Push (Colorado Storm Hockey #3)

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

ADALINE

The neon lights of Las Vegas are casting a rainbow glow all over Nik as he snoozes next to me. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that he brought me back here, just like I requested, for what he calls our “proper honeymoon.” What. A. Guy. I’ve got to hand it to him. He didn’t skimp on it. He ended up getting us this massive suite at one of the most notably snazzy hotels in Las Vegas. I was a little sad we didn’t stay at the hotel where we got married, but when I saw the deep jetted tub for two in one of our three bathrooms, I got over that really fast.

I woke up not too long ago from our nap and I’m so glad I did. I’ve got front row seats to this light show on Nik’s ridiculously chiseled body. Those shoulders of his could probably bench press me if I asked. I would never . And don’t even get me started on the rest of him. Let’s just say I’m doing a very thorough “inspection” of my favorite Nik-features right now.

We’ve been here for three whole days, just us. No family drama and no botanical emergencies. Just me, my hulk of a husband, and apparently, all the neon lights Vegas could throw at us through the window. I’ve got to say, it’s been pretty much perfect from the gambling he’s indulged me, to the spa day, to all the bedroom time. My god, the bedroom time. If I’d known that a honeymoon could be like this, I’d have made us decide to stay married way earlier.

“Nik,” I whisper and kiss the back of his shoulder. “Wake up, honey. We’ve napped for too long and the slots are calling for me.”

He groans, rolling over to face me. His hair is mussed from sleep, and if that didn’t make him somehow more attractive to me, the gray hairs that are peeking out in his beard would do the trick. “Again? I swear, if I’d known you were like this, I might have reconsidered this whole marriage thing.”

I laugh, leaning in to press a kiss to his lips. “Liar. You love it. And just so we’re clear, everyone in my family loves gambling. It’s kind of a problem. I’d say politics, gambling, pastries, and sports are the Khoury’s favorite things.”

He laughs at that. “I thought you didn’t like sports before we met?”

“I didn’t. That’s how I rebelled. Well, that and marrying you ten minutes after meeting you.”

“I love you,” he says with a smile and then pulls me closer. When his hand slides down my back, a rush of goodness flutters through my chest. “Maybe we could stay in bed a little longer?”

The invitation in his eyes is tempting. Like really tempting. But when we came back up here after going to the pool, the idea was to just take showers and get cleaned up for dinner. We ghosted that dinner reservation so hard, when our quick shower turned into a full on sex fest from the shower, to the vanity, to the bed. No wonder we crashed afterward. But now I’m hungry and ready to hit those slots. “Later,” I promise, reluctantly pulling away from him. “I’ve got a hot streak to maintain.”

Nik watches appreciatively as I slip into a slinky red dress. “You know,” he says, propping himself up on his elbows, “if you keep winning like you have been, we’ll be able to put one of those deep jetted tubs in our new house.”

Nik and I kicked off our house hunt recently. My apartment above the shop is just too small for us and Max, and while Nik’s mountain house is perfect for getaways, it’s too far out for everyday life. I don’t know how he did that drive with his grueling hockey schedule. So, we’re looking for a place with more space, closer to town—especially near the ice rink where Nik’s starting his youth hockey program. We’ll keep the mountain house because we’d be fools not to. I mean—that view. Those stars.

“Just so you know, having a tub like that is my dream,” I reply while tossing him his shirt. “Now come on, I need my good luck charm.”

An hour later, we’re wandering around the casino floor, with a credit voucher in hand. I hit a small jackpot and I’m elated.

“How do you know which slot you want to play?” Nik asks.

“It’s all about feeling. Well, that and some strategies Teta taught me when we’d go up to Black Hawk.”

“Your grandmother taught you gambling strategies?”

“Oh yeah, her whole thing was, if you’re going to sin, do it properly.”

That makes him laugh. “So, what are these strategies?”

“Since you’re part of the family, I feel okay about telling you these secrets.”

He rolls his eyes, which is fair.

“You never want to play a slot on the end of the row, or one that’s right on the edge of the casino floor, especially by a major walk way. And obviously you have to make sure it didn’t just pay out a huge amount.”

“Okay, that last part makes sense. The ones on the end, though? I’m not so sure. ”

“Hey, I don’t make the rules,” I tell him and bump into his shoulder.

He gives me a classic Huxley small chuckle and then throws his arm around my shoulders. “Let’s go cash this out.”

As the night wears on, we find ourselves wandering the Strip, hand in hand. The air feels a little like a hair dryer in your face and I try to remember that I shouldn’t complain too much because it won’t be too long before the temperature drops in Colorado and I’ll long for a night like this. Nik—ever the defenseman—holds me close to him as we weave our way through a bunch of drunk idiots.

“So,” I say, as we pause to watch the fountains at our hotel, “how did your meeting go today?”

Nik smiles. “Really well. The Las Vegas Jacks are on board. They’re going to be major sponsors for the youth program. So that makes the Storm, the Jacks, and the Rebels.”

I reach up, cupping his face in my hands. “That’s amazing. You’re going to change so many lives with this.”

His expression softens. “Well, I guess I have you to thank, because you inspired me.”

“What? How’s that possible?”

“You really want to know?” he asks, and holds me at the hips.

I smile up at him. “I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t.”

“With Orange Blossom. You took a risk and scaled it up. That’s believing in yourself. And what’s even better is that you’re doing it without compromising. It made me think I could take a risk too. You’ve also helped me understand that I’m more than just a hockey player. That maybe I have more to offer. So yeah, this program...you sparked that in me. You gave me the push I needed without even realizing it.”

“Oh, come on,” I say, and my cheeks are warming. “It’s just a silly little shop. You’re the one who’s going to be literally changing kids’ lives. ”

I pause, realizing how much his words mean to me. “But, thanks. That means a lot coming from you.”

Then, looking him in the eye, I add, “You know, you were always capable of this, Nik. You’re so special and I’m so proud to be your wife.”

His eyes tear up, catching him off guard. He quickly blinks and looks away, clearing his throat. When he meets my gaze again, there’s a vulnerability there I rarely see.

“I, uh…thanks,” he mumbles, his voice gruff. He pulls me close, burying his face in my hair. His arms tighten around me, and I feel him take a deep, shaky breath.

After a moment, he pulls back slightly, his eyes intense. “You too, you know,” he says quietly. “Special, I mean. And I’m proud to be your husband.”

We’re about to kiss when a commotion nearby catches our attention. A young couple, clearly drunk and giggly, are stumbling towards one of the many wedding chapels that line the street.

“Should we stop them?” I ask, remembering our own impulsive wedding. “Talk some sense into them?”

Nik considers for a moment, then shakes his head. “Nah,” he says, pulling my body close to his. “It might be the best thing that ever happens to them.”

I rise onto my tiptoes to kiss him. “It certainly was for us.”

As we make our way back to our hotel, Nik’s hand never lets go of mine. “So,” he says, “what’s on the agenda for tomorrow?”

I’m already laughing before I tell him my amazing idea. “Two words. Magic Mike.”

Nik stops in his tracks, then groans dramatically, but I can see the sparkle of amusement in his eyes. “You’re killing me, A.”

“Hey, if the youth hockey program doesn’t work out, there’s always a future in stripping for you. This could be educational,” I tease him as we enter an elevator. Once the doors close, I bring that very hot face of his back down to mine for a helluva kiss.

As we stumble back into our hotel room, clothes flying like he’s taking my stripping suggestion to heart, and our hands roaming each other’s bodies like we can’t get enough, I’m amazed at how far we’ve come. From an impulsive wedding that we went into with the worst of intentions to a love deeper than either of us ever thought was possible. I’m so glad we went all in on love.

The End