This one goes to @Ana2luv for the help and idea on the chapter. I couldn't have done the chapter without that note on my wall. Thanks for everything, bro.

Much love~

•~•~•

"For the love of God, Adam. Where on are Earth are you taking me?" I huffed out in exasperation, earning a booming laugh from Adam.

"Calm down, Case. We've only been in this car for 10 minutes." It's true. But when you're being chewed on by the suspense and curiosity, 10 minutes feels like a fucking eternity.

"Goddamit, just tell me already!" I threw up my hands in frustration and Adam chuckled once more. I know I'm acting like a brat but when your genes contain impatience and stubborn qualities, it's kind of inevitable.

"Now where's the fun in that?" He teased and I glared jokingly at him, causing him to raise his hands in mock surrender. I cracked a smile.

"There it is!" Adam exclaimed when the smile made an appearance, startling me. The smile grew a teeny bit bigger at his stupid antics, suppressing a silent laugh.

"Shut up," I playfully shoved him and he caught my hand in his, a playful smirk plastered on his face as he kept his other hand on the steering wheel and his gaze on the road.

"Haven't you heard that it is dangerous to abuse the driver?" He taunted and I rolled my eyes for the umpteenth time that day.

A blush crawled up my cheeks and my whole face was flooded in warmth as he brought the back of my hands up to his face and grazed his lips on my knuckles.

My stomach felt like a fucking zoo.

He averted his gaze from the road to my face and cracked up laughing as he saw my flustered state and I sat there gobsmacked.

"You jerk! You did it on purpose!" I smacked his arm instinctively but that didn't cut his laughter short as he laughed harder, hitting the steering wheel lightly. When he accidentally hit the horn, it was my turn to howl in laughter at his stunned state.

Eventually, our laughter ceased and we settled in a comfortable silence. "So.."

"Tell me about yourself," I murmured absentmindedly and he chuckled.

"What do you want to know?"

I thought hard, what do I want to know? I released my bottom lip that I didn't even realize I was gnawing on. I decided to start something small.

"When's your birthday?"

"14th of April."

"Favorite color?"

"Silver."

"Hobby?"

"Playing the guitar." That made me throw a curious glance which he caught and got him raising an eyebrow.

"What?" I shook my head, a small smile dancing on my lips.

"You just don't seem like the type of guy who plays music instruments."

He threw me a smug smirk before informing me in a matter of fact tone, "I actually play the guitar, keyboard, bass and drum. Not to mention I used to be a vocalist in junior high."

Now that got me rethinking about my skills.

I decided to act nonchalant and continue with my get-to-know-Adam plan.

"Favorite band?"

He shrugged, "I don't have favorites." I nodded, too lazy to prod.

"Favorite movie?"

"Fast and Furious." I smirked at that one. It is one awesome movie.

I stared out the window, out of questions to ask but there seems to be no need for anymore because he deliberately announced that we arrived right after parking in an ice ring.

I gasped in excitement.

No. Way.

No. Fucking. Way.

Holy macaroons.

He did not.

I looked at Adam who had a twinkle in his eyes.

"You did not," I whispered, barely containing my excitement.

I used to love skating as a kid and Bryant used to take me here when it was 'bonding time' as my mother would like to refer it. We stopped coming after the seventh time though because it got boring and I wanted to try something new.

I didn't know how much I missed it up to the point where I'm standing in front of it's entrance.

"You coming?" Adam's voice beckoned. It sounded so far away as I unconsciously nodded and walked towards the entrance that I knew all too well.

A few things changed, the arrangement for the waiting seats was shifted and the building obviously looks old but it still looked to be strong enough to stand for a couple more decade.

Adam went to the counter first and got me my skates after I told him about my size.

He passed me the skates and even then, I was still in a trance. Everything screams in memory. Good old times.

I took a seat and slipped on the skates.

It's been a long time, would I still be able to keep my balance in the ice ring? Would I fall on my butt and humiliate myself?

But I know, even as the questions were swirling and messing with my head, that I was inevitably going to do this, despite of everything that screams for me to get out before I land myself on my ass and turn beet red.

I miss skating. I miss gliding through the slick surface and carving faint lines with my shoes on them. I miss the thrill I would feel anytime I speed up and the memories with Bryant was enough to get me hyped up.

Adam either didn't notice my mood shift or he was wise enough to not acknowledge it.

Once I finished putting on the socks that Adam surprisingly snooped in his pockets and the skates he rented, I practically hauled him off the bench and dragged him to the entrance, ready to start gliding against the thick layer of ice.

When I was finally a step away from the border that separates the rubber covered floors with the icy surface, I let go of Adam's wrist and reached out a trembling hand to the rails that was stuck on the walls to help beginners learn how to skate properly.

I was shivering, the temperature of the ice arena has to be low for the ice not to melt and I was in a simple dress, which was luckily a turtle neck and long sleeved. The decision was not made because I was being a prude, it was simply because it's December and was almost freezing outside.

I gripped the cold wooden railing tightly and stepped a foot out, slowly putting pressure into it before swiftly reaching out another hand and pulling myself to it with both feet already gliding on the ice.

I grinned up at Adam who was beaming at me and signaled me to scoot over. With one tug, he was right beside me, sliding gracefully around me.

I gaped at his movements that seemed to be done without any effort whatsoever. He reached out a hand at me and I immediately shook my head, I'm not going to skate all the way to the middle, holding something that is not immobile.

"Do you trust me?" He looked deep in my eyes an I found myself asking the same thing.

Do you trust him?

I looked down towards his outstretched hand and bit my lip nervously. It's been so long since I did this.

I am so gonna humiliate myself.

I took his hand.

Adam smiled at me a genuine smile and I found myself mirroring it as I let him guide me towards the middle of the skate arena. I held my breath as he held both of my hands, keeping me steady as I let my feet get used to the slippery surface and when I finally got a hang of it, I felt the rush coming back.

I let go of Adam's hands in an excruciatingly slow way. First, loosening my tight grip and letting him skate a bit faster so that his hand slides away slowly before sliding a foot after the other and soon, I was skating across the arena on my own, grinning like a small girl on Christmas morning.

Adam skated right beside me, patiently watching and was fast to catch me before I fall whenever I loose my balance and flail my arms.

I gripped on his bicep as my arms flew sideways, searching for something to hold and keep myself from falling. An arm circled my waist and brought me back to both of my feet.

I was so focused on not falling and my breath hitched on my throat as I looked up and into those green eyes. His eyes held a gleam that made his whole face lit up and I found my knees buckle at the dimpled smile he gave me.

Hot damn.

I quickly averted my eyes at the thought and straightened up, my face flushing a deep shade of red but his arm was still wrapped around my waist as he skated and as we passed the other people; friends, family, couples; I found myself leaning back towards his built and his warmth engulfed my being.

Both of his hands were now on my waist and my own hands covered his. It was small compare to his and I felt his breath tickle the back of my neck as he whispered the one sentence I've been asking myself once again.

"Do you trust me?" I wanted to shake my head, I wanted to deny my feelings. Why? Because I was scared. I was terrified. This is not my realm. Cassandra Rylie Johnson simply does not fall in love. She doesn't rely on anyone. She is an independent lady. She is stubborn, wild and will never be tamed by no man.

But all thoughts slipped out of my head as his hands held my waist a little tighter. I found myself nodding and I could hear my conscience screaming at me in the back of my head for the foolish act I am about to commit for admitting and acknowledging the feelings buried deep in me.

"Do you trust me when I say I'm not going to let you fall? That I'm going to catch you whenever you loose your balance?" I knew what was going to happen.

When a man sets both of his hands on your waist, in a skating arena and asks you to believe and trust him, it's not ordinary shit that you come to face everyday.

He was going to do some ice skate stunt with me and he's asking me to trust him that he will catch me.

But why does his question feels like there's another meaning to it?

That moment, as he skated for another minute and got his grip on me and his tempo right. I felt myself being lifted as my feet lost it's contact with the ice and I felt my heart lurch up my throat as I felt the hands on me disappear for a nanosecond before it reappeared and my foot gently touched the ground.

He dipped me for the final effect and this time, I didn't look away as our eyes locked. Cheers and claps echoed through the arena but all I could see was this man's features with his green almond eyes, long lashes that framed it, his chiseled jaw that has a light stubble covering it that was barely visible and dimpled cheeks as he grinned at me with his chest heaving as he caught his breath.

I found my own chest heaving up and down in an alarming pace as my heart thudded against my ribcage and the only thing I can hear is the blood rushing through me.

This man will be the death of me. I found myself thinking.

And I'm falling for this doofus.

•~•~•

Heyo peeps~

I'm so sorry for the wait, it's a bit hard for me to write this chapter because although I read a lot of books with romance, I can't seem to get the hang of it.

So if you find it too cheesy, too weird, doesn't make sense and just plain awkward, please leave a comment on what I can do to fix it.

I had to listen to my baby sister, who is apparently more experienced than me, rant on her description of love at first sight with sparks and all that for an entire car ride so I hope I didn't do too bad. It was bled-worthy.

Anyways, I hope you like the chapter and damn I ship those two so much it hurts. (Is it #Cadam or #Cadem?)

HAHAHA~

Love y'all and stay awesome 💕-J