Page 81 of Major Penalty

But what happens when he finds out who I really am? What happens when he finds out that I’ve been hiding it? That I’m not just some random girl interning here, but his coach’s daughter.

I almost told him. But the words never left my lips. I was too afraid of what it would do. Too afraid that he’d pull away, like he’s done before.

What if he sees me as a complication, or worse, as someone who could hurt his career?

The thought makes my stomach twist in knots. I can’t stand the thought of him pushing me away again. Not after the way he’s changed everything.

But I also can’t keep trying to hide who I am.

I turn to the mirror across the office and catch a glimpse of myself—flushed cheeks, bright eyes, and lips raw from constantly biting them.

And now, I have to treat him like a professional. I have to pretend I haven’t seen him at his filthiest, and that he hasn’t seen me loving every second of it.

I push my chair back and stand up, palms sweaty as I reach for his chart.

I have to keep it together, pretend he’s the patient and I’m just the PTA, but I’m not sure I can. And even though part of me wants to pull back…another part of me? The part that’s been sleeping since forever?

That part is screaming for him to come to me.

The knock on my door is soft but unmistakable. My stomach flips, and before I can even process it, my head whips to the door just in time to see him.

Ares Black. Taller than any sane man should be. T-shirt stretched across his chest, tattoos peeking out from the sleeves and collar. Pale eyes like a storm cloud that’s already decided what it’s going to ruin.

The second the door clicks shut behind him, the air in the room changes.

He doesn’t say anything right away. He just…stands there like he owns the room and everything in it.

“Hi,” I say, my voice slightly breathless.

“Hi,” he echoes, calm and measured. His jaw is sharp, his black hair messy.

God, my entire body buzzes the second I see him. Every inch of my body remembers what he did to me.

The weight of his gaze makes my heart stutter. This man doesn’t even have to try, and I’m already a hot mess.

“I brought you lunch.” He steps forward and drops a paper bag on my desk.

“You…what?” My heart stops for a second. These are definitely not the first words I expected to leave his mouth after all these days of not seeing him.

“Livia said she didn’t see you down at the restaurant today.” He raises an eyebrow. “Which means you haven’t eaten.”

I blink, glancing at the time and realizing I’ve been too busy thinking about him to think about food.

“I got you honey chicken and a cheesecake.”

I glance down at the paper bag he brought me. He thought about me? It’s a small gesture, yet I know it’s more than chicken and cheesecake. He considered me and brought me lunch. Warmth spreads through me at the thought.

My eyes lock with his just as he steps closer. My heart kicks at the sight of him—because for the past ten days, all it’s had is the memory of him.

I want to tell him. I want to say it. I could explain, right now. But the words get stuck in my throat every time. Every time I think about it, fear locks up my chest. I’m scared, and it’s eating me up inside.

“Thank you,” I manage, still puzzled that somehow, in between destroying me and consuming me, he thought to bring me lunch.

And now he’s standing here, looking at me like he already knows I want him again.

“You’re welcome.” He leans back over the exam table slightly, palms braced on either side of him. It makes his triceps bulge, and his arms look even bigger.

My legs tremble, and I can barely keep myself upright as I watch him. He’s too much. The way he controls every room he enters. It’s like he has the power to make me come undone without even touching me. And yet, he’s caring in his own way. He’s thinking about me. He brought me food.

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