Page 15 of Too Sweet

He closes the space between us, tipping my chin up with two fingers. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to be the one responsible for the look on your face right now.”

Tenderly, he bends low, placing a soft kiss on my lips.

“You deserve every happiness, Josephine. My life’s purpose is to figure out new ways to make you smile.”

Giddiness whooshes through me as I let his words sink in. I can’t believe he did this. It’s over-the-top and extravagant and yet so sweet and unassuming. I’m so enchanted I feel unsteady on my feet.

The second I think it, I sway forward. Although, of course, Decker doesn’t let me fall. With a firm grasp on both my arms, he ensures I’m stable before capturing my lips and kissing me again.

Love drunk.

Decker Crusade has officially made me love drunk.

“Wait.” I look over to the rink, then tilt my head back to meet his gaze. Our exhalations dance together to form little clouds. Watching the wisps swirl between us reminds me that we’re standing out in the cold. I’m warm from the inside, filled with so much love I can hardly sort through it all.

“Is that some sort of lake or pond?” I don’t remember there being a body of water here. I catch my lip between my teeth, eyeing the smooth surface of the ice with a bit more skepticism this time. It’s cold, but it’s notthatcold.Little Women(Winona’s Version) is one of my comfort movies. I’m not about to pull an Amy and slip into icy waters.

With the pad of his thumb, Decker releases my bottom lip from between my teeth.

“Do you really think I would ever allow you to skate on a frozen body of water, Siren?”

Both my eyebrows shoot up in defiance. Husband or not, this man doesn’tallowme to do anything.

He catches on quickly and corrects himself a second later.

“I didn’t mean allow. I just meant…” He swipes a hand through his hair, agitated. “Come this way.” He guides me toward a bench along the frozen surface. Beside it, there’s a large outdoor storage container that looks like something where firewood might be stored. Decker nods toward the bench, and I sit. Then he pulls out his phone and opens up an app.

“There’s a cooling element and liner at the base of the rink. All five inches of water are frozen solid. Kylian made sure I can monitor and adjust the temperature from my phone. There’s no natural water source underneath the ice because I wouldneverput you in that kind of danger. I came out here earlier to make sure everything was set. I’ve been working on this since Christmas, and I’ve got it all down to a science.”

Okay then.

That only leaves me with one last concern.

Worrying my lip, I peer up at my husband once more. He did all this for me—and it’s romantic and so thoughtful—but there’s a good chance it might all be in vain.

“I’ve never ice-skated before,” I admit quietly.

Decker’s face softens with the confession. He kneels before me, then takes both my gloved hands in his.

“Do you want to try? I think you’ll enjoy it. And I promise I won’t let you fall.”

His subtle vote of confidence is all I need.

“I’ll try it,” I confirm with a nod.

He opens the storage trunk and procures two pairs of ice skates. Both pairs are black and clunky—more like rollerblades than the pretty white ice skates I was envisioning.

He must notice the look of confusion on my face. Holding them up, he explains, “Hockey skates. These have more ankle support and are easier to learn on.”

Then he proceeds to ease my boots off one at a time and lace up the skates. Once he’s checked the lip and tightened the laces—twice—he gets to work putting on his own set.

He stands with ease, positioning himself in front of me and offering both hands.

I give myself a little pep talk, then let Decker help me to my feet. Stumbling immediately, I cling to his forearms and curse under my breath.

“You’re okay,” he murmurs.

I meet his gaze and seethe when it registers that he’s on the brink of laughing at me.