Page 59 of Hockey Wife

Georgia chuckled. “Aw, he’s the favorite? I can’t wait to hear all the stories about him.”

“Oh, we have so many!” Kelly leaned in and cupped her mouth. “There was one time he snuck a girl into his room and?—”

“Kel.” Just one word from Banks was enough.

“Scarred for life, I was!” She winked at the camera. “We’ll talk later. With wine.”

Georgia gave an exaggerated wink right back. “Gotcha!”

“Alright, time to wrap up this love fest.” Banks sketched a brief hand wave and ended the call by touching the screen.

“They’re lovely.”

“Don’t be fooled. They’re very likely on another call talking about you.” She must have looked horrified because Banks stepped in quickly, his hand on her hip. “Don’t fret. They’ll have nothing but good things to say about you because what else is there?”

“How about that time I lured you down the aisle? Or how I’m clearly after your big hockey salary? What about the fact I’ve taken one of the game’s most eligible bachelors off the market? I see what they’re saying about me on social media. The other day, some chick was ranting about me on TikTok.”

“TikTok? Who gives a fuck about a bunch of strangers online?”

“I do! They said I’m not a true hockey wife because I don’t know anything about the game. I’m not even worthy of being called a puck bunny.”

He smirked. So he did find her amusing.

She thumped him lightly on his chest, making sure to stay away from known bruises. Though, judging by the balls-to-the-boards way Banks played, he had probably accumulated more. She’d watched the game last night with a Wikipedia article on her phone and a stack of flash cards as she tried to parse the rules. Offside? Icing? No clue.

“It’s not funny.”

“Kind of is. And what do you care what my sisters think?”

“Because it’s your family. And they’ll talk to your mom and gran and tell them things.”

“Like how you love my spicy tacos.” He added an expressive scoot upward of his eyebrows.

“Banks!” She couldn’t help her laugh. “All that innuendo made me sound like a thirsty bitch.”

“I’m feeding you. Of course you’re going to be hot for your husband.”

Husband. “Cooking is very attractive in a man.”

He was closer now, looking down on her with a searing focus on her eyes, then her lips. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips. Her throat was dry, her hunger for this man making her desperate for more of those drugging kisses.

But this had the capacity to become very complicated. She had drawn her line, and now they needed to move on. She redirected her thoughts to non-sexy ones. “Are you looking forward to their visit?”

“They’re very annoying, but they’re family.”

She nodded, remembering how they joshed and joked on the call a few moments ago. The love was plain to see.

“Hey.” He brushed a thumb over her cheek.

A rebel tear had escaped. Awesome work, Georgia. From sexy to sad in a heartbeat.

“I’m fine.”

“Georgia.” He pulled her close, placing his other hand on her hip. “What’s going on?”

“I just like seeing you all together. It reminds me of happier times with Dani. I’d forgotten how much we laughed, and seeing you with your sisters brought it back.”

“I’m sorry.”

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