Page 82 of Puck & Her Blades

I dreamed of Jackson bonding with me back then.

I stalked and crushed on him, when we shared rinks. I watched him in all his games, as much as he watched me.

I’d have said yes.

By breaking my leg, I fucked up more than I ever knew.

“It’s my fault.” Jackson’s voice is tight. “I knew how important the World Championship must have been to you, so I didn’t want to distract you. I put off asking you out. I was going to ask you on a date after—”

“Yes.” I twist to him, gripping his cheeks and forcing him to look at me. “I’d have said yes because I noticed you as much as you noticed me. And I’m saying yes to that date now.”

Jackson’s eyes darken, before his lips clash with mine.

The kiss isn’t gentle. It’s infused with the pent up emotion of years of loss and pain.

Jackson tangles his fingers in my hair and holds me like he’s never going to let go, as his tongue searches out mine, dancing like we’re on the ice.

It’s pleasure, desire, and need.

He says more with that kiss than any words could.

I kiss him back just as hard. I love his heat, taste, and how strong he is as he holds me in place.

Finally, he pulls back.

I’m breathing hard, but he’s still perfectly cool.

Typical Ice King.

“You’re mine,” he says. “I didn’t care that you’d been marked a Rej. I wanted to take you on that date just the same. I tried to get you out of that disgusting Institute. When they wouldn’t let me take you home, I paid for your medical bills and to have the best physical therapy. Then I begged Father to bid on you in the online auction. I convinced Sydney of the marketing potential of an Omega mascot.”

My heart soars.

He did all of that for me…

I was never unwanted or alone.

My parents may have abandoned me for no longer being perfect, but Jackson was always looking out for me.

He rakes his fingers through my hair. “If not for my contract, I’d have bonded with you straight away. Every day, I’ve wanted to cherish and adore you. Love you like you deserve. I thought that at least getting you back on the ice would help.”

“It has. It’s everything.”

He pushes me back to lie on the bench. “You may have felt alone but you never were. I’ve always been here.”

I lean up and kiss him. “I want you. Show me.”

A wave of Alpha pheromones hits me, dark and dominant. “Careful what you ask for, little Omega. I won’t be able to hold myself back. I’ve waited years to hold you in my arms. Your scent makes me feel fucking feral.”

I bare my teeth. “Good. Because I’m not your little Omega. I’m feral too.”

Jackson’s eyes gleam, dangerously. “You’re in such trouble.”

“Just where I want to be.”

I’m thrumming with excitement.

With efficient motions, Jackson sits up, dragging off his jacket, folding it and then dropping it to the floor. My eyes are wide, as he reaches to unwind the scarf from around my neck.

---