Page 90 of Ice Dance Hockey

“I have my reasons. Now write.”

“Okay.” What a dick. I scribble the word “none”, mostly to piss him off, but also to rebel because this is stupid.

“You’re not taking this seriously.” He taps his too-cleft-y chin. Then he uses the pen to tap the book. “Write down what your boundaries are for me and other lovers. You’re going to have another partner, maybe I’ll take one too.”

That short circuits my brain and I remember the people admiring him, in particular the hot blonde woman in the blue dress. I’m pretty sure Rhett’s not even into women and yet it set my teeth on edge.

I scribble a new message. He looks and chuckles, his hazel eyes soften. “You’re not taking another lover, Elkington,” he reads aloud.

“It would go a long way in proving your devotion to me.”

“Then I shall abide by your rule.”

“Just like that?”

“Yep. Now I’ll tell you mine for Scott.”

Knew there was a catch. I wait for him to write them down and spin the book toward me. I read them out loud.

“No markings of any kind—that includes jackets,” I read out loud and laugh. “Okay, yeah fine.”

The other ones he’s listed are standard if we’re going to appear as a monogamous couple. Things like, no public displays of affection, being discreet—can’t forget that one—and events with him come first over ones with Scott. I nod along with them until I get to the last one.

No penetrative sex.

I raise both brows for that. “And you’re really okay with other stuff?”

“Not at all, but that’s about all I’m willing to compromise on.”

I nod, realizing that I’m entering a contract. It’s a new one. Something overly complicated. What are we now? It’s beyond the realm of fake and yet we’re still not a real couple. Y’know? I don’t even want to play the game of Twister it would be to figure that out.

“Okay. What now?”

“Now we sign our names and I take you home … and get reamed out by your brother.” That’s paired with a pleading look that says he hopes I’ll save him some of my brother’s wrath.

“I thought you weren’t scared of him, eh?”

“That was before I had to impress him.”

“I don’t know how you’ve missed that you’ve always had to impress him.”

“Yeah, Jack mentioned something about that.”

“He was pretty mad when I spoke with him earlier. Hopefully, he’s calmed down,” I say with a lot of glee in my voice. Rhett’s squirming. It’s fun to watch the big oaf squirm over something he’ll have to do for me.

“You’re not willing to help me out, even a little?” he wheedles.

“No way. I’m getting full payback for today. Jack and I are watching with popcorn.”

Chapter19

Two Goals Down

Rhett

It’s only five o’clock, it’s not like I abducted him for days and days. I wanted to, but I didn’t. The glower on Mercy’s face is uncalled for.

“Lo, Jack needs your help upstairs,” he says.

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