Turning in a full circle then shifting directions and doing it again.
How was that even possible?
Within a couple of minutes, I was enjoying myself, shocked at the man’s skill. In another few minutes, I was laughing, finally unable to continue skating.
I threw my arm out with my palm up. “You can stop now.” Leaning over, I was forced to catch my breath. It had been a long time since I’d had such a workout. Beads of sweat trickled down both sides of my face even with the frigid temperatures inside the arena.
The guy was keeping the engine idling. What was he doing?
While laughing, the moment I lifted my head to try to catch a better look at him, a sudden, extreme lightheaded feelingslammed into my system. Stars appeared in front of my eyes and my legs were wobbly.
Oh, no.
Down I went.
Everything happened in slow motion. While I heard the engine being cut off, the sounds of footsteps pounding on the ice, I couldn’t react quickly enough before crumpling toward the ice.
“Oh, my fucking God. Are you okay?”
His voice was deep, husky, and very strong. Much like the arms that had somehow managed to scoop me up even before my body hit. I’d always wanted to be held by a huge man just moments before an incredible display of passion, but this was ridiculous.
I could tell I’d opened my mouth to object, but nothing came out but a single, undignified moan. Blinking, it took me a few seconds to focus, but when I did, I was blown away by the eyes staring back at me. Eyes the color of the polar ice caps, tinged in a perfect cerulean blue with irises flecked in violet and silver.
The color wasn’t natural, nor was it anything I’d ever seen before. They were beautiful, stunning to the point I couldn’t utter a word.
“Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you, did I? I didn’t get too close. Right?” When I didn’t answer, he took long strides, holding me against the heat of his body. Wait a minute. He wasn’t just warm from the thick parka. He was on fire. Wow. I was burning up alive.
Not only did he have perhaps the most gorgeous eyes of any man I’d ever seen, everything else about his handsome face flooredme. With long, dark eyelashes framing his high cheekbones, an aristocratic nose, and strong, square jaw with just a hint of stubble, I was blown away by how insanely good looking he was.
“Um. I’m fine. You can let me down. I was just… winded.” I should be furious with the man. I should at least be annoyed. Why was I enjoying being in his arms when I should insist he put me down?
“I’m really sorry. That was stupid.” His words were said in an ‘oh-shucks’ manner, but I had the distinct feeling he was continuing to play with me. “But you’re a great skater.”
“Okay. You can let me down.” Even before he made it off the ice, I managed to wiggle, scrambling from his arms. While he didn’t try to stop me, I could sense he was ready to catch me once again if I fell. “Like I said, I’m fine. Just a little lightheaded. I appreciate the compliment.” If he believed the oh-shucks routine would garner him some brownie points, he was sorely mistaken.
That’s the moment a light popped on over my head, bright enough a plane could land. Oh, my God. It wasn’t possible. Karma couldn’t hate me that much. Could she? “No. No. No…”
“What?” His eyes opened wide and while it had taken him a few seconds longer, I witnessed the very moment recognition hit him.
Whereas I was shocked and incensed that I’d had to put up with his bullshit twice in one day, he was already grinning, having the time of his life.
“You,” I hissed. “You flower killer!”
“Me? A killer? You were the one who tried to maim me with a water hose.”
“Oh, please. It was apparent you needed to be cooled down. A little too rough for you?” I smashed my hands on my hips, offering my infamous venomous look that used to get me in so much trouble at school.
He appeared amused. The bastard. “And you were eager and thrilled someone was… heating you up.” When he dared take a step closer, I fought with myself to keep from jumping.
I backed away from him and while I would normally feel uneasy around a stranger, an influx of electricity gave me a nauseating feeling.
Which was entirely ridiculous.
Plus, I was tingling all over. Not cool by a longshot.
“Are you following me? Stalking me?”
His entire face filled with amusement. “Obviously I work here. I could ask you the same question. Not that I would mind having a beautiful stalker, but still…”
