Chapter 8 #2
His scent was a dead giveaway, rich in hints of cedar and citrus laced with a heavy dose of testosterone. After what I’d heard three nights before, I’d tried to keep my head down, avoiding eye contact while I continued to try to process all the strangely exciting bits of information.
Yet there was such a tremendous draw to the man.
“Ford,” I said.
“Georgia,” he shot back, taking a deep breath. He’d done the same with me, the avoidance almost comical. When we’d met in the hallway, either he or I had moved to the other side, crowding the wall.
When he’d arrived for his massages, there’d been no real conversation other than when I’d offered thoughts on how he was healing, which was remarkably well.
On day one, I’d worried that if he played hockey again, he’d be one shot away from a career-ending injury and constant pain for the rest of his life.
Now? I was in awe of the man and his healing capabilities, which of course had led me to even more questions rumbling around in the back of my mind.
At what rate did shifters heal?
Did they succumb to typical illnesses and diseases?
Did they live longer or were they immortal?
I’d done exactly as Roxanne had suggested, searching the internet. I’d found various articles, many of them diatribes of hatred while others were glowing testament to how fabulous it was having shifters among us.
As if they were the second coming of the Messiah.
Except for the woman outside anyway.
What little I’d found on a more professional level including from a noted scientist had seemed hurriedly written, perhaps done under duress and not that informative. In truth, there were more questions than answers.
Thank God, the work had been exhausting, every team member suddenly needing a massage, which had seemed to piss off Ford.
Roxanne and I had stayed later than expected that night, although I’d enjoyed myself.
I’d arrived home late after enjoying time away from my life in general.
While the conversation had turned away from the legend of shifters inside the United States, images had already formed in the back of my mind.
Some far too grotesque and unworldly to be true. All based on the movies I’d seen and books I’d read about werewolves.
Now, looming over me was one huge man who I’d been told was a shifter and try as I had the last three days, I hadn’t been able to sense a major difference. Except that he was one big, muscular brute of a man. The reality hit me all over again like a punch to the gut.
Ford’s eyes were hooded, his nostrils flared, and for a few seconds, I sensed that both the way he was looking at me and his firm hold on my arms were possessive.
Entirely too much so. The connection was just as electric if not more so than the heat that had built into a frenzy, the only difference being that this time he was fully clothed.
Something that didn’t matter, a prickling sensation keeping my body on fire.
“Are you alright, Georgia?” There seemed to be a complete difference in the way he enunciated my name. I couldn’t put my finger on why except I’d had another very strange incident after coming home in the dark. “You look like you’ve seen a beast in the wild.”
Was the man goading me?
“Not a beast. Just an egotistical maniac.”
“Now I’m a maniac.”
“Did I say I was talking about you?”
He took a deep whiff, holding the air into his lungs. When he did, I had a flashback to a couple of nights before.
I’d seen eyes peering at me from the forest the night I’d spent with Roxanne.
Eyes that glowed, so luminous I was caught off guard.
Against all sense of danger, I’d walked closer, longing to see the creature watching me in the shadows.
Thankfully, the beast had run away, but I hadn’t been seeing things.
“I thought you liked rough and tumble men.” He purposely deepened his voice, offering what I gathered was a beastly growl.
“I do. Just not ones who think they are all that and a bag of spicy chips. But don’t worry, I’m just fine.” Only then was I cognizant that I was digging my fingers into his bare arms. With a slight jerk, I pulled away, curling both hands.
He stepped back, bending down and picking up the books I’d brought with me on exercises for an injured shoulder. Since I’d been prepped ahead of time as to what I’d face as far as injuries on the team, I’d picked up a couple of books on my trip to Seattle.
“Interesting reading material.”
“Additional exercises that might help you. Although I will admit, you’ve come a long way in a few days. Shocking actually.”
Ford acted like he was going to say something but decided against it.
He took a step back, lifting his arm and twisting his rotator cuff on purpose. “All thanks to you. Your massage technique is already working. And yes, I’ve been doing the exercises. I’m here on time for my massage just like you demanded.”
“Wow. A compliment. Pinch me.”
“My, such arrogance. Here I thought you were a nice girl.”
Oh, the man got under my skin.
Just hearing his voice created a series of vibrations that, while I tried, there was no way of ignoring. Seeing the curl of his upper lip, I sensed he could easily tell the effect he had on me.
Damn the man.
“I mean if you’re up for it. I am hard to handle in my full state of masculinity.”
It? A sudden flurry of unwanted, unnecessary, and way too unrequited images rushed into my mind. All including one hot man with a huge cock. Swallowing the lump that had formed, I forced myself to look away while he grinned as if winning a point in a chess match.
At least when he opened his mouth, the fog challenging my mental aptitude was lifted.
“Very funny, Mr. Kendrick. I’ll see you in a few minutes.
Take this book. I’ve marked specific locations inside of exercises that if done with care and regularly will strengthen your muscles, which is what we’re trying to do.
If we can stabilize your shoulder by using bear crawls and kettlebell presses, that will also assist with your joint. ”
He purposely crowded my space, trying to intimidate me by pushing me against the wall.
Just like he’d managed to do on the first day.
Only this time, I was prepared for his macho bullshit, standing my ground.
“I find it very interesting that you are so well versed in the art of physiology. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were hiding your full qualifications and I have to wonder why. ”
I lifted my head, refusing to kowtow to him.
Why was he pushing me so hard? “Since you’re so interested in my work, perhaps you should investigate what it will take to become an accredited massage therapist since at the rate you’re going, you will need another career.
” I was hesitant to tell him I was about to sign off on releasing him.
Maybe there was a side to me I’d yet to have the opportunity to explore.
He certainly didn’t like to have anyone push him. His eyes flashed and for a split second, I was taken to the night before. Had he been in the woods watching me? Stalking me?
We were caught in a moment where he lowered his head, breathing labored, heart rate soaring. When his lips were less than an inch away, I arched my back involuntarily. His scent roared through me, the man himself a powerful aphrodisiac.
Laughter from behind jerked him from the shared moment. His upper lip curled into a snarl as he stepped away.
“Hey, lover boy,” the dark voice chided. “The coach was looking for you.”
I peered around Ford’s arm, nodding to Finn Roth. I was only beginning to learn a few names.
“I’ll be right there, buddy,” Ford said without taking his eyes off me. “Just finishing up with something.”
“Sure thing.” Finn continued to laugh as he walked away. “Let me know if you need help.”
Ford stayed, the two of us locked in a mindset with one refusing to give into the other.
“Go,” I told him, trying to step away.
He placed his hand on the wall beside me, preventing me from moving.
“I can’t play until you tell me I can, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t pay attention to the game.
That’s something you should do as well. How about coming out with me tonight?
I’m sure we can find a repeat of the sucky ass game two nights ago.
I’ll teach you a little about the game itself and the violence you’re worried about. ”
The last thing I should do was to mix private time with one of the players, especially this man. I wasn’t entirely certain from the expression he wore whether he was hopeful or taunting me. He had a way of getting under my skin unlike any other man I’d known.
As much as I wanted to keep him at arm’s length and believed I could, when he looked at me with such a soulful expression, I was thrown off kilter. However, I had a job to do and knew him well enough to realize he would do anything so he could play.
“I think it’s best you continue working on healing, Mr. Kendrick. Who knows. Maybe all your hard work will come to fruition. But only if you’re a very good boy.”
His jaw clenched, hardening his features, but that only had the effect of adding another layer of masculinity that could turn a girl into a puddle right before him.
“Then I guess that will have to do. For now. You should know I don’t take no for an answer. From anyone.” He backed away, offering a nod that clearly indicated a challenge.
Why was it that every time he was even in the same room my pulse spiked to a dangerous level?
As I headed into the massage room, I backed away to where he couldn’t see me. What was it about the man that drove me so insanely crazy?
* * *
“Alright. Gather around,” Coach Stryker said after the team had finished practice.
We were in the locker room, which was filled with buff men crowding out every inch of space. Roxanne joined me, already taking photographs for whatever social media she’d make.