Page 76 of Fear of Intimacy

With a smile, I put mine in his. I had to press my lips together not to laugh as Trevor slowly led me toward the ice, treating me like a newborn deer that didn’t know how to use its legs. I stumbled a few times, which made Trevor grip my hands tighter.

My heart was ready to burst when he got on the ice and turned to help me. He was being so kind and sweet, having zero clue he was worming his way into my heart inch by inch.

It had been so long since I was last on the ice that I wobbled, hands white knuckling his. Okay, maybe I wasn’t going to have to fake not knowing how to do this.

“I got you.” Peering up at him, I knew those words were meant for more than this moment. He had me on the ice, but he also had me in life.

I ducked my head so he couldn’t read the emotion on my face.

“Just hold onto me.” Holding my hands, Trevor started to skate backward, towing me along with him. “The front of your skate should always be pointed forward,” he instructed.

The ice was perfectly smooth, making me wonder what kind of strings he pulled that made it possible for us to be here after-hours. But then again, just one word from him and people threw themselves at his feet. The lights overhead were slightly dimmed, which gave off a more romantic vibe.

"There you go," Trevor said with approval as we moved at a crawl. I couldn’t deny it, the praise made my heart—and other parts of me—warm. “Keep your knees slightly bent.”

Looking up, I found him so focused on my own feet, a little frown on his face. Like he was worried I was going to fall and hurt myself.Fuck.I was falling for him. And not in a cute little crush way. No, this was way past that. The thought scared me because this man in front of me had the potential to break my heart into a million pieces. But as he flashed me an encouraging look, I found that I didn’t quite care if he did.

Pushing those feelings to the back of my mind, I squeezed his hands and looked up at Trevor. While this was sweet, it was time for some fun.

I slowly pulled my hands from his as he looked at me, confused. “Hope you’re ready.

“Ready for what?”

“To get your ass beat.” With a mischievous grin, I quickly darted past him, pushing off the ice with my skates. The first few seconds were a bit wobbly before I got my feet under me. Just like riding a bike.

“What the hell!” Trevor yelled behind me, making me laugh loudly.

I skated around the outside of the rink, remembering what it was like to be on actual ice. Trevor easily caught up with me, coming up close and sending me a bewildered look. “Since when do you skate?”

“Since forever.”

“I…” He seemed at a loss for words.

“Aw, did you want to be the hot hockey player that teaches the innocent girl how to skate?” I made a little pout.

“You think I’m hot?” He broke out into a grin, lifting an eyebrow.

“Of course that’s the only thing you got out of that.” I shoved him, hoping he’d stumble, but of course the prick stayed upright. The dude was pure solid muscle, and he made skating look like walking.

As my legs remembered how to skate, I picked up the pace. The sound of the blade cutting through the ice met my ears. I could see why Trevor loved being on the ice. There was something about it that was calming. Like everything faded away as soon as your skate smoothed over it.

“Who taught you to skate?” Trevor asked a moment later. The two of us stayed side by side as we went around the rink.

“I actually went out with a guy on the hockey team in uni. I was a sophomore, and he was a senior, so of course when he asked to teach me I said yes.” I rolled my eyes at the memory. At the time, I was crushing hard on the guy. Thinking a guy on the hockey team would want to date me. Boy, was I wrong.

“He took me to the arena on campus a few times, and I picked it up pretty quick.” I shrugged.

“And?” Trevor prompted.

“And nothing. The moment he got in my pants, he was out. The whole thing only lasted, like, two months.” After him, I learned that if a guy was going to use me I might as well use them first. So I gained the reputation of getting a man and spitting him back out the next day. It was easier than being hurt.

“Sounds like he was a prick.”

“Oh, he was. Thought he was going to make it to The League but he wasn’t even picked.” I snorted. “I think he works at a car dealership now.”

“And here you are with arealprofessional hockey player,” Trevor boasted, flexing his arm.

“Ah, there’s that ego.”

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