Page 95 of The Nanny Goal

“Moya polovinka,” he murmurs. The unfamiliar Russian words roll right through me, followed by the deepest kiss he’s ever given me.

And in this moment, it feels like it might actually be true that there’s nothing I couldn’t ask of him, and nothing I wouldn’t give him.

CHAPTER29

ALEXEI

The only thing as beautiful as Emery coming apart for me is Emery trying hard, hours later, to not to look like she remembers coming apart for me.

I get that gift over and over again.

Over breakfast.

When I make her sit next to me on the couch so I can practice braiding Inessa’s hair.

As I kiss Inessa goodbye before heading to the rink for morning skate, and Emery isright there, so I buss a quick kiss on her cheek, too.

When I get back and catch them playing mini sticks again, and her wide-eyed gaze flies to my face, and I know she’s thinking about how breathless and sweaty she got for me upstairs in the gym.

It’s the strangest, most wonderful feeling, all bubbly and powerful. I want to bottle it just in case it’s a difference maker in tonight’s game.

Emery and Inessa leave right after naptime, heading downtown to a WAG gathering with a big duffel bag of supplies Emery tells me I don’t need to worry about.

“Are you going to wear one of my jerseys tonight?”

She rolls her eyes at me. “You’d like that.”

“Very much. And if you don’t, I’m climbing over the plexiglass and giving you the jersey off my back.”

She snickers. “You saw that on TikTok.”

“Someone shared it to the group chat. Said it was romantic.”

Her cheeks slash with heat. “I don’t want romance.”

“I know.” I lower my voice, even though we’re basically alone and Inessa is happily playing. “You want dirty talk and secrets.”

Her eyes flare wide in warning.Don’t.

I don’t really understand why not, when the chemistry between us is so undeniable, but I accept that she needs a pause after we burn that bright.

“I see you,” I murmur. “And fine. I won’t pretend I can scale twelve feet of boards and glass. But if you don’t wear my jersey tonight, I’m bringing another one home for your collection, moya polovinka.”

“The horror,” she whispers before winking at me and whisking my daughter out the door.

After they leave, I go downstairs to have coffee with my parents in the basement.

My mother pats the couch seat beside her. “How is my son?”

“I’ve got a big game tonight.”

“We’ll be watching.” She wraps her arm through mine and leans against me. “And Emery will be there.”

I’ve been waiting for her to bring up Emery. It was probably wishful thinking to hope they wouldn’t notice how I look at her. How I feel about her.

“Mama, she’s leaving after the season is over. Don’t hope for another happy ending.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. She makes you happy.”

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