Page 103 of Light My Fire Three Times
Olivia looks at me skeptically, but the warmth in her eyes is unmistakable.
“We’re not doing this right now, are we?” Olivia asks, trying to mask the smile that’s tugging at her lips.
“Oh, I think we are,” Ivy chimes in, and I can’t help but laugh at the way Olivia’s eyes narrow, giving up her fight.
“We’ll go slow,” I add, already guiding them toward the rink. “Don’t worry, I’ll hold your hand.”
“Leo. Don’t make me regret this,” Olivia mutters, but she’s clearly relenting, and I can see how much it means to her to just… let go, even for a second.
The ice rink is crowded with kids, but we make our way onto the ice, my feet sliding beneath me as I take a few wobbly steps.
I try to keep my balance, but I can already tell this is going to be one of those moments where I act cocky and end up looking foolish.
Olivia looks at me, and without missing a beat, she takes a step toward me, one hand raised for balance. She’s better than I expected. Way better. Not that I’ll ever tell her that.
“What happened to ‘solid ground,’ huh?” I tease, catching up to her.
She shoots me a look. “I’m not that bad.”
“I’m impressed,” Ivy calls from behind us, muffled by her laughter. “I thought for sure you’d be clinging to the wall.”
“Give it time,” I mutter, still sliding a bit too much for my liking.
We’re gliding in a loose circle now, Olivia’s movements becoming more fluid with each lap.
Her posture is relaxed, her shoulders unwinding, and there’s a little sparkle in her eyes that I can’t help but notice. She’s shedding the weight of the world with every push of her skates, and the sight of it makes me feel lighter, too.
“Okay, okay, I’ll admit it,” I say, letting myself fall into her rhythm as I skate alongside her. “You’re better than I thought.”
Olivia glances at me with a smirk. “Don’t get used to it. I’m still not a fan of the ice.”
“Yeah, well, I can see why. It’s hard to top my natural grace,” I joke, winking as I effortlessly glide ahead of her… until I feel my feet slip just a little too much, and I lose my balance, arms flailing for a second before I manage to catch myself.
She bursts into laughter, loud and free, and that sound, that laugh, hits me harder than I expect. It’s pure. And it’s so Olivia.
Before I can respond, her feet slip out from under her, and I instinctively reach out, catching her in my arms.
For a split second, time slows.
Her body presses against mine, warm and soft, and the world narrows down to just us. The sweet smell of her cinnamon sugar scent, mixed with the cool crispness of the air, surrounds me, and I feel my heart rate spike.
Her eyes meet mine, wide with surprise but softened by something I can’t quite place. Her face is just inches from mine, and I’m captivated.
Olivia’s breath catches as she steadies herself against me, her hands resting lightly on my chest. My own pulse picks up, and I fight to keep my head clear, but I can’t ignore how she fits perfectly against me.
I can’t stop staring at her lips, at the way her hair catches the light, or the way her cheeks are flushed from the cold and the laughter.
She’s beautiful. So damn beautiful, it almost knocks the wind out of me.
“I… uh… I guess you are a natural,” she says softly, a little breathless, as if she’s feeling the same thing I am.
I let out a quiet laugh, trying to keep my cool. “I told you. Just had to make sure you didn’t outshine me too soon.”
She rolls her eyes, but I can see the faintest hint of pink creeping across her cheeks. There’s a soft smile tugging at the corners of her lips now, genuine, warm, and I feel something deep inside me ease.
Before I can say anything else, Ivy’s voice breaks through the moment, loud and teasing. “Well, well, look at you two, all cozy and romantic on the ice. Careful, Leo. If you keep holding her like that, I’m going to start thinking you’re more than just ‘protective.’”
I blink, completely caught off guard, and step back a bit, more out of instinct than anything else.
