Chapter 34

Eliza

I hate that Coleson doesn’t want to be here.

He should be excited to hang out with his teammates, to celebrate the start of the season for a team that could bring home a Cup for our town, but he’s not. His shoulders are back and taut, his jaw so tight that I can see the muscles working along his neck. His eyes move around the building, almost like he’s making sure no one will attack us. The furrow between his brows ruins his beautiful face and makes him look as if he’d rather take a puck up the ass than be here.

I’m pretty sure he would, too.

I dislike that greatly. I hold his hand tightly in mine, rubbing my thumb along the back of his hand as he pulls me through the groups of his teammates. He looks so dashing in his all-black suit and black dress shoes. He left the buttons on his shirt open, showing off the ink on his chest. I wish he’d slow down, show off how beautiful he is and how he can light up a room with just a smile. Especially if those dimples come out to play. I love his dimples.

I love all of him.

Last night is a night I’ll never forget. The way we came together, how he tasted, how he felt against me, and how his eyes devoured me. God, it was enchanting. A kind of magic I don’t want to ever let go of. A magic he only gives me.

When we stop, he pulls me up against his side and holds me close to him. I wrap an arm around his waist and hold him just as tightly as we watch everyone mingle. I notice the looks and even hear some whispers, but I don’t pay them any mind. I hold my head high and keep my shoulders back. I know how to ignore people; I perfected it growing up the way I did.

I look up at Coleson. “Hey.”

He glances down at me, and the furrow between his eyes fades away. “Hey there, Wife.”

I flash him a smile, but then I ask, “Is there anyone here you do like?”

He shrugs. “I mean, I’m cool with and I enjoy playing with some of them. But off the ice, it’s different. I don’t want to hang out with them or do anything because the single guys just drink and fuck. I don’t do that anymore. And then if they have a wife or a girlfriend, I know they’ve talked about me or listened to the rumor mill, so I just stay away.”

I squeeze his side. “Then why don’t you ask for a trade?”

“I like playing for Coach,” he answers simply and without hesitation.

“But you’re not happy here, Coleson.”

He looks down at me, holding my gaze. “You’re right, but I can deal with all the crap for good coaching.”

I press my lips together. “I just want you to be happy.”

He leans into me, kissing my temple. “I’m happy with you.”

My heart swells. “Same.”

His eyes heat as he holds me closer. “I know you care, and you want me to be a part of the team, but this is a means to an end. I’ll be respectful and play nice, but at the end of the day, my goal is the NHL. I’ll make it before these assholes.”

His confidence turns me on. “Mm, I love when you get all alpha hockey player.” He scoffs as I continue. “Grr. I’m going to the NHL. I’m the best-scoring hockey guy ever. Fuck all y’all,” I say gruffly, imitating him.

He’s fighting back a smile. “Wow, you made me more country than I am.”

“Sure, I did,” I tease as I tip my head back. “Kiss me, you country, alpha, sexy hockey player.”

“You mean, Husband?”

My lips curve even more. “Yes, Husband. Kiss me.”

His laughter swirls the desire in my gut as he grins down at me, those dimples on full display. “You’re lucky you are short and hot.” I laugh as he drops his lips to mine, and I cup his cheek, loving the feel of his stubble on my palm. His lips are warm, full against mine, and I can’t get enough. I want to slide my tongue into his mouth, stroke his with mine, but I know this isn’t the time or the place. I pull back, breaking the kiss, and he gives me a heated look.

“Excuse you, I wasn’t done.”

He comes for my lips again, and I laugh, holding him back. Lowering my voice, I say, “If I get any wetter, it’ll start running down my legs.”

His eyes burn as he gathers me in closer. Against my ear, he says, “Don’t worry, I’ll lick it all away.”

I groan as I squeeze my thighs together. “Coleson.”

“Mmm, yes. You know how I love to hear you say my name.”

“You’re killing me,” I whimper, pushing him back to give me space. “Behave.”

He scoffs. “Never.”

His statement thrills me, but before I jump him, I look out at the crowd. I notice some people turning away as they simultaneously lean in closer, and I roll my eyes. Great, now I’m being all self-conscious and thinking everyone is talking about us. I shake my head to make that thought go away as I lean into Coleson, loving his heat and the way he holds me so close. If I can’t convince him to ignore everyone with my words, I’ll do it with my actions. No one matters but him.

Before I can kiss him again, I notice Elliot off to the side, laughing with a really tall, very sexy guy. I arch a brow.

“What?” he asks. “Does my breath stink?”

I snort. “No, dork, but who’s that Elliot is talking to?”

Coleson follows my gaze. “Our goalie, Alejandro Cruz.”

“They’re close.”

He shrugs. “Eh, not really.”

But then Elliot smacks Cruz’s arm, and he pulls her in. She pushes him away, and Coleson laughs. “Okay, maybe they are.”

“I’ll have to ask her tomorrow.”

“He’s a dumbass but a damn good dude.”

“Elliot wouldn’t put up with anything less.”

“True,” he agrees, stroking his thumb along my hip bone. When “Lose Control”by Teddy Swims comes on, I grin. “Oh, I love this song.”

“It’s a good one,” he agrees as he leans into me, his lips moving against my temple, and I almost think he’s singing along.

“Do you dance?”

“No.”

“Oh.”

Not even a beat later, he says, “But I would if you wanted to.”

I side-eye him, grinning widely. “Will you dance with me, Husband?”

“I would love nothing more.” He leans in, and against my lips, he adds, “My wife.”

My heart pounds in my chest as he leads me out onto the floor, where some couples are already dancing, and I hate the space between us. I hold his shoulders as he holds my hips, and I can’t help but laugh. “We look very middle school right now.”

He snorts. “We do, so let me change that.” He pulls me flush against him and wraps his arms around my middle, trapping mine between us. He rests his forehead against mine, and I grin up at him. We sway to the music, and it thrills me to know he is singing. It’s not loud enough for anyone else to make out, but I can hear it, and his smooth voice turns me to putty. As he holds me close, he kisses my temple and whispers, “Thank you for coming with me.”

“Always.”

I feel him still, but I refuse to feel guilty about that. I asked him to try, and I have no intention of not trying myself.

“I have a feeling you mean that.”

I tilt my head back to meet his gaze. “I mean everything I say.”

“I know,” he says softly. “It’s one of my favorite things about you.”

I give him a small smile. “Wanna know one of mine? About you?”

He grins, those damn dimples making my belly flip-flop. “Tell me.”

“Your dimples. They literally make my day brighter.”

Coleson’s smile widens, and the dimples deepen. “No one has ever said that to me.”

“I don’t know why.”

“Probably because I only ever really smile for you.”

My heart skips a beat, and I tilt in to kiss him to show him how much that means to me. As he presses his lips to mine, I run my tongue along the seam, and he opens for me with no hesitation. Our tongues play slowly, neither of us wanting to draw too much attention to ourselves, but I don’t really care who sees. Or where we are. I want everyone to know that this man is mine.

And that I will do whatever it takes to keep him showing off those dimples for the rest of our lives.