Love Her or Lose Her (Hot & Hammered #2)(79)

Yes, best not to think about that in public.

Rosie blew out a choppy breath and continued down the aisle.

It wasn’t all physical, this shiny new hold her husband had on her. Where before she might get a grunt as a hello, he’d started commenting on everything. His contributions ranged from unnecessary—those tomatoes look ripe . . . thinking I’ll wear my green hoodie today . . . nicked myself shaving—to perfect and sweet. Little gifts of insight to let Rosie know he was always thinking of her and paying attention.

Wear a scarf, honey girl, it’s cold.

It makes me so happy when I hear your car pull up in the driveway.

You’re not going to believe what happened at work today . . .

His voice had been missing for so long and having it back felt like having a major part of herself back. She couldn’t wait to hear it again. Every morning, every night. As if thinking of Dominic had made him appear, something brought her up short while reaching for a can of diced tomatoes. A familiar scent.

Her husband’s scent, to be specific.

Before she could turn around fully to search for the source, two strong arms slipped around her waist, a pair of beloved lips climbing the back of her neck.

“Dominic,” she sighed, turning and wrapping him in her arms. “What are you doing here?”

They swayed for a few beats in the brightly lit aisle. “I decided to take a long lunch. The kind that lasts until Monday morning,” he said gruffly, rubbing circles on her back. “I missed you.”

“I missed you, too.”

Their mouths met in a kiss. A quiet one where she could hear their hearts pounding in unison.

“I got to thinking how . . .” He trailed off to rub his lips against her temple. “We never went out on that date. Ditch these groceries and let me take you somewhere.”

If he’d asked her to rappel down Everest, she’d say yes. “Where?”

Was it her imagination or did some redness appear high on his cheekbones?

Tongue tucked into his cheek, he stared just over her shoulder for a moment, before his gaze ticked back to hers. “Was thinking we could go ice-skating. You in?”

Rosie was positive her feet weren’t touching the ground. Dominic had taken her ice-skating on their first official date and the symbolism was far from lost on her. Here they were, essentially learning to be together all over again. And she could see from the sudden gravity in Dominic’s expression as he kissed her brow that he’d thought of the significance, too. God, she loved this man.

“I’m so in.”

Rinx wasn’t usually in service until closer to winter, but the temperatures had been unseasonably cold for the last week, so the small penned-in oval of ice situated on the harbor was open for business. Since it was a weekday, the local kids were in school, and thus, Dominic and Rosie were virtually the only ones there. Cold, crisp wind bit her cheeks and picked up the curls of her hair as she glided out onto the ice. She looked back over to find Dominic pushing out after her, the same way he did everything else. Casually, expertly. Brutally masculine in all endeavors. Given his height and mass, if someone had slapped a hockey stick in his hands, he would have resembled an NHL star.

“We haven’t skated in years.” She wobbled and righted herself. “How dare you look so good doing this.”

With a snort, he caught Rosie around the waist and tucked her into his side. “I look good? Honey girl, I was just thanking God I’m the only man here.” He shook his head. “Christ, you’re the most beautiful woman on earth.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, swallowing through a veritable heat flash. “Last time, my father was here watching us, remember?”

“Remember?” he returned drily. “I was innocently trying to keep you upright and he thought I was copping a feel.”

“Innocently.” She raised an eyebrow. “Sure.”

He winked. “Come on, now. I was the perfect gentleman.”

Rosie hummed, letting Dominic turn her in a circle on the ice. “My father called you Octopus Hands for a year.”

Dominic’s head tipped back on a laugh. “He did, didn’t he?”

“Yes. And it was well earned.” They skated in the direction of the water, and the sounds were so soothing. The breeze, blades on ice, her husband’s voice. “He was wary of you right up until the day of the snowstorm.”

He shivered and squeezed her closer. “Don’t remind me.”

She ignored his gruff request. “Sophomore year, wasn’t it? They dismissed school early because of the blizzard and I never made it home. The snow was too thick to see my hand in front of my face. I had to wait it out in the pharmacy, but the power lines were down so I couldn’t call anyone.” Rosie tugged him to a stop at the wall of the rink and cuddled into his warmth. “You searched for me for hours. Almost gave yourself hypothermia.”

“Found you, though, didn’t I?” Dominic said quietly, cradling her cheeks and sinking toward her for a kiss. “I’d still be looking if I hadn’t. I’d look forever. You know that, don’t you?”

“Yes.” She slid her hands into his coat and settled them on his stomach, fingertips tucking into his waistband. “You’ll always love and protect me. Through everything, I never lost faith in that. Not for a second.”