Page 169 of Gloves Off

He nods.

That’s what I was hoping for, but that’s what I was also afraid of.

Gardenia—secret love.

“Welcome home,” I whisper, heart beating wildly.

The corner of his mouth twitches up, eyes warm and soft. “Missed you, Hellfire. Missed you like crazy.”

We stare at each other for a long moment before he wraps me in a tight, warm hug, his face in my neck, my head against his expansive chest. Even through his thick knit sweater, I can feel his heart beating fast.

My nervous system settles, and a deep sense of comfort falls over me.

“I missed you, too,” I admit.

I pull back and glance at his healing shoulder. “How does it feel?”

“Good. Better every day.”

“You’re not just saying that so I don’t worry?”

He shakes his head, pressing his mouth in a slanted line. “I have a different injury I need you to take a look at, though.”

In an instant, I’m alert, stepping back to look at him. With a sharp intake of breath, he gives me a wide grin before his tongue flicks, popping his left central incisor out.

He’s missing a tooth.

“No,” I choke, clapping a hand over my mouth in horror. “Alexei.” I stare at the gap before I burst out laughing. His grin is wide and boyish, pleased as punch. I laugh harder.

“The team dentist is giving me an implant on Boxing Day.” The day after Christmas. “Before we leave for Silver Falls.”

“I thought hockey players don’t get implants until after they’re done.” Losing teeth is so common, most of them use temporary bridges like what he has now until they retire.

“I doubt my wife would allow that.”

My mouth twists so I don’t smile too hard. “You know what this means, right? Get ready for those soft foods, Grandpa. Lots of oatmeal and apple sauce.”

His expression turns wolfish, eyes teasing but predatory. He steps toward me, and I take a step back, holding up a hand, still smiling.

“Do not.”

His eyes dance. “I want to kiss my wife.”

“No, thank you.” That missing tooth looks ridiculous. I’m horrified, yet laughing. “Nope. Never.”

“Come here, Hellfire.”

“Get away frommeeee—”I break off on a shriek, helpless with laughter as he hauls me over his shoulder. “I’ll never kiss you now,” I holler, upside down.

He delivers a sharp slap to my ass. “We’ll see about that.”

That evening, we lie on the sofa in the front room, my head on his chest, the fireplace on, and the Christmas tree glowing with soft, pretty lights. Damon is curled up by our feet, Stefan is sleeping beneath the tree.

So this is what it’s supposed to be like. This is why people get married. This is why they choose one person for the rest of their lives.

“He likes it under there,” Alexei murmurs.

I smile. I caught him snuggling them this afternoon, Alexei whispering something in their ears.

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