the lake from Tuesday to Sunday because it’s frozen solid between December and March.
Being it’s Monday and we still have a few hours of daylight, I text my buddy Peter. He’s the manager and coach of the team. He agrees to let me use it for an hour and even loans me a pair of skates for Audrey since it’s ridiculous to drive to Aspen’s sports store to buy her a pair when we only have an hour to use the lake.
I fasten her skates before I fix mine.
“Ready?” I ask, standing and helping her do the same.
“Maybe?”
“It’s almost like rollerblading,” I coach. “Don’t lock your knees, lean forward, and glide. Imagine you’re five years old, wearing socks, and gliding along the hardwood floors.”
“That’s a strange analogy,” she says, looking at the lake and grinning. “This is gorgeous. So picturesque, like a movie.”
“Come on, Unicorn.” I hold her hand, making sure her mittens won’t slip easily. “We can start with something easy, and maybe by the end of the day, you can spin like a professional.”
She laughs and shakes her head. The sound makes my heart beat faster, and the grin she gives me means a lot more than I could’ve imagined. It’s not the strained smile she has for others.
As we get closer to where we left our shoes, she releases my hand and begins to skate on her own, gliding across the ice. I follow close, regretting that we didn’t bring helmets. This woman stumbles on her feet easily.
Maybe I jinxed it, or I’m too used to her, but when I’m right beside her, she loses her balance and almost falls. Thankfully, I’m able to catch her in midair. Her eyes crinkle when they meet mine. Slowly, I pull her a couple of inches and lower my face, giving her a gentle kiss.
“You okay?” I ask, making sure she’s on her feet and balanced.
She gives me a dreamy-eyed stare similar to last night. My heart pumps fast and hard. God, how I wish we were home.
“What am I going to do when I go back to LA?”
“About?”
“No one will break my falls,” she says and snorts. “Or laugh with me when they happen.”
Leaning down, I brush my lips across hers again. This could be a great moment to say, “Why don’t you stay?”
But I can’t offer her anything other than what I’ve been giving her. A few moments of . . . what is it that I’m giving her? Only moments . . . or my heart?
Whatever we have is almost over, and I want to get a few more tastes before she melts into a fond memory.
“Let’s go home before I get frostbite on my ass. We can stop by my place first. We could use a shower, don’t you think?”
“You’re so sure of yourself, sir,” she says mockingly.
“So sure, I bet you’ll try to sneak into my room tonight after everyone is asleep to get a repeat.” I wink at her.
“Or maybe you’ll be the one trying to break into my room,” she says with a hot, cocky tone that makes me so hard I won’t be able to wait until we get to my place.
“We’ll see who cracks first, Miss Reed.” I help her take a seat. “Our next stop is my place.”
Chapter Twenty
Audrey
I snuggle into one of Colin’s flannel shirts as he towel-dries my hair.
In the mirror, I watch his concentration on the task. Through his touch, I feel his tender care.
This man is in construction. He has calloused hands. Yet he’s sweet enough to do this simple thing for me. To take care of me.
Then again, he’s constantly doing that.
Distracting me from work so I don’t get burned out. Taking me to lunch and out to ice skate.
Letting me be a part of his family.
I-I’ve never had this. Not even when I was in a serious relationship.
He gives my hair one last squeeze with the towel, then tosses it on the counter and picks up a brush.
Oh my God. Is he going to brush my hair?
Yes. Yes, he is.
I can’t take my eyes off him as he gently works the tangles out. They sting, and he becomes blurry. I blink rapidly to stop the threatening tears.
He’s such a good man.
When we met, it was easy for me to be attracted to his outside appearance. Hell, it still takes all my strength to keep my hands off him.
But it’s his compassion that’s slowly sinking its hooks into me with every kind word. Every sweet