Page 31 of Fair Play
“Let me do that.” Rome must have noticed the tremor in my hands, so he drops down to his haunches and laces up the skates. “Too tight?” he asks.
All I can do is shake my head.
I don’t even feel my feet, so I have no idea.
“Just sit here a minute while I lock up our stuff.”
The place that rents the skates has lockers and Rome disappears with our shoes.
I need to do this. I wish I hadn’t waited so long because now I’ve convinced myself it’s something terrifying, and I’m frozen. I couldn’t stand up now if you paid me a million dollars.
“Okay, babe. Tell me what you want to do.” Rome is standing in front of me looking concerned. Sexy as fuck but concerned.
“I need to find the guts to stand up.”
“That’s easy.” Before I realize what he’s doing, he’s reached down, put his hands on my waist and lifted me in the air before gently setting me on my feet.
I let out a squeak of surprise and then throw myself against his chest, holding on for dear life.
“Come on, baby. You’re okay.” His arms close around me. “I’ve got you. I won’t let you fall. Hold on to me and find your feet. Just focus on your feet, nothing else.”
My eyes are squeezed shut, and I can’t focus on anything except him. How strong and warm he is. How good he smells. How wonderful it feels with his arms around me. How comfortable I am.
“You smell good,” I murmur.
He chuckles. “Thank you. You smell pretty good too. But tell me about your feet.”
I pull in a shaky breath.
Do I even have feet?
Yes. They’re there. Solid.
Because Rome is holding me.
No…wait.
My feet are steady. Balanced. I’m not slipping and sliding. My brain is on the fritz but my body seems to remember what to do. My feet do anyway.
“I… think they’re okay,” I finally say, slowly lifting my head even though I’m not letting go of him until I absolutely have to.
“You’re not moving at all,” he acknowledges. “You want to let go with one arm?”
I shake my head but manage a playful smile. “Nope. I like holding you.”
This time he’s the one who pulls in a shuddery breath—I can feel it—and his eyes bore into mine. “Baby, you know you’re killing me right now, don’t you?”
“That was my plan all along,” I deadpan.
He uses one hand to lift my chin. “I won’t let you fall. And later, when we’re done, I’ll hold you as much as you want.”
“Is that…motivation?”
“Sure.” His eyes twinkle. “Let’s call it motivation.”
We both laugh, and then I close my eyes again. I take a deep breath, hold it a few seconds and slowly let it out. Then I drop one arm.
“I won’t let go, even when you do,” he promises. “You have my word you won’t go down.”
