“Congratulations. Now, Phillip?” the preacher says, completely ignoring the fact that I’m freaking out over here.

“My turn? Awesome,” he says and then looks deep into Reese’s eyes. Usually they gag me with their corny love, but right now, I’m in awe of them. They are perfect for each other. “I couldn’t live without you, Reese. I couldn’t be the man I am without you. I couldn’t be the father I am to Claire and the one I will be for our new baby without you. I couldn’t be the hockey player I am without your support. That’s all there is to it. I love you, you know that. I think you’re hot, and I know I’ll always think that ’cause you are by far the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever set eyes on. I promise to love you at your best and your worst ’cause you are mine. Now let’s get this over with so I can kiss the hell out of you without the preacher yelling at me.”

A grin pulls at my mouth, and I watch them exchange rings, Phillip being his goofy self. When it is time for them to kiss as husband and wife, I find myself not watching them, but watching Jude. He’s smiling, his eyes locked on me, and for some reason, I think that this could be us one day.

And if that day is as perfect as this one has been, then I can’t wait.

I am in a room full of hockey royalty.

Some of the greatest players came for Reese and Phillip’s wedding, and while I want to get up and mingle with them, I can’t seem to move, or talk, for that matter. I should appreciate the fact that I’m at such a prestigious wedding at the beautiful Belle Meade plantation about to see my hot-ass girlfriend at any moment, but all I can do is try to keep from freaking out because Shea Adler just sat right beside me. Giving him a sideways glance, I look away quickly before he catches me looking at him. Jayden and Jase met him once at an Assassins foundation thingy, but I was home with the flu and didn’t get the chance. They said he’s a really nice guy, but he is the captain of the Assassins. The greatest player in the NHL.

How do you talk to someone like that?

I know I need to get over that since I will be playing against him in no time, but I can’t seem to do that at this particular second. Pulling my phone out, I know there’s only a slim chance that Claire has her phone, but I text her anyway.

Me: I am sitting beside Shea Adler. #freakingout.

I wait a second and thankfully, a text comes through.

Claire: Lol! U dork! Say hi, he’s supernice.

Me: No way, he’s Shea Adler.

Claire: I know, he’s my uncle.

Me: That’s so weird!

Claire: Ur weird, talk to him or I’ll introduce you in a few. I’m about to be there.

Me: See u in a bit. You look really hot babe.

Claire: Thanks ☺

Me: I still get to peel that dress off right?

Claire: Definitely.

A grin comes across my face as I tuck my phone in my pocket. Leaning back in my seat, I take in my surroundings. It truly was a beautiful wedding, but the reception is really awesome. Lights hang from the ceiling; lots of blue flowers are in the middle of the tables with pops of yellow everywhere. As soon as I walked in and was directed to my seat, a beer was placed in my hand. I chugged the sucker, not only because I was worried they’d take it away from me, but because I’m nervous. I’ve never been around so many important people.

“Hey,” Shea says unexpectedly from beside me. I look over, not sure he’s talking to me, but then he says, “I’m Shea Adler. I don’t think I’ve met you.”

I take his hand and shake it as I say, “Jude Sinclair.”

“Oh, Elli, this is the guy that’s dating Claire.”

Elli looks over at me and waves. “Yeah, Jude, hey, how are you?”

“Fine, thank you,” I say and then look back at Shea.

Elli returns to talking to one of the ladies from the afternoon when I picked Claire up and Shea leans toward me, dropping his voice almost to a whisper before saying, “Yeah, don’t hurt her. You do, you’ll have a whole hockey team after you.”

I think I just peed on myself.

Leaving me with wide eyes, he sits upright, and I look away just as the music starts.

I just got threatened by Shea Adler.

That is so fucking cool.

Yes, I am shaking in my boots, but come on, it’s not every day that the captain of the Assassins threatens to kill you. As I look over at the door that is opening, Claire comes in on the arm of Erik Titov. She’s grinning from ear to ear, looking completely stunning all done up. As my eyes lazily make a trail down her gorgeous body, I can’t wait to get that dress off her. It’s been days since I’ve been deep inside her, and I’m itching to get her naked. But I have to admit, she looks amazing fully clothed right now.

Heading in next are Reese and Phillip, looking so fucking happy they could star in a newlywed sitcom. They are disgustingly cute, but I bet that’s what people think of Claire and me. As people cheer and holler for the bride and groom, my eyes go back to where my girl is standing to find that her eyes are locked on me. A sneaky little grin pulls at her lips, and I smile as she starts for me before dropping into my lap. I wrap my arms around her, kissing her red-painted lips.

“Hey, Jude,” she says with a wink.

“Hey, gorgeous.”

“I can’t stay for long. I have to sit up there with them, but I couldn’t stand to be away from you any longer,” she says in a perfect rendition of a Southern belle.

Clearing my throat, I say in my best southern way, “Well, ma’am, I’m glad you came because I just can’t live another second without your lips on mine.”

“You’re in luck, cowboy, ’cause I’ve been cravin’ some kissin’,” she says right before she presses her lips against mine.

Corny. Yes, we are. I don’t think either of us cares, though. Holding her face in my hands, I kiss her long and hard, my dick coming to life in my pants and pressing against her ass. Grinning against my lips, she whispers, “Something is poking me.”

I grin. “Yes, he misses you.”

Her eyes darken as she runs her nose along mine. “I miss him.”

I groan inwardly as she pulls away and says, “Shea, this is my boyfriend.”

Shea looks over at us and smiles. “Yeah, I know. I already threatened to kill him if he hurts you.”

Rolling her eyes, she looks at me. “I’m sorry, but did you know that the Nashville Assassins team is full of a bunch of overprotective crazies?”