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“Nick Galaxy,” I say in a whisper as I let my head fall back against the cool leather. The grumpy man who I just promised not to bother is the one person I need to finish this book.
Oh my god, I love this premise so much.
I mean, how hard could it be?”
Famous last words.
I tip my chin up so I can meet his gaze. “Better? Do I look like you now?” I smash my lips together and try to look as grumpy and broody as him. His lips split into a smile, and he gives his head a shake as he huffs a small laugh. The reaction lights me up. There’s something very satisfying about making the grumpy hockey player laugh.
“You’re beautiful.” He says it so dispassionately that I wonder if I heard him correctly. “Excuse me?” “They don’t care about your clothes. You’re a beautiful woman and they were drooling all over you.”
We fall quiet as we skate. I take both of her hands in one of mine. There’s a momentary look of panic on her face until I say, “I got you.” I’d dive under her before letting her land face-first on the ice.
She pouts adorably as I toss the pucks onto the ice and move toward her with the helmet. “I really don’t look good in hats.” I know that’s a lie. She looked hot in my old baseball cap. Come to think of it, I can’t remember a
single time she hasn’t looked gorgeous.
She quirks a brow with an amused grin. “Look out, Galaxy. I’m coming for your job.” And then she falls on her ass.
THIS GIRL, I CAN'T.
She nods, expression shifting back to…grumpy. The idea that Ruby Madison could be genuinely grumpy is mind-boggling. I don’t like it. Not one bit.
Fuck, I really like her.
I sigh. “Inside thoughts, Galaxy.” His brows lift and an amused smirk dances across his face. “I like your inside thoughts.” “I’m not so sure you’d like these,” I murmur. “Try me.” “I…” Ugh. I feel so junior high right now. Exasperated, I say, “I like you.” His smile lifts higher. “I like you too.” “No, I like you.” “I like you too, Ruby.”
Instead of letting me finish the question, he steps to me, places a hand at the nape of my neck and drops his lips to mine.
“I want to know every one of your thoughts, Red. Haven’t you figured that out yet?”
“Kissing you might be my new favorite sport.”
“I’m good at a lot of things, Red. Spread those legs for me and let me show you.”
Fuck, she’s sexy. Sunshine and happiness, sass
and wit. I didn’t think I had a type, but I just ha...
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I join in, laughing with her. I’m not sure I’ve ever laughed during sex before. I should have expected it with Ruby. “You’re perfect, Red.”
I swat at him playfully and turn to face him. I want to kiss him, but I don’t know what the rules are. We are at his place of employment, even if there have been very few people popping in, outside of his friends. He erases my hesitation by capturing my chin between his thumb and finger and dropping his mouth to mine. “Yowza! Get it, Galaxy!” Travis calls from somewhere in the room. I laugh against Nick’s mouth, but neither of us pulls back. I’m pretty sure Nick flips him off because I feel his right arm lift into the air.
“I’ve been busy. There’s this girl who keeps dragging me to the rink and making me teach her sports puck stuff.”
AWW, he said "sports puck stuff" like she did while asking for his help. #WHIPPED
“You can’t toss every copy you come across.” But I already know the image of him tossing Conrad’s book will be one I replay over and over again. His lips twist into a smirk. “Watch me, Red.”
She looks sexy in my shirt, red hair falling over her shoulders, working on her book. It’s an image I’ve grown accustomed to, her hunched over her laptop.
“You’re writing a sex scene.” “Oh my god!” Both her hands shoot up to cover the screen. “You can’t read it yet.” I look away to her startled face. “Why not?” “It isn’t done.” “I know. He was still thrusting.”
After I read the last line, I sit there in stunned awe. All the sadness I’ve been keeping at bay this past week hits me hard. She’s fucking gone, and I
should have told her I loved her or asked her to stay an extra day or a week or forever.
Oh thid is making me cry.
I’m already getting to my feet when a familiar deep voice booms from somewhere in the back of the room. “I have a question,” he says. People swivel to look from him to the moderator to see if she’s going to allow it, but Nick doesn’t wait for her go-ahead.
OH YESSSSSSSSSS.
“This one is for Ruby Madison.” The way he says my name makes my stomach flutter. My legs wobble as I take my seat again. “In your upcoming novel, you dedicate it to your favorite grumpy hockey player.” “Is that your question?” I ask him, smiling so hard I think my face might crack. “It’s a little vague. One might be confused on who you meant. Any chance you want to tell us who it is?” “Sorry. I promised to protect his identity.” Nick’s mouth pulls up on one side.
“I’m so fucking proud of you.”
“Those aren’t my fans, baby. Those are all yours.” He sits off to the side, a foot behind me. He hands me fresh Sharpies when mine run out and reminds me to drink water by silently setting water in front of me, but otherwise, he just sits and watches, taking it all in with this proud look that I will remember forever.
I pull her into my arms and kiss her. I’m vaguely aware of some chatter and laughter, then I distinctly hear Travis let out a whoop of excitement, followed by the rest of the guys tapping their sticks on the ice.
We won all three, but it still feels like the real trophy is waiting for me inside.
