Page 71 of The Playmaker
“I’ll move out while he’s here. Give you two the time and space to catch up. We can reconvene after he leaves. Unless of course you don’t think I’d benefit from seeing the season through until the end.”
His smile is slow, sexy as hell, and there is a fire in his eyes as he looks me over, like he has a lot of dirty things going through his mind. “I see the benefit.”
He jacks the tunes as I drive to the rink. I park, and after we make our way inside, I go to get a pair of rental skates. I finish signing them out, and I turn to find Cole on his phone again. He seems a bit agitated, more restless than usual.
What’s going through is mind? I’m not sure, but he’s definitely lost in thought. He has to be worried about getting back into the game, being ready for the playoffs after being out for so long.
I hold the skates in my hand and glance out at the ice, at the kids and adults laughing and playing. I can’t for one second believe I’m going out there again, that Cole made this part of the deal. I run my finger along the blade, my heart beating a little faster in my chest.
“You okay?” Cole asks, and my head jerks up, surprised to find him standing over me.
“It’s been awhile.”
“I’ll be with you.”
I force a smile. “Do you really need me with you out there?”
He looks at me long and hard, and I shift under his scrutiny. It’s like the man can see into my soul, knows every insecurity lurking there.
“Yes,” he says quietly.
“What if I…”
“Fall?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll catch you.”
A lump lodges in my throat. We might have grown up hating each other, but in my heart, I know Cole would never let anything happen to me.
“Okay.” I sit on the bench and kick off my shoes, and he turns to wave Tabby and Jack over as they enter.
Tabby runs up to her brother and they hug.
“I’m so happy you got the all clear,” she says, then glances at me. “I’m sure it’s all because Nina has been taking such good care of you.”
I smile at Tabby. I can’t believe Jack is asking her to marry him. Cole is getting a brother-in-law, and dammit if Tabby wouldn’t make the best sister-in-law to me.
Oh, Jesus.
Jack and Tabby go rent their skates as Cole and I lace up. “All set?” he asks.
I nod and climb to my feet. He holds my hand as we step onto the ice and panic moves through me.
“You’ve got this, Nina,” he says. He skates backward and wiggles his finger, the way one would with a beginner.
“I’m not a child,” I say, and plant a hand on my hip.
“Oh, I know that,” he says. “Not anymore.” His gaze is suggestive as it rolls over me.
I push off and skate toward him and he spins to skate with me. We do a couple rounds and then pick up speed. The cool air moves over me, and my hair catches in the breeze as we race around the rink. Cole slows, and his smile is wide.
“Told you, you’ve got this.”
“Just like riding a bike,” I say to him, exhilarated. I’d forgotten how good it felt to skate, the freedom and enjoyment. “So do you. I don’t think you needed me here at all.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Pretty BallerNina.”