Page 93 of The Playmaker
“But I made a stupid rookie mistake.”
My heart jumps. What’s going on? He told me he loved me. What mistake did he make?
“One of those conditions should have been that I get to give you hockey lessons until we’re one hundred years old.”
My heart stalls. “What do you mean?”
He drops to one knee in front of me and his features soften.
“Cole…” I say, choking on his name.
He holds his hand out, revealing what his teammate had just handed to him. A ring box. “I want it all with you, Nina.” He opens the box, and showcases the most beautiful ring I’d ever set eyes on. “A house, a family, kids…a home. I want to grow old together.”
I stare at the man I’m in love with, the most private person I know. He doesn’t let the world see the real him, yet here he is, exposing his true self to the world, for me.
As my heart swells, I instantly realize two things: happily ever after does exist for me, and the plot for my hot hockey romance is going to be a very personal one.
“Say yes,” he says.
I drop to my knees, and he pulls me to him. “One condition,” I say.
“Oh, now you have a condition, do you?” He flashes a grin toward the crowd and they go crazy once more.
I lean in to him, put my hand over the mic, and whisper, “You continue to help me spice up my books. This hockey series is going to be hot, and you did mention something about tying me up. I believe you’re going to need to follow through with that.”
“What did she say?” someone in the crowd yells.
Cole clears his throat. “Sorry, folks, Nina’s brother is here and there are some things he should never hear.” He points to his eyes. “One black eye from my best friend is enough. Crazy Callaghan has a mean right hook.” The crowd laughs. “But Nina is worth the fight.”
The crowd laughs harder as Cason skates over. Cole slides the ring onto my finger, then pulls me up with him. The two men hug, and Jess comes onto the ice with the bottle of champagne.
I stare at her. “Ohmigod, you knew.”
She gives me a grin. “Yeah, Cason called me.”
“But you wanted to castrate Cole.”
Cole makes a face and puts his hand over his crotch.
“Yeah, I did. He hurt you, and if he didn’t do right by you tonight, he’d be walking out of here with one nut.” I laugh as Jess hugs me. “I needed to make sure he was the one you were willing to fight for, Nina.”
“He is.”
“Good.” Jess uncorks the champagne, and it sprays all over us.
“You’re all wet,” Cole says, and brushes his thumb over my face.
“Isn’t that the story of our life?” I whisper, and he grins, knowing exactly what I mean.
“The story of our life is just beginning, Nina. And yo
u know what? Real love stories never have endings.”
I blink up at him. “Now that I’m going to have to use in a book.”
His grin is wicked, full of sexual promises. “You know I’m always here to help you out with your stories.”
I kiss him with all the love I have in me. “I love you, Cole.”