4. Charlie
charlie
. . .
“This is a bad idea.” My body shivers as I watch my breath come out in a puff of vapor that quickly disappears.
Whether my body’s reacting to the cold air of the arena or the fear coursing through my veins, I don’t know.
At this point, I don’t care. All I want is to come out of this experience preferably in one piece, and it better not be in a full body cast.
“You have nothing to worry about,” Dax says with all the confidence of someone who has no idea what I’m capable of. He’s just laced up my right skate and is working now on the left. “I’ll be right by your side the whole time. I promise.”
I glance down at him, feeling a bit like a character in a fairy tale.
Except that instead of a gown, I’m wearing a pair of Dax’s compression pants under my skirt and a pair of his socks—both of which he assured me are clean.
And the man helping me is not a prince. Dax, however, is a gentleman, and a lot nicer than I thought he’d be.
Whatever hiccup we had when we first met seems to have resolved, and he went from being a grumbly beast to a sweet guy with the most touching backstory.
For the first time in months, I’m feeling inspired to write. How could I not with such a hunky and handsome hockey player as my muse? The only problem with this scenario would be if something bad happened to said muse. I have to warn Dax before it’s too late.
“You don’t understand. I’m going to fall and I’m going to take you down with me. This is not going to end well. I can see the tabloid headlines already— Star Goalie Dax Rogers Gets Injured by Klutzy Author. Spoiler Alert: There Is No HEA. ”
“That actually sounds like a bestseller.” He grins as he stands up, then gives me his hand. “What’s HEA mean?”
“Happily ever after,” I croak out, so very unhappily. I take his hand, grateful for the strength it offers. Slowly and carefully, like I’m walking on stilts, I follow Dax to the ice rink’s door. “An HEA is what every reader expects at the end of a romance book.”
He turns to meet my gaze. “Romance? You’re a romance author?”
“Yeah. Didn’t Vivi tell you? I’m writing a hockey romance, or trying to.
I should have been done with it months ago, but I’ve had horrible writer’s block since my ex dumped me.
” I release a shaky breath, suddenly feeling shy.
But the fact that Dax is still holding my hand, even though my palm is sweaty, gives me courage to say more.
“I don’t know why I’m telling you so much.
Well, maybe I do. I’m grateful for your help.
Not only with teaching me about hockey, but more so for being a gentleman.
I kind of forgot they existed. That explains why I lost my motivation to write about them. But I’ve found it now.”
Disdain flashes in his green eyes as he practically growls. “This isn’t something a gentleman would say, but that ex of yours deserves some time on the ice without a cup to protect him.”
I can’t help but laugh. “You’re right. That’s not gentlemanly, but it might be the sweetest thing anyone’s said to me in a very long time. Thank you, Dax.”
He returns my smile. “Come on, princess. Let’s give you something more to write about.”
Before I can say no, he pulls me onto the ice. I immediately lose my balance and start flailing my arms and tipping backwards. I’m about to fall flat on my behind, but the second before both my feet slide out from under me, a pair of muscular arms scoops me up.
I gasp as Dax holds me close. My heart is pounding so fast and strong, I’m sure he can sense it against his chest. I wrap my arms around his neck and hold on tight as we take off across the ice.
The air that passes over my skin should feel icy cold, but my cheeks are so hot, I hardly notice its sting.
All I’m aware of is the tender look in his eyes as he carries me.
We skate along the outer wall for a good stretch of the rink, then do figure eights in the middle of the ice.
My body starts to relax, and it’s not long before I feel comfortable enough to smile.
Dax quirks a brow, looking amused. “It’s not so bad, is it?”
“Not bad at all. You were right. This is the best feeling in the world. I get why you love it so much. It feels like we’re flying.”
“Yeah, that feeling of flying—it never gets old. Sometimes when I feel stuck, I put on my skates and take a few laps around the ice and things just start to make sense. I don’t know how to explain it.”
“I think I know what you mean. It’s the joy and freedom you feel from doing something you love. That’s how it is with me and writing. When I’m in the zone and I find the perfect words to use to put a scene together, it’s so satisfying. I feel like I could go on and on forever.”
Dax nods. “Exactly. I love closing my eyes and going round and round the rink.”
“Close your eyes?” I tighten my hold on him. “You’re not going to do that now, are you?”
“Is that a dare?”
“No! I mean no, thank you. I am not daring you, at least not while you’re carrying me. If you want to skate with your eyes shut, I can watch you from the stands.”
Mischief lights up his green eyes. “What fun would that be?”
“Dax!” I shake my head adamantly. “I’m finally getting over my writer’s block. I’d really prefer not to break an arm before I can start this book.”
He winks at me. “How about if I close one eye?”
I can tell he’s enjoying himself a little too much. But two can play this game. “How about if I let Vivi know how much fun you’re having messing with me?”
“Okay, okay,” he cuts in with a chuckle, “I’ll stop teasing. But only because I like you, not because I’m afraid of my cousin.”
“Right.” I laugh along with him because we both know he’s lying. But soon his words come back to me, like a flashing neon sign in my mind. But only because I like you. What does Dax mean by that? “You like me?”
“You’re not like any woman I’ve ever met before. You’re special, Charlie. I mean it.”
I swallow hard when I notice his gaze flick down to my lips.
We both grow quiet as we engage in a tug of war with our emotions.
I can see it in his eyes, the hint of desire mixed with uncertainty.
It’s the same swirl of emotions that I have.
We literally just met each other today. How can I be feeling such a strong pull toward Dax and he to me?
But it’s like he said: We’re here on the ice together and things just make sense.
And what makes the most sense right now is the growing need in my core to be closer to him.
I press my mouth to his and let the need take over.
Tangling my fingers in his soft hair, I kiss him with full abandon.
Not from a place of recklessness but one of confidence and security—the very things I feel when I’m in Dax’s arms. So much so that I don’t think about the fact that my eyes are closed, but then I do because that means his eyes are probably closed, too…
Oh, never mind!
I was about to worry, but then Dax distracts me by deepening the kiss.
Wowzers. He’s so gentle and the exact opposite of what you imagine is hiding under his brawn.
My stomach dips as I receive all his tenderness and care.
This is the sweetest kiss I’ve ever had.
Part of me wants to take notes to use for the next kissing scene I write, but the other part wants to savor the moment.
I go with the latter and let myself get lost in his touch and taste and?—
Honk! Honk honk!
Dax and I stop kissing at the oh-so untimely disturbance to find that we’re no longer alone.
One of those large ice-paving machines—with a name I can’t remember, but it sounds like a type of pasta—is at the far end of the rink.
The driver waves at us to get off. Dax makes a slight turn and takes us toward the exit.
I hold on to him and hide my red cheeks in the crook of his neck until we come to a stop.
He then lowers me onto the ground and helps me sit down on a bench.
I’m still catching my breath, but I’m all smiles. “That was amazing.”
He stuffs his hands into his pockets and nods. “I hope you got enough inspiration for your book.”
“Oh, I definitely did. I can’t wait to go home and start writing. Thank you, Dax.”
“No big deal. I’m glad I could help.” He gestures over his shoulder, then says, “Hey, sorry to run, but I just remembered I need to do something. Do you think you can find your way out?”
“Um, sure. Do I just leave the skates here?”
“Yeah, I’ll get them later. You can return my clothes to Vivi.”
“Okay.”
I don’t even get a chance to say goodbye before I’m staring at Dax’s back as he rushes out of the arena. What just happened? Was our kiss so bad that he can’t even look me in the eyes?
I hate that I was right. Even if I didn’t crash on the ice, I was foolish to ever think there could be an HEA for us.