Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
“So do you. I can’t believe I’m about to ice-skate, though. I must really like you.”
It’s my turn to grin. “That makes two of us.” I stand and hold my hand out for him. Anthony takes it, and I pull him to his feet. He holds on tightly as we work our way to the ice. I back out onto it first, facing him, both his hands in mine.
“Push off gently, one foot and then the other, just like you would if you were rollerblading.”
“Um…I’ve never done that either.”
“Roller skates?” I cock a brow.
“I didn’t have a typical childhood, Flirty Boy. This is a first for me. Remember you promised to take care of me.”
There’s not a damn thing I wouldn’t do for him. “Always.”
It’s not perfect, but Anthony catches on easily. He’s more graceful than anyone with his limited experience should be, I assume because he dances and does yoga, so he’s very in control of his body. It doesn’t take him long to risk letting go of my hands. “Don’t leave me,” he says, testing out the waters on his own.
“Never.” I’m talking about more than skating, and I hope he knows it.
Anthony gives me a slow nod before starting to cautiously move around the ice, with me close. A few times he wobbles, but he’s able to regain his balance.
“You’re doing great!” Dad says, catching up with us. “Are you sure you’ve never done this before?”
Anthony beams, obviously liking the praise. “Nope. I’m just this good,” he teases, my dad chuckles.
“Showing off now, huh?” I joke, before speeding away, then sliding into a quick hockey stop in front of him.
“You’re not very nice,” he says, skating toward me.
“Just trying to impress my man.” I wink.
“Like you don’t always.” His voice is low, sultry.
“Stop trying to turn me on while we’re hanging out with my family.”
“I didn’t do anything. All I did was talk.”
“That’s enough when it comes to you.” I hold my hand out, and Anthony takes it, our fingers clasped together not because we need them to be, but because we want them to be.
Our breaths puff out in warm smoke as the evening gets colder and colder. We join my family at one point, all of us skating together, Court holding his other hand, Anthony laughing and joking, fitting in like he’s always been here.
I want him to always be here.
Eventually we make our way off the ice, have hot chocolate together, then say goodbye to Courtney and Aline by their car, my sister pulling me into the tightest of hugs.
“I love him,” she whispers, only for me.
“I do too,” I answer honestly.
“I know.” Courtney pulls away, gives Anthony a kiss on the cheek, before climbing into her car and driving away.
“You did really great out there,” Mom tells him when we’re back in the SUV.
“I had a good teacher.” Anthony gives me a quick glance.
“I had a good student.”
“You two are cute,” Mom says, and neither of us argues with her. Hopefully he knows it’s true. I definitely do.
Everyone is tired when we get back to the house, so my parents head to bed, Anthony and me going up to my room.
“Want to shower with me?” I pump my brows playfully.
“Will your parents care?” he asks in this adorably unsure way.
“I think they know we’re sleeping together.” I tackle him to the bed, straddling his hips and holding his hands above his head. “And we are grown adults.”
“Well, I don’t know. I’ve never done this whole boyfriend-meet-the-family thing.” Anthony bucks upward, trying to get me off him.
“You keep doing that, and you’ll get me hard.”
“I know! Why did I set that stupid no-sex-at-your-parents’-house rule?” he jokes.
“You can always change your mind. It’s up to you, though.”
“Don’t tempt me. I want to do this right.”
God, he’s so fucking sweet, so bighearted. I had no hope of not falling in love with him.
“Beautiful…there’s no way to get it wrong. They adore you already. They want nothing more than for me to be happy. You make me happy, and they like you. It’s a win for them.” I press my lips to his, letting them linger there. “You did so good today. My perfect boyfriend. You made my whole family fall in love with you, you’re so good.” I kiss him again, and Anthony melts into the kiss, pushing his tongue between my lips and tasting me.
I lie on top of him. We don’t move to undress, don’t do anything other than rut together, making out like we have all the time in the world. Hopefully, we do.
He’s breathless when he pulls away. “Let’s go take that shower now,” he tells me, and I nod. We take our bags in there with us, not fooling around, simply showering together.
A few minutes later, we’re under the blankets, my arm around him, both of us on our sides, Anthony’s ass pressed against my groin.