Page 30 of What About Us

“You’ve got this, badass girl. Your balance is great, your posture is good. You don’t even have to push off yet.”

“Xander?”

“Yes.”

“If my ass lands on that ice, I will stab you with my skate.”

I let out a laugh, and now I can’t resist pushing her hair behind her ear and grazing my fingers over her cheek.

Over those sexy-as-fuck freckles.

“You’re doing great. Now, push forward.”

“I’m not pushing anything.”

She’s so fucking funny.

“Do you want me to show you how?”

“If that involves letting go of me, no. No thanks. You can pull me back to the side now.”

“No way. You’ve got this. Come on, wildcat, push off from your right foot.”

“What did you just call me?”

“You’ve got bite. You’re fearless. And I love it when you purr.”

“I’ve never purred in my life.”

You will.

I mentally shake my head.

“Come on, push off.”

She bites her lip, holds her breath again, and does exactly what I ask, perfectly. In fact, in less than five minutes, I’m skating beside her, holding her hand, and we’re making our way over the ice. She’s a little wobbly, but she’ll be an expert within thirty minutes.

“See? You’ve got this.”

“I do usually have decent balance,” she admits, and her face transforms from terror to smug pride, and I love it. Getting this look on her face is a new life goal, every damn day. “Okay, I admit. It’s not bad.”

“‘Not bad’? It’s the best. Breathe in that cold air.”

She tips her head back and takes a deep breath, exposing her perfect neck, and I want to nibble on that tender spot where I can see her pulse flutter.

What am I, a fucking vampire?

“I hope you don’t mind, but we have to run an errand on the way back to Silver Springs.”

“What kind of errand?”

“I have to go to—” Shit, the word just flew right out of my head. “You know, where you go to get on a plane.”

“Airport.”

“Right, I have to go to the airport.” Today’s been a shitty memory day, and I fucking hate it.

But Ivy nods, staring straight ahead, concentrating hard.