Page 122 of On Thin Ice

I guided us all over to the couch, and we settled in. With Livi on my chest and Ally tucked up next to me, I knew, without a doubt, that this was exactly where I wanted to be.

“You don’t have to thank me. I get tons of time away, and you do more than I could ever imagine or accomplish on my own. I wish I could do more, so I’m always up for giving you a break. You deserve free time, too, Ally. I never want you to resent me.”

Her eyes widened, and she moved her hand from Livi’s back to scratch my scalp. It was a soothing gesture that I loved, and she knew it.

“Dom, I won’t resent you. I knew this wasn’t going to be easy. NHL schedules are crazy, and being a new parent is a lot for both of us, but as long as we actively work on doing what we need to do as a family, how can I get upset? Yeah, I was skeptical at first about us being together and raising a child because of our history. I mean, hell, you took playing the field to a whole new level.” She gave me a little smirk.

“That’s not me anymore.”

“I know that. You stepped up more than I ever imagined and I’m glad we didn’t try to really date or whatever when we were younger. Neither of us was ready for that, but now this feels right. Am I scaring you?”

I shifted Livi to one side of my chest and cupped Ally’s face with my other hand, drawing her closer. She turned slightly and kissed my palm.

“You’re not scaring me the way you think you are. I’m just scared that I’m going to fuck this up, and that’s all on me. I want you—this—more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my entire life. Hell, I didn’t want to tell you this, and don’t get mad, but Livi almost fell off the couch just before you got home.”

“What?” Her eyes widened, and she glanced over at our daughter.

“She’s okay! I caught her before she even got to the edge, but it scared the hell out of me. My father had called and was being an ass, and I got distracted. I’m so sorry.” I tried not to visibly wince while I waited for her to get mad.

“But you grabbed her. Dom, it’s going to happen. And believe me, she’s going to get even more squirmy. But she’s okay, right? We’re not perfect, and I doubt we’re going to be.”

“Fucking hell, I love you. And all I want to do right now is put Livi down and show you just how much.” Livi let out a little cry at that suggestion. “Okay, I won’t put you down, princess, but I really need to kiss your mommy.”

Ally laughed and took Livi from my arms. “She’s hungry. I’ll feed her, and you can kiss me.”

I chuckled and leaned over both of them, helping Ally out of her shirt and groaning when she removed her bra and brought our daughter to her breast.

“You’re such a boob man. You have to wait.” The twinkle in her eyes made my cock harden.

“Have you ever seen you? I can’t help it.” I ran my finger down Olivia’s cheek as she nursed. There was nothing more beautiful in this world than the two of them.

I moved my hand up to cup Ally’s jaw and pressed my lips to hers in a soft kiss.

“I love you, Dom,” she said against my mouth. I wanted to deepen the kiss, but that could wait until later.

Then my phone chimed with another text, and we both pulled back.

“That better not be him again.”

“Do you have to respond? What’s he even saying?”

I sighed. “He’s just being a dick. Kept telling me that having a kid will derail my career, but then he wants pictures of her so his friends don’t think he’s a shitty grandfather.”

“I’m sorry. You deserve so much better. But don’t think for one second that you are anything like your parents. You’ve stepped up more than I ever expected, and we’re a family now. The way you are with Livi is so sweet. Super hot, too.”

I grinned. “Is it?”

Her cheeks pinked. “And we love you so much.”

“I can’t believe how lucky I was to knock you up. You and Livi are the best things to ever happen to me, and I’m going to do everything in my power to make this work forever.”

She leaned in and cupped my cheek, scooting her body in close to mine, our daughter settled between us.

“Weare going to make this work.”

Then she sealed her lips to mine in a kiss that ended far too quickly when Livi started to fuss again.

Ally shifted to help Livi nurse, and I ran my thumb over Ally’s cheek. Pure contentment and happiness washed over me, and thoughts of my asshole father faded away.

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