Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46198 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
“Oh, I’m a player, all right. Except now, I have a reason to be… something more.”
“I like this side to you.”
She nestles her face in the crook of my neck, her lips softly brushing against my skin. My pulse races, the simple sensation creating a brush of heat along my skin.
I set Jemma on the ice next to the table, grabbing her by the hips as she regains her balance.
I push her chair into the table before taking my place beside her. “I hope you like Italian food.”
“I’ll eat just about anything.”
She stares into the stands. “I still can’t believe you did this for me.”
“I’m hoping you’ll give me another chance.”
Her cheeks redden, the corners of her mouth turning into a grin. “I’d like that.”
Oh, thank God.
Our server pours glasses of water and wine before setting salads and bread before us.
“This is so good,” Jemma says, clutching her fork between her fingers. “I never knew a salad could be so delicious.”
I laugh between bites. “Dolce is one of my favorite restaurants. We should go for our second date, but I already have something else planned.”
“Is that so?” Jemma speaks between bites. “Where do you plan to take me next time?”
I set my fork at the edge of my plate and sit back in my chair. “If I’d told you where we were going tonight, it would have ruined the surprise. The look on your face when you saw the ice was priceless. You’ve never looked more beautiful. So, I think I’ll keep my ideas for our second date to myself. At least for now.”
She’s glowing, her face illuminated. “I’m glad I was wrong about you.”
“And I’m glad you bid on me at the auction.”
“You looked so sad on the stage with no one bidding on you. I couldn’t help myself.”
“Perfect,” I huff. “A pity date.”
She knows I’m kidding and laughs. “It’s not a pity date. But I saved you from embarrassment.”
“Yeah, that was weird. I’ve never had girls not bid on me at the auction.”
“Sorry about that. I suspect my sisters had a hand in your lack of interest.”
“Way to bruise a man’s ego,” I quip. “What did I ever do to any of the Kappa Delta girls?”
She shrugs. “Abby isn’t your biggest fan, and my Big Sister, Shannon, warned me to stay away. So, I don’t know, you tell me.”
“Nothing I can think of. Shannon is dating Jamie. She spends a lot of time at our house. She’s never acted weird with me. Jamie told her some stories, and now she has it in her head that I’m not good enough for her Little Sister.”
“I think Jordan and Abby made it happen. A few days before the auction, I told my sister I wanted to be with you. But I wasn’t ready to tell you. I suppose she was giving me the push I needed.”
“I guess I owe her one.”
Our dinner arrives, cutting off our conversation. Jemma moans when she sinks her teeth into the delicious gnocchi served in a creamy Gorgonzola sauce. My taste buds awaken with each bite of the cheesy potato dumplings.
With her mouth full of food, she points her fork at the plate. “This is so good. Oh my God… it’s better than sex.”
I laugh. “Not better than sex with me.”
She shakes her head. “You’re so cocky.”
“Nah, just confident. Tell me I’m wrong?”
She blushes. “Sex with you is better.”
We fill our bellies with so much food my side hurts when we finish with dessert. I don’t usually make a habit of stuffing my face before ice skating, but we only have an hour left until we have to clear the floor.
I slide my chair out from the table. “Do you know how to skate?”
She stares into the expanse of the arena. “I don’t know. I’ve never done it before.”
“It’s like roller skating, but on blades instead of wheels.”
“I never roller skated.”
I stand, my hand outstretched to her. “Just hold on to me, and I’ll do all the work.”
“What if I fall?” Jemma scans the rink with a worried expression on her face. “Looks like it will hurt.”
“I won’t let you fall.”
Peeking up at me beneath her long lashes, she places her hand in mine, the trust between us slowly rebuilding. I help her across the ice and to the penalty box, where my dad said he would leave our skates.
“I guessed your size.”
We sit on the bench, and I hand her a pair of skates.
“I hope they fit.”
I lace up my skates and bend down on one knee in front of her to slide a sock onto her foot.
“I feel like Cinderella right now.” Her beautiful laughter fills the air. “Except instead of a glass slipper, you’re fitting me for skates.”
Laughing, I slip another sock onto her foot. She squirms as my fingers brush her skin. I help her into her skates and lace them up.