Page 100 of Match Penalty

“And a genius,” she says with a grin. “But Penelope’s not thrilled about the whole situation. I probably owe her a month of chai lattes and sticky buns.”

The first laugh in days escapes me. “So, you really love me,” I say, as I move to the section without plexiglass. She follows me, step for step, until there's nothing between us but the boards. I pick her up and pull her over, setting her feet gently on the ice with me.

I keep my hands on her hips as she stares up at me.

“I think I always did," she says.

The next words catch in my throat. “So... what do we do next?”

Cammy’s gaze softens, her voice steady. “Well, Thanksgiving is in a couple of days so there's no practice with the team. My grandparents would love to meet you, and honestly," she says, looking down at the ice, timidly pinning a strand back behind her ear, "I know it's a lot to ask you to meet my family, but would you want to come home with me?”

My chest tightens at the thought. “Go home with you? To Minnesota? With Seven and your mom and—”

“And my grandparents,” she finishes. “I could really use you. It’s going to be a lot, I know. But having you there will make it easier for me.”

I nod slowly, the knot in my chest easing as I meet her gaze. “Your dad’s going to kill me, but I'll go anywhere with you Cammy.”

I pull her closer, feeling her body against mine once again.

For the first time in weeks, the world feels like it’s shifting back into place.

"I guess I don't have an apartment when I get back, since I already gave mine up," I say, the realization dawning on me.

"I know a girl with a king size bed three floors up," she gleams.

"We're doing this then. You're mine…finally?"

Her fingers wrap into my practice jersey, pulling me close, her lips full and perfect, making my mouth water. "I've been yours since you threw me that first puck. And I will be yours until the last," she says, and then pushes up on her toes to seal her lips with mine.

"We need to find a hotel room right now," I tell her against her lips.

She giggles. "Oh really? And why would that be?"

"Because… Je vais te lécher des orteils jusqu'aux seins."

A voice comes from Cammy's back pocket, translating what I said.

"I'm going to lick you from your toes to your tits," the voice translates.

Cammy's jaw falls open as we both stare at each other wide eyed. Other players skate by chuckling as the translation echoes through the rink.

"What the fuck was that?" I ask.

Cammy snickers as she pulls out her phone from her back pocket. "I believe they call that technology. Now you can't hide your true feelings from me, Dumont. Karma’s a bitch."

I laugh. Of course, she won't let me get away with anything. And that's why she's the one, and always has been.

"Je t'aime, mon petit oiseau."

"I love you, my little bird," the translator app says, as I lean down and kiss her again.

Chapter Thirty-One

JP

Cammy’s hand rests in mine as we drive up the long gravel road to her grandparents’ house in the rental car we picked up from the airport. The landscape is a picture-perfect Midwestern winter—a light dusting of snow blankets the ground, a string of smoke curling from the chimney, and the faint glow of lights in the windows. It’s cozy, idyllic.

Everything I’m not.

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