Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“I love you,” I breathe against her lips, my eyes burning just for hers.
“I love you,” she promises, her heart in her eyes, leaving me breathless. I let out a long, contented sigh before crashing my mouth to hers.
Our kiss is hot, needy, and everything I need.
Just as she is.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-TWO
Fable
Our skates are loud on the ice as we skate side by side, performing the routine that I’ve choreographed. Our movements are sharp, maybe a bit slow, but from the videos I’ve watched, we look good. Not the spring chickens we once were, but good. I smile to myself as I latch on to his hand, and he spins me into his chest before taking hold of my hips to lift me above his head. My hands float beside me before I go tight for the toss. He spins me with ease, catching me before I kick up my leg, and he dips me back. My hair brushes the ice as he lowers to his knee, my other leg hooking around his hip before he stops us in the middle of the ice with his toe pick.
I have to refrain from singing the phrase he hates so much so I don’t end up getting chased. While some days I can’t resist, today isn’t that day. I’ve had him on this ice since six a.m. Not that he’s complained even once. When I asked to up our training, he was all in. When we aren’t skating, we’re working on all things Ice Thistle, and we have been busy.
We have classes topping out at ten for each time slot in the evenings. I’ve hired three ice-skating coaches, and they’re doing beautifully. The west rink is done and looks absolutely stunning. Out with the old and in with the bright and fresh. The white boards are brand-spanking-new with a green banner through the middle. Even though I hate my mother’s forest, we know it is a big part of the town, so we had scenes painted along the banners around the whole rink. New TVs hang along the walls like they do in the lobby, all showing photos of our students and our class schedules, along with information on when we offer open ice.
The bleachers are so nice. Not only are they as comfortable as bleacher seats can be, but Jett also let me spring for the ones with cupholders. Everyone loves them. We have a wall of just ice skates for people to rent, and then along another wall, we’ve hung posters of Kitty, Jett, and me skating at different stages in our lives. The renovation looks incredible in the photos and videos that my students have been posting on their social media, and I’m obsessed with everything we’ve done.
While I’m super excited to skate for Kitty in two weeks for her birthday, our routine isn’t her only present. The dance is from Phillip, but from Jett and me, we’ve dedicated the ice rink to her. It’ll no longer be known as the west rink, but as Kitty’s Rink. I can’t wait for her to see it. I just have to keep her from the rink for the next two weeks.
It hasn’t been easy, but everything is moving and grooving. The rink and program I’ve wanted are becoming a reality. It’s just how I wanted it to be, and things feel right. They feel good. Not just professionally, but personally, too.
And it’s all because of him.
I beam up at Jett as we both pant. His eyes are full of wonder and set just on me as he holds me close to his body. I can feel his body heat, and I want to snuggle so deeply into him and never let go. Things have been so good for us. Yes, we still argue, and yes, I get on his nerves just to get a rise out of him—and I’m pretty sure he does the same to me—but above all, it’s easy between us.
It annoys me beyond belief that we spent so long fighting after being apart for twenty years. Since the night of my mother’s event, I feel like things have gotten even more serious between us. We don’t use the terms boyfriend or girlfriend, but rather our other half. I don’t know if it’s because we’re older and we don’t have time for games, but when I’m with Jett, I really do feel like this is forever. Of course, I still get in my head, but as soon as I do, he’s there, reminding me why I love him so damn much.
Jett kisses my nose, pulling me from my thoughts. “I swear I will smack your ass raw if you tell me that wasn’t good.”
I flash a sneaky grin. “While I love my ass marked by your hand, it was good.”
He groans against my lips. “Now I want my handprint on your ass.” I giggle as he slowly lifts me up. “Is that a no?”