Stephanie Archer

The only way to receive her inheritance? Marry the NHL's grumpiest enforcer, a brutally handsome jerk, and the last man she'd ever fall for, from the viral TikTok author of Behind the Net.

In public, Georgia Greene and Alexei Volkov act as besotted newlyweds, but in private, they’re at each other’s throats. He’s competitive, arrogant, and surly. The guy’s never cracked a smile in his life. He’s jealous of her colleague, glares at her high heels, and insists he’s not attracted to her. He’s only marrying her for citizenship.

Fighting with Alexei is more fun than Georgia expected, though, and beneath his grouchy exterior, Alexei is surprisingly caring, protective, and generous.

He cuddles with her bunnies and worries about her safety. He sends her flowers with secret meanings and spends way too much money on her. He makes her sleep in his bed and calls her his wife.

For a guy who said he’d never love her, Alexei’s doing a great impression of it… and now Georgia is wondering if this marriage is fake after all.

Gloves Off

Sophia

“What’s the matter, Volkov? Get lost on the way to the underworld?”

“No.” He closes the door behind him. “I found it just fine.”

“Easy. I was humiliated.” She gestures at me. “You’re twice my age.”

“In that case, you look terrible for eighteen.”

The corner of her mouth tightens like she’s trying not to laugh, and I get a weird hit of something warm in my chest. Annoying.

“Look, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about them, but they’re so quiet, you won’t even notice they’re here. And the only place they’ll be is my room.”

His eyes widen with shock. “They’re not coming over to my house, and they’re sure as shit not going in your bedroom.”

 with us?!” His voice goes weirdly high.

“What did I say, Georgia? I said no fucking other guys.”

“Oh, darlings,” she calls, opening the bathroom door. “I’m home. There they are,” she says proudly, with that big grin on her annoying, gorgeous face. “My boyfriends.”

On the floor, a giant ball of dryer lint makes a squeaking noise.

“Eugh.” I make a face. “What the fuck is that?”

I can’t lie here all night with her on top of me or I’ll never get any sleep. Careful not to wake her, I shift her off my chest and back to her side of the bed. Two minutes later, she’s on top of me again, clinging to my chest, one leg sliding between mine.

I’m just starting to fall asleep when I hear the rustle of sheets. The doctor lays down beside me on the sofa, arm looping around my waist, head against my chest, light violet scent washing over me.

Wishing I could call her my wife for real. The last thought isn’t even a concern anymore. That’s how far gone I am. I don’t care if she’s not there yet. I’ll be patient. I’ll wait until my wife is ready.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” My throat works.

“Nothing’s wrong. Everything’s amazing,” I laugh, another tear rolling down my face. “Eternity, though?”

“You want me forever, don’t you, you sick fuck?”

He lets out a sharp laugh before he winces. “Don’t do that.” I hold his eyes. “I love you, too.”

He reaches for my hand and begins to pull the band off, the ugly, plain one he gave me months ago, but I snatch my hand back.

“Don’t.” I send him an accusing look. “I like it.”

He leaves, and Georgia stares after him with a small frown. “Does he know?”

“About us?” She nods. I think back to her walking past his office, and Ward saying too bad you aren’t married to a Canadian.

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