Page 96 of Born to Make You Smile

“Did you want me to come with you?” I asked, nodding enthusiastically. I really wanted to see the girls. And I didn’t want to go back home yet.

“No, no.” He shook his head. “I don’t think it’s a good idea. I think we should actually hold off on telling people about us. And it’s not because I’m ashamed of you or what you do at the club. It’s just that people don’t need another reason to shun us. That would only add fuel to the fire. Also, I think we need more time before we make things official and announce. We’re not ready.”

“Yes.” I nodded, trying to hide my defeat. Clearly, my actions and job at the club had set us back. “Okay. You’re right.”

"But we do have the day off tomorrow. The girls wanted to go skating at Nathan Phillips Square. They’re meeting some friends down there. Did you want to join us?”

“I’d love to,” I said with an excited smile. “I think I have skates stored away somewhere. I haven’t been in years.”

“Me neither. Hopefully, it comes back to us, like riding a bicycle.” He gazed at me, rubbing his thumb over my lips. “So how are you feeling after everything we did?”

“Good.” I sighed. “I’m tired, though. You did make me come, what was it, five times?”

“Not nearly enough.”

I bit my lip. “Did you enjoy it? You know, marking me. Did the reality live up to your fantasy?”

“Grace,” he murmured. “It was surreal. More than I imagined it would be. I’ve never come twice in a row like that before, at least not since I was a teenager. God, you’re incredible. You turn me on so much…I don’t want to go on about it, or I’ll want you all over again.”

I giggled.

“You bring out something in me,” he continued. “An animal. A beast. I hope I didn’t, you know, take things too far.”

I shook my head with a smile. “No way. I loved every single second.”

He wrapped his arms around me, squeezing my body tight. “Good. I’m so glad.”

***

When I crossed my front door, I was met with a distinct chill, as if I were still standing outside. Shit.What was going on with my furnace?

My skin prickled with worried goose bumps. I decided to leave Eddie a message, hoping, praying it was only a minor issue. The following day, he got back with me and said he’d come check out my furnace that afternoon. Thank God. I’d barely slept last night. I must have wrapped myself with every single spare blanket I had in the house.

In the late morning, the four of us arrived at Nathan Phillips Square. It was already busy, but most people sat on benches or at the vendors, enjoying a poutine or hot chocolate. Thankfully, the weather wasn’t as chilly as yesterday, so we wouldn’t turn into icicles as we skated.

As soon as my dull blades hit the ice, the muscle memory came back to me. I started to show off a bit while Gavin struggled.

“Wait up now. My skates are terrible,” he complained behind us, shuffling on the ice. He’d rented skates, and they didn’t have his size, so he had to go a bit smaller.

“Dad, keep up!” Charlotte said, rolling her eyes. “He’s so slow.”

I laughed. “Let me go help him.”

I turned back and held his arm to guide him along. We were doing well until he stumbled a bit. I gripped him tight to help stabilize him.

“I’ve got you,” I whispered.

“Yes. Thank God, you do,” he agreed with a smile.

“Dad. I think I see Paige and her sister,” Charlotte said, peering into the crowd.

Two blond girls around Charlotte’s and Mackenzie’s ages waved on the other side of the rink.

“Can we go skate with them?” Mackenzie asked. “Please?”

Gavin nodded. “Yes. But stay in the area. Don’t leave the square.”

“Yay!” Mackenzie cheered. “Thanks, Daddy. Bye, Grace!”

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