extended behind, in what he now knew was called a drag – he'd googled figure-skating while at Matt's – was almost artistic. And at the same time, sexy as hell.
Stephen let out a loud whistle and looked at Noel. 'That's her, isn't it?' His grin was wide and knowing. 'She's gorgeous. Looks like an ice princess.' He dismounted and turned to scope Holly out some more, slapping Noel on the shoulder. 'If you don't, I will.'
'Don't you fucking dare,' he shot, returning Stephen's slap on the back with a gratifying oof from the younger man. He was shocked at how possessive he felt over Holly.
'Doing your principled bit, are you?' Stephen raised one eyebrow, looking taken aback. 'Fine. But don't try and pretend it's all about being noble. You want her too.'
Noel opened and closed his mouth a few times, but couldn't actually deny it. He did want her, and he really liked her. He just hadn't acknowledged it until now. She'd definitely managed to creep under his defences.
'I knew it,' Stephen crowed. 'Never mind, I'll find someone else. I always do.' He smiled arrogantly. Studying Noel's face under the strobes. 'So, what are you going to do about it?'
'No idea, Stephen. Not a clue.'
Carly slithered out onto the ice. It was the only way Holly could think to describe it because her friend inevitably spent more time on her hands and knees, or bum, or spread-eagled on her stomach with her arms pulled in tight to her body to protect them, than upright.
Anyone else who was so bad at skating would look silly, but Carly was one of those girls who was effortlessly graceful and stylish. She made a pair of jeans and plain top look haute couture and Holly had never seen anyone look as devastating in a skirt, slim Bambi legs attracting the attention of every guy around.
'So what do you think?' Holly asked, gripping her friend's arm to steady her.
'Of?' Carly tossed her long black hair away from her face, pale skin looking Snow White-ish in the club lights.
'Of Noel.' She'd spotted him half an hour earlier, but was unsure whether to go and talk to him, and if she did, what she would say. Did he even warrant five minutes of her time after the way he'd spoken to her?
'Do you like him?' Carly challenged.
'I don't know,' Holly moaned. 'I didn't think so, and he was off with me earlier, but there's something about him. Sometimes he's pretty cool. Oh, I don't know. I don't even want a boyfriend so I don't know why I'm bothered.'
Her friend pursed her lips thoughtfully, running assessing hazel eyes over Noel, who was in animated conversation with a younger guy. 'He's kind of hot,' she grinned, 'but not your usual type.'
'Not in looks, no. But maybe my usual type is overrated?' Holly frowned. 'Never mind, this is making my head hurt. Come on, let’s skate.'
'You know I can't skate,' Carly laughed, 'that's a really bad suggestion.'
'Yes, but you can stand still and concentrate on the dancing bit. We both know you can shake that booty.'
Carly grinned, 'Yep, we do. And yes, I can.'
Noel clutched a cup of non-alcoholic punch, watching Holly twirl around the rink. Her friend had gone home, and so had Stephen, thank god. The crowds had started drifting away and the music had been turned down once it hit ten. Club night was finishing early given it was Christmas Eve and the place was closed the next day. Holly was still on the ice though, eyes closed blissfully as she skated around. It was easy to see how much she loved it, how she got lost in the flow.
Then something went wrong. Her right knee seemed to lock and then fold. She turned white, wobbling and starting to go over, but just saved herself from falling by sinking down onto the ice on her bum. She clutched her knee, face contorted.
'Holly!' Noel ran over the ice in his trainers. Reaching her, he knelt down and ran careful hands over her leg, first-aid training kicking in. 'Where does it hurt? Is this better, or worse? Do you feel sick? Did you hit your head on the way down?'
She squirmed as he ran hot hands up and down her leg.
'No, I didn't hit my head. I'm fine, just in pain. It's the old injury. I've just overdone it. Noel,' she stilled his hands by laying hers on top of them. 'I just need to get home.'
She inhaled through her nose and blew out through her mouth, fighting to control the pain. Wincing, 'Mum is going to have a field day. She's been telling me not to skate so much. Fantastic.'
'If you're in a lot of pain you should go to A&E.'
She looked aghast. 'No way, not on Christmas Eve. Are you kidding? Scrub that, are you mad? It'll be heaving. I'm not waiting around for hours surrounded by drunks. I just need to get home and take an anti-inflammatory.'
'I really think that-'
'Noel.' Her blue eyes, when he looked into them, were calm. 'I've been here before. I know what I need; go home, medicate, and rest my knee. It'll be better in a few days’ time.'
'I'll take you home then. I'm parked up just around the corner.'
'Haven't you been drinking?'
'Nothing alcoholic.'
'Right. But,' she pushed off the ice, wincing, 'I can probably tube it. I live in Wembley.'
'I'm driving you home,' he stated as he wrapped an arm around her waist and lifted her up, 'just accept it.'
She threaded an arm around his neck, staring up at him. Her cheeks reddened. 'Only if you're sure.'
'I am,' he nodded, picking his way carefully across the rink.
Holly hissed and muttered at regular intervals at his slow progress, but he ignored her and concentrated on getting off the ice safely. Once on the grey lino flooring, he sat her down and gingerly removed her skates, kneeling at her feet. 'All done.' He murmured, looking up at her.
'I-I, y-yes,' she stuttered, gazing down at him. Her pupils dilated in her ice-chip blue eyes, creamy skin darkening with a blush that swept up from her chest and into her face.
He felt his own temperature rise in response, and shifted uncomfortably. At least his jeans weren't as tight today. 'Are you all right? In much pain?'
Her expression cleared and she frowned. 'No. Yes. Can we please get on with it?' she asked thinly. 'The sooner we're on the road, the sooner I'll be at home with my prescribed drugs.'
Following her additional instructions, he found a manager drifting about starting to lock up, explained the situation and got Holly's belongings from her locker. He smiled. Who'd have thought that for once it was her being a grouch, instead of him?
To Holly's mortification, Noel insisted on carrying her to the car. She hid her face against his chest, just inside the collar of his coat. The streets were still busy, and it was difficult to ignore the wolf whistles and catcalls from party-goers, caused by both the way he was holding her and the amount of leg she had on show in her tiny figure-skating dress.
Even so, there was a pang of regret when he set her down in the underground hotel car park next to some kind of black low-slung super-car. He'd smelt amazing, and in the end being held by him hadn't exactly been a sacrifice. The way he helped her into the expensive car, carefully sliding her injured knee in, then taking his coat off and tucking it under her leg to elevate it, really touched her.
'How are you feeling?' Noel asked, staring into her eyes. 'Ready to go?'
She nodded but was quiet on the way home other than giving him directions. The pain in her knee worsened with every movement of the car, even though he was driving sensibly, and she closed her eyes, nausea rolling across her in heavy waves. She did not want to throw up in a car like this; the damage would probably cause tens of thousands.
'It's snowing.' He remarked into the silence.
'Really?' her eyes fluttered open but she felt too ill to be enthusiastic.
'You really must be suffering,' he mused, 'if you can't even raise a smile