4. Sabs #2
He effortlessly catches up with me, his muscular arms wrapping around my middle before he whirls me in the air.
“A head start is cheating,” he tsks playfully, putting me down. “I think that deserves a forfeit.”
My heart beats erratically, being so close to him. The moon from above casts us in a silvery glow, an eerie stillness sweeping over the beach as he looks like he wants to devour me.
“What do you have in mind?” I rasp.
“This.”
When his lips hit mine, my body sags against him, fanning the flames of desire in my core. Our kiss turns harder, more urgent as he holds my face in his hands, and his tongue pushes into my mouth. He tastes like spearmint and dirty promises.
Abruptly, I pull away before we’re tempted to find a quiet corner of the beach.
I’ve had more than one fumble on the beach, and sand isn’t fun to get out of certain creases.
“We should probably—” He picks me up and throws me over his shoulder before I can even finish my sentence.
“Hey!” I playfully punch his arm. “I can walk myself!”
“I know.” Although I can’t see his face, I hear the smile in his voice. “But I’m quicker.”
He takes off at lightning speed, darting up the bluff, not lowering me until we’re on the street. I quickly do a scan of the area, hoping that Laz or his packmates aren’t randomly walking past. I doubt he’ll be happy to find out that I’m spending the night with a hockey player.
With the coast clear, Adler waves down a passing golf cart with a sober driving volunteer behind the wheel. As soon as we slip into the back seat, he gives the driver his address. I don’t pay much attention, too busy ogling his rippling, corded muscles as he grips the steel bar of the cart.
The cool wind whips my cheeks as I snuggle into him as we hurtle away. His hand rests on my knee, his thumb circling my skin in torturously slow circles that make me think that I’m in for a treat.
“I thought you’d live in the Alpha Quad?” I frown as we drive past its entrance.
“I live close by,” Adler replies. “Somewhere more exclusive.”
“I didn’t think there were any other alpha accommodations?”
The Alpha Quad is the designated alpha on-campus housing area, made up of pack houses for pre-established packs, apartments for lone alphas, and an all-female alpha block.
“I guess there are some perks to being the Foxes team captain.” Adler’s lips quirk at the corners. “That and one of my packmates has special connections.”
“Okay, Mr. Mysterious.”
I should probably message the Stellas to let them know where I’m going, but I figure that Nia knows who I’m with, and I don’t want to be inundated by texts from Kady with reasons not to hook up with Adler because of tips TVV has received.
Besides, they can check my location on our tracking app, if they’re that interested.
Although, I’m sure they’re being kept very busy by their own packs.
Suddenly, Adler taps the driver on the shoulder, telling him he can stop. It looks like we’re in the middle of nowhere. When we get out, Adler hands him a stack of bills before the cart speeds off into the night.
“This way.” Adler strolls over to a ten-foot high gate and motions to the imposing barrier. I can’t see anything over it but tall trees. “Here we are.”
“This is your place?”
He chuckles, going over to a panel built into the gate’s wall to put in a code. It pings before slowly opening.
“Holy fu…” I’m speechless as the gates pull back to reveal the biggest pack house I’ve ever seen. Hell, it’s almost as big as the faculty buildings. “You live here?”
I thought Omega Village had the best houses on campus, but this place is colossal. A long drive leads up to an impressive slate-gray brick mansion with a fountain out front.
Adler laces his fingers through mine. “Want a tour?”
“Hell yeah, I do!”
Inside, the place is just as impressive as its exterior.
Everywhere I look is marble from the floors to the walls, to where plaques are hanging and shelves are lined with trophies.
In the center of the foyer, there’s an obnoxiously large bronze fox statue that looks like something you’d see in a museum.
“Hey, buddy.” I pat the fox on the head, peering at its face. “What’s your name?”
“I call him Fred.” Adler chuckles. “He came with the house. This entire place is funded by Foxes alumni, housing the team’s historical memorabilia. It also comes with the added perk of being accommodation for the team captain.”
Alongside the glittering trophies behind glass cabinets and a bashed-up puck from what I assume was a famous game, I inspect some of the photographs on the walls, checking out the brawny 1998 team. Now they were a team I’d show up at the rink to see.
He leads me into an open living area before taking me to the kitchen, which thankfully, looks less like a hockey museum.
The whole house smells amazing. As well as Adler’s scent, there is another woodsy scent that reminds me of forest walks, plus a richer, spicy overtone. Suddenly, I find myself disappointed that Adler’s packmates aren’t home. If they’re anything like him, I bet they’re hot as fuck.
Adler moseys over to one of the three oversized fridges. Opening the door, I see that it’s stuffed with rows of energy and protein drinks in every flavor you can think of. Clearly, these guys take working out seriously.
“You thirsty?”
“Water would be great.” I poke my head into the living room, spotting a monstrously sized television that takes up most of one wall. “You know, this place is pretty clean for a bunch of guys.”
“Go long!” He hurls me a bottle, which I easily catch with one hand. “Nice catch,” Adler murmurs admiringly. “And we have a housekeeper. Orin hates mess.”
Orin. The name sounds kinda familiar, but I can’t place where I heard it before. I’ve met lots of guys on campus and swiped through every profile on the Scent Valley Match app in the last week, so I probably saw him on there.
Curiosity gets the better of me. “Is the rest of your pack on the hockey team, too?”
“No. Luca used to play, until…” His shoulders hunch. “Well, he doesn’t anymore. From what I’ve seen, packs being on the same teams can go one of two ways: it can be the best thing ever or the worst. Personally, I like having the separation.”
“Uh-huh…” I watch him glug from his water before letting my eyes trail down the rest of him.
He catches me staring. “Checking me out again, firecracker?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep any compliments to myself.” I twist the cap back onto my bottle. “After seeing how those girls acted around you at the party, I don’t know if that head of yours will fit into your helmet if you get any more praise.”
“Well, I’d rather have a compliment from you than them.” My pulse spikes as he approaches. Now that we’re inside, his scent is even more intense, and my own perfume fills in the air. My scent-blocker spray must be wearing off.
“The jury’s still out,” I tease. “We’ll see if that pretty face performs as well off the ice as it does on.”
“I can finish the house tour…?”
“Why don’t you take me straight to your bedroom?
” I get to the point. If he gave me a full tour of this mansion, it’d take forever, and I’m pretty sure I’d leave a trail of slick behind me like some weird, sex-craving snail.
A girl has needs, and there’s only so long one can be around a hot topless guy without having them met.
“Are you always like this?” He puts his hands on my hips. Strong, steady hands. “So forward?”