Page 18 of Fate on the Ice

Feeling deflated, I decide to go downstairs and get this date over with. I just want to get it done. I should have never agreed to it in the first place. How I thought that this would be anything more than a one-night thing, I don’t know.

I allow myself to hope for a moment, but considering who my father is, I know it won’t work out. At all. Ever. So, I descend the stairs, trying not to look Otto in the eyes. Even though that’s exactly where I want to look.

OTTO

Stunning.

Not just the dress, although she looks banging in it, but she is beautiful. I’m fairly certain that the inside matches the outside as well. My breath hitches as she moves farther down the staircase.

Then she stops at the foot, and I move toward her. Reaching out, I hold my palm face up for her. Her fingers curl around my hand, and I gently tug her behind me. Lifting my opposite hand, I wave to the girls, who are all in different parts of the house, watching me equally.

Silently, we walk across the street to my waiting car. I open the passenger door and reluctantly release her hand when she’s folded into the car. Closing the door behind her, I jog across the front of the car to sink in the driver’s seat before I start the engine.

The music blares, and I chuckle as I reach for the volume knob and turn it down. “Sorry about that,” I say, giving her a wink.

She smiles, though she doesn’t say a word. She hasn’t said a single word at all. “Grace,” I call out softly. Her eyes find mine. They search my own, but she still doesn’t speak. “Are you okay?”

For a moment, I think my question has fallen on deaf ears because she stays silent. Then she lets out a heavy sigh. I still haven’t put the car into Drive, I’m sitting in front of the house, unmoving as I stare at her and wait for her answer. I’m not taking a woman out on a date who doesn’t want to be with me.

No matter how badly I want her.

And I want her badly.

“I’m not this person,” she whispers. Arching a brow, I lean back in my seat and wait for her to expand, unsure why she’s said that. Thankfully, she does. “I’m not trendy or sexy. I’m just Grace. And this isn’t my dress.”

I almost burst out laughing, but I don’t think Grace would appreciate that much. Instead, I smile and reach out, taking her hand in mine.

“And you think I asked you out because of a dress I’d never seen before?”

She frowns, looking down at my hand in hers, then lifts her gaze to look up at me—it connects with mine. “I just…” she begins.

I slide my fingers along her cheek, cupping her there. Gliding my thumb across her bottom lip, I continue to look into her eyes. I can’t look away from those green orbs. They have me frozen in place.

“You just nothing, Grace. I didn’t ask you out because I thought you were trendy. I already know you’re sexy, so I’m pretty certain you don’t know what you’re talking about. And trends don’t mean shit. If I’ve given that impression, then you haven’t been looking hard enough.”

“Your car, your clothes,” she murmurs.

I snort, closing my eyes for a moment, then reopen them slowly. “Honey,” I rasp, “cars and clothes ain’t shit. If I wanted someone else, I’d go after her. I like you, Grace.”

I lean forward, and before she can rebuke my words, I touch my mouth to hers. I’ve been dying to taste her, and I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to concentrate the rest of the date until I do this.

I also think it would take some pressure off—of both of us.

Her taste is the best thing I’ve ever experienced in my life. I didn’t think it was possible that someone could taste this fucking good, yet she does. She whimpers. I swallow the sound before I lean back slightly.

Resting my forehead against hers, I let out a heavy sigh. “I like you, Grace. I like the taste of you, and I want more. A lot more.”

“Otto,” she exhales.

Leaning back, I release her and shift the car into Drive. As we move down the street, I don’t say anything else. I’m going to wait for her to speak. And when she does, I’m a bit surprised. “I like you, too, and I want more. But we shouldn’t be together.”

“We aren’t together. Not yet, anyway. But soon.”

I hear her snort but ignore it. Moving down the street, I make my way downtown. I’ve made reservations. It’s the best place in town, a family-owned and -run Italian restaurant. They even make their pasta from scratch.

Reid loves this place and brags about it all the time. He’s told me how much Lorelai likes it, so I thought it would be a good first date for Grace.

I park in front, open the door, and unfold from the driver’s seat. Walking around the back, I tug the door open and hold out my palm for her. She lifts her hand and slips her fingers in mine as she shifts to the side so her feet are flat on the ground before she stands.

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