she was arrested by a whole different kind of amazement in his expression. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say his feelings go deeper than a sometimes lover. But I can’t let myself think that.
“It’s much more than I expected, but that’s a discussion for another time.” He stroked her cheek as he had a habit of doing. “Come on. Let’s get some skates.”
When they were ready, Toya stood up from the bench on unsteady feet and tugged at her dress. Sure she wore tights, but would her thighs freeze like popsicles flying around the rink? She must be insane.
Tripp grabbed her hand, but she pulled back. “Hang on. Let me take it a bit slower. I didn’t grow up doing this. I skated every once in a while, and it’s been a long time. You go ahead. I’ll get there.”
He waited as she clunked over to the ice, but then he stepped out there, and like he was born with the grace of a skater, he glided along the side, swung around with control, and zipped to her. His bulky muscle didn’t hinder the man a bit, and she was jealous.
“Dang, now I feel like I’ll be holding you back. You look like one of those professional figure skaters.”
“I am not a figure skater!”
She burst out laughing at the clear offense in his tone. “Sorry. I’m just sayin’.”
“Come here.” He held out his hands. “For that you get a spanking.”
“Promise?” She stumbled into his arms, and the warm embrace he tucked her into ensured she wouldn’t freeze to death.
Tripp whirled her around and skated behind her. He held her close and brought his face in next to her ear. “Enjoying yourself?”
She nuzzled his cheek since her ear had already begun to get cold. “Of course. How could I not with a sexy cop taking care of me.”
“Mm,” he rumbled against her neck and took a small nip of her skin. All of a sudden, the cold wasn’t even a factor.
“So do you like being a policeman?”
He nodded. “I do.”
“Because you get to keep people in line?”
“Because I like to keep the peace. Before my brother settled down to be responsible, he used to get into all kinds of scrapes. I was the one to talk him and whoever he was up against into settling things between them. After a while, I guess it was like my calling was clear.”
She skated out from him, grew unsteady, and came back to his arms. “That’s awesome that you’re doing what you enjoy. I love it when I see people living that way.”
“Are you doing what you love?”
“Of course.” She sucked her teeth and then laughed. “I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil. I couldn’t live without it by the time I hit puberty. Hell, by then, I was a frisky thing and loved to be cute. First time I saw sexy lingerie on an adult toy site, the ideas started flying. I haven’t looked at anything since. But I think I will try my hand at clothes eventually.”
When he didn’t say a word, she looked up from watching her feet on the ice. He stared at her with a thoughtful expression on his face.
“What?”
“Adult toys, huh?”
She swatted his chest. “You would fixate on that. Men!”
They skated on, and several times, Toya tried it on her own. She was getting the hang of it, less shaky and more daring. With her hand on the rail, she tried going backward. Tripp frowned. “Be careful, Toya. Not too far so I can catch you if you fall.”
She blew him a kiss and went out farther. “You don’t know me very well, do you?”
Busy focusing on him, she didn’t see the man who came barreling into her and knocked her on her ass. Right away, she felt the cold and wetness seeping through her dress and her tights. Strong arms reached down to help her up.
“Are you okay?” asked the culprit. He was cute though, but he had nothing on Tripp, she couldn’t help thinking.
“Fine, thank—”
“Get your hands off of her,” Tripp growled and jerked the man away so hard he landed on his rear too. Tripp hauled her to her feet, and brushed bits of ice from