She nods before she glances back at the rink, then down at her feet.
“I don’t know how to skate,” she admits softly, her tone shy, like she’s almost embarrassed to say it.
A small smirk tugs at my lips. “That’s where I come in.”
Her eyes flick back to mine, uncertain and hesitant. “I’ll fall.”
I give her a half smile and brush my knuckles against her cheek. “Not while I’m here. I’ve got you. Always.”
A blush creeps onto her cheeks. Damn, this woman! She always has a way of getting straight to my heart without even trying.
“I’m ready. Let’s do this,” she says, her eyes sparkling as she picks up the new skates.
“Not yet,” I say, nodding towards the bench off to the side. “We gear up first. You’re not stepping on that rink without proper safety gear.”
“Do we really need all that?” she says, eyeing the gear.
“Yes, we do,” I reply without missing a beat.
She lets out a playful groan. “You’re such a control freak.”
“Damn right. Especially when it comes to you,” I grin, taking her hands as I lead her over to the bench and grab the gear box.
She watches with an amused smile as I pull out the elbow and knee pads, wrist guards, and helmet.
I motion for her to sit. “Come on, let’s get the princess suited up.”
She giggles but settles onto the bench, doing just as she’s told. I move to kneel in front of her, gently taking her foot in my hands as I slip off her ballerina shoes. Then I trade them for the skates, making sure they’re tight enough to protect her, loose enough not to hurt, a detail I’ve triple-checked in my head. As I begin lacing them up, my fingers move with practised ease, even as my thoughts spiral. Once the skates are secured, I reach for the knee pads and strap them into place. Her eyes don’t leave me for a second.
Fuck. Me, on my knees in front of her, doing something this simple… it’s almost too intimate.
“Elbows,” I murmur. She lifts her arms, and I slide the pads into place and secure them. Next are the wrist guards, which I secure just as deliberately, making sure every buckle is snug. Finally, I pick up the helmet and place it lightly on her head, adjusting it until it sits just right.
She laughs, shaking her head. “I swear, I feel like a toddler taking their first steps.”
“You look adorable,” I grin, adjusting the strap under her chin. “And I’m not taking any chances.”
Her voice softens. “I know.”
I rise to my feet and hold out my hand. “Ready?”
She takes it, nodding, her grip tightening as I lead her towards the rink. Her steps are wobbly as she clings to my arm. I step onto the floor first, and she pauses at the edge.
“I’m gonna fall flat on my face,” she mutters, uncertainty written all over her face.
“No, you won’t. Not on my watch,” I assure her as I help her step onto the rink. Her legs are unsteady, and her body is stiff with nerves. “Relax,” I whisper, my hands settling lightly on her waist. “I’ve got you.”
“I feel like Bambi,” she says with a laugh, half-panicked, half-delighted.
“Yeah, you’ve nailed it. Cute, clumsy, and slightly terrified.” I tease, grinning.
She swats at my shoulder playfully.
I start guiding her, shifting my hands to hold hers as we take slow, careful steps across the rink.
“Bend your knees a little. That’ll help with balance,” I tell her.
She follows my instructions, every movement tense and unsure, but she doesn’t let go.
