Page 71 of Ice Contact

We repeat the vows Zack reads out loud, promising to be there for each other no matter what. He, of course, threw in some mentions of caring for each other for a variety of ailments including common hockey injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome from playing piano. He also made a joke about Kara swearing Olivia in as an official WAG.

“Now, as we stand before this holy skeeball machine, surrounded by those who are here to witness this declaration oflove, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Larsy, you may kiss The Weapon.”

I give Olivia a church appropriate kiss, but it’s not a peck by any means. I draw it out a little for the crowd…and myself, knowing I would much rather be kissing her like the first time we were here in the back hallway.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Hayes and Olivia Larson!”

We walk down the makeshift aisle set up in the bar to a chorus of “Way to go, Larsy!” being shouted by several of my teammates, none louder than Bougie. Vladi catches my eye with his nod of approval.

My heart swells as I spinmy wifearound, pulling her into my arms. “Well, Mrs. Larson, what would you like to do for our first act as husband and wife?”

“I assume I should kick your ass at skeeball again. Show everyone how your wife is the superior athlete,” she says with that smartass tone of hers I love so much.

Pulling her closer, I trace my nose along her jaw, nipping at her ear. “Do you remember what happened after the last time you beat me at skeeball?”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Larson, but I don’t seem to recall the details of that particular event.” Her eyes spark in the low light of the bar.

Narrowing my brows at her, I place my hand on her cheek, my thumb rubbing along her bottom lip.I’ll never tell her, but I fucking love it when she acts like a brat.“Did you just say you’re sorry, siren? I cannot have my wife apologizing for things she should not be apologizing for. I’ll have to remind you later of that later tonight.”

“Promise?” she teases, leaning in to press her lips into mine.

She’s officially my wife.

“Now let’s go show up all our friends and family with a high score on skeeball.”

45

hayes

My fingers tap furiously on the empty beer glass in front of me, my knee rapidly bouncing up and down. A cold rush of air from outside hits my cheek, sending a chill up my spine as my heart races. Glancing over my shoulder, I zero in on the door.Damn.My knee bounces harder.Not her.

“Watching the door won’t make her show up faster,” Vladi snarks as Johnny walks over with another round.

“I am not watching the door, Vladi.”I’m absolutely stalking the door.

“The fuck you’re not. You look like you’re watching a ping pong match the way your head keeps turning back and forth.”

“The Wolf’s right, Larsy,” Johnny pipes in. “You haven’t stopped lookin’ at that door since you sat down. Don’t worry; she’s never once been late. She’ll be here shortly.”

“Someone’s blue balls are crabby today. You don’t want to spend some alone time with me, Larsy? I’ve barely seen you since you’ve been a married man…I’m so lonely without you,” Bougie whines, his voice thick with sarcasm.

“How about you all just mind your own goddamn business?” I grumble, nodding my thanks to Johnny for the full beer. “You can all go fuck yourselves. We just got back from an away game;I’ve had to be around your annoying asses for the last two days. Excuse me for being excited to seemy wife.”

The day after the wedding, we had a day off, leaving me a full twenty-four hours to consummate our marriage in every way imaginable in our apartment.God I can’t wait for the offseason.Then we had a travel day for a game in San Jose. We won, and I got my tenth career hat trick, the hockey universe’s wedding gift to us. After the game, we took a late-night flight back to Milwaukee, but didn’t arrive until Olivia was already at work.Stupid time zones. I have been waiting for two fucking days to get my hands on my wife.I tighten my jaw trying to hide the smile my teammates will no doubt give me shit for. But I can’t keep it contained.I have a wife.

The door flies open again, but I don’t turn around, trying to prove my point. I sit patiently at the bar and take a big sip of my freshly poured beer. Johnny looks at the door, then back at me with a cheeky grin. I sit up straight in my seat, my heart pounding against my chest. Warm arms wrap around my waist as a familiar scent surrounds me. I place my hands over the tiny ones gripping my abs, my cock jumping in my slacks. Slightly turning my head, I see flowing auburn hair behind me and nothing else in the bar matters. I swivel my stool around to face the feisty siren standing before me, being gentle enough to not break her hold despite my excitement.Damn, I’ve missed this view.I place a hand on her cheek as I press my lips to hers. Fuck my teammates. I’ll slam any one of them into the boards if they give me shit about this.

She smiles against my lips. “Miss me Hayesy-poo?”

“Every minute of every day, siren.” I drop my forehead to hers, refusing to break contact withmy wife.I’m never going to get over that.

“He’s got major blue balls, Liv! They’re making him really cranky; if you can do the team a solid and help him out, we’dappreciate it!” Bougie shouts across the bar. I keep my gaze fixed on Olivia, as I flip Bougie off, seeing Vladi quickly smack him on the back of the head from the corner of my eye.

Fucking rookie.

“What?! I’m just being honest; he’s been a damn grump the past two days. He needs some action. Hell, I need some action.”

Olivia’s cheeks are flushed, but I notice the slightest glimpse of mischief in her eyes. She looks at me, as if asking for permission to reply, and I nod, taking another sip of my beer.

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