Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 85387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
His dimples shine. “I wouldn’t want to be here if it weren’t for you,” he says softly, and then his jaw tightens. “And I don’t mean that like I’m only here to show you off, because I am. But you make it better. You make it doable. I sound stupid,” he groans, and I laugh.
“I know what you mean,” I say, amused. I could tease, but I know he’s nervous. “I won’t leave your side.”
He swallows, his eyes burning into mine. “They might say really awful things about me.”
“And I’ll correct them.”
He squeezes my ass. “I don’t deserve you.”
I grin up at him. “But you got me.” I push him back, much to his surprise, and take his hand in mine. “Now, come on. I want to show off my husband.”
As I jump out of the car with the gift for Maverick and Nora in hand, I don’t give him a chance to protest.
I’m going to show him that, together, we can do anything.
CHAPTER 27
Coleson
Of course I married a walking ray of sunshine.
After her little stunt in the truck, I’m no longer dreading hanging out with my teammates or even wanting to leave after dropping off the gift.
Like I had planned.
Her fingers thread through mine, and when she looks back at me, grinning widely over her shoulder, I’m speechless. My hand dwarfs hers, and she is such a cute little package of perfection. The sun catches her eyes, making them shine like a majestic pond as her hair blows around, getting stuck against her lip gloss. I stop her, pulling her up against me. She looks up at me, and the gift smacks against my hip. I reach out, removing the hair from where it’s stuck. Her eyes are full of such excitement, and crap, that nagging feeling of loneliness is gone.
I know my wife is beside me.
Damn it, I shouldn’t like that feeling as much as I do.
As I pull the hair from her lips, she grins up at me. “Thanks.”
I smile back, and she tugs me along toward the big group of people in the party pavilion by the ice rink. I see Maverick Evangelina and his pregnant wife first, and I guide her toward them. Maverick meets my gaze and grins widely as he holds out his hand to me. I take it with my free hand, while my other still holds my wife’s. “Katz,” Maverick draws out. “I didn’t think you’d come.”
“I told you I would,” I say softly before I offer my hand to Nora. “Congratulations.”
Nora gives me a tight grin, brushing her hair off her shoulders before taking my hand. “Hey, Coleson. Thanks for coming.”
She seems to have a hard time saying that, and I know it’s because she gossips with the other hockey wives and girlfriends. I swallow uncertainly, feeling out of place, until a small ball of energy leans into me.
“Of course we’re here. A new baby is such a blessing!” my little wife chimes in beside me. I can’t help but smile at her as she beams up at us all. Everyone is taller than her, but I don’t think she cares. I love that about her.
Maverick and Nora look at my wife and then back at me in confusion. “Mav, Nora, this is my wife…” I pause. Shit, I have to say her name. “Eliza,” I say as normally as I can, but it sounds all breathy and gravelly. Like I don’t know how to say my own wife’s name.
Beside me, she just giggles. “It’s so great to meet you. Coleson has so many kind words to say about you two. Congratulations.”
She holds out the gift, and Nora takes it hesitantly. She looks at her husband, and Maverick looks at me. “I didn’t know you were married.”
I nod, looking away and noticing a few eyes on us. As quickly as I take in my next breath, anxiety eats me alive. I don’t want anyone to make her feel like she’s trash for being with me. Nora’s eyes are already scrutinizing my little wife, and anger bubbles within me. I bite the inside of my lip, trying to control my anger, when my eyes fall to hers. Warmth travels up my arm as she grabs my wrist, holding it tightly and sending me a small smile. “Yup, I locked him down in a quickie wedding since I couldn’t bear the thought of him going anywhere without me.”
I chuckle at her words. “Oh, so you locked me down?”
“You know it,” she says with a wink. “You’re all mine, Coleson Katz.”
Her words burn through my body and go straight to my cock. I’ve never wanted words to be truer in my life, but I know that smile, that little smirk and glint in her eyes. She’s being playful, and I love it. I bring her hand to my lips, kissing her knuckles. Our eyes lock over the motion, and she beams happily at me. God, she’s pretty. I drop our hands and meet Evangelina’s confused gaze.