Page 57

Gwen

H umpy skated across the ice with the puck, then smacked it right at me as I crouched in the net. Nothing like a Friday afternoon practice to get out the aggression of the week.

I stopped the shot with ease, then tossed the puck at him. “Come on, is that as hard as you can go?”

“That’s what she said.” Bonnie laughed. Half the forwards were taking turns whacking pucks at me, while the other half were down at the other end with our other goalie and our assistant coach. Coach Hirata worked with defense in the center.

NYIT had their own ice rink, which was used for hockey, skate smash, figure skating, speed skating, and the ice cheer squad. They also had community skate time and fun nights, not unlike warehouse skate at the training center.

“Suck my dick, Di Rossi,” Humpy said, taking another go at the net.

While I wasn’t much of a trash talker during games, busting my teammates’ balls during practice was one of my favorite pastimes.

This time he hit harder, but nothing compared to Grif Graf. It also didn’t make it in the net.

“Kiss your boyfriend with that mouth?” I teased. His boyfriend was one of the hockey cheerleaders.

“Just my girlfriend.” Humpy smacked another one at me. His girlfriend was team captain.

I caught it again. “Maze, your boyfriend is hitting on me,” I mock-tattled.

“I know. It was my idea. My turn. I bet I can sink it in the net.” Maze grinned. “I can be a better alpha than him.” Her eyebrows waggled as she half-sang the words, which were from a popular song.

“Show me.” I made a come at me gesture at our team captain.

Maze skated right toward me with the puck. Fierce and powerful, she had barreled into more than one goalie last season. The Bay Sharks had drafted her and she was the best forward on our team. As expected, she smacked it right into the net.

I ate ice trying to catch it.

Mine.

“Now that is how it’s done,” I praised, getting up off the ice. “Do it again, but harder. ”

“That’s what she said,” Bonnie giggled.

“You wish.” Maze laughed at Bonnie.

“Mmmm, so do I.” Humpy tried to pinch his girlfriend’s ass, and she hit him with her stick.

Coach looked over at us and narrowed her eyes. Yep, the hockey team for one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country was super mature.

“I spent the summer practicing with some of the Knights. They hit hard. Catching Grif Graf’s shots is like wrangling a freight train. Also, Carlos’ shots punch fast,” I told them.

Maze took a few more shots. Most of which I caught, but she brought on the force.

“So much better,” I told her.

“My turn,” Bonnie said, coming at me with the puck. “So, um, you’re dating Carlos Rodriguez? It was fun when he, Clark, and Dimitri came out with us.”

I laughed as I caught it. “Um, no . He’s still hung up on his ex and I’m not his type.” Which was svelte and full of trouble.

Like the kind that ended up with me doing him a solid by keeping a snake in my shower for a week.

“Harder, Bonnie. I barely felt it,” I yelled.

“Oof.” Maze laughed as Humpy said, “That’s what she said.”

“Eat a bag of dicks,” Bonnie laughed, trying again.

This one got in. “No thanks, I’m full.”

“Why is there a Yeti in the stands?” one of the first year’s asked as he moved to take his turn.

“We’re going dancing tonight.” I shrugged, catching it with ease. “That was weak. Do it again.”

I was so excited about our date. He’d come back to town today. I’d missed him a lot.

“It’s not Carlos and Clark, it’s Clark and the Yeti,” Bonnie’s voice went sing-song.

“Go dive in a dumpster of dicks, Bonnie,” I told her, as the first year came at me, glower on his face. Baby alpha didn’t like being told what to do by a beta.

“That sounds amazing. I’m severely lacking in genitalia to drown in.” Bonnie’s look turned wistful. She was a pretty beta, but a lot of guys were put off by how smart she was.

“Why would the Yeti date you?” the firstie grunted as he took another turn.

“Shut the fuck up, Firstie. You’re as messy as a badger in a dumpster of waffles. That’s all for you today,” Maze snapped as I caught it.

The forwards finished coming at me, then Coach gathered us all up for a cooldown and announcements.

“Strength training, conditioning, and cardio is mandatory, ” Coach lectured, giving us a hard look. “I know you have busy schedules, but that’s why we have a variety of times, days, and options. Only exception is people who are taking part in other training programs with permission and get sign-offs.”

Which would be me.

“Go on, now,” she told us, the skate smash team was waiting for the ice.

I skated over to Tenzin, grinning so hard my face hurt. “Hey, Big Guy.”

“Hey, Firecracker. The mouths you all have.” He smiled and handed me a bag.

“I know. The university’s founders would be proud. See you in a few.” I took the bag of clothes I’d asked Clark for. Today was a longer practice day, and it was easier to simply shower, change, and leave from here, than go back, given I could put my things in Tenzin’s truck.

I skated off and headed for the locker rooms. There I showered, changed into the dress and boots, and fixed my makeup.

“What are you dressed as? Weren’t you going dancing?” Maze eyed my outfit as she got dressed in sweats.

Most of them were headed to a party later. Normally, I’d want to go, but I’d rather go out with Tenzin. I’d missed him so much my heart hurt.

“We’re going country dancing.” I twirled. This wasn’t the sundress I’d asked Clark to get, but the blue denim dress was cute with these boots.

“Have so much fun,” Bonnie told me. “I’m jealous.”

Tenzin was waiting for me outside the locker rooms. He took my backpack and equipment bag from me, then slung them over his shoulder. “Ready to go?”

He looked stunning in a button-down, tight jeans, and his boots. Our hats were probably in his truck.

I took his arm, relishing in the feeling. “I can’t wait.”

“Do you want to watch an episode of our show? I finished my classwork,” I asked as we walked down the hall of the building. Tomorrow was Saturday, so it didn't really matter. I didn’t even have to work.

Normally, that would freak me out. After getting my scholarship disbursement, I’d done the math and realized that since I got paid for my internship, and I was still giving goalie lessons, I could just work rink shifts when I wanted to.

After all, thanks to Clark’s generosity, my expenses were minimal. My savings weren’t anything fancy, but if I didn’t work all the time, I’d be okay.

A crazy feeling, but given the season was starting, it was a good thing, so I could focus on what was truly important.

And have time for things like this. We’d gone out to a restaurant on our list, then went dancing at our favorite place. It had been fun hearing all about his adventures with Cooter, and to spend time with the two of us.

Something felt off, but he’d flown in today and was probably tired.

“Not tonight, Firecracker.” He shook his head.

“Oh. Tired?” I deflated.

His look grew pained and my heart stopped. Oh shit. Something was wrong.

“I need a little more time, Firecracker. I also have some things to do early tomorrow.” He squeezed my shoulder. It had started to rain, so he’d wrapped his sweater around me

“Oh, okay. I’m absolutely fine with that. Watching our show wasn’t a euphemism. I just wanted to spend more time with you.” If he made a move, I’d take it. Tonight I was a horny little beta. If he didn’t, I’d happily sit and watch TV with him. I’d missed that simple act.

We stopped in front of my door and he set down my bags.

“I know.” He cupped my cheek with his hand.

“Okay. I… I missed you.” I tried to gulp down the lump in my throat. “Oh. So no yoga and a visit to see Marty tomorrow then?”

“I’m sorry. Want to practice on Sunday?” he offered.

“Sounds good. Text me.” I deflated. He probably had a shit-ton to do before training camp began.

“I will. I had a lovely time. Oh, I missed this. Good night, Gwen.” Tenzin’s enormous arms enveloped me in a hug.

“Good night.” I bit my lower lip as I opened the door with my code and held it with my foot. “Thanks for a great time.”

I took my things, then slipped inside and dropped my stuff onto the bench. My eyes teared as the door closed behind me.

“You’re home early.” Clark sat on the couch, playing a video game with his headset.

I kicked off my boots and dove onto the couch, burying my face in his side.

“I think I’ve just been friend-zoned.” That hug felt like goodbye, and sadness welled up inside me. I should have known better. He’d gone finishing with Cooter and realized he couldn’t be with someone like me.

“Hey, Gwen’s home. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said as he ended the game and took off his headset. “Sweetness, what’s wrong?”

“He needs more time.” I cried. “Tenzin didn’t even want to watch TV. He walked me to my door, hugged me, and said goodnight. He even turned down yoga. That’s like even worse than friend-zoning.”

We were over and he didn’t know how to tell me.

Clark stroked my hair. “I’m sure it’s not like that, Sweetness. I’ll go to yoga with you. Or we can go out to breakfast, then visit Marty.”

“It’s me, right? How could I have been so dumb?” I sobbed. “He doesn’t know if he wants to be with a broken beta like me. A murderer with secrets.”

“Hey, hey.” Clark tipped my head up. “No talking bad about yourself. You’re not broken. We have no reason to believe this has anything to do with you. He had a pretty traumatic breakup and everyone deals with stuff differently.”

“You’re right. It’s just…” My chest shuddered. “I… I got really vulnerable with you both, revealed my deepest secrets, pushed you, and now…”

He held me tight, nuzzling my neck. “I’m sure that’s not it.”

“Okay.” I gulped again, grateful for Clark’s calming presence. “You’re right.”

“I’m right here.” Clark held me close, and I inhaled his hay and sunshine scent.

“Who were you playing video games with? Your siblings or Carlos?” I asked, trying to calm that part of me that felt abandoned.

Clark was right, it wasn’t me. He simply had a lot to do.

“Anders. He’s still disappointed about the trade falling through, and the options his agent has for him aren’t what he wants. The Knights wanted to keep him, which is a smart move.” His lips brushed against my neck, as his hand rose up my thigh. “Is this okay? I don’t want to push.”

“I… I like it.” I melted into him.

Clark’s fingers grazed my pussy, and I clenched. My heart pounded as one of his fingers slipped inside me.

I sighed. “That feels good.”

His lips grazed my collarbone. I gasped as a second finger slipped inside. The rhythm they created was maddening, and I yearned for another finger to join them.

My hand slipped under his shirt and roamed his broad and muscular chest.

“You're so wet and ready for me. You know, if you ever want me to join you in the bathtub, I’ll touch you real good,” he growled, as he scooped me up like I was a princess.

He knew what I got up to in the bathtub? That was alpha noses for you.

“What do you want, Sweetness?” he asked as he carried me into his room. “Do you want me to fuck you? Touch you? Take you in the shower and wash your hair? Just want to sleep? Do you want me to keep you company while you finish any assignments? Hey, wasn’t there a party? We can go. It’s still early in party time.”

I gushed. While I adored him putting my needs first, him putting my wants first, like he was doing now, was sexy as fuck.

“Is this an alpha thing? I smell like him, so you need to fuck me and cover me with your scent?” I looked up into his beautiful eyes and cupped his face.

He laughed. “I don’t care if you smell like him–I like how he smells. I don’t even mind if you wear his clothes, just not to bed with me. Feel free to stuff it under your pillow, like that shirt of mine you stole.”

My cheeks burned. “I… I sleep better that way. Always have. Your blanket that you gave me after my stuff was destroyed, brought me so much comfort in those early days of the breakup.”

It still lived on my bed. It was little things like that, things I’d done even before everything with Officer Jones, that possibly led my ex to think I might eventually awaken as an omega.

Clark held me in his arms, swaying gently, as we stood in the middle of his room. His built-in shelf housed his special-edition Defender League collectibles, some posed in a scene with the pocket square I’d gotten him for Christmas, as the backdrop. He bought a figure every time he scored a goal.

There were also hockey cards, comic books, graphic novels, photos, bobble heads, action figures and other things. A small lamp illuminated the room and there was a graphic novel by the nightstand.

His bed was also very comfortable. I adored his Defender League sheets. His comforter was plain blue. Captain Everything blue.

“Please, steal my blankets. I want to fuck you because you smell like you need to be stuffed full of my cum.” He brought me over to the bed and slowly took off my clothes.

“Yes, Alpha.” I looked up at him. Clark was right. It wasn’t us. If we truly cared about Tenzin, we’d be patient and give him the time and space he needed.

Clark pulled me onto the bed with him. “How do you want me, Sweetness? Hard and fast? Soft and slow?”

He slid off his grey sweats–which had nothing underneath and got into bed with me.

“This.” I climbed on top of him and kissed him softly, staring into his eyes, as if by doing so, I’d learn everything about him I needed to know.

“Oh, yes, please. Ride me, Cowgirl,” he teased, thrusting his hips.

Grabbing his hands in mine, I ground against his inflated knot. I sighed in pleasure as I moved up and down on his thick, hard shaft.

“Tesoruccio,” I gasped, angling my body, so that pierced cock got exactly where I wanted.

“That’s it, take what you want, Sweetness. What you need, what you want, that’s all I need and want.” He grinned up at me.

Those sweet words did as much for me as his dirty talk.

I leaned forward, my pleasure rising. “I want your knot,” I told him.

He captured my breast in his mouth, nipping it.

“Clark,” I cried, slamming down all the way onto his knot as an orgasm shook my body.

His hips took over as he kept moving, locked inside me as he filled me with his cum.

“That feels good,” I gasped, as his tongue lapped at my nipple.

Another orgasm shook me and I collapsed on top of him, spent. His body stilled. Clark’s arms wrapped around me. He kissed me deeply, a sense of content flowing through me.

“You're amazing–and you can ride me anytime.” He kissed me again, body wrapped around me, partially on top of me, squishing my nicely filled soul back into my body.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” I murmured, snuggling against his muscular chest.

This time, when I fell asleep, I had no nightmares.