Page 23

23

TASHA

“ Y ou still aren’t going to tell me where we’re going?” I asked a little bit later. Once we had paid at the diner, Trevor ushered me back to the car without telling me where he was taking me next. At first, I thought we were heading back home, but he pulled off the freeway before our exit. Since the sun was almost set, it got increasingly harder to pay attention to our surroundings and make a guess.

He flashed me a grin, squeezing my thigh. “You’ll like it, I promise.” I really shouldn’t have been surprised Trevor planned a whole day but the fact that he did was super sweet. I never went out with someone who planned a date that took up the whole day. Most of my dates had been meetups at bars or coffee shops.

I was excited to see what else he had planned. When he pulled into a dark, empty parking lot, I looked out the window with a raised eyebrow.

“If you wanted to kill me, the pumpkin patch would have been a better option.”

“Too many people.” His voice was so serious, I couldn’t tell if he was joking.

“You do know I wouldn’t make a good kill, right? I wouldn’t fight that hard so there really wouldn’t be a thrill.”

I glanced out the front window, barely making out a dark building up ahead. There were only a few lights on, but you could tell no one was around. If he did want to take me out, he could’ve totally gotten away with it. No one knew I was with him.

He must have felt my apprehension because he laughed and turned the car off.

“I’m not going to kill you.” He opened the door and started to get out, looking at me over his shoulder. “Not yet, at least.” He slipped out and shut the door behind him. I sat there gaping as he came around to open my door.

“Come on, Sunshine.” Reaching in, he unclipped my seatbelt and tugged me out of the car.

“Walking around an empty building doesn’t sound all that fun. How about we just go for a ride?” I suggested. “Yeah, a nice long car ride sounds amazing.”

I dug my feet into the ground, but Trevor easily pulled me along like I weighed nothing. Coming to a stop in front of the doors, he pulled out a key, which made me even more confused. I looked to see if there were any signs on the door or building but there was nothing.

“Are we breaking in?” I asked. I wasn’t actually scared Trevor would do anything but I was curious what we were doing in a place like this.

“If I remember correctly, you broke into your uni’s pool.”

“Yeah, but I knew that building! Not this one,” I argued.

“Do you trust me?” Trevor stepped through the door, holding his hand out for me to take. I only briefly hesitated before raising my arm and linking my fingers with his.

“Of course.”

“Then come on.” A kid-like smile appeared on his face when I placed my hand in his. That smile was slowly becoming my favorite thing.

Trusting that we weren’t breaking and entering, I let him lead me inside. We passed a front desk and a hall of empty rooms. In the dim lighting I could see the white walls had pictures on them. The carpet beneath our feet was worn from use. I got the feeling we were in some sort of athletic club or community center.

Trevor led us farther inside, only a few lights guiding us. Stopping in front of two double doors Trevor turned to me. “Okay, close your eyes.”. I sent him a look that clearly said, “Are you kidding me?”

“Sunshine, trust me.”

With a sigh, I closed my eyes.

“No peeking.” Gripping my hand a bit tighter, he opened the doors in front of us and tugged me inside carefully.

I kept my eyes shut despite every part of me dying to open them. We walked for a bit before the air around us dropped in temperature. Scrunching my eyebrows, I shuffled my feet as Trevor made sure I didn’t run into anything.

“Okay, here we are.” He slowed us to a stop as I felt him move behind me, his hands coming to rest on my hips. “You can open your eyes,” he whispered in my ear.

A little nervous about what was in front of me, I peeled open my eyes. My lips curled up into a smile. Of course, I should have known.

Across from me was an empty ice rink. Lights filled the arena, bouncing off the freshly smoothed ice. Turning in his arms, I peered up at him. “An ice rink, huh?”

“Wanted to bring you into my world a little.” Trevor shrugged. His words caused butterflies to erupt in my stomach.

A part of his world .

Almost like he planned on keeping me around a while longer.

“Let's go skate.” Lifting up to my toes, I pecked his lips before stepping back. With a matching grin, Trevor led me over to the benches that were off to the side. A bag was already sitting there waiting for us, along with some hockey sticks leaning against the wall.

“Made a few calls to get us some skates,” Trevor explained as he saw me eyeing the bag. Taking a seat on the bench, I watched as he bent over and reached into it, pulling out a pair of white ice skates meant for me. He really did plan everything.

While he rummaged for another pair, I untied my combat shoes. I went to grab a skate to put on but a pair of hands beat me to it. Before I could say anything, Trevor kneeled before me, grabbing my ankle and pulling it toward him.

I sat there motionless as he carefully slid my foot into the skate, tucking my jeans into the sides with precision before doing the same with the other foot.

“The trick with skates is you have to make them tight enough that your foot won’t slip out, but not too tight where your foot goes numb and the back digs into your heel,” Trevor said as he tied up the laces. “These are pretty new skates so they might hurt a little.”

I tried to focus on what Trevor said, I really did, but all I could think about was him on his knees in front of me. It did something to my stomach and the cavity inside of my chest where my heart lived. Those broad shoulders were even bigger up close, and I could see his biceps flexing under his long sleeve shirt.

“See how they feel.” He tapped the sides of my thighs for me to stand up. Using his shoulders for balance, I stood up, tilting to the side a little because I wasn’t used to balancing on such a thin blade. Trevor gripped the back of my thighs to keep me in place.

Trying to ignore his big hands gripping the back of my legs, I lifted one foot and the other to show him I was good to go.

“Perfect. Let me get mine on.” Trevor moved to sit on the bench with his own skates. I realized he didn’t know I knew how to skate. Meaning, I could definitely have some fun with this. I mean it wasn’t every day a professional hockey player taught you how to skate.

In a matter of seconds, Trevor had his skates all laced up. I knew exactly what those fingers could do but the sight of him doing that was oddly erotic. Standing up, he extended his hand out for me to take.

With a smile, I put mine in his. I had to press my lips together not to laugh as Trevor slowly led me toward the ice, treating me like a newborn deer that didn’t know how to use its legs. I stumbled a few times, which made Trevor grip my hands tighter.

My heart was ready to burst when he got on the ice and turned to help me. He was being so kind and sweet, having zero clue he was worming his way into my heart inch by inch.

It had been so long since I was last on the ice that I wobbled, hands white knuckling his. Okay, maybe I wasn’t going to have to fake not knowing how to do this.

“I got you.” Peering up at him, I knew those words were meant for more than this moment. He had me on the ice, but he also had me in life.

I ducked my head so he couldn’t read the emotion on my face.

“Just hold onto me.” Holding my hands, Trevor started to skate backward, towing me along with him. “The front of your skate should always be pointed forward,” he instructed .

The ice was perfectly smooth, making me wonder what kind of strings he pulled that made it possible for us to be here after-hours. But then again, just one word from him and people threw themselves at his feet. The lights overhead were slightly dimmed, which gave off a more romantic vibe.

"There you go," Trevor said with approval as we moved at a crawl. I couldn’t deny it, the praise made my heart—and other parts of me—warm. “Keep your knees slightly bent.”

Looking up, I found him so focused on my own feet, a little frown on his face. Like he was worried I was going to fall and hurt myself. Fuck. I was falling for him. And not in a cute little crush way. No, this was way past that. The thought scared me because this man in front of me had the potential to break my heart into a million pieces. But as he flashed me an encouraging look, I found that I didn’t quite care if he did.

Pushing those feelings to the back of my mind, I squeezed his hands and looked up at Trevor. While this was sweet, it was time for some fun.

I slowly pulled my hands from his as he looked at me, confused. “Hope you’re ready.

“Ready for what?”

“To get your ass beat.” With a mischievous grin, I quickly darted past him, pushing off the ice with my skates. The first few seconds were a bit wobbly before I got my feet under me. Just like riding a bike.

“What the hell!” Trevor yelled behind me, making me laugh loudly.

I skated around the outside of the rink, remembering what it was like to be on actual ice. Trevor easily caught up with me, coming up close and sending me a bewildered look. “Since when do you skate?”

“Since forever.”

“I…” He seemed at a loss for words .

“Aw, did you want to be the hot hockey player that teaches the innocent girl how to skate?” I made a little pout.

“You think I’m hot?” He broke out into a grin, lifting an eyebrow.

“Of course that’s the only thing you got out of that.” I shoved him, hoping he’d stumble, but of course the prick stayed upright. The dude was pure solid muscle, and he made skating look like walking.

As my legs remembered how to skate, I picked up the pace. The sound of the blade cutting through the ice met my ears. I could see why Trevor loved being on the ice. There was something about it that was calming. Like everything faded away as soon as your skate smoothed over it.

“Who taught you to skate?” Trevor asked a moment later. The two of us stayed side by side as we went around the rink.

“I actually went out with a guy on the hockey team in uni. I was a sophomore, and he was a senior, so of course when he asked to teach me I said yes.” I rolled my eyes at the memory. At the time, I was crushing hard on the guy. Thinking a guy on the hockey team would want to date me. Boy, was I wrong.

“He took me to the arena on campus a few times, and I picked it up pretty quick.” I shrugged.

“And?” Trevor prompted.

“And nothing. The moment he got in my pants, he was out. The whole thing only lasted, like, two months.” After him, I learned that if a guy was going to use me I might as well use them first. So I gained the reputation of getting a man and spitting him back out the next day. It was easier than being hurt.

“Sounds like he was a prick.”

“Oh, he was. Thought he was going to make it to The League but he wasn’t even picked.” I snorted. “I think he works at a car dealership now. ”

“And here you are with a real professional hockey player,” Trevor boasted, flexing his arm.

“Ah, there’s that ego.”

“It’s not ego if it’s true.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

“I truly think you’ve been hit too many times.”

“All good.” Trevor tapped his head with his fist. “All about confidence, baby.”

Slowing down, I tilted my feet to the side so I could come to a stop. Trevor did the same beside me.

“You know,” I peered up at him, skating toward him so our chests were inches from touching. “I think you’re all bark and no bite.”

“Is that so?” I watched as his jaw clenched, a flare of hunger in his eyes.

“You’ve gone a bit…” I made a show of looking him up and down, the corner of my lip tilting up. “Soft.”

“Soft?” When his voice grew deeper.

“It’s okay. I guess I can get used to this soft version of you.”

“I’d be very careful if I was you, Sunshine.”

“Oh, but where’s the fun in that?” I smirked. Sending him a wink, I pushed off my toe pick and darted away. I heard his skates against the ice as he skated after me.

“Tasha,” he taunted behind me.

“You’re too slow,” I teased over my shoulder.

My thighs were starting to burn, and while I was halfway decent at keeping up my speed, I wasn’t a pro like Trevor. I knew he was taking it easy on me. Even though I knew it wasn’t smart, I threw another jab over my shoulder. “Come on, Grandpa!”

Too busy cackling at my own joke, I didn’t notice Trevor was behind me until a pair of hands grabbed me by the waist and lifted me in the air. I shrieked as Trevor twirled me around. How he managed to do that and stay upright on the ice was beyond me.

My squeal turned into fits of laughter as Trevor kept me suspended in the air and skated forward.

“Let me down!” I tried to sound threatening but my laughter ruined it.

My entire back was pressed against his front, which made it hard to concentrate, especially when his muscles flexed to keep me up off the ice.

Trevor slowed down and came to a stop at the edge of the rink. I’m not sure how he did it, but one moment I was in his arms, and the next, I was being turned and plopped down on the edge of the sideboard. My ass was hanging off since it was barely big enough for me to sit on.

I gaped up at Trevor, finding myself at the perfect height for him to stand between my legs. Placing his hands beside me, he caged me between the sideboard and his body, bending so his head was level with mine.

“Did you call me a grandpa?” He was close enough that his breath fanned across my face. Those eyes pierced mine. I wasn’t about to show him how much he affected me.

“I did.” I stuck my chin out. “And?”

“You have a grandpa fetish? Wow, that's dirty.”

“Trevor!” I smacked his arm as he threw his head back laughing, the sound seeping into my bones. Man, I loved his laugh.

“You are so gross!” I crinkled my nose, but a smile still played on my lips.

“You love it.” Dipping his head, he captured my lips with his, caging me underneath him. My hands moved up the front of his shirt slowly. I could feel the hard muscle of his pecks.

The way Trevor kissed me made my toes curl in my skates. The swipe of his tongue against my lips pulled a moan from my throat.

As Trevor kissed me slowly and softly, I realized he was right. I did love it. I loved a lot of things he did and maybe, just maybe, I could let myself fall in love with him.