Page 120 of On Ice

I grimace. “Let’s not rehash all of that stuff. We’re on stable ground now. I’ll admit I shouldn’t have asked that of you. I cansee now it would be impossible for you to betray anyone you care about.”

He’s quiet for a moment. “You know I’d never betray you too, right? Sometimes I worry you don’t trust me. Do you trust me, Luca?”

I hesitate, considering his question. “I do.” He’s looking up at me, and I smile and kiss the tip of his nose. “You’re a man of your word. You’re principled and honorable.” I frown. “So much so that I wonder why you love me.”

“You’re honorable and principled in your own way. Your world has a different code, that’s all.” He looks thoughtful. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

He lets out a shaky breath. “Isabella told me something, and I’m not sure how we can be together if it’s true.”

“What did she say?” I frown.

He sighs. “Well, she said that your mother expects you to marry a woman and produce an heir.”

I stiffen, but then growl, “Isabella should keep her mouth shut.”

His body tenses. “So then, it’s true?”

I exhale tiredly. “Mama always expected that of me, yes.”

He sits up on his elbow, a line between his brows. “I’m not going to be your side piece, Luca. I’m not built that way. If you marry some woman, I’m out.”

I like the spark of jealousy I see in his green eyes. “Calm down. I’m not going to marry a woman just so I can produce an heir.”

“Your mother doesn’t strike me as the type who will bend easily on something as important as an heir.” He gnaws his bottom lip. “How exactly can you say no?”

“It’s easy. I just say no.” I turn toward him. “Mama isn’t going to control who I marry. I’ve chosen you, and that’s not up for debate. When it’s time to produce an heir, we can just use a surrogate.”

“Oh.”

I frown. “Do you want kids? That’s not something we’ve ever discussed.”

He shrugs. “I’m not opposed to kids. I’m just in no hurry to have them.”

“Me neither. But when the time is right, and we feel settled, we can explore our options.”

“I guess that works.” He gives a little smile. “So you plan to marry me?”

“Of course. What else would I do with you? We’re in love. People in love get married.”

“Do you think your mother would approve? She probably hates me for ruining her plans.”

I laugh outright. “Are you insane? She adores you. Haven’t you noticed the way she dotes on you? She won’t be a problem, so long as I give her an heir eventually.”

He grimaces. “Weddings and heirs will need to go on the backburner for now. I need to focus on getting into the playoffs.”

“The Stanley Cup would make a wonderful wedding present.”

“It would indeed.” He looks dejected. “If we could stop losing our away games.”

“I could always make sure you get into the playoffs,” I say tongue in cheek, cracking my knuckles for good measure.

“Luca,” he grumbles. “I don’t want the win if I didn’t earn it. I’ve told you that before.”

“But, what if the Ice Hawks lose? Then I can’t get my trophy.” It’s hard not to laugh. He looks so irritable, it’s amusing.

“Don’t you dare try to fix things.” He glares at me.

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