Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 101758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
I grunt and sip my coffee, keeping an ear out for Ivy. She was still sleeping soundly when I left her in our bed.
“And how’s Dumas?”
“Knock to the head. No concussion.”
I nod and take another sip. “Any other injuries right now?”
“Nothing significant,” Cooper replies. “When are you coming down to visit? The team would like to see you. It’s good for morale for them to see their captain once in a while.”
“I have meetings with the team in a few weeks, and I have some appearances and stuff, so it won’t be too long now.”
“How’s recovery?”
“Good, actually. I feel fucking normal, but it’s a matter of regaining strength now. I’m hoping to be back for the playoffs.”
“That would be awesome,” he says. “Maybe when you’re down here you can come to practice and get on the ice with us. Not to play, just to skate.”
I’d fucking love that.
“I’ll run it by the bosses.”
“And by the bosses, you mean Ivy.”
I grin and finish my coffee. “She’s in charge these days. But I also value her thoughts because she’s damn good at her job, so I listen to her.”
“I’m glad it’s working out and that you’re healing well. Hey, I have to head out, but I’ll talk to you later.”
“Later.”
I hang up, set my mug in the dishwasher, and then decide to let my girl sleep while I go spend some time in the gym. And then I wonder what the fuck is wrong with me and switch directions back to the bedroom.
My girl is naked, in bed.
And I want to hold her.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
IVY
My house looks fantastic.
Better than when I lived in it, honestly. There’s nothing personal here, no fluffy blankets or things that say that a person lives here, but it’s clean and fresh.
And it’s not really my home anymore.
“You okay?”
Xander walks up behind me and loops his arms around me, kissing the top of my head, and I lean back against him.
“It looks great,” I say, meaning every word. “Walker and his guys did a good job.”
It took a couple weeks for the flooring to arrive, and then he had to work me in, between other jobs, but that was okay because I wasn’t in a hurry.
I don’t even live here.
“You don’t seem happy.”
I sigh and pace away from him, around the empty living room.
“I’m not unhappy.” I cross my arms over my chest and turn to face Xander, who’s tucked his hands in the pockets of his jeans and is waiting for me to elaborate. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Talk to me, wildcat. I can’t help if I don’t know what’s going on in your head.”
I blow out a breath and tuck my hair behind my ear.
“The house is great, and Walker did a great job. I’m happy with the work.”
“Okay.” His voice is calm, but his jaw is tight.
“But now what? What do I do with it? Am I moving back here when you go back to Denver to rejoin the team? Do I sell it? Do I rent it out? Do I keep it, in case—”
I stop and frown down at my feet.
“Finish it.”
I sigh and shake my head. “In case you decide—”
God, I can’t finish the thought because it makes my chest catch and my stomach hurt, and suddenly, he’s in front of me, and his fingers are under my chin, tilting my face up.
“Decide what, Ivy?”
“That you don’t want me anymore.” It’s a hushed confession. One that I’m not comfortable saying out loud, and I can see by the way his face falls that it was the wrong thing to say. “This is still new, Xander. What if something changes, and you don’t want me with you anymore? Do I keep this house on standby? Keep paying the mortgage and let it sit empty in case you fall out of love with me and ask me to leave?”
He gently brushes his thumb over my freckles.
“Sell the house, baby.”
I blink in surprise. “You don’t have to say that just because I’m having a moment, and—”
“Do you want to know what I love about you, Red?”
I huff out a breath. “I know, I’m an insecure brat, and—”
“You’re the sweetest fucking woman.” He brushes his thumb over my other cheek. “So damn kind. Even to people who haven’t earned your loyalty or trust, you put their needs first. We’re going to work on you being a little more selfish.”
I press my lips together, and his eyes float over my face, as if he’s breathing me in through his gaze.
“You’re smart as hell. And fuck me, if you’re not so damn good at your job. It turns me on to see you work because you know what you’re doing. You’re so confident, and when you lay down the law with me and give me rules, I want to bend you over and fuck the hell out of you.”