Chapter 15
Today, me and Carson are both going to stay back after he brought up the realization we’ve never done a skate together.
Which is insane, seeing as we both spend more time on the ice than on solid ground.
I finish up my session with Coach Peters and head over to the benches where Carson has been watching replays of the team’s last game while he waits for me.
It’s just the two of us here now, and even after all this time, I still feel nerves bubbling under my skin when he meets me at the boards.
“You look so leaderly right now.” I tease as I skate in small circles, near the entrance.
“Leaderly? That’s the first time I’ve ever heard you not make sense.” Carson laughs.
“I learn from the best.” We both laugh, and Carson skates out onto the ice to where I am.
“I wanted to ask you. What would you be doing if you weren’t skating?” He says.
I hum, never having thought about what I would be doing if not this. It’s the only thing I know, honestly. I’ve never even tried anything else, and I think that might make me sad if I think about it for too long.
“Maybe a florist,” I say sheepishly.
“I can see that for you.” He says, skating alongside me as we do another lap around the ice.
“Really?” I tilt my head.
“Yeah, and I think you’d be really good at it too.”
“I don’t know about that.” I chuckle.
“Believe in yourself a little? You can do more than skate, Juyeon.” He says. My heart fluttering against my rib cage; I love when he calls me by my name.
I bite my lip and give him a small nod. Because again, I’m working on it.
“What about you?” I ask.
“I’d still be a hockey player.” He replies.
“Really?”
“Yeah, I always loved the sport, but never really saw anyone who looked like me playing it. So I figured I’d change that.” He shrugs, smiling at me.
“That’s amazing, Carson,” I say, my voice soft.
He’s amazing.
We skate in a nice silence for another few laps before Carson breaks it, “You should teach me some techniques.” He smiles.
“Like what?”
“I don’t know, just like if I was your pairs partner.”
“And what do you know about pairs, hm?” I smile, rolling my eyes.
“I know a little bit.” He smirks.
“Alright, but I’ve never really done pairs, so it’s a bit different. Let’s start with something simple.”
I grab his hand to take us to the middle of the ice. His palms are rough, and it feels good against my skin. I center us and turn away from him.
“You’re going to hold me at my waist, I’m going to extend my leg, and then we’re going to go around in a full circle. Sounds good?”
“Sounds amazing.” He smirks, looking down at me.
“Alright.” I swallow, my nerves resurfacing.
Carson grabs my waist as we begin skating in a wide circle. His body solid and warm against my back. I extend my leg, and I can hear him exhale in awe. He grips my waist tighter.
“You’re quite flexible, aren’t you?” He whispers, his breath sending shivers raking through my body.
“Carson, behave,” I warn.
“Oh, I’m trying.” He smirks down at me.
We skate around again, practicing the same movements before we slow up to a halt. I turn to face him, and he’s looking down at me, his eyes half-lidded.
“That was great. You’re a natural.” He says.
“Well, I would hope I am.” I chuckle, my skin feeling flushed. Will I ever get used to the way he looks at me now? Has he always looked at me this way?
“I know you like praise so.”
“You’re so ridiculous.” I swat at him softly, and he pulls me into him. There’s something charged in the air as we sway on the ice a bit. Carson chuckles at me when I avoid his eyes, staring at his lips instead.
“Do you want to kiss?” He whispers, only a breath away from my lips.
“I..I don’t think I’m very good at it.”
“You were fine the first time, but I can teach you, if that’s what you’d like.” He smirks.
“Ok.” I nod.
Carson places his palm on my cheeks, holding it gently. He’s looking down at me with so much heat in his eyes, I could probably melt right here and now.
“Open up for me,” he says, gently swiping his thumb across my lower lip.
I do as instructed. Carson closes the gap between us, his tongue playing with mine before exploring my mouth.
I want to stop the sound, but I can’t; a whine escapes me in the middle of our kiss.
He eases me into a steady rhythm, my hand coming up to grip his hoodie.
“That was good, baby. You’re so perfect.” He says softly when we break away for a bit. I gaze up at him and nod, “You look so out of it.”
“Shut up!” I swat at him, my eyes widening, as if I forgot he could see my expression. I yelp when he picks me up and spins us both around on the ice.
“Carson! Please!” I laugh into his chest.
He says, putting me back down, “We should go clubbing. Dance together off the ice.” And that might sound like the worst idea he’s ever had.
I can only think about something bad happening and being trapped in those small, dark spaces with only one way out.
But I’ve also never actually been to a club, let alone a night out with friends.
“What, I don’t know…” I mumble.
“I know exactly what you’re about to say.”
“Oh shut up!” I push him away, and we both laugh.
“Come on, it’ll be fun.” He whines. Ugh, he’s hard to resist.
“I don’t know…All the..All the people.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be with you the entire time. I won’t take my eyes off you.” He says, skating back to me. He wraps his arms around my waist and looks down at me, his head tilted.
He won’t take his eyes off me.
“I suppose. It doesn’t sound too bad.”
Honestly, lately, I think nothing sounds too bad as long as I can spend another minute with him. Or have an excuse for him to touch me is more like it, and just thinking about dancing with him is sending a shudder through me. Maybe he’ll even kiss me again.
“I think you’ll love it. We’ll have so much fun.” He grins, nuzzling into my neck.
“Carson, please, it tickles!” I laugh and try to push him away again.