26. Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Six

W hat's a girl to do on her day off? I offered to work today, but Danni and Max told me to take the day off. Which leaves me at the common house by myself, well I suppose I shouldn't say by myself. The guys paid one of the team's security guards to follow me around today. It was a sweet gesture and actually makes me feel much better about being without the guys.

But I don't want to chill at the common house all day. I suppose I could do some shopping, but who wants to shop alone? Hum... I could skate, I suppose. I won't have a lot of time for it once the season starts.

Nodding to myself, I grab my bag with my skates and head out the door. I look around and find Robert sitting on the steps. His salt and pepper waves scattered on the top of his head. Hearing the door open, he turns to face me. His clean-cut beard is speckled with white, and his dark brown orbs find mine. With a smile, he nods. "Good morning, Ms. Elizabeth."

I grin. "I've said before; you can call me Liz."

He stands. "Of course, Ms. Liz."

I huff a laugh as I walk over to him. "Liz. Just Liz, Rob."

There's a twitch of his lips as he nods. "Where we off to, Liz?"

"I am thinking about going to the rink to skate for a bit."

He gestures to his car. "The one where you teach?"

I nod as I make my way to the passenger side. Opening the door, I slide in as he does the same on the driver's side. "I figure I won't get much time once the season starts."

He hums and starts the car, then we are on our way. The drive is quiet, but it's not an awkward quiet. I enjoy the silence as we cut through the streets.

We park, and Rob jumps out to open my door for me. I shake my head with a laugh as I slip out of my seat. "I can get the door, Rob."

He shrugs and ushers me toward the doors of the rink. "I'm here for your protection."

I snort as I reach for the door, but he beats me to it. I arch a brow. "And that means opening all doors?"

The tilt to his lip gives away his amusement as he shrugs again. "My mama taught me to be a gentleman."

I can't help but laugh. "Well, your mama should be proud." I make my way to the ice, not wanting to waste any time. I won't have much time to enjoy the ice once the season starts.

Sitting on the bench, I slip my shoes off and my skates on. I glide out onto the ice, and a smile creases my face. Closing my eyes, I inhale the cool, icy smell of the rink. My body relaxes the longer I skate. The sound of the blades cutting through the ice echoes around the rink.

A feeling of freedom surrounds me as I glide over the ice. I'm so lost in the feeling that I don't notice someone else is here until music echoes around the rink. My eyes shoot open, and I glance around till my eyes meet a figure standing at the edge of the ice.

I smirk when he skates in my direction. I wait until he's closer, then ask, "I thought you had practice today?"

Mac grins and skates around me in a circle. "Do you know how long you've been here?"

I shake my head as I watch him circle. He stops in front of me before holding out a hand. "Well, Chérie. May I have this dance?"

My eyes widen when I hear Can I Have This Dance playing over the speakers. It's the song that was playing when he found me after I had fallen on the ice. The day I pushed myself to the breaking point just to prove that I could still skate.

I slide my hand into his, and he smiles and tugs me closer. "How are we supposed to dance on the ice?" I whisper.

"Like this," he says, then pushes me away. He doesn't release my hand, though, instead he pulls me back, lifting his arm, so I spin under it. I'm brought back to his chest before he begins to skate backward.

It feels like we are slow dancing on ice as I let him drag me along before spinning us slowly. He lifts my hand to rest on his shoulder, and I use my other hand to twine my fingers behind his neck. The smile he gives me is blinding. I can't help but giggle as I lay my head against his chest, inhaling his peppermint and pine smell.

I feel him kiss the top of my head as we continue to skate around the rink at a leisurely pace, even when the song changes. Voice soft, he asks, "Did you have a good day?"

I nod against his chest. "Yeah. It's even better now."

His deep chuckle vibrates through his chest. "How so?"

"You're here," I whisper.

He hums as he tugs me closer. "My day is better now too."