Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75517 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75517 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Where Clara is standing.
With the sweetest little smirk on her face.
My minx.
Clara’s hair is down in wavy curls along her shoulders, her lips pouty and glossed up, but her face is free of makeup. She’s wearing an oversized, long-sleeved Bears shirt and some black leggings. Her eyes are bright and set just on me. “Hey, are you the amazing Coach McCoy?”
I don’t know what it is about this girl, but I feel the grim line of my mouth turn up at the side. “I don’t know about amazing, baby girl.”
Her eyes dance with excitement. “Well, I heard you’re the best, and since I don’t know how to skate or even shoot a puck, I think you should teach me.”
My legs are moving before I even realize I am. I perk a brow at her. “You don’t know how to skate?”
She shakes her head. “Nope, and I need a lesson since I’m dating the hottest coach in the world. Are you up for the challenge?”
She’s too much.
Too perfect.
Too everything.
I lean my elbows on the boards, caging her in so that our foreheads meet. “I’m always up for a challenge with you.” I kiss her nose. “Hey there, baby girl.”
Clara’s eyes glow with desire as she curves her lips. “Hey there, Riggs.”
“I thought you’d be home.”
“Nope. I came to the game, and then I decided I wanted to learn to skate.”
While she says one thing, her eyes say another. I came and I saw you lose, but I don’t care. I only care about you, and I want to be with you. Who am I to push her away? Especially when all I want is to hold her closer than ever. I kiss her nose once more before standing. I exhale and notice a pair of skates in her hand.
“Whose are those?”
“Elliot’s. I went to her office and stole them. We’re the same size, but I’m not sure how to put them on.” I’m confused since it’s easy, but why wouldn’t I want to do it for her so I can be between her knees?
I nod to the bench. “Alrighty, baby girl, take a seat. Let me lace ya up.”
She does as I ask and toes out of her orange sneakers. I take her ankle in my hand, putting the skate on her foot before lacing it up quickly. She watches as I work, her eyes intent on what I’m doing. It reminds me of when she watches me cook. She has such expressive eyes. She wants to learn everything there is to know, and I adore that about her. Clara is a real treasure to behold.
Once I get her skates on, I stand up, and she takes my outstretched hands. I have to hold back my chuckle when her legs shake, making her look like a wee little lamb.
I must be the big, bad wolf ’cause I want to eat her whole.
“I got you, baby girl.”
Her eyes shine for me, and I see no fear, only trust. I direct her out onto the ice, and she clutches on to me like a life preserver. Once we’re in the center of the ice, I hold her hands with one of mine and then bring my stick between us. “All right, put your hands in the center, and I’m going to pull you so you can get used to the feel of the ice under your skates.”
She nods eagerly, her eyes flashing with excitement. I take her around the rink twice, showing off a bit by speeding up while enjoying the view of her hair flying behind her and the flush filling her face. Said face breaks into a big grin, her eyes wide and giddy as I pull her around a third time. Then I show her how to really dig into the ice, moving her skates to do all the work. She catches on quickly, as I knew she would, but when it’s time to let go of the stick, her arms go flying, and I catch her around the waist. “Steady now.”
A giggle escapes her. “That was scary! I lost my balance.”
“I saw,” I chuckle, kissing the side of her mouth. “Focus now. You can do it.”
She sends me a little grin before I guide her by her hips, and she starts to skate. She’s natural, all strength and beauty, as she skates away from me. When I catch up to her, I clap my hands, and she beams up at me. She takes my hand in hers, and we thread our fingers together. She looks down at them, and before I can catch her, she lands on her booty with an oomph.
She hisses as she leans onto her hip, rubbing her ass cheek. “Ow!”
I gather her up quickly. “Shit, baby girl. You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, but that sucked.”
“Yeah, your ass isn’t big enough to cushion you from a fall,” I tease, and she smacks my chest. I kiss her nose. “Told ya I was an amazing coach.”