Page 6 of UnWholly Angels (Crestview Cardinals #1)

The pure force I used to bodycheck him into the boards caused my own helmet to crack down the right side, eliciting a slight twinge of pain, but I wasn’t done.

Not by a long shot. My gloves came off, and my heart raced as I fisted his jersey, laying into him.

Getting in a few good hits himself, I tasted copper as my lip split, and before I knew it, we were on the ice, fists flying everywhere.

When the referee yelled for the box, I grinned wickedly, wiping away the blood from my chin and spitting in Brunner’s direction.

Fine with me.

I just shrugged my shoulders, acting stupid about the premeditated incident.

While it was worth it, I hated the box; it made me feel claustrophobic and trapped.

Memories of the group home flitted through my head, and I pushed them behind the door they belonged in.

Dipping my head in my hands, I heaved a few ragged breaths to try and calm myself.

My leg shook uncontrollably, and I just wanted to be back out on the ice, to be free.

A high-pitched whistle cut through the glass, and my head rose from between my legs, slowly turning to the noise.

Holy shit.

Cam Girl was here, in person, and sitting with Chloe? It took a few seconds to believe what I was seeing. How the hell did she know Chloe? Why was she here? Clenching my jaw, I tried calming the erection forming under my layers at the sight of her. Now was not the time to lose focus.

“You know,” she yelled, “if you stopped leaving so many open opportunities and tried to shoot, you may get a goal or two!”

My molars ground down to the enamel as I listened to her words. I was already pissed off and decided against replying back. I didn't want to hurt her feelings. Plus, I scored a goal like thirty minutes ago, so her logic was flawed.

“Cat got your tongue, Kingston? If you put as much energy out on the ice as you do into fighting, we wouldn’t always be a man down.”

Rising from my spot quickly, I pounded right back on the glass and narrowed my eyes at her.

“Shut the fuck up and sit down, before I fuck you with the blade of my stick in front of all these people.” Her hair fell over her shoulders in waves, and I wanted nothing more than to fist it and guide her mouth over my cock.

Surprisingly, she listened. Her plump lips hid a sinful smirk as she returned her attention to the game, attempting terribly to hide her flushed cheeks.

I peered at her over my shoulder and winked before making my way back onto the ice, and just barely noticed her bottom lip was tucked between her lips.

It didn't matter how much I would have to bid on Cam Girl. I would win and fuck that smart mouth so hard, she’d think twice before ever talking to me like that again.

I hope you're ready for Angel Kingston, pretty girl, because you’re about to get ruined beyond measure.

God, you’re going to love it so much.

Maya

Pride swelled within me at the win tonight. There was nothing like getting to witness my brother-in-law score the game-winning goal, in a shootout, no less.

“Congrats. Seeing you in action never gets old,” I congratulated Nick. He wrapped me in his embrace, but I knew he wanted to get Chloe and the kids home. Plus, it was cold, and goosebumps formed along my arms.

“Thank you, always a team effort though,” he huffed.

On the way out, we plowed through the endless fans, stopping once in a while so he could sign a few autographs.

Chloe was protective of Nick and could sense his depleting energy by the way he engaged with the fans.

His hand scribbled lazily over the objects, and his chest rose and fell slowly, fighting the sleep he so desperately needed.

His hand rubbed over his face, and he held in a yawn to take a group picture.

I swear, if he didn’t have my sister, he would crash and burn.

At least the team would get some downtime before going on the road.

The price of fame, I guess.

As we passed by the entrance to the locker room, a shoulder knocked mine, almost launching me face-first into the ground as one of the players hurried out of the arena.

“Hey!” I shouted in surprise. Fans outstretched their hands, but he didn’t bother to stop and sign anything or take pictures with anyone.

Tunnel vision entered my line of sight as I zeroed in on the mystery man, determined to figure out what the hell his problem was.

At least sign a couple of jerseys or something.

My sneakers squeaked and scuffed up the floors as I barreled through the door of the arena, trying to catch up with him. I wasn't sure if he could hear me screaming for him among the throngs of fans, although, ‘hey you’ was pretty vague, considering the amount of people between us.

Finally, he stopped on the third level of the parking garage, and I huffed, trying to push the air into my lungs.

His car seemed to match his god-awful personality: sleek, black, and cold to the touch.

He didn’t even acknowledge me as he dropped his bag at the back of the car.

Slamming my hand down on the hood, I winced inwardly, the cold sending a quick ripple of pain through my arm.

“You have some nerves, you know? Practically shoving past me to get back to your fancy house, in your fancy car,” I seethed.

“I want an apology.” The cold air billowed around me, the heat radiating from my open mouth causing a sedentary fog.

When he still refused to answer me, I shouted, “Hey, I’m talking to you! ”

As the trunk of the car popped open, a deep laugh echoed through the parking garage. The tone was low and menacing, and as his body leaned around the car, I finally realized who had bumped into me.

Fuck. Fuck. FUCK.

Backing away slowly, I looked over my shoulder to see how far we were from the stairwell. Riley left the trunk open and stared at me intensely, taking two steps forward.

“Who are you to talk to me like that?” he questioned. I swallowed hard, trying to decide what to say, but he beat me to it. “What makes you think I should apologize to someone who was in my way?” For every step back I took, he advanced, until we were chest to chest.

He had sharp features now, his jawline defined and hidden under neatly trimmed facial hair. His eyes were the same forest green I remember, and he was a lot taller than the last time we were together—twelve years ago. The way he towered over my smaller frame intimidated me, and I swallowed thickly.

“Because it’s common human decency, you incompetent giant.

Go on, apologize.” I elongated the word so he would get the hint.

Our eyes locked, and I could see the mocking glimmer shining behind his narrowed eyes.

Raising my eyebrow, I forced as much confidence into my voice as possible. “I’m waiting.”

Riley’s jaw clenched, holding back an insult he probably wanted to spit back. Instead, he took his index finger and slid it up my arm. Reaching my chin, the calloused pad swiped under it and tilted my head up. I tried to look away, but he grabbed me, pulling my face back to his.

“I'll put you on your knees right now,” he smirked, “and make you think twice about the tone you use while addressing me.”

“You try, and I swear I'll slit your throat in your sleep.”

Growling lowly, his nose skimmed along my cheek, and fear prickled my body from the primal sound. My threats didn’t seem to reach him at all.

“Fuck…you scared me so bad, I almost pissed my pants,” he mocked.

Leaning in, his lips ghosted over mine as he took the chance, claiming them as his.

Bracing my hands against his chest, I fisted his shirt, pulling him closer as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Twelve years I’d waited for this moment, and it was not the way I wanted it to happen.

His tongue slid between my lips, parting them to deepen the kiss.

While our lips were glued together, sadness breached my chest cavity.

He wasn’t kissing me . To Riley, I was nothing more than a puck bunny to entertain him for the night—a woman who meant nothing to him.

Wait . No. Not like this.

After a moment, I let go of his shirt with a small shove, and he stumbled backward with a groan. My cheeks flushed with heat, and after a few heaving breaths, I turned to walk away with a grimace. It was the only way I could get away from the shame of letting his arrogance make my clit throb.

Without warning, pain radiated through my head as his fingers entangled in my hair. I gasped, my body whipped into his chest before he slammed me down onto the hood of his car, the shock taking my breath away.

“Threats like those are just foreplay to me, baby.” Riley licked the tears that formed and fell from my eyes from the harsh contact, grinning as he pressed his erection into the crack of my ass.

My nipples hardened against the coolness of the hood, causing me to suppress a needy moan.

“Now you’re on my radar. No matter where you run, I'll find you. I’ll always fucking find you,” he murmured into the crook of my neck.

Trying to calm my ragged breaths, I mulled over his words with a low chuckle. “Only if you can catch me, Mr. Kingston.”

His cold hand found its way under my shirt, and my whole body shivered from the contact. I fought against him as he moved lower, but I’d only succeeded in making my shirt ride up.

“You're going to be a welcoming challenge. I've waited so patiently to touch you, to break you in every way you need. So many nights wishing you were riding my cock, instead of showing my pussy to the world for a couple bucks.”

A small sob left me as I tried to understand. He’d been waiting? What the hell did that even mean?

Did he recognize me?

The wall around my heart cracked open just a bit, ashamed of how much I loved his filthy words and certainly not expecting him to match the cocky attitude I'd tried to deliver when we first made contact in the arena.

His hand dipped below the waistband of my leggings, causing goosebumps to form at the base of every raised hair on my body. His hot breath blew across the back of my neck as he spoke the next words; venom laced within his tone, challenging me. “Tell me to stop.”

But I didn’t want him to, and I found myself placing his hand exactly where I needed it. The thought of getting caught in this half-full parking garage while being worked over and panting like a whore only made me a soaking mess.

“That's what I thought,” Riley taunted. “Next time I see you, you’ll be begging for my cock. Begging for me to let you come.” My fingers dug into the hood, sounding like nails on a chalkboard as they ran down the cool metal.

I growled in frustration as the coil forming deep within me was ripped away.

“And I won’t allow it until you’ve exhausted all of your tears,” he whispered against my neck.

I scoffed. “You’re crazy if you think I'd ever beg you for a release I can give myself.”

In a flash, his hand came down on my ass. The pain spread quickly in ripples against my left cheek, causing me to cry out.

“The next time I touch you, I promise, you will be begging for it,” he growled.

Bracing for the next hit, my muscles tensed as he rested his hand over my ass instead, kneading some feeling back into my numb cheek.

He waited for the fresh breath of approval before he continued rubbing my clit with the other hand.

I bit my lower lip, holding back a moan as he pinched it roughly between his fingers.

I could feel myself throbbing beneath his touch, my thighs trembling with anticipation.

Before I had the chance to breathe, he shoved two fingers inside of me, his knuckles rubbing hard against my inner walls as I cried out with surprise.

He moved in and out of me quickly, pumping a few times before removing his hand from my leggings completely.

Spinning around, I watched in shock as he shoved his fingers into his mouth, licking them clean without hesitation.

The act rendered me speechless. I wanted more. I needed it.

Grabbing my chin again, he leaned in and ran his nose along my cheek. “See how easy it is to control someone?” he whispered. “Now be a good little slut and get the fuck off my car.”

He released me, and I sprinted toward the elevator before he changed his mind. It didn’t matter that he didn’t finish me off. I just wanted out of there before the ground next to his car looked like the foot of Niagara Falls.