12. Kallis #2
The answer is yes. Because my neck still buzzes where his tongue ran over it, and I tremble at the thought that he could have bitten me so easily.
He didn’t, but I hate how much I want to experience it, too. Because if it’s so gentle between us like this, what would it feel like if we bonded?
I jump as a harsh whistle signals through the stadium before I can answer myself. I shoot back from him, glancing at the score on the screen above the rink.
It’s 9–2. The Bears have won by a landslide.
“Fuck yeah! Seven points for seven years, baby!” Tanner’s yell bursts around us as he suddenly whips off his shirt and starts whirling it over his head while beating his chest.
“We took our fucking time, but we did it!” Anders hoots, and Kenny throws himself over the barrier to race toward the other players.
The camera pans over the crowd, and Bears fans are waving, cheering, and hugging each other. One old man with a bear painted on his cheek and five scarves wrapped around his torso is crying as his three friends hug him, and the energy soars around us.
Mathan laughs as our players pour out onto the rink, cheering over a monumental win.
“You should go down there. Celebrate with your team. It’s your first victory against them in years, isn’t it?” I say.
“I don’t want to leave you. Besides, something tells me we won’t be alone for long.” He nods at the center of the rink, and my eyes travel out across the ice.
I flinch as I find Orso glaring right at me. Artie is bouncing around him like an excited puppy, tugging on his arm, forcing him to move. And they’re focused on us. They tear across the ice, glued to a target, and nerves hop up my throat as I realize what I’ve done.
I’ve been so forceful with them and made it clear that I’m not going anywhere near them. Yet the first chance I had to be alone with Mathan, I surrendered. But I miss feeling like myself, and he’s given me that.
I have to remember why I came here and what my goals are, which don’t involve the hockey players whose scents drive me wild.
“Bee!” Artie shouts as he slams against the boards, tugging off his helmet and waving it in the air. “Did you see that? I blocked ten shots in one period. Way better than Mathan can do with his messed-up arm.”
I glance at Mathan, and a tremor goes through me as he meets my gaze with a reassuring smile.
Orso’s glare stays fixed on us as he comes through the gate, quickly kicking off his skates so he can walk up the steps to us while Artie wrestles with his kit.
“How are you doing?” Mathan asks Orso as he stands.
“I should be the one asking you that.” Orso frowns as Mathan lifts his good arm to stroke his cheek, both of them looking at each other with passionate love I can taste in the air.
I want it too much. I’ve already been distracted by Mathan, but if I give in to my pulsing desire as they turn their attention back to me, I don’t know what will happen.
I’d rather listen to my fear than take a risk with the three of them.
Artie, finally free from his kit, bounds over, and my heart catches at his bright smile. “Were you watching, Bee? You seemed totally wrapped up in Mathan. That was seriously unfair, you know? Next time I’m in the net, you have to keep your eyes on me, okay?”
My jaw hardens, taken over by the cold feeling of my heart closing off at the expectation hanging between us. I press my lips together and rise from my seat.
“Are you leaving?” Mathan asks.
“Yes. Keep those ice packs on until you return to your hotel room. If you see any abnormal swelling, please go to the hospital.”
“Why don’t you come back to our room? You can do a proper check for any abnormal swelling there?” Artie says with a purr, and my brow furrows.
“It takes at least two hours for the swelling to appear. So there is no value in me coming with you.”
Though it is maddeningly tempting, out here in the rink, where there are people watching, I can at least keep myself under control. It scares me how much I want them.
“Bee, you’re no fun.” Artie pouts. “How can we flirt with you if you’re so serious about everything?”
“Who said anything about flirting?” I reply coolly before turning back to Mathan. “Mr. Seely, I’ve done everything I can. I recommend that you don’t go out tonight with your teammates.”
“So it’s Mr. Seely again? Not ‘alpha’?” he asks.
A shudder goes through me, and I’m sure he sees it.
I have to leave before I start slicking.
Suppressants are supposed to stop my slick, but Mathan is still shirtless, and the yellow shield sits proudly on his chest. I want to take it back to my nest, but I’d have to take the man as well, and that would only end badly.
And when they are drenched in sweat, it expands the problem phenomenally.
Mathan’s wildflowers are sweet, but they’re addictive when combined with Orso and Artie, so I almost embarrass myself and let out a whine.
If my temperature rises any higher, my suppressants are sure to fail.
“Dr. Tully,” Orso says, his voice sending fire to my core. “Why don’t you check him over some more? You’re the most qualified out of everyone here.”
There’s something so attractive about his stern but concerned look. Even one word from him lights up my body in a way I’ve never experienced before. I’m being drawn to him, but I know I’ll burn if I dare touch him.
“I… um…” I’m suddenly lost for words because everything in me is screaming at me to say yes, especially when Mathan holds out a hand, asking me to join them.
“Bee!” Artie explodes between us, stealing all of my attention and blocking me from Mathan and Orso.
I breathe a sigh of relief, as if Artie is what I need to get my head on straight.
“Listen, you totally don’t have to say yes, but we really like skating at night when everyone else has gone home.
It’s like our after-hours practice. Why don’t you join us when we get back to Aurum tomorrow evening?
We even turn off the CCTV so we don’t get in trouble. It’ll be so fun, I promise!”
My gaze darts over his shoulder to Mathan and Orso, but they both look so hungry that I know it would be anything but fun.
“Thank you, Artie,” I say, returning to my professional tone. “I appreciate the offer, but I have better things to do.” And I have no intention of being cornered like this when my omega side enjoys it so much.
Players are coming off the ice in a surge of yellow and brown, their sticks and skates clattering along with their happy banter.
Tanner has managed to lose half his clothes, and I can already see a wound or two on him.
Though I’m not interested in dealing with Tanner’s sickly pina colada scent, treating the other players is a perfect reason to leave.
I reach into my first-aid box for a strip of painkillers.
“Take two of these every four hours,” I say as I hand them to Mathan.
I quickly snap the box closed, pressing my lips hard together as I grab the handle. I don’t want to say anything else to them in case I slip up and reveal something I shouldn’t.
“That’s it?” Mathan asks, looking shocked.
“Yes. That is all. Excuse me,” I say, promptly turning my back on them and heading for the stairs to join the other medics.
“What was that about?” a nurse asks. “Did you shoo us away so you could have Mathan all to yourself?” She grins.
“Please don’t be ridiculous. Have any of the players reported major injuries?” I ask.
“No, there’s barely even been any impacts. They’re stealing the fun from us,” she sighs.
“What do you mean by fun?”
“Well, we like watching the big Bears smashing into people. And not just because it’s sexy as hell.”
“But they are winning more than before,” I point out.
“Yeah, but there’s nothing like them stripping down so we can take care of all of their aches and pains. You know what I mean?” She waggles her brows.
“That’s no way to speak about our co-workers,” I say, even though I’d been thinking exactly the same thing. I still feel light and gentle from Mathan’s touch, despite running away.
“Hey, you know you’re blushing, right?” another asks.
I lift my hand to my cheek, surprised at the warmth, but it’s natural when my heart races like this.
“It’s just the cold of the rink. Let’s get moving. We need to make sure everyone is taken care of.”
They giggle as they step in next to me, carrying their first-aid boxes.
I can’t really scold them when I’m so torn. I want to talk with Mathan more, or just sit with the three Bears and learn about how they work together as a pack, but I can’t let myself waver.
I have to stay strong to succeed this season, accrue the experience I need, and make sure I don’t give in to my desire to do what Mathan asks and mount him.