Chapter Ten
Demir
I pulled my motorcycle up to the address Grayson had sent me, and sure enough, there he was on the corner, already waiting.
I hopped off and immediately slipped out of my leather jacket and down to my plain black T-shirt. Grayson strolled my way, his mouth scrunched up to the side.
“What?” I asked.
He let out a laugh. “A motorcycle? I mean, I should have guessed…”
I chuckled, then stuck my helmet on my hip so that I could give him a quick embrace and a kiss on the cheek. I was probably a foot taller than Grayson, and something about the way he leaned up and wrapped his arms around my shoulders got me, making me want to wrap him in my arms and carry him away right there.
“So what’s the surprise date?” I asked. “You said there was a choice?”
“Two options,” he said. “One, which would be way more fun. And a second, in case you’re not up for the fun one.”
“I take it I’m supposed to pick the fun one?”
Grayson laughed, then took my elbow and began to walk with me down the block. I was surprised to feel his firm grip but even more surprised at the pleasure that warmed my skin when he did it. I was so used to slipping naturally into a dominant role; there was something relaxing about having him gently show his own strength and take his place beside me.
“I was talking to my friend Alyssa,” Grayson said, “and I figured out the perfect word to describe you.”
I chuckled. “Oh yeah?”
“Suave,” Grayson said. “It’s not just that you’re confident because otherwise you’d be cocky. But suave means that you’re kind of elegant, too. You’re still strong and charming, but you’re not pushing anyone around.”
“I know enough to take a compliment when I hear it,” I said.
Grayson chuckled. “Just like that, see?” He glanced up at me, and I noticed the grin on his face. “Anyway, I was thinking to myself, if it’s just going to be you and me on a date, I might get a little anxious or awkward. Considering how suave you are, I mean.”
“Okay,” I said, not quite certain where he was going.
“Which was when I came up with the best idea.” He stopped in his tracks, then looked up, pointing at the sign above us. “See?”
“Raelene’s Roller Rink?”
“Exactly,” Grayson answered. “Didn’t you wonder why I told you to wear something loose?”
“Wait a second,” I said, chuckling, “what does this have to do with me being suave?”
Grayson stuck his hand on his hip. “Do you know how to roller skate?”
“Not really,” I answered. “Not since I was a kid.”
“Great! Then it will be totally impossible for you to look cool, and I don’t have anything to feel anxious about.” He tilted his head to the side, still smiling. “Sound good?”
I considered asking about the second option, which was hopefully not a gymnastics studio or trapeze class, but laughed and agreed to the roller rink instead. Roller skating with Grayson sounded fun, and I got the impression it was important to him that I could let my guard down a little.
Hell, I thought that was important, too. Sometimes, the professional smile I plastered on at work would get so stuck on my face, I’d end up grinning at the wall back home for no reason.
“Great,” he said, clearly relieved. “Let’s see how much we each remember.”
We walked into the rink, and it was like walking into a wall of pop music. Grayson got us skates, and we found a spot to get ready. He might have worn loose clothes for the date, but the light gray pants still clung to his thighs and the curves of his ass once he bent over to tie his skates. I leaned awkwardly against the wall and tried not to stare while I slipped into my pair, then did something halfway between a walk and a roll to get to Grayson.
He burst out laughing. “Sorry, sorry,” he said. “But it’s just like I thought.”
“What,” I asked, laughing as I steadied myself.
