Page 49

I think the color returns a little too enthusiastically and my cheeks heat up while I put the gloves on. They’re still warm from Alexei’s hands.
When he starts lacing my skates up for me, I just freeze and let him, looking out onto the ice. Alice looks over and waves and I manage a meek, semi-frozen wave back. Alexei’s head pops up from somewhere between my legs and I try to ignore that look on Alice’s face.
“Ready?”
“Yep.”
I expect Alexei to shoot out onto the ice the way he does during hockey games, but instead, he steps into the perimeter where the entrance is and waits for me. I’m awkward even walking on regular ground in skates, and I know I’m going to end up on my ass at some point today.
Alexei presses his lips together to stop from smiling as I take my first tentative wobble out onto the ice, holding onto the wall for dear life.
“How the hell do you-” I slip immediately and ready myself for the pain. Maybe a bruised tailbone. But something solid slams into me and I’m held up above the ice, no pain, just a bruised ego when I realize Alexei has caught me and is holding me up under the armpits the way you’d hold a baby.
“Wow, you really are Bambi aren’t you?”
“I told you I couldn’t skate.”
His laugh brushes the back of my neck, and if I wasn’t in danger of making an even bigger ass of myself, I’d be turned on.
“Let’s get you over to the side here and we’ll try this again.”
As soon as Alexei deposits me against the half-wall surrounding the rink, I lean back and hold on tight, feeling like nothing could drag me away from this spot.
Once he’s made sure I’m not gonna slip, Alexei skates backwards with a smug smile.
“Show off.”
He laughs, those dimples making an appearance.
“You joining me?”
“No way, I’ll stay here, thanks.”
“Ahh come on.” He holds a hand out as he skates closer. “Keep my hands warm will ya? It’s mad brick out here.”
“Shut up.” I laugh and shake my head.
We’re laughing when Alice and Mischa skate over. Alice has this glint in her eye, but I get the feeling it’s not only because she’s on a date.
“What are you two laughing about?” She asks.
“Me being Bambi.” Despite the cold, my cheeks are hot, and I’m relieved when Alexei skates in to retrieve me and pull me away from Alice’s scrutiny.
“Come on, I’m not letting you off the hook that easy.”
Grabbing my hands, he pulls me away from the wall and my legs instantly want to go in two different directions. But he intuits this and slides one arm around my waist, holding me up with one arm whilst still holding my hand. I’m not skating as much as being pulled along like a caravan trailing a pick-up truck. When I spot Alice and Mischa again, they look like swans out there compared to me.
“Sorry, this isn’t very fun for you.”
“Are you kidding? I’m gonna clown you forever over this.”
Forever?
“Whatever.”
“Move your feet.”
“No thanks.”