Page 61 of Gloves Off

On instinct, I reach for the doctor’s hand, enveloping it in mine.

Like at the team dinner when we cut the cake together, I get a weird twist of pleasant warmth at the feel of her hand beneath mine. Delicate, with neat, glossy nails.

She doesn’t pull her hand away as she smiles up at Ward. “Hi, Tate.”

I nod a hello and he hands me my game packet, which contains information about the other team, diagrams of the plays we’ve practiced, and my hotel room number and key card.

“Dr. Greene,” Ward adds, “your key is in Alexei’s packet.”

Beneath my hand, she stiffens. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t worry.” He gives her a smile. “I put you two in the same room.”

My watch starts going off. Her eyes narrow as I silence it.

That’s one way to keep an eye on her tonight.

Ward must read her weird energy because his gaze swings between us, eyebrows high. “Is that a problem? I thought since you’re married now?—”

“It’s not an issue.” I clear my throat, my hand settling on her bouncing knee. She stills. “We wanted to be professional. That’s why we didn’t ask to share.”

“Oh.” Ward lets out a short laugh. “I’m not worried about that with you two. You would barely kiss her at your own wedding dinner, Volkov.”

Ward moves on, handing out more packets, and the doctor yanks her hand out from under mine, staring after him, chewing her lip, a worried expression all over her features.

“Is this going to be a problem?” I ask in a low voice.

“Not for me.”

“Most of the rooms have two beds.” Her shoulders are tight and she’s worrying her bottom lip like she’s silently freaking out. “I’m not going to bother you, Doctor. You’re not my type.”

As much as I don’t like her, I don’t want her to worry for her safety.

She lets out a light laugh, shaking her head. “Thanks, Volkov.”

Nothing’s going to happen tonight with the doctor, but that doesn’t stop me from picturing us in a million positions.

I scrub a hand down my face. That’s enough of that. Maybe I don’t know her like I thought I did, but I’m not dumb enough to think blurring the lines of our agreement is a good idea. If I’m kerosene, my wife is the match.

We’d kill each other within the week.

CHAPTER 30

GEORGIA

Hours later,after the game, I open the door to the hotel room, Volkov following behind me, and my stomach sinks.

We’ve been given the room with one bed.

Fuck.

I didn’t bring pajamas.

Double fuck.

On team trips, I always get my own room. All I have are my work clothes, a tiny sleep T-shirt, my toiletries, a couple pairs of shoes, and my undergarments.

Lingerie. They’re pretty and sexy, because I love to feel good about myself.

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