“Damn straight. That’s why I’m here.”
“Good.” She pushed Matthew from her mind and got back to what mattered. “Because I have a surprise for you.”
“Another one? I’m still savoring your last surprise.”
Her last—
Orgasm. “Glad you liked it.” She was blushing as she said those words. She’d never told any of the men she dated—such brief dates—about her reserve. But Gray was different.
His mouth hitched into a half-smile. That half-smile was ridiculously sexy. “Just so you know, I am definitely a more-than-one-orgasm a night kind of guy.”
Noted.
As fast as she could, Jemma finished shutting down her shop. She hung up her apron and hurried for the door, pulling Grayson with her. The snow was still falling—just a light dusting, and the sky had darkened. The lights were sparkling from all the shops as they headed down Main Street.
They’d both put on gloves before they left her shop, and Grayson took her gloved hand in his, twining his fingers with hers. On the corner, a group of carolers were singing Silent Night. The whole town was lit up. Glowing.
Happy.
And in that moment, with Grayson at her side, she was happy, too.
They stopped a bit, listening to the carolers. She usually joined in the singing, too, but…not that night. She had other plans. A special arrangement she’d worked out just for Grayson.
She glanced over at him. “Hope you’re up for some adventure.”
He quirked his brows at her.
Laughing, she led the way…away from the carolers and the lights, down, slipping away from the crowd and onto the next street. And, there, with lights glowing around it…Holly’s small ice skating rink waited.
No one else was around—just Zack, the teen who ran the place during the holidays. She’d slipped him an extra fifty when he came by for his chocolate fix earlier, and he’d agreed to give her private access to the rink. “It’s normally closed at this hour,” she told Grayson as they headed toward Zack and the booth of skate rentals that waited. “But we’re getting the VIP treatment tonight.”
Zack asked for their sizes and a few moments later, he handed them the skates. Jemma quickly ditched her boots and put on her skates. She stood, ready to go—
Grayson was still staring at the skates in his hand.
“Gray? Is everything okay?”
He looked up at her. “I’ve never been ice skating.”
Her eyes widened and she gave him a quick hug, tottering just a little on her blades. “You’ll love it! You’ll feel so free—like you’re flying over the ice!”
“I’m going to fall on my ass.”
She laughed. “Maybe. But we’ll just get you right back up again. That’s what you do when you fall. You get up.”
His gaze drifted over her face. His expression softened. “Yes, that’s what you do.”
“Besides, you have me. I’ll help you.”
Zack had just keyed up the music. She might have to give that kid some extra chocolate on his next visit.
She helped Gray get his skates on and then they made their way—slowly, because Gray was taking tiny steps—to the ice.
“First, we’ll just start by walking,” Jemma told him. “No need for anything fancy yet.” Though she normally loved to zip right over the ice.
They started walking. Grayson was still doing those adorable, tentative steps. Could the man get sexier? She kept her hand on him, giving him a little support.
“Find your balance, it’s easier that way. Just take your time.” She’d never taught anyone to ice stake before, so Jemma hoped she wasn’t screwing this up. “You’re doing great.” He actually was. “Lean on your left foot, then push off with your right.”
They started moving a little faster.
Christmas lights were hung over the rink, and when Jemma tilted back her head, those bright lights looked like stars—beautiful stars. She and Grayson moved faster and the music drifted over her.
“Jemma!”
Her head turned at Grayson’s yell, right before he crashed. He went down hard and since she was still holding his arm, he took her down with him. She’d fallen on the ice before—dozens of times—so Jemma was ready for the impact.
Only she didn’t hit the ice.
Grayson had moved, so fast, and he took the impact, catching her so that she fell onto him. And he held her there, close against his body. He had to be freezing because he was flush against that ice but…
He kissed her.
His fingers sank into her hair and his mouth opened on hers. Yes. She loved kissing him. Loved the slide of his lips and the sexy thrust of his tongue. She pushed closer to him, enjoying the heat of his body. Enjoying every single thing about him.
She caught his lower lip and gave him a light nip.
“Jemma…”
Now her name wasn’t a yell. It was a sexy demand. But Zack was around someplace, and she didn’t intend to give the kid a show.
She stood, balancing easily on her blades, and offered her hand to Grayson. “Want to try again?”
He looked at her hand. Looked at her. And nodded. His fingers curled around hers.
And Eartha Kitt’s immortal Santa Baby began to play over the speakers.