Page 99 of Gloves Off

The next morning, before my eyes are even open, I inhale a clean, masculine scent. Cool, soft sheets brush my bare legs. Complete silence—no squeaks or rustling of the bunnies around the room. Eyes still closed, I skim my hand over the bed. Sometimes they jump and cuddle against me during the night.

My palm slides over the duvet—but it isn’t my duvet.

My eyes snap open. I’m not in my room. I’m inAlexei’sroom.

I don’t want you sneaking into my bed in the middle of the night. Oh god. My pulse picks up. Again?

What are you stressed about? he asked, and I think about the replays of him getting hurt. I think about all the times I’ve seen him get injured, like the big one two years ago, and nausea rolls through me. During the away-game road trip, I watched the games. I saw him get hurt, and in the evenings apparently I clung to him like a magnet.

A sinking feeling gathers inside me.

I know why I’m sleepwalking.

CHAPTER 47

ALEXEI

A few evenings later,I lie in bed, trying to scroll on my phone while my other hand throbs with pain. I intercepted a puck during the game tonight—and broke a finger.

That fan account has posted a photo of Georgia wearing the heels with big black bows on the ankles.

Dr. Georgia, please step on me,one comment says, and a strange mix of possession and amusement twists in my gut.

I don’t know why I keep scrolling through this account, studying the photos like there’s going to be a test. I set the phone down and reach for the bottle of ibuprofen on my bedside table, but when I try to open it, my hand hurts like hell, and I let out a low groan.

The door bursts open, and the doctor glares at me.

“How am I supposed to sleep when you’re acting like a fucking baby in here?”

She folds her arms over her chest before she puts her hands on her hips, then folds them again. Her eyes are wild, frantic, and a cute pink color rises on her cheeks. Energy crackles between us.

“I can’t sleep.” She throws her hands in the air. “You’re making way too much noise.”

My eyes drop to her mouth. “I made one little sound.”

Her gaze lands on my hand. “You broke a finger.” Her voicesounds weird. Unhappy. I don’t like it. “Did you take something for it? You’re supposed to be taking an anti-inflammatory every four hours at least. Where’s your ice pack?” She frowns at my hand. “Why is your splint all messed up like that? Who did this?” She strides over, sits beside me on the bed, and takes my hand.

“I took it off after Mei splinted it. It was too tight.”

She gives me an irritated look, removing the splint with care. “It’s supposed to be tight so it can heal properly.” Her gaze lingers on me, on my glasses.

“Miss me, Hellfire?”

“Not even a little bit.” She shifts her gaze to my hand. “You look like hell.”

“Isn’t that a compliment, where you’re from?”

A tiny twitch at the corner of her mouth and she glances up at my glasses again. “You should really get LASIK.”

“LASIK freaks me out,” I admit. “I don’t want a laser near my eye.”

“Oh my god.” She rolls her eyes. “Youarea baby.”

I can smell her violet perfume again. “Were you working tonight?”

She nods, eyes on my splint. I stare at her mouth, trying not to think about at the airport.

No more kissing. It’s a good rule to have, especially when I’m thinking about her all the time like this.

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