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“You don’t need to say a thing. If things ever change for you, and you think you could live your life here with me, then know that I’ll be waiting.”

My hands shoot up, and I run my fingers through his soft brown hair. “I need time. I know I’d need to move my life, but I need time to think everything through. It’s all happening so fast, and I?—”

“I’m not asking for an answer, Rocket. I’m just showing you my cards. And your name is written all over each one.”

My heart thunders, beating so hard I can hear it in my ears. “Do you still want to kiss me?”

He brings his lips closer to mine once more. They were so close before, but they’re millimeters now. “I want you to be my girlfriend, so for me, kissing you is the equivalent of breathing.”

“Then kiss me.”

I expect his lips to crash to mine, but they don’t. Instead, his palms come under my thighs, and I wrap my legs around his waist, keeping my hands planted at the back of his head. Slowly, and with his lips moving languidly over mine, he skates us to the edge of the rink and sets me down on top of the boards in front of the player’s bench.

Pushing my legs apart, he slides between them. “How about this? From now until the day I hope to call you mine, I’ll only kiss and hold you. I won’t go any further until you tell me you’re ready.”

“But won’t that be torturous for you?”

He laughs and kisses the corner of my mouth in that same spot he always does. “Yes, but we go at your pace.”

“Okay.”

“Okay, Rocket.” He kisses that spot once more.

“What’s so special about there?” I point to where he kissed.

His eyes shine with warmth. “I know I shouldn’t have one and don’t tell the others, but it’s my favorite freckle.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

LUNA

I’m concluding that all NHL players have private elevators.

Tapping in the code Felicity sent me, I drum my fingers nervously on the golden railing along the back wall as I wait for it to reach the penthouse.

The doors open out into a palace. Seriously, Felicity could probably pass as a member of the British royal family living here. The lavish apartment has gloss, gray tile flooring as far as I can see and beautiful sleek black light fittings. But as my eyes cast across the walls of the lobby, my heart squeezes. There are canvases of Jon, Felicity, and who I think are her children and his family scattered all around. Above the stone fireplace in the living room sits a huge print of them both. It looks like it was taken at a professional shoot. Felicity’s wrapped in Jon’s arms, their faces close together, and that stunning engagement ring is on full display. I don’t need to be an appreciator of art to know these two are in the deepest kind of love that could ever exist.

“Luna? We’re in here!” A British accent breaks me from my staring session as it filters down the hallway. “Second room on the left!”

I follow the direction of the voice, passing through the stunning kitchen and dining area until I enter a bedroom and find Felicity and Kate talking to two makeup artists and a hairdresser.

“Hey, girl! You’re up first.” Kate kisses me gently on the cheek and points to an empty chair in front of a dresser.

“All I can say is this place is madness. Like, wow,” I say, walking over to the chair and taking a seat. One of the makeup artists comes over first and begins setting out all her equipment and products.

“Thank you. It’s really Jon’s place; he styled it. But it feels more homely now that we have our pictures up.”

“It’s perfect,” I reply, placing one arm and then the other into a robe.

“I’m Cathy, and I’ll be doing your makeup today, and this is Hannah; she will take care of your hair. So, what sort of look are we going for?”

“Sexy as hell,” Kate responds, taking the seat next to me, ready for her hair to be fixed.

I snort. “I’m not sure that’s possible but give it your best shot.” I stare at my reflection for a beat and think about my black dress. I’ve always worn light makeup and bright colors, but tonight is different. I want to feel different. I need every ounce of confidence I can muster. “Maybe a smokey effect?”

Cathy smiles in response. “You got it. I think that will look awesome and suit your huge brown eyes perfectly.”

“I havehuge-eyeenvy.” Felicity chimes from across the room where she’s pouring glasses of champagne for us all. “They’re like looking into two big mugs of hot chocolate.” She hands Kate and me a glass and then offers one to the ladies working. “Wehad some fizz left over from my birthday party, and I thought, why the hell not?!”