Page 97 of Perfectly Wedded

Leo ignores me and goes on, “Some women have told me I’m a magnet for the opposite sex.”

“You know magnets work two ways,” Tate interrupts. “They attractandrepel.”

“Shut up, Tate,” Leo snaps. “As I was saying, women need romance. The emotional connection...”

“Go on, this is highly amusing,” Brax says, folding his arms.

Leo frowns. “You might be surprised, but underneath thisscowl, I’m quite the romantic. I just don’t show you clowns that side of me.”

“Are you going to use your moves on Victoria?” Sloan asks with a mischievous smile.

“I’m not dating Victoria,” he shoots back. “Just helping her out for the next few months.”

“As her new skating partner,” Jaz adds.

“Figure skating?” I burst out laughing. “Oh man, I cannot wait to see you in a sparkly jumpsuit.”

Leo rolls his eyes. “I’m not competing with her. It’s just for practice. Coach said Victoria needs a temporary skating partner, and I’d be perfect for the job.”

“I thought Coach called it your community service after you lost your temper in a game?” Brax clarifies.

Leo huffs. “Details, details.”

“It doesn’t hurt that she’s hot,” Tate remarks.

Leo gives Tate a death glare. “I can’t help it if she happens to be pretty.”

“What a noble sacrifice,” I mutter.

Leo holds up a finger. “Listen, I knew her back in college. We even dated for a while. She’s the bossiest woman I’ve ever met.”

“Kind of like a female version of you,” Brax says, and we all laugh except for Leo, who’s scowling.

Apparently Leo has met his match in the form of an attractive female figure skater.

“Well, guys, I hate to cut this short...” I stop, then rephrase. “Actually, I don’t hate it at all. I’m quite looking forward to cutting you off.”

Brax laughs. “Yeah, yeah, get back to your wedding night. We’ll see you when the honeymoon’s over.”

“Ifwe come back,” I add just before turning off the phone. Finally, no more interruptions.

Sloan smiles up at me. “You think you can survive a whole night without your team calling?”

I grin. “I think I’ll manage.” Then I pull her closer, my voice low. “Besides, according to our marriage rules, I think there’s one more thing we haven’t done.”

“I wonder what that is?” Sloan asks with an innocent smile that tells me she knowsexactlywhat it is.

She wraps her arms around my neck and starts to trail kisses along my jaw, which makes my whole body practically melt.

“As good as that feels,” I say, pulling away slightly, “I don’t want to rush tonight. I’ve waited so long for this.”

A smile tugs at the corners of her lips. “So you’re saying you want to watch a movie first?”

A low laugh rumbles out of me. “I definitely donotwant to watch a movie.” I trace the outline of her lips with my thumb. “I want to watch you. Memorize every part of you. Starting with this.”

I leave a soft kiss on her collarbone as I trace the curve of her neck with my knuckles.

“And this.”

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