Page 31 of Knot Only His

My steps slow as I near the ice until I pause at the entrance. I take a deep breath, steeling myself before stepping into the cold.

Coach Parker is there, of course, his dominating presence impossible to miss as he barks out his orders at the playerson the ice.

He spots me almost immediately, and I swear my heart skips a beat when his gray eyes meet mine.

With a nod, he motions me over, and I make my way to the bench on unsteady legs.

He looks strangely familiar. Yet, I’m sure we must have met before at a past hockey game.

“Your travel itinerary for Vegas,” I manage to say as I hand him the paperwork, proud that my voice doesn’t waver.

“Thanks, Harlow,” he replies, his deep voice sending another involuntary shiver through me. “Mind sticking around for a few? I’d like to go over this with you once practice wraps up.”

I nod, not trusting myself to speak, and take a seat next to him on the bench.

I press my thighs together. The proximity is almost overwhelming. Heat radiates off his body, and his smell is intoxicating and strange because he smells a lot like Carver.

It takes every ounce of willpower I have to not lean into him and lick along his neck.

Which is fucking ridiculous considering I’m an alpha, too.

As we watch the players run drills, I’m acutely aware of every slight movement he makes. Our arms brush occasionally, and each time it’s like a jolt of electricity.

The air between us feels charged, thick with an undeniable chemistry that terrifies me.

Mainly because I shouldn’t be feeling this way. He’s Coach Parker, for crying out loud. Off-limits in every conceivable way. But as I sit here, sneaking glances at his strong profile and at the slight silver running through his dark blond hair, I can’t help but wonder what it would be like if things were different.

If I hadn’t sworn off alphas, if...

Alphasweren’t so desperate for omegas…

No.

I shake my head slightly, forcing those dangerous thoughts away.

But as Coach Parker turns to me, his gray eyes are now so dark they look like two pools of black ink. A small smile plays on his lips as his tongue slips out and slides over the bottom.

Was that deliberate?

I am fucked.

Because there’s no denying the spark between us.

You’re an alpha, Harlow. He’ll want an omega. He’ll hurt you just like Colton did.

“Hello,” a little voice says and I immediately lock eyes with a little boy around six years old who is holding hands with a lady I assume is the boy’s nanny.

I smile. “Hello Jagger.” I hold out my hand. “I’m Harlow.”

He’s so cute when he gives me a wide grin. “You know my name?”

“Of course, you’re famous around here. I hear you’re going to be the team captain in twenty years’ time.”

He laughs. “Uncle Parker said as long as I keep training I will be, but Olly told me he’s never giving up the role.”

As Oliver Bradley skates back to the center, our eyes lock for a moment. There’s a spark of recognition, maybe even a hint of interest in his gaze. He gives me a quick nod and a half-smile before turning his attention back to practice.

I ignore the slight flutter in my stomach.

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