Page 126 of His Big Bad Stick

I open the door to the gallery and the place is bustling.

Six hockey players all working together. For me. To help me. To get my gallery set up.

Or maybe this is just an asshole move by Colver. To get the gallery open so I can sell some stuff and pay him back the hundred grand he paid Simon.

“Am I drooling right now?” Jess whispers to me.

“Not from the lips on your face,” I whisper back.

Jess looks at me, jaw dropped.

“I think I’m a hockey fan now.”

“Drink your coffee and go back to the business you own. Okay?”

“Nope. I’m staying here all day now.”

One of the guys walks right up to me and eyes me. Devours me.

“I won’t comment,” he says.

“About what?” I ask.

“The pregnancy. Am I allowed to say you look pregnant?”

Someone whistles. “Dax! Back away from her!”

Dax looks at Jess.

“I’m not pregnant,” she says.

“Do you want to be?” Dax offers.

I’m sorry but I snort at that stupid comment.

Jess gasps.

“Get over here and hold these fucking lights!”

Colver puts down a hammer and comes toward Jess and me.

“Nice to see you again, Jess,” Colver says.

“Nice to see you without your tongue between Abrielle’s legs,” she says.

“It’s my favorite place to be,” Colver throws right back at her.

“Obviously,” Jess says.

My face is eight shades of red by now.

“Jess wants to know which one she can take home,” I say. “And I don’t mean a painting.”

“Hockey players are the worst to deal with,” Colver says.

“But they’re great in bed,” I say. “At least from my experience.”

“Wow, you two are something else,” Jess says. “Really trying to play it so casual still?”

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