I watched as Kip and Cole effortlessly slipped into their own custom black skates that had clearly seen plenty of ice time. “Did you bring your entire wardrobe to Palm Springs? Seems excessive. Where are you all staying anyway?”
Cole tightened his laces with the ease of someone who had done it a million times. “We’re staying in a place outside of town.”
“Nine of you in one place?” I raised an eyebrow. “That must be... cozy.”
Kip grinned, standing up to test his skates. “We’re used to close quarters.”
I stood up, a bit wobbly, and Cole’s hand immediately shot out to steady me. “Do you all live together when you’re not stalking Christmas-hating women?” I gripped his arm harder than necessary, blaming it on the blades beneath my feet and not the feel of his muscles under my fingers.
Kip moved with perfect balance like he’d been born on ice. “We’ve lived together since we formed a herd. Makes logistics easier.”
I shuffled forward, clinging to Cole like a koala to a eucalyptus tree. “And how long ago was that? For all I know, you guys could have the lifespan of vampires or something. You could be secretly three hundred years old with a taste for blood instead of cookies.”
Cole let out a quiet chuckle while Kip burst into full-on laughter, his whole face lighting up.
“What? It’s a legitimate question! I’m trying to figure out if I’m dealing with immortal beings or just unnaturally tall men with unexplained magical powers.” I glared at them both, which only made Kip laugh harder.
“We’re not vampires.” Cole guided me toward the ice entrance with the patience of someone escorting a toddler. “Though Kip does have a thing for dramatic capes.”
“We do age slower, but we’re not that much older than you. We’ve been a complete herd of nine for about a decade now. Been working our way up the ranks in terms of reindeer herds, hoping to one day...” He trailed off, eyes flicking to Cole like he wasn’t sure if he should continue.
Cole’s expression shifted to something more serious. “The top herd gets the best job.”
“Which is what exactly? Prime-time Christmas Eve flying? Special access to the cookie vault?” I took a tentative step onto the ice and immediately felt my feet trying to go in opposite directions.
Cole’s arm circled my waist, pulling me against his side as my ankles betrayed me. His body was hot against mine, and I couldn’t decide if I wanted to push away or burrow closer.
“Something like that,” he murmured, his breath warm against my hair.
Kip skated a lazy circle around us, hands clasped behind his back. “Ready for your first lesson, Ms. North?”
I looked down at the gleaming ice beneath my skates and the strong arms keeping me upright. Whatever game these men were playing, I was already in too deep to back out now. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
Kip glided backward with effortless grace, positioning himself in front of me and taking hold of my hips. “Keep your eyes on me and your knees slightly bent.”
The feel of his strong hands on my hips, coupled with Cole’s steady presence behind me, created a Neve sandwich I hadn’t ordered but couldn’t complain about.
“Like this?” I bent my knees slightly, trying to ignore how Kip’s thumbs were making tiny circles against my hipbones through my jeans.
Cole’s hand slid from my waist to the small of my back. “Weight centered, not too far forward or back.”
“Is this what elves do in the off-season? Teach ice skating?” I wobbled slightly, and both men’s grips tightened.
Kip’s mouth quirked up at one corner. “We’re not elves. I’m offended you can’t tell the difference.”
I snorted. “Sorry, I missed the class on ‘Identifying Magical Christmas Creatures 101.’”
My feet found their rhythm, muscle memory awakening like someone had flipped a switch. My body remembered the glide, the balance, the sensation of floating across ice.
“Would you look at that.” Cole’s hand now barely touched my back.
Kip seemed surprised as I began moving more confidently. “Didn’t you say you couldn’t skate?”
I shifted my weight, preparing to break away from theirhold. “Apparently, it’s like riding a bike. A bike I don’t remember ever learning to ride.”
My body hummed with a peculiar joy as I pushed forward, breaking free from their grasp and gliding across the ice with surprising control. I skated around the rink, building confidence and getting used to the new way momentum moved me forward.
“Look at you go!” Kip caught up after a while, skating backward in front of me, holding out his hands.
