Page 77 of Captain's Claim

Blake cuts him off with a glare before turning to me, voice absolute.

“I’m in with you,Hart. I'll grab your bag, you get the elevator.”

A slow, wicked smile stretches across my lips. Natalie nudges my arm and wiggles her brows as she swallows the rest of her champagne.

“Well,” I murmur, sipping my own drink. “That’s one way to handle it.”

Tim nods so fast I’m surprised his glasses don’t fly off his face. “Cool. Coolcoolcool. I’ll just—go. To the… penthouse!”

He practically sprints to grab Blake’s key from Coach Brody, disappearing up the elevator like he’s escaping a hostage situation.

I turn to Blake, eyebrow arched. "Was that really necessary?"

"Just protecting what's mine. Now let's go."

I'm still trying to process Blake's territorial display in the lobby when we head for the hotel entrance. The automatic doors whoosh open and—

Flash. Flash. Flash.

"Blake! Sophia!"

My steps falter at the wall of cameras and microphones suddenly thrust in our faces. Reporters and fans dressed in hockey gear crowd the entrance, smartphones raised high. How did they even know we'd be here? Doesn't the team keep this kind of thing private?

"Are you officially together?!"

Blake doesn't break stride, just grabs both our bags in one hand while guiding me forward with the other. His jaw is set, eyes focused straight ahead as if the press doesn't exist.

He's clearly used to scenes like this. Me? Not so much.

"Sophia, are you the reason Blake's been so focused this season?"

Heat creeps up my neck. I try to channel my mother's media training - head high, slight smile, keep walking.

"Blake, how serious is this? Are wedding bells next?"

That question makes me stumble. But before I can react, Blake's arm slides around my shoulders, pulling me firmly against his side. The cameras go wild, rapid-fire clicks filling the air.

"Come on, sweetheart. Let's get to our room before they really sink their teeth in."

My breath catches. The possessive tone in his voice, the casual way his tight hold around my waist claims me in front of everyone… it sends shivers down my spine.

I can practically see tomorrow's headlines forming:

ICEHAWKS CAPTAIN CONFIRMS ROMANCE WITH MARKETING EXEC

BLAKE MADDOX OFF THE MARKET?

POWER COUPLE ALERT: BLAKE & SOPHIA HEAT UP CHICAGO

Blake's thumb rubs gently on my shoulder as we wait for the elevator. His face is straight, completely unbothered by the current spectacle he's just created by the very public display of his affection for me.

This man is going to be the death of me, I swear to God.

But… isn't this exactly what I wanted?

This media circus - it'sperfect. The more they focus on Blake and me, the less attention they'll pay to his youth program. Just like when I pulled him into that interview with Jackson, creating a different story to follow.

Blake's right. It's time to give them exactly what they want.

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