Chapter 6

6

L ila rented two pairs of skates from the small shack near the skating pond and led Zhoel to the benches where Tom and Simone were already lacing up. Smoke wafted from a warming barrel where several skaters stood clustered, hands out to catch the heat, and classic Christmas tunes filled the air, mixing with the laughter of children and the scrape of blades on ice.

“Here.” She handed Zhoel his skates. “Try these on.”

His blue skin seemed more brilliant under the soft glow of Christmas lights suspended from poles around the rink, and Lila was surprised to notice a sexy dusting of five-o’clock shadow along his jaw. Had that been there before?

Zhoel inspected the thin blades. “These are to glide on the ice?”

“Yes,” she said, bending to put on her own skates. “Don’t worry. I’ll show you what to do.”

Tom stood in front of their bench with his arms crossed, a skeptical twist to his lips. “You sure he’s up for this? What if he falls and breaks a bone or something? I don’t think our clinic knows how to fix aliens.”

A flicker of irritation went through Lila at her brother’s snarky tone. “He’ll be fine, Tom.” She looked at Zhoel. “Ignore him. You’ll be fine.”

Amusement flickered in Zhoel’s eyes, and he looked around at the townsfolk moving across the ice with varying degrees of skill. “Don’t worry. I’m a quick learner.”

She smiled back, then leaned in to assist him with his laces while Tom and Simone joined the flow of other skaters on the rink. Once they were all laced up, she stood and offered Zhoel a hand to help him rise, bracing her legs to maintain her balance. She hadn’t skated since last Christmas and hoped she didn’t embarrass herself today.

Zhoel wobbled as he acclimated to standing on the thin blades. “Whoa.” He gripped her hand more tightly. “This is… different.”

His touch was innocent, but still sent flutters of awareness through her. She smiled up at him. “It takes some getting used to.”

She led him to the edge of the pond. “Just keep your knees slightly bent and push off with one foot, then the other.”

Zhoel’s first few steps were shaky, his arms flailing as he tried to find his balance, but within a few minutes, he released her hand and took a few strides on his own. They completed a circuit around the rink, his movements becoming ever smoother and more controlled. He really is a fast learner .

Lila decided to show off a little, grinning as she turned around and skated backward. Although he no longer seemed to need her help, she held out her hands, enjoying his firm but gentle grip as she guided him forward. The music switched to a lively rendition of Jingle Bell Rock and she swayed her hips playfully in time to the beat.

His eyes gleamed with admiration, and he modified his strides to match hers. “Skating is exhilarating. I can see why humans enjoy it.”

“You’re doing great,” she said as a group of townsfolk skated past, their reactions varying from curious glances to friendly greetings. Zhoel waved to them, garnering smiles and shouts of encouragement. Even Tom gave him a polite nod as he and Simone passed, and Lila realized her cheeks hurt from smiling. God, she was having fun.

Zhoel attempted a turn, wobbled slightly, then adjusted, his balance steadying as he grasped the concept of moving backward with amazing quickness. He began switching from backward to forward with ease, then he coiled himself and surged forward, eating up the ice in long, powerful strides. His innate grace and power made her pulse quicken as she watched him round the rink, and she noticed more than a few female gazes openly admiring him as he passed. Even though their date wasn’t real, Lila was suddenly filled with a sense of possessive pride.

He slowed to match her pace as he once again reached her side, and she linked her arm with his, thrilling at the sudden warmth of his body in the icy air. “I’m glad you’re having fun.”

He squeezed her arm more firmly against his side, looking down at her and smiling. “You are most pleasant company.”

Her heart skipped a beat at the sincerity in his words. Suddenly self-conscious, she looked away. On the other side of the rink, she spotted Sara’s son, Josh, struggling to stay upright on his skates. His arms flailed, his skates slipping unsteadily against the ice. On the bank several yards away, Sara was helping Emily make a snowman.

“Look, Aunt Lila!” Josh called out in a tremulous voice as Lila approached. “I’m skating!”

“Awesome job!” Lila encouraged, slowing.

Josh wobbled, skates scrabbling frantically, then crashed to the ground. He lay there, staring upward.

Lila hurried over to check on him. He blinked, looking more shocked than hurt. She held out a hand. “Oopsie! Let’s try again.”

Mouth turning down into a frown, Josh let out a repressed wail. He sat up, tears tracking down his chubby, chill-reddened cheeks.

“C’mon, Josh. You’re okay,” Lila encouraged. “Let’s get up and try again.”

Josh shook his head and shoved away her hand, his crying growing louder.

Zhoel had been watching in silence nearby. Suddenly, he windmilled his arms and crashed to the ice next to Josh. “Ouch!”

Josh’s wailing hiccupped to a stop. He stared at Zhoel.

Lila was about to offer him help, but Zhoel made an exaggerated attempt to stand, thumping to the ice once more. “This is my first time skating,” he admitted softly to Josh. “I don’t know how to get up. Can you show me?”

Lila held back a smile, realizing what he was doing.

Josh wiped his nose on the back of his mitten and nodded. He rolled onto all fours and pushed himself up unsteadily. His movements were clumsy and ungraceful, but there was pride in his eyes as he finally stood straight.

Zhoel observed Josh carefully, mimicking his actions, including the scrabbling skates. “Like this?”

Lila fought back laughter at the sight of Zhoel’s muscular backside poked high in the air.

He straightened, wobbled once, then beamed at Josh. “I did it! Thank you!”

Josh nodded, eyes now bright with the pride of teaching someone else. “Come on, Zhoel!” He clumped forward with short, stilted strides. “Let’s race!”

Zhoel glanced at Lila, winked, and followed the boy, matching his slower pace.

Lila watched them go, her heart swelling with warmth as she headed toward Emily and Sara. The snowman they were building was a bit lopsided, with two unevenly placed rocks for eyes and a ragged scarf draped around its neck. Emily was patting more snow onto the snowman’s lumpy base.

“How cute,” Lila said with a smile as she approached them.

Sara kept wary eyes on Zhoel and Josh, who had reached the other side of the pond. “I have to admit, your alien’s pretty good with kids.”

“Zhoel’s full of surprises,” Lila said, putting an emphasis on his name. “Thank you for giving him the benefit of the doubt.”

Sara made a noncommittal sound, watching the pair turn back toward them. Josh wobbled, arms flailing, but Zhoel deftly blocked his fall, helping him regain his balance. Confidence boosted, Josh lowered his head and powered forward, eyes glittering with excitement.

Zhoel followed close behind, his gaze on Lila strong as a physical touch. A little shudder of pleasure rolled through her.

Josh slid to a stop in front of his mother, breathing hard as he looked over his shoulder. “I beat you!” He grinned at Zhoel, who skidded to a stop beside him. “Mom, did you see?”

Sara nodded, gratitude shining in her eyes as she looked at Zhoel. “That was awesome!”

“He is an excellent teacher,” said Zhoel.

“Let’s do it again!” Josh said.

“How about we let Aunt Lila have her date back while we get some hot chocolate?” said Sara.

“Wanna come, Zhoel?” Josh asked.

Zhoel smiled and patted his head. “Not this time, thanks.”

“Okay. See you later!”

They waved goodbye, and Lila leaned close. “You impressed Sara just now. Good job.”

“That was not my goal, but I’m glad.” He quirked an eyebrow and took her hand. “You obviously care for the boy, so I wanted to help.”

Lila’s heart skipped a beat. This fake date was feeling all too real. She could easily imagine spending more time with Zhoel, dancing, watching movies, talking late into the night. Being around Zhoel felt different from anything she’d known. But then again, hadn’t she thought that once before? The memories of her relationship with Craig, its slow unraveling, lingered in the back of her mind. Zhoel’s life was out there among the stars. He would eventually leave, just like Craig. And she’d be left behind to her responsibilities once again. No. She wouldn’t let herself get attached.

She stared straight ahead at the ice as they skated, his grip on her hand making the butterflies in her stomach beat against her ribs. This is simply physical attraction . That was all she could let it be. But it’d been a long time since she’d been with a man, and her body was simply responding to his nearness and touch. Perhaps she needed to get it out of her system. It would be exciting to have some no-strings-attached fun.

As if in response to her thoughts, the familiar melody of All I Want for Christmas is You began to play. Zhoel turned and skated backward, taking her other hand. “Would you like to try a dance on the ice?”

“Sure,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

She imagined the dance would be little more than holding hands while they took a turn around the pond, but Zhoel took the lead, pulling her close. Strides matching the rhythm of the music, he rotated them with liquid grace, hands firm against her waist. She leaned into him, feeling almost surreal as the twinkling lights and the distant laughter of children became nothing more than a soft backdrop to their own private dance.

Looking deep into her eyes, Zhoel guided her through a spin, their bodies separating, then reuniting gently as she came around, breasts pressed tightly against his chest. Her nipples ached, and every inch of her thrummed with desire. His warmth penetrated through their layers of clothing, his muscular thighs flexing against her. She slowly noticed something else pressing against her. Something undeniably hard. Her breath caught, a shiver tickling down her spine. He’s aroused, too .

The music changed to Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas , and Zhoel slowed their pace, warm breath caressing her cheek. His masculine scent left her panting from more than exertion. Their faces were inches apart, his hard length undeniable against her belly. There was a question in his eyes, yet he made no move to kiss her. Just like on the Ferris wheel. Was he waiting on her?

Insides trembling, Lila tugged at the front of his jacket, pulling his face down toward hers.

His lips met hers tentatively, as if he was testing the waters. But Lila didn’t want tentative. Caught in a whirlwind of emotions and longing she hadn’t allowed herself to feel for too long, she opened to him, flicking her tongue along the seam of his lips.

He responded with a soft groan, arms tightening around her and mouth claiming hers with unexpected and thrilling passion. One hand moved up her back to cup the back of her head, his thumb caressing the tender flesh below her ear.

She let go of his jacket and roved her hands up his broad chest, tracing the hard lines of his physique, hidden beneath layers of clothing. God, he was ripped. Warmth tingled between her legs and her breath grew ragged.

“Geez, get a room, you two.” A voice startled her back to reality, and she pulled back, a rush of cool air flowing between them. A group of giggling teenagers stared in their direction as they skated past.

Zhoel straightened, brushing an errant lock of hair from Lila’s flushed face, his hand lingering on her cheek for a moment. His eyes held a heat that rivaled the blazing fire pit. “That was… nice.”

“We should…” Lila began, her voice a shaky whisper in the cold air. “We could continue this.” Her attention darted to Zhoel’s lips, then back to his eyes. “At my house.”

Zhoel’s gaze felt like it might burn the clothes right off her body. “I would like that very much, Lila.”