A Betting Man / a Marrying Man Read Online Free Page A

home from the long workday. The cool breeze caressed my cheek and I almost forgot where I was until I got a mouthful of exhaust from a passing car.
    I smiled as I saw Terry standing out front, shifting from one foot to the other. His arms were wrapped around himself and he had a wool cap on his head. He looked cute.
    “Hey,” I said as I approached him. Was that surprise on his face?
    “Hey. I didn’t think you’d come.”
    Yep, it was surprise.
    “Why would you say that?”
    Terry looked at me shyly. Damn, he had cute dimples.
    “Well, you don’t strike me as the ice skating type.”
    “I can learn; I’m athletic,” I said, flexing a bicep. Terry’s already pink cheeks tinged slightly more red as he looked at the bulging muscle in my arm.
    “Well, then. Shall we?” Terry said, motioning to the rink.
    Did I detect a hint of an English accent? I studied Terry’s face. Damn, but he really was adorable. I wondered how old he was. I snapped out of my thoughts and followed him inside.
    Terry helped me with my ice skates and we hit the ice. Literally. I mean I took him down with me within seconds. Terry laughed and got back on his feet, extending a hand to me.
    “Oh, my. Seems you do need help,” Terry chuckled.
    I blushed and looked away. I was good at everything, dammit. I could do this. I waved his hand away and managed to roll over onto my knees and get up that way. I stood up and put my hands out to my sides to get my balance.
    “Ha! There!” I laughed triumphantly.
    And then promptly fell on my ass.
    Terry chuckled and grabbed my bicep, hauling me up. It took me a second, but I got my footing again.
    “Don’t be so stubborn,” he said. “Let me help you.”
    So I let him. I was actually having a good time, too. We went around in circles and Terry kept a firm grip on my bicep. He knew what he was doing and made it look effortless. We rounded another corner and I got distracted by the smell of hot chocolate. I tripped on my toe pick and went down; Terry went down with me. I landed on my back with Terry wedged between my legs, laughing hysterically.
    “For a coordinated guy, you sure are uncoordinated,” he guffawed.
    His breath fanned my face and I looked into his eyes. We were lying on ice, but I felt warm all of a sudden. His cheeks were red and his lips moist from the ChapStick he’d applied earlier.
    I’d never seen anything more beautiful in my life. The lights hit his features just right. I stopped laughing then because I realized I wanted to kiss those lips. Terry looked down at my lips then back into my eyes and I saw want pass in those blue eyes.
    He cleared his throat and got off of me.
    “Come on, your ass will be soaked if you stay there.”
    We skated for another half hour before my thighs and ankles started to protest. I bought hot chocolate for us both and we sat on a bench watching other people skate. Terry had gloves on that were cut at the knuckle, he was holding his hot chocolate in both hands and I could see his fingers were red from the cold. I took his cup and set it down on the bench next to me, then took his hands in my gloved ones.
    “Your fingers are cold,” I said, massaging them in mine.
    When I looked up, Terry had an odd look on his face like he couldn’t believe what I was doing.
    “What?” I asked, rubbing his fingertips.
    “You just… surprise me is all,” he smiled. “When I first saw you, I said to myself ‘this guy isn’t who he pretends to be.’”
    “I’m not?” I grinned, rubbing his index finger slowly. Terry’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. I watched it in fascination.
    “No.”
    “Who am I then?” I took Terry’s hand and brought it to my mouth, blowing hot breath onto his fingers. I watched his eyes; he swallowed hard again and licked his lips slowly. I found myself wanting to taste him. Hell, I wanted to devour him and I never had that feeling for anyone .
    “I don’t know,” Terry said as his eyes locked on my mouth.
    I