The Penalty Box (Vancouver Wolves Hockey #3)(98)

“Hockey is life, right?” He grinned.

My wife is my life. “You know it.”





*



We stood on the ice as the music started to play. The stadium was dark and quiet as the singer belted out our national anthem. You could feel the energy of the crowd anticipating the biggest game of the season. I lifted my eyes to the family boxes, searching. There. There she was. Charlie stood, her hands cradling her beautiful baby belly. Beside her, my eyes found my mom. Zoey. Krista. Jasper and Mark. And Andrusha.

I momentarily reflected on how much my life had changed. A year ago, during playoffs, I had some faceless puck bunny cheering me on. Now I had a family, my whole family, standing behind me.

Charlie’s eyes found mine. Her face broke into the most beautiful smile. God, I loved that woman. I stared up at her, wondering for the thousandth time how I hadn’t fallen in love with her the first time I met her. She was, in my mind, the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. And she was mine. All mine.

She blew me a kiss and grinned cheekily. I didn’t think I could get any happier. Well, one thing could make me happier: winning tonight, and bringing home the cup.

I glanced at Ryan. We made eye contact.

“Let’s do this,” I mouthed.

He grinned back at me and mouthed, “All the way.”





*



Two and a half hours later, I stood on the ice in disbelief. We had won. Ryan skated over and jumped on me, giving me a hug.

“We did it!” he screamed. “We won.”

Gloves came off as our team piled together in a group on the ice, hugging and screaming at each other. We had done it. We had won the cup. The crowds were screaming and going crazy. People flooded onto the ice so they could get in on the action.

I skated around, breathing hard. I looked up at the box. I didn’t see Charlie, just my mom, Mark, and Jasper. Zoey appeared by my side, breathless and happy. I picked her up and hugged her.

“Charlie’s at the gate,” she yelled at me, pointing to the gate. “I have to go find Ryan.”

I fought my way through the growing, celebrating crowd on the ice, my eyes searching for her. She was standing at the gate, her hands over her mouth. Andrusha was by her side, protecting her from everyone around her.

I sped up and stopped short in front of her.

“Excuse me,” I said. “Have you seen my wife?”

Her eyes sparkled with laughter. “Not sure. What does she look like?”

“She’s ridiculously cute, and she has a smart mouth on her. More importantly, she hates hockey.”

She laughed. “Smart girl. She married a hockey player?”

“Crazy, hey?” I leaned over the gate, so I could press my mouth against her lips. She tasted fantastic. Like hot sex, love, and my home.

She put her arms around my neck and whispered in my ear. “Crazy in love.”

“You’re mine,” I whispered back. “You’re my wife.”





Note from Odette





Dear Reader,



Thank you so much for reading my book. It means the world to me. I really loved writing this book. It was beyond fun!

As a special gift to my VIP mail subscribers, I’ve written a bonus chapter about Mica and Charlie. Just a small disclaimer - it’s pretty racy with lots of dirty talk.

If you join my mailing list, in the welcome email you will also find a link for the bonus chapter and my free short hockey novella, Hook My Heart. This novella is exclusive for my subscribers!

If you are interested, you can sign up here. VIP Mailing List.

And if you are already a subscriber - look for the release email of this book - there will be a link attached for the bonus chapter!

Keep on reading for a short excerpt of High Risk Rookie, my next hockey book. And excerpts from my other two hockey books, Puck Me Secretly, and Home Game.

Thanks again for reading my book. I could not do this without you!

XOXO

Odette





High Risk Rookie





Please enjoy a sneak peak of my fourth Vancouver Wolves Hockey book, High Risk Rookie



Krista



I sat at my desk, looking over the latest contracts. I was making a mental note to call my lawyer when a figure appeared at the door.

I glanced up, pausing when I saw Mark Ashford standing in the doorway.

He smiled at me, a charming smile. “Sorry. No one was at the front desk.”

“I haven’t yet found a replacement for Charlie while she’s on mat leave.”

“You busy?”

“Not for you. Come in.” I stood up and ushered him towards my couches. “Have you recovered from your celebrations after winning the Stanley Cup?”

He smiled. “Still celebrating.” I sat down and watched as he took a seat on the couch across from me. “You’re looking good.”

“Quit buttering me up, Mark. What brings you all the way to my side of town?”

He leaned forward, his gaze intent. “I’m interested in a player.”

Intriguing. “All my players are signed with you. Who is it?”

“He’s gone through two agents, and word on the street is that his third agent is about to fire him.”