Page 119 of On Thin Ice

“Shut up. I can’t help it. My boobs are leaking, and your kisses make me wet. Is that what you want to hear?” I glared at him and tried to ignore my pebbled nipples brushing against my bra.

He made an inaudible sound. “Fuck, Ally. Don’t get me hard.”

“Serves you right.” Then I headed back to the bedroom for a quick change, ignoring his chuckle.

A few minutes later, I walked back into the living room and grabbed my little wallet-slash-purse thing and my phone. It felt weird to not have my huge diaper backpack slung over my shoulder and Livi in my arms.

“Go. We’ve got this.”

I gave each of them a quick kiss. “Be good.” Then I slipped into the hallway and walked down to the elevator.

“You’re here,” Cora exclaimed when she opened the door minutes later. It was convenient living in the same building as a bunch of the players and their partners. “Come in, come in.”

I walked in and said a quick hello to the other partners. Anna was setting up a platter of mini cupcakes and cookies while Harper scoped out the rest of the dessert display after giving me a quick wave.

Brooke stood up and gave me a hug. “I was hoping to see that adorable baby.”

“Dom’s spending the day with her. Says he doesn’t get enough time since he’s always on the road or at practice. Practically kicked me out.”

Cora sighed. “That’s so adorable.”

Brooke grinned. “How the mighty players fall. I’m so happy for you two. I left Violet at home with Dunc.”

“Dunc?” Cora asked, then she laughed. “Oh, right, Flower’s name is Duncan. These players with all their nicknames.”

“Okay, everything is set. Cora’s extra, so she had lunch catered, and I brought desserts,” Anna said, grinning at her best friend.

She shrugged. “I could learn to cook, or I could help local restaurants stay in business.”

“Dom and I are learning to cook. He only set the smoke detector off once, I think,” I said.

“So, what’s up with you two? Still trying to act like you’re just co-parents?” Harper asked, quirking her brow.

“Harps! Subtle,” Cora scolded, but Harper just shrugged.

My cheeks were warm. “Uh. I guess more than just co-parenting. There’s a bit of baggage, so we’re figuring everything out, but yeah, definitely more now.”

“I know all about the roommate thing.” Harper winked.

Brooke’s smile widened. “Watching you keep that boy on his toes is a treat, Harps.” Then she turned to me. “And I can’t wait to see Harty put his foot in his mouth when they’re in town next week. Serves him right, considering how he’s been all season over this. I heard Penny made him sleep on the couch when they got home.”

“I love my sister-in-law,” I said. “And Ethan will be fine. I know he just wants me to be happy. And Dom makes me happy.”

Anna handed me a cookie—my favorite chocolate peanut butter cookie, to be exact. “That’s all that matters, then.”

The doorbell chimed, and Cora let in Alan Lambert’s wife, Maxine, Jamie Sweeten’s girlfriend, Abigail, and David Krasny’s girlfriend, Bethany.

We all said our hellos and then made our way to the couches in the living room.

“We talked last week about a few different events for the Stampede foundation, and I ran a couple of them by Meredith in PR,” Cora started.

“I like the charity auction idea,” Harper said. “Maybe another player auction since the last one went so well, right, Anna?”

Anna’s cheeks turned deep pink, and I chuckled slightly. I’d gotten the story from Dom. Last year, Anna had been jilted, andCora and Joy had bought Anna a date with Santa. It hadn’t been the best start since I guess Santa was known for being grumpy as hell, something I hadn’t witnessed in the few times I’d met him. Everyone said Anna worked some serious magic though, and not just with her baked goods.

“No. We won’t do that one again. No need to tempt fate. I’m thinking a casino night and silent auction. All the teams usually have something like that with the fans,” Cora said.

“I’d definitely like Alan to bid on a tropical vacation or two,” Maxine said.

---