Page 79 of Captured Love

I raise an eyebrow at him. “Wow, using your hockey star status to impress a girl? How original.”

He just laughs, completely unfazed. “Hey, it worked, didn't it? You're here.”

I can't help but smile back. He's not wrong.

When we enter the arena and make our way toward the ice, he does this very exaggerated gesture that includes a mock bow and says, “Welcome to my world.”

I laugh at his antics, and it makes me feel a little better. “Wow, this is...intimidating.”

Knox grins. “Nah, you got this. It's just frozen water.” He sits on a bench and pulls out his own skates and then the ones I borrowed from Isla. Thankfully, we are the same shoe size.

“Nervous?” he asks, glancing over at me.

“No,” I lie. Truth is that my stomach is in more knots than I should put these laces in.

“Ice skating is easy once you get used to it.”

I snort as I watch him start tying his laces. I try to follow suit, but I’m not nearly as comfortable obviously. “Easy for you to say, Mr. Hockey Hottie. Some of us weren't born with blades attached to our feet.”

“Hockey Hottie?” He raises an eyebrow. “I like it. Has a nice ring to it.”

“And I immediately regret saying it. Your ego definitely doesn't need any more stroking.” I finish tying my laces and stand up unsteadily. I move too quickly and end up flailing my arms like a chicken.

Knox reaches up and catches my arm, steadying me with a strong grip. “I know something that would love some more stroking…Whoa there, Bambi. Take it easy.”

I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks just before I narrow my eyes at him. “Did you just compare me to a cartoon deer?” I intentionally ignore what we both know his first sentence was hinting at.

“If the skate fits.” He shrugs unapologetically. “But don't worry, by the end of this lesson, you'll be skating circles around me.”

“Doubtful,” I mutter, but I can't help but smile at his confidence in me.

Knox finishes lacing up his skates and stands as if he’s spent more time on the ice than on solid ground. Because he probably has. He offers me his hand. “Ready to kick this ice’s ass?”

I eye his outstretched hand warily. “I'm pretty sure the ice is always going to kick my ass, but I guess there's only one way to find out.” I place my glove-covered hand in his and enjoy the feeling of his hand holding mine once more.

We wobble-step our way to the rink entrance and I pause. Holy shit, this is big. I smirk when I mentally say,That’s what she said.

Sensing my hesitation, Knox squeezes my hand. “Hey, I've got you. We'll take this as slow as you need.”

I nod and let him guide me onto the ice. The moment the blades touch the slick surface, my legs start to tremble. Knox glides backward, holding both of my hands now, his eyes locked on mine. “That's it, nice and easy.”

I try to mimic his movements, but my skates seem to have minds of their own. I end up falling into his solid chest. “Sorry!” I yelp, my face burning with embarrassment against the cool fabric of his sweatshirt.

Knox chuckles, the sound rumbling beneath my cheek. “No worries, I like you throwing yourself at me.”

I pull back and glare at him. “In your dreams, Sanchez.”

“Every night, Davis.” He winks, then starts skating backward again, pulling me along with him. “Now, bend your knees a bit and try to find your center of gravity.”

I do as he says, focusing on keeping my legs steady. It's not easy, especially with the way he's looking at me. It’s as if I'm the only person in the world that matters. “Like this?”

“Perfect.” His praise makes me feel things I shouldn’t feel while ice skating. “You're a natural.”

I snort. “Hardly. But I guess I have a decent teacher.”

“Just decent?” He clutches his chest in mock offense. “I'm wounded.”

“I'm sure your ego will survive.” I manage a small glide forward, feeling more than relieved when I don't immediately faceplant.

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