The Spy Who Came For Christmas(14)

Zack asked for their sizes and a few moments later, he handed them the skates. Jemma quickly ditched her boots and put on her skates. She stood, ready to go—

Grayson was still staring at the skates in his hand.

“Gray? Is everything okay?”

He looked up at her. “I’ve never been ice skating.”

Her eyes widened and she gave him a quick hug, tottering just a little on her blades. “You’ll love it! You’ll feel so free—like you’re flying over the ice!”

“I’m going to fall on my ass.”

She laughed. “Maybe. But we’ll just get you right back up again. That’s what you do when you fall. You get up.”

His gaze drifted over her face. His expression softened. “Yes, that’s what you do.”

“Besides, you have me. I’ll help you.”

Zack had just keyed up the music. She might have to give that kid some extra chocolate on his next visit.

She helped Gray get his skates on and then they made their way—slowly, because Gray was taking tiny steps—to the ice.

“First, we’ll just start by walking,” Jemma told him. “No need for anything fancy yet.” Though she normally loved to zip right over the ice.

They started walking. Grayson was still doing those adorable, tentative steps. Could the man get sexier? She kept her hand on him, giving him a little support.

“Find your balance, it’s easier that way. Just take your time.” She’d never taught anyone to ice stake before, so Jemma hoped she wasn’t screwing this up. “You’re doing great.” He actually was. “Lean on your left foot, then push off with your right.”

They started moving a little faster.

Christmas lights were hung over the rink, and when Jemma tilted back her head, those bright lights looked like stars—beautiful stars. She and Grayson moved faster and the music drifted over her.

“Jemma!”

Her head turned at Grayson’s yell, right before he crashed. He went down hard and since she was still holding his arm, he took her down with him. She’d fallen on the ice before—dozens of times—so Jemma was ready for the impact.

Only she didn’t hit the ice.

Grayson had moved, so fast, and he took the impact, catching her so that she fell onto him. And he held her there, close against his body. He had to be freezing because he was flush against that ice but…

He kissed her.

His fingers sank into her hair and his mouth opened on hers. Yes. She loved kissing him. Loved the slide of his lips and the sexy thrust of his tongue. She pushed closer to him, enjoying the heat of his body. Enjoying every single thing about him.

She caught his lower lip and gave him a light nip.

“Jemma…”

Now her name wasn’t a yell. It was a sexy demand. But Zack was around someplace, and she didn’t intend to give the kid a show.

She stood, balancing easily on her blades, and offered her hand to Grayson. “Want to try again?”

He looked at her hand. Looked at her. And nodded. His fingers curled around hers.

And Eartha Kitt’s immortal Santa Baby began to play over the speakers.

***

Grayson Cole was f*cking ice staking. Laughing and skating and acting as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

The sonofabitch.

Rage built as he watched the lovers on the ice. Always touching. Always glancing at each other.

It wasn’t fair. Grayson had wrecked his world and all along…he’d had her waiting. The woman who melted the freaking Iceman. Who made Grayson light up like a Christmas tree. This wasn’t the spy he’d known. This wasn’t a cold-blooded killer.

This was a man with a very, very obvious weakness.

He almost felt sorry for the woman. She had no idea that she’d just been yanked into the middle of a war. She’d suffer. She’d beg. She’d die before it was all over.

Yes, he almost did feel sorry for her.

It’s all Grayson’s fault. Everything…it all went back to Grayson.

He turned away from the rink and headed back toward the crowd that waited on Main Street. Or, more specifically, to the idiot who would be supplying him with information. An idiot he’d scouted out last night.

Matthew Vail.

Thanks for the ride, *. It was hard not to laugh when he saw the guy. After he’d watched Matthew fight with Grayson, it had been an obvious choice to take the fellow’s truck. A quick bit of hot-wiring, and he’d been in business.

Matthew was standing there, watching the carolers, drinking some hot chocolate. Swaying his body a bit in time with the song. Douche.

He’d watched the guy take flowers into the chocolate shop, and he’d wondered if Grayson had some competition. Let’s find out.

“Hey, man!” He slapped his hand on Matthew’s shoulder and pasted a wide, friendly smile on his face.

Matthew turned toward him, with a hesitant smile on his face.

“Love your gym,” he said. Total bullshit. He’d never been in there. “Thanks for a great place to work out while I’m in town.”

Matthew’s chest puffed out as his smile widened.

Studying his prey, he said, “Didn’t I see you with that pretty chocolate shop lady earlier?” He whistled. “Talk about sweet…”