Page 74 of Cinder
“Easy,” he murmurs.
“I hate this already.”
“You’ve been on the ice for three seconds.”
“It’s enough to know.”
He adjusts his stance slightly, one skate angling outward to steady both of us. I can feel the strength in his body, the grounded way he absorbs my wobble without overcorrecting.
“Look forward,” he says. “Not at your feet.”
“That feels irresponsible.”
“Come on, give it a go.”
“I’m going to fall.”
“Maybe.”
“That is not the motivational speech I was hoping for, Prince.”
His mouth tips at one corner. “Do you need me to doodle you a note to remind you you’re brave, too?”
“I am brave… But I’m also attached to having all my teeth.”
He huffs a quiet laugh, and it vibrates through him and into me.
“I promise I’m not letting you fall.”
Promise.
I force my eyes up and focus on the opposite boards because if I don’t, I’m going to be swooning over this sweaty hockey-playing firefighter who is actually my boss and who I therefore have absolutely no right to be mooning over.
The rink lights reflect off the ice in long streaks, the kids already sliding past us in chaotic loops with Colt and Luke.
“Okay,” I say, mostly to myself. “Lemme try this again.”
“Shift your weight,” he instructs, hands still at my waist. “With small slides—don’t try to stride yet.”
“I don’t know what a stride is.”
“Good. Then you won’t try it.”
I attempt a push, and it is not elegant. My foot skids sideways, and I let out a startled sound that is absolutely not dignified.
His grip tightens just enough to pull me back into alignment, one hand sliding from my waist to the small of my back.
“I got you, Pen,” he says again, lower this time.
I believe him, which feels about as dangerous as the fact that he just nicknamed me.
A streak of black flashes past us as Frankie screeches and nearly collides with Mason, who pivots smoothly, catching her hands before she can tip sideways.
“Okay,” he says, grinning down at her. “We’re not attacking the ice. We’re making friends with it.”
“Iwasmaking friends!” she protests.
“You declared war.” He laughs, catching her elbows as she wobbles again, then lowers his voice. “You’re fine, baby. Knees soft, eyes on me.”
