Page 188 of Gloves Off

“No, Alexei—” She starts shaking her head. “Don’t retire because of me. It’s everything to you.”

She’s so wrong. “It’snoteverything to me. Not anymore. You are.” I swallow hard, studying every shade of whiskey, caramel, and amber in her eyes. “I won’t cause you pain.”

I never want to see her like this again. I never want her to cry because of me.

“I’m not going anywhere.” Her hand comes to my hair, pushing it off my forehead, careful not to touch what I’m sure is a massive goose egg. “I meant what I said. I love you.”

This woman. I can’t believe I ever thought she was selfish. She’s offering to go through hell and back so I can keep playing hockey.

“I meant what I said, too. I love you. Besides, I think I found something else I love more than playing hockey.” My mind goes to the rookie. I remember his goal tonight, and his assist, and the searing sense of pride and purpose in my chest, watching him celebrate.

“Walker is a cocky little fucker,” I admit with a laugh, and she smiles, too. It’s like a shot of morphine to my blood, relaxing me. “But seeing him grow and develop has been...” I trail off, unable to find the words. Challenging, but rewarding. “What if I can do that with other players?”

“You can.” Her smile is soft and encouraging. “I know you can.”

We smile at each other. She’s so fucking beautiful, it makes my heart ache in the sweetest way. I don’t deserve her.

I want forever with this woman, and I’m about to tell her that, when she sends a pointed glance to my chest.

“Nice tattoo.”

I look down, wincing as pain races down my neck. I’m in a loose hospital gown, but beneath it, the bandage has been removed.Across my chest, the tattoo is still healing, but the flowers and vines are vibrant, bold, and beautiful.

“They took the bandage off when you were admitted.”

My gut tightens with nerves. She saw it. It’s now or never. “Do you know what those flowers are?”

She shifts the neckline down, studying them. “Yellow roses.”

“No, sweetheart. They’re golden roses.”

Her eyebrows slide together, eyes narrowing. “That one isn’t in my book.”

“I know. It goes by another name, though.” My pulse trips. “The Teasing Georgia rose.”

CHAPTER 87

GEORGIA

The tattoo is beautiful.

The flowers span Alexei’s broad chest, the soft, lovely roses such a shocking contrast to the hard and brutal lines of his face and body.

His eyes never leave my face. God, my heart breaks all over again at the bruise around his eye. He looks like hell. My nerves are still fried from the breakneck speed at which the ambulance drove here from the arena.

The Teasing Georgia. My heart skips every other beat. If I were wearing that watch of Alexei’s, the battery would be on fire right now, it would be going off so hard.

“Tell me you didn’t get a tattoo for me, Volkov.”

“I got a tattoo for you.” The corner of his mouth slants. “Before I tell you what the flowers mean, though, I want to give you something.”

His gaze cuts to his bag on the other side of the hospital room. One of the trainers had brought it after the game.

“I think now is a good time to give you the rest of your Christmas present.”

My breath catches at the look in his eyes, part nerves and part warm, glowing affection. He directs me to his bag, to the side pocket. My hands close around a small velvet box, and I freeze.

I turn, holding it. “This?”

---