Page 12 of Merry Pucking Christmas
“This is nice,” I whisper, letting out a small sigh of contentment despite the cold nipping at my cheeks. I shift closer to York, savoring the shared warmth and the intimacy of our close quarters.
York turns to me, his face etched with concern. “Are you cold?” he asks, his voice tinged with genuine worry.
“Just a little,” I admit, though the cold seems more a minor inconvenience compared to the pleasure of being so close to him.
As I sit here, I can’t help but reflect on how my romantic fantasies of this sleigh ride didn’t quite match up with reality. I had envisioned us sharing kisses and stolen moments, like teenagers sneaking away to be alone. Instead, I’m feeling like a block of ice, trying to ignore the chill and focus on the heat between us.
“Sir, you can let us off up here,” York calls out to the driver, his voice carrying over the gentle clatter of the sleigh.
The sleigh slows to a stop in front of a bustling ice rink, where couples and families glide gracefully across the ice under the twinkling lights. The sight of it brings a spark of excitement to my eyes.
“What are we doing here?” I ask, puzzled but intrigued.
York’s smile widens. “Care to ice skate with me?” he asks, his tone light and inviting.
My eyes widen in surprise. “I haven’t done that in years,” I say, a hint of apprehension in my voice. The last time I tried ice skating, I spent more time flailing than actually skating. The thought of slipping and sliding across the ice now makes me a bit nervous, but the idea of spending more time with York, laughing and enjoying the night, outweighs my hesitation.
York’s grin remains, his enthusiasm infectious. “That’s okay. We can help each other out,” he assures me, his gaze reassuring and warm.
With a mixture of excitement and trepidation, I nod. “All right, let’s do it,” I say, determined to make the most of this magical evening, even if it means risking a few wobbles on the ice.
The fact that York is a pro skater shouldn't intimidate me at all. Nope. Not one bit. I tell myself this as we head over to the ice rink, the cold air making my cheeks flush. We rent our skates, and after a few moments of awkwardly lacing them up, I catch sight of York gliding effortlessly across the ice.
“Showoff,” I call out with a playful tone, watching as he skates circles around the rink with the ease of someone who’s spent a lifetime on the ice.
York laughs, effortlessly spinning to face me. “Oh, come on. I thought you’d be the one leading us out here. I’m just following your example.”
I shoot him a skeptical look as I carefully step onto the ice, immediately feeling my balance waver. “Leading? More like stumbling. You might need to catch me a few times before the night’s over.”
“Don’t worry,” York says with a teasing grin, gliding closer to me. “I’ve got you. Just try to stay upright and maybe, we’ll both make it to the end of the night without a trip to the ER.”
I snort, grabbing onto the edge of the rink for support. “Great. That’s exactly the kind of confidence I need. I’m sure this will be a disaster.”
“Hey, think of it as fun,” York encourages, extending a hand toward me. “We’ll take it slow. You’ll be skating like a pro in no time.”
“Famous last words,” I mutter, but I take his hand anyway, letting him help me glide forward. My first few steps are wobbly, and I cling to him more than I’d like to admit. “So, Mr. Hockey Player, do you have any tips for a klutz like me?”
York chuckles, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Keep your knees slightly bent, look straight ahead, and remember, if you fall, it’s just part of the fun. And if you really want to impress me, try not to fall for at least five minutes.”
I laugh despite my nerves. “Deal. But if I end up face-first on the ice, I’m blaming you.”
“Fair enough,” he replies, his voice warm and encouraging as he helps me find my rhythm. “But just so you know, I’m only responsible for your graceful falls, not the ones where you try to show off.”
As we glide slowly around the rink, York’s presence is reassuring, and his teasing remarks help ease my nerves. The ice might be slippery, but with York by my side, it feels like the night is filled with endless possibilities.
Chapter 8
York
“That’s it. You’ll be a pro in no time,” I tell Noelle, my voice full of encouragement as I watch her gradually find a smoother rhythm on the ice. She’s still wobbly, but there’s a determination in her that’s hard to ignore. The rink is bustling with people, and it feels like the whole town has come out to watch our little performance.
As she gains confidence, I can’t help but smile, thinking she’s doing great. That is until, with a dramatic flourish, she runs smack into me. I burst into laughter as I catch her before she can hit the ice, pulling her close.
“Smooth move there,” I tease, holding her steady. “You’ve got the whole ‘crashing into your partner’ thing down. I didn’t realize we were going for a duet.”
Noelle’s cheeks flush a rosy pink, and she grins up at me, looking a bit embarrassed but amused. “Yeah, well, I thought I’d add a little drama to our night. You know, to keep things interesting.”
I raise an eyebrow, still chuckling. “Interesting is one word for it. I was thinking more along the lines of ‘heart-stopping.’ But I guess that’s just part of the fun.”