25. Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Five

I t's the last weekend before hockey season officially starts, which means I won't be able to teach the kiddos anymore due to our busy schedule. But I have faith Daisy will be able to handle the class till we finish up the season. She seems really excited.

Clapping my hands, I try to get all the kids' attention. "Alright! This is my last week of teaching you all." There's a round of whines and huffs, and I can't stop my laugh as I try to wave them off. "I'll be back after hockey season ends. But that means you have a new teacher until then."

I gesture toward Daisy. "This is Ms. Daisy. She is going to help you. You may know her better as Aspyn's mom."

There's a hoot in the bleachers where the team hangs while I'm teaching on Saturday's. I'm not sure why the guys feel the need to be here each weekend, but without fail my boys are here.

I glance over to find Vicy and Taz pumping their arms in the air. I shake my head at the pair, then look at Daisy. Her cheeks are pink, but she's keeping her composure better than most would. She's trying to ignore them as she looks at me, so I smirk and give her a dramatic eye roll.

She grins as she gives a wave to the kids. "Hey everyone. I'll be your teacher while Ms. Liz is gone. Let's make sure we make her proud when she comes back!"

The kids yip before dispersing to their parents. I chuckle as I watch them fly off the ice. I turn to Daisy, smiling. "If you have any questions or issues just let me know. You have my number, right?"

She nods. "We shouldn't have any problems, but I promise I will take care of your little snowflakes."

I skate over to her and give her a brief hug. "Thank you for doing this. I feel so much better handing them over to someone I can trust."

"Of course!" She squeezes me back before leaving the ice as well. I look toward the bleachers and find most of the guys leaving as well, but two hockey players stay behind, busy with eyes trained on my new friend. I shake my head, laughing. I wish Taz and Vicy all the luck with her, but she won't be as easy to capture as a puck bunny.

Glancing around, I see Mac talking to Dean before looking my way and giving me a salute. I arch a brow as I watch him leave with the others. Odd. Dean spins in my direction and skates toward me.

As he gets closer, I see how nervous he looks. I give him a curious one in return. He surprised me by continuously showing up to the ice-skating classes. I hadn't expected him to keep coming; I thought he would have quit after the first few sessions.

He's gotten better with the moves, considering he's used to hockey skates. But he committed to wearing the ice skates instead. I wonder if I could talk him into doing a few lifts with me. I gesture to his face as he gets closer. "What's with the expression?"

A smirk tugs at the corner of his lips. "What do you mean? This is my face."

I shake my head as I begin to skate backward. "You look nervous."

He shrugs but continues to skate after me. "Why would I be nervous being completely alone with you?"

Gazing around the rink, I find that we are indeed all alone. My eyes bounce back to him, and I give him a shy smile. "You going to skate with me?"

"Do you want me to skate with you?"

I nod enthusiastically. "Yes."

He speeds so he's right in front of me as we continue our laps. "What do you want me to do then, Ice Princess?"

"Sing for me. I need music to skate to," I reply with a grin. I don't think for one moment he'll actually do it.

A flurry of emotions pass over his eyes before he begins to hum. It takes me a moment to realize it's Tattoo by Loreen. The melody has me drowning in memories of that night, and I think of the perfect nickname for him. It's only fair, right?

I hold my feet at an angle to slow down to a stop. Dean does the same. I smile as I look up at him. I slowly caress my fingers across his cheek as I whisper, "Sing for me, Ghost."

His eyes widen for a moment before he whispers back, "I don't feel like a ghost when I'm with you."

I grin as I fly across the ice, Dean not far behind me. I turn so I'm skating backward and reach for his hands to settle them on my hips. "Get a good grip. You're going to lift me into the air. You're going to help me fly."

The moment I finish speaking, I can see he's going to argue, so I interrupt him. "I trust you. Now lift me and sing, Ghost."

He chuckles but gives in. "As you wish, Ice Princess."

He lifts me into the air, and I can't stop the gasp that escapes me. I throw my arms out and close my eyes, enjoying the moment of freedom. He slowly lowers me back down, and we begin to spin. His arms encircle my waist, and I let myself fall backward. My heart stops for a moment, and I think I'm going to hit the ice, but Dean's hold on me tightens, allowing me to spin.

He pulls me back up as we slow to a stop in the middle of the rink. He's breathing hard, and so am I. Our breaths intermingle as he looks over me, a smile tugging at his lips.

"I thought I was going to fall for a moment," I say softly.

He lifts his hand slowly from around my back to brush his fingers across my cheek. His eyes bounce between mine as he whispers, "I'd never let you fall. Not when you trust me to catch you."

"I do," I whisper back.

He cups my cheek, and he leans forward to brush his lips against mine. The kiss is soft and sweet, which isn't what I expected from him. But I'm finding that my ghost man has more soul than he wants to admit.

My ghost? Fuck. I should... I should stop this kiss. But... mhm... he tastes so good. Fuck it.

I reach up to cup his cheek as I return the kiss. I want this man more than my next breath. It's about time I stopped cutting off my happiness to abide by the rules. It's time I live for myself.

Before the kiss turns into something more, he pulls away with panting breaths. He leans his forehead to mine as he chuckles. "Damn, Ice Princess. You're going to be the life of me."

I grin. "Life of you? Don't you mean death?"

He pulls away with a wide smile, his eyes filled with mirth as he shakes his head. "You're the first one to ever make me feel alive." His thumb caresses my cheek as he continues, "The one who makes me want to live rather than be a ghost."