Chapter 14 #2
His praise fills my soul until it’s spilling over the edges.
Although I may seem flighty and like my head is full of air, I’ve worked my ass off to get where I am. The recognition from someone I can see myself getting close to is nice.
“So what else did you have in mind for our date?” I ask as the server delivers our bill.
Even with vampire speed, I’m too slow, and Luc grabs the receipt before me. I scowl, but he chuckles as he pulls out some cash. “You can get the next one.” Standing from the booth, he extends a hand to me.
Somehow, I doubt he’ll let me pay for anything, but I slip my fingers into his, and he pulls me up.
A final wave to Maria and her orc husband, Phil, and we’re heading back out into the brisk winter night.
Keeping Luc’s hand clutched in mine, my eyes wander across the ice-stained blacktop to the incandescent glow of the streetlights.
Illuminating the tree-lined path where it disappears into Central Park, an idea sparks in my head.
“Come on!” I tug him with me into the street.
A car honks and veers to the side, but I just giggle and pull a wide-eyed Luc behind me.
“Are you trying to get us killed?” he scolds on a panted breath once we make it safely to the sidewalk on the other side.
Walking backward, I grip his big hand in both of mine. “Sorry. I’m used to jaywalking.”
“And you’re leading me down a dark pathway because…”
“You’ll see.” Winking, I turn around as the trees give way and the path widens. Up ahead, in the clearing, is one of my favorite places from my childhood.
Towering lights shoot up from the snowbanks around the rink, shining down on the smooth expanse of ice below. “Ice skating?”
A few stragglers float around the rink as we approach. “Have you ever been?”
Luc’s chuckle catches me off guard. “Come on, mon soleil. I grew up in rural Quebec. There wasn’t much else to do in the winter.”
“Oh, right.” I giggle as I stop in front of the skate rental desk.
A gangly teen boy straightens, folding down the corner of the page of his worn paperback. He slides two tickets across the counter. “Ya’ll need skates?”
Shouldering Luc out of the way, I pay for our tickets and skate rental.
Once our skates are strapped on, we hit the ice.
Hand in hand, we glide around the rink. The crisp evening air is the perfect nightcap to our date.
“My mom brought Viki and me here when we were kids.” Letting go of Luc’s hand, I spin in a slow circle, head tipped back and a giant smile on my face.
“It was Christmas. Dad was working, of course.” My head falls forward to meet his furrowed brow.
He threads his gloved fingers through mine and guides me in a slow spin. “Did that bother you? That your dad wasn’t around much.”
“Yes and no. Dad made sure we had the best of the best when it came to education and clothes and anything else, which, looking back, I appreciate. But his attention was harder to earn. I think Mom knew his absence bothered us; that’s why she’d always do something special when we were home from boarding school.
I remember spending the whole day here, until our little noses were numb.
It’s one of the best memories from my childhood. ”
“I’m glad you had Viktor and your mom to brighten your childhood.” We come to a stop, and Luc slips his hands around my waist.
“What about you? So you’re some professional skater?” I tease as I run my hands up his chest.
In a rare show of attitude, he rolls his eyes, but a smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. “I’m okay. Annabelle’s father would make the town a rink every winter. And…” His smile falters as his words die.
“What?”
He shakes his head. “It’s stupid, but all of my childhood memories are tied to her. And they’re tainted by her betrayal.”
Slipping my fingers into the fur at the back of his neck, I apply pressure until he gets the hint and drops his forehead to mine. Never breaking eye contact, I let sincerity melt into my words. “Then we’ll have to make new memories… together.”
“I like the sound of that.” Luc hugs me close, warm body cocooned around me as we sway to the music thrumming from the speakers around the rink. His tail wraps around my back, a solid anchor as we get lost in each other and the majestic starry night.
And in a moment sweeter than molasses, his ears twitch and his furry cheeks flush as his mouth descends on mine. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of his gentle side. The addictive kisses and soft touches as he guides me to the sideboards.
Like a couple of lovesick teenagers, we make out under the stars until we’re breathless. When we finally part, I force my next statement out between labored breaths. “I believe you promised there would be fucking if I was good. And I’ve been on my best behavior.”
“Trouble,” he growls, but there’s lust in his eyes. “A promise is a promise. Let’s get you home then, mon soleil.” Dipping down, he swings me over his shoulder and skates off the ice like his ass is on fire, my cackle following behind us