Aria
When we finally pull apart from the kiss, I’m panting like I just ran a damn marathon, and Lucas looks as stunned as hell. The problem? my panties are soaked, and my body feels like it’s on fire. Great. Just great.
“That was… uh, great,” he mutters, scratching the back of his neck. “I’m going to the changing room.”
“I’m coming with you,” I blurt out before I can stop myself. His eyebrows shoot up in surprise, but he nods anyway.
I shoot a triumphant look at Ethan across the rink. He looks mad as hell, probably ready to blow a gasket. Stupid bastard. I mutter a curse under my breath as I rush to catch up with Lucas, linking my arm with his like it’s no big deal.
When we step into the changing room, my eyes nearly pop out of my skull. Half-naked guys are everywhere…sweaty, muscled, toned abs glistening under the fluorescent lights. Holy fuck. It’s like stepping onto the set of a Calvin Klein commercial. But here’s the weird part…every time one of them glances my way, they immediately look somewhere else. No one will hold eye contact.
“What the hell is going on?” I whisper to Lucas, who’s suddenly stiff beside me.
One guy accidentally meets my gaze and freezes like a deer caught in headlights. Lucas’s entire body tenses.
“Look away right now, or I’ll pluck out your damn eyes,” he growls.
“Sorry, Alpha,” the guy stutters, bowing his head so low I think he might face-plant. Then he scrambles past us like his ass is on fire.
Oh. Oh. Now I get it. They’re all scared shitless of looking at me… because of Lucas. Makes sense. I’m also the only girl in here, which probably doesn’t help.
We finally reach a quiet corner with a few guys. They bow their heads to Lucas before hightailing it out of there like he’s about to dropkick them through a wall.
“Why’s everyone so scared of you?” I ask, crossing my arms as he pulls off his hockey jacket. “It’s not like you’re scary.”
He gives me a look. “Did you check a mirror before you left the suite?”
“I don’t understand,” I say, watching as he flings his jacket aside, revealing his ridiculously toned abs, tattooed chest, and arms. And he’s sweaty, which just makes it worse or better, depending on how you look at it.
“Your uniform,” he says, his gaze dragging slowly from my face down to the V-neck of my top and stopping at my legs. “Of course they’re gawking at you.”
“You think I look sexy?” I force my chin up, meeting his eyes. His lips curl into a dark, amused laugh.
“If you were actually my real girlfriend, I’d lock you up inside so no one else could see you like this.”
Oh, come on. His voice is all low and sexy, and my damn heart leaps a bit. Before I know it, I’m stepping into his space, lifting my hand to rest my fingers under his chin.
“And if I refuse to stay locked up?” I challenge.
“I’d bend you over my knee and spank the living daylights out of you,” he shoots back without missing a beat.
“You fucking jerk!” My cheeks heat up instantly, and he laughs…this deep, rumbling laugh that does things to me.
He yanks me closer until my chest is pressed against his, and I can feel every inch of his hard body. “What are you up to, baby girl? What game are you playing? A few hours ago, you were mad as hell at me, and now…” His gaze drops to my chest again, lingering. It’s like he’s deciding whether he wants to devour my boobs or just start with a taste.
“I just wanted to say thank you,” I murmur, breathing in his scent.. wood, sweat, and something undeniably Lucas. “I heard what you did to Vanessa and her idiot friends.”
“Yeah, and then my father ruined it,” he mutters.
“It’s alright. I appreciate it anyway.”
His expression softens for a second before his brow furrows. “Aria… I’m sorry. I didn’t consider how much all this is hurting you. Maybe we should just stop.”
“No. No.” I shake my head so hard it’s a miracle it doesn’t fall off. “If you’re worried about me, don’t be. I’m fine now. That was just a moment of weakness. I’m good.”
“Aria-”
“No, Alpha Lucas,” I cut him off, squaring my shoulders. “You might have started this, but I’m the one who’s going to end it.”
His brow quirks, and his lips twist into a smirk. “What’s gotten into you?”
“Nothing,” I say with a grin. “I’m just tired of being a weak-ass omega. I’m done. From now on, I’m playing hard.”
“Just how hard?” he drawls, amusement flickering in his eyes.