The Penalty Box (Vancouver Wolves Hockey, #3)

by Odette Stone

“If you humiliate me by dating while we are married, I reserve the right to leave.” A muscle ticked in his cheek. “If you cheat on me, I reserve the right to sleep with you.”

help. And right now, Charlie was the object of my protection, for no other reason than because she didn’t deserve what was happening to her.

I lazily studied her. She was still wearing my hoodie. I had a vision of her wearing that lace thing with just my hoodie over top, and my brain almost melted.

I didn’t give a shit about the money, but the question crossed my mind why she was buying lingerie that screamed sex. We had no plans on becoming intimate, which made me wonder if she had someone else in mind when she had purchased those things. The thought pissed me off. My voice hardened. “Who are you planning on wearing those for?” “They’re just for me.” I could live with that. “Good.”

“I’ve never seen Mica act like he’s acting tonight.” “What do you mean?” “The guy hates PDA.” I frowned. “No, he doesn’t. He told me he’s an affectionate guy.” She snorted. “Yeah, right.” I thought about what he told me. “He told me that everyone would expect him to be demonstrative.” She giggled. “That’s what he told you?” “Yes.” She shook her head, amused. “I don’t know how he acts when he’s alone, but in public, he was extremely private about that kind of stuff. I saw him hold hands, but it was usually against his will.”

Last night I had grabbed handfuls of that ass. My fingers itched to do it again.

“We’re married. And while you are my wife, I’ll take care of you.”

I waited until that delectable ass disappeared from my view before I picked up my phone. I needed to sort some things out.

Charlie’s laughter drifted in through the open balcony doors. That sound was worth every penny.

“You’re mine,” I told her. “You’re my wife, and this body is mine.”

It turned me on when I whispered in her ear, “Your body is mine now. It’s mine to fuck.” My words caused a deep shiver to wrack her body. With satisfaction, I pulled her tighter. “Go to sleep.”

“Can I see him? Does he know I’m here?” “He doesn’t want you to worry.” My eyes filled with tears. “He doesn’t want to see me?” She put her hand on my shoulder. “He said you can come in, but he’s more worried about your reaction than he is about his face. So, can you hold it together for him?”

“Fuck, you are so fucking hot.” She buried her face into my neck. “I think your mom knows what we were doing.” I laughed out loud. “Sweetheart, I think Andrew knows what we were doing.” She moaned and buried her head further into my shoulder. “This is so embarrassing.” I put her face in my hands. “Really? ’Cause I kind of feel like a stud.”

My answer pulled her out of her sleep. “What can I do?” I worked and failed to keep the husky emotion out of my voice. “Let me hold you.” She snuggled deep against me. “Is that it?” “That’s everything.”

“Fuck me. Show me you know you’re mine.”

My voice sounded strained. “You’re mine.”

I wanted this, all of this, to survive past our deadline. Would she be okay with that? Did I have enough to offer her that she would want to give this marriage an honest shot? If she said no, I decided I would spend the rest of this year trying to convince her otherwise.

Her arms felt so good, if she held me for eternity, it wouldn’t be long enough.