Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 52355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 262(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 262(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
I’m wearing black leggings, tennis shoes, and a jersey with Colby’s name and number on it, my hair back in a ponytail. People are craning their necks trying to see the ring on my left finger.
“I hear they have great nachos here,” Quentin says.
“Servers usually work the VIP boxes; order anything you want.”
My stomach is swirling nervously. I haven’t had anything but coffee, hot tea, and the hot dog I ate for lunch today. I should be hungry, but I’m too worried about the questions swirling around my marriage.
The first headline hit this afternoon, crediting “a source who asked not to be named” with saying my marriage to Colby isn’t real, and that I forced him to marry me so I could avoid deportation.
It’s critical that we sell the legitimacy of our union, and tonight is the perfect opportunity.
When the puck drops, my mind is focused entirely on the game. Quentin wasn’t a hockey fan before he started working for me, and I still have to explain things to him sometimes.
Our team comes out swinging after last night’s big loss. Beau slides a puck into the net just twenty seconds into the game and the box erupts in cheers.
Colby looks a lot smoother tonight. I was hard on him over last night’s game, but I get excited during games. My passion is both my best and my worst quality.
When he scores a goal, I swell with pride. His picture comes up on the big screen over the ice and I’m reminded just how handsome my new husband is.
One time. Just tonight.
I wanted it just as much as him. Feeling his hands unlacing my corset set me on fire. Our chance went up in smoke—literally—and now I can’t stop thinking about what it would have been like.
His body is ridiculous. Top hockey players have to be in incredible shape to skate like they do off and on for an entire game. It was his words, though, his commanding tone and possessive gaze, that left me practically panting for him.
I slip away after the first period for a quick interview with Clark, accomplishing what I want. We win the game 4–1, the mood light after the game.
“Mila,” Shelby Fox says, approaching me as I’m about to leave the box. “Hey, I just wanted to say congratulations. I didn’t get a chance to see you at the wedding. You looked stunning.”
She’s Beau Fox’s wife, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about her.
“Thank you,” I say. “I appreciate you guys making it on short notice.”
“It was such a romantic setting.”
“It was everything we wanted.”
She furrows her brow. “Is it okay if I walk with you to the place where we meet up with the guys? I’ve only been to this arena a couple of times and I don’t remember how to get there.”
“Of course.”
I introduce her to Quentin and the three of us make small talk as we wait in the hallway outside the locker room. I could walk inside the locker room, but I want to be a player wife tonight instead of a team owner.
Security is keeping the reporters in a separate room, so when Colby walks out of the locker room and grins at me, no photographers are there to capture it.
I see it, though, and I’m relieved that he doesn’t seem pissed about my texts last night.
“Hey, I like the sweater,” he says before kissing me.
I cup one of his clean-shaven cheeks and look into his eyes. “Great game tonight.”
He cocks a brow at me. I know he’s thinking about my texts during last night’s game. “Thanks.”
Standing on my tiptoes, I lean up to murmur into his ear. He still has to bend forward a bit to accommodate my height.
“Will you talk to Clark Samson with me for five minutes?”
“On the record?” he asks softly in my ear.
“Yes.” I put a palm on his chest, making this look like an intimate exchange between lovers.
“Sure. You staying in my hotel room tonight?”
“If I’m invited.”
He puts an arm around my waist, his hand on the small of my back. “I think you should. Have you heard the rumors online about us today?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s talk to Clark and go get room service at the hotel.”
I nod and tell him where we’re meeting Clark. He takes my hand and leads the way and I give him my best attempt at doting looks as we walk.
I’ll do whatever it takes to convince everyone this marriage is real. Mike Mills won’t win this round.
CHAPTER TEN
Colby
“It’s…cozy,” Mila says when we walk into my hotel room.
I half laugh as she scans my king room, wondering if she’s ever stayed in anything less than a full suite.
“It gets the job done,” I say as I take my tie off. “I sleep and shower in hotel rooms, that’s about it.”
She sits down on the bed, refreshing the news app on her phone. “Clark’s story will hit tonight, don’t you think?”