kind of warmups she did for figure skating. Today, he followed her lead, and he was smooth and skilled.
Cool air brushed her face as they raced around the rink. She had never dated anyone who enjoyed any kind of skating as much as she did.
She felt such a connection to Grady that she couldn’t stop smiling.
He made her want to smile all the time. A part of her thought that maybe she should be concerned, as if the other shoe might drop.
She wasn’t going to think that way. He made her feel so good, and the possibilities on the horizon were endless.
And odd as it was, even though she hadn’t known him that long, he made her feel as if love was possible again.
They were laughing by the time they finished warming up.
“Time to show me just how well your sister trained you.” Chelsea skated in circles as she spoke to Grady. “I want to see what you’ve got.”
He grabbed one of her hands and gripped it as he settled his other hand on her hip. “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”
She snorted out an unladylike laugh as they skated together, lazily moving around the ice. “You’ve already seen mine. Figure skating that is. I’ve only watched you play hockey.”
“I haven’t seen you play hockey.” His voice was low and teasing. “How are you at playing goalie?”
“Terrible.” She rolled her eyes as they moved. “But I’m not a bad shot.”
He grinned. “You’ll have to show me your stuff.”
“Come on.” She skated backward across the nearly empty arena. “Catch me if you can.”
He chased after her, reaching and then passing her. He skated to a stop at the end of the rink. A moment later, she was close enough to take her hand and spin her. She fell into it naturally and skated out of it in a reverse figure eight.
They skated for close to two hours more, just enjoying each other’s company as they spent time on the ice. Chelsea was amazed by how well they skated together and how well they fit in every way.
The song that had been playing from the speakers ended and they came to a stop in unison.
“How about a little competition? I’ll race you to the far end of the rink.
” Grady gestured in that direction. “If I win, Aunt Annie’s after we leave here, and then you have to have dinner every night I have off this week, starting tomorrow, Sunday.
” He jutted his chin toward the hockey end of the rink. “All’s clear over there.”
“All right.” She tipped her head to the side. “And if I win, you have to cook a nice dinner every night you’re off.”
“You know I can’t cook.” He shook his head. “Yet another reason to win.”
“If you’re lucky.” Chelsea struck a racer’s pose, Grady beside her.
“Go,” she shouted, and burst away from their starting point.
Cool air brushed Chelsea’s cheeks, her hair lifting away from her face as Grady’s skates scraped the ice behind her a beat or two after she shot from the starting point.
She used her natural athleticism to take control of the ice, even if it was only for a few moments.
Grady moved into her peripheral vision, and she doubled down on her speed. He matched her stroke for stroke. Her muscles burned with her effort.
They neared their finish line, and he moved ahead of her. She pushed herself to go faster as their skates cut the ice, the grinding sound filling her ears.
Grady reached the boards, the barrier, and held up his arms in a show of a champion’s triumph, gliding along the curve of the rink to slow his momentum.
Chelsea laughed as she decelerated and cut a wide circle before she met up with him. “Darn it. I nearly had you.” She was highly competitive, but the loss didn’t bother her. Maybe it was because of the nature of their bet that she didn’t mind finishing behind him.
“Not too bad.” He shook his head. “You’re pretty fast on the ice.” He nodded toward the entrance. “I’m hungry. How about you?”
“I could go for Annie’s chicken pot pie.” The thought made her mouth water. She could almost smell the rich filling and crust.
They skated slowly toward the gate, then settled on the bench where they’d left their
“I lost, so we’re having dinner how many times this week?” She untied her skate and glanced at him as he bent over his own.
“You have to have dinner with me every night I’m not working at the fire department.”
He gave her a sexy grin as she glanced from her skate to him. His heated expression could have melted the ice. Even as she caught her breath, she moved her hand in a circle, indicating he should go on.
He shrugged. “I sort of forgot to tell you that I’m not on the schedule at all this week. I’m on vacation, so that makes seven days.”
“Seven straight days?” Her eyes widened even as she repeated his words. She wanted to laugh. “You—you brat.”
“You have to admit it was genius.” He laughed. “So where do we go tomorrow night?”
She was still shaking her head. She had agreed to the contest because she loved the idea of spending more time with Grady. She just hadn’t known it was every night until next weekend. Spending time with Grady—that wasn’t going to be a hardship.
“Since we’re having dinner at Aunt Annie’s this afternoon, that’s our comfort food for the day.” Chelsea knew there was no arguing about their wager. Besides, spending all this time together made her feel as if she had just won the lottery. “How about Mexican food tomorrow?”
“Know any great hidden gems?” He pulled off one of his unlaced skates. “Those types of places are usually the best when it comes to Mexican food.”
“I know the perfect place in King Creek, a hole in the wall called Ricardo’s.”
“I’ve heard of it but haven’t been there yet.” He jammed his skates into his equipment bag. “What else would you like to do today after we eat at Annie’s?”
“How do you like board games?” Chelsea slid into her street shoes.
“I have a thing for word challenges like Scrabble or Boggle. I also have contemporary games, such as Everdell, Catan, and Ticket to Ride, as well as a cabinet full of others. My brothers, sisters, and I played a lot growing up, and I keep everything.”
“I enjoy board games.” He zipped up his bag. “Sounds like a nice way to spend a quiet Saturday evening.”
She smiled. “I’m glad.”
Early dinner at Aunt Annie’s Restaurant was terrific. Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, greens, rolls—no one could beat Annie’s for comfort food.
After they ate, Grady drove them to Chelsea’s place. It was a quick trip from the restaurant. While he drove, he kept one hand on the wheel and put his other over hers on the console. His palm was warm and heated her from head to toe.
When they were inside the house, the door closed behind them, her belly fluttered as he reached for her. He whirled her into his arms as if they were still on the ice and held her close. He kissed her in a way that made her sigh with pleasure.
She thought she might not be able to stay on her feet. After he steadied her, he looked around the huge great room that encompassed the living room, dining area, and kitchen. A large Christmas tree twinkled in the front bay window.
“Very nice.” He nodded and looked up at the vaulted ceilings before meeting her gaze. “I love your home.”
“Thank you.” She smiled, but her belly twinged a bit. It was a wonderful home to live in. She had purchased it with part of the settlement from the mining accident. It had been a good place to share with her siblings until they moved out on their own.
She went to the linen closet. The entire upper half was filled with board games.
“Take your pick, sir.” She swept her arm out like a game show host. “Choose the right one and earn riches and excitement beyond your wildest dreams.”
She did her best to sound serious, but her voice was tight, almost to the point of not being able to speak, thanks to holding back laughter. Giggles eventually spilled out, and she couldn’t have scooped them up and put them back if she tried.
He went for the deluxe edition of Scrabble, likely because he knew it was her favorite. They spent the next ninety minutes playing a cutthroat game. They went back and forth, competing with words like sozzled, whizzbang, skyjacked, and quibbles.
They remained neck-and-neck as they played. By the end of the night, Chelsea finally won with a last-minute play, “flummoxed,” to make it three games to two.
“Yes!” She pushed one fist up in a champion salute. “Thanks to your ‘ox,’ I remain undefeated!”
“I want a rematch.” He pretended to scowl. “By the way, I still don’t think sozzled qualified as a word.”
“You could have challenged me.” She grinned. “Of course, you would have lost your turn.”
He hesitated a moment, then shook his head. “I demand another opportunity to kick your butt.”
“Ha.” She leaned toward him and brushed her lips over his. “Be a good sport.”
He slid his fingers into her hair and cupped the back of her head. “With a kiss from you, how could I not? I think overall, I won.”
“Hmmm. When you put it that way…” She fell into the kiss like they were made for each other. It had only been a short time since she’d first gone out with him, and a week since their first date, but it might as well have been an eternity.
Grady drew her to her feet as he stood, and she wrapped her arms around his neck as he danced them around the living room, barely missing the Christmas tree. Their mouths moved together as the kiss made her mind spin with desire. She wanted his touch in so many ways.
When he drew back, she saw they were now near the front door. He smiled down at her. “Time for me to go.”
She looked up at him, trying to catch her breath from the amazing kiss. “Are you sure?”
“Especially when you look at me that way.” He brushed hair from her eyes. “I would stay the night in a heartbeat, but I won’t push you.”
You wouldn’t be pushing me, she thought, but couldn’t get herself to say it aloud.
He continued to stroke her hair. “Spot is home alone, too, so I need to go back before it gets any later.”
“Next time you come to my house, bring him.” She smiled. “He’s a good boy.”
“He is.” Grady gripped her upper arms. “Don’t forget—I won the bet, so you’re mine every night this week.”
“I won’t forget.” How could she? It would be hard to make it through each day knowing that she would be seeing him soon. She looped her arms around his neck. “Tomorrow is Mexican food.”
“Good.” He smiled. “I’ll pick you up at six if that works for you. Maybe stream a movie afterward?”
Her body felt flushed with heat, and she didn’t want to let him go. “Perfect.”
He brushed his knuckles along her cheekbone. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow,” she whispered before he kissed her one more time.
He drew away and kissed her forehead before he grabbed his jacket, opened the door, and let himself out and into the night.