Naomi Quinn. The “problem” I wanted gone.
It's more like I was the problem. I spent days barking at a ghost. Projecting someone else's betrayal onto her.
Given my behavior, I never would've imaginedthis.
My cock is now soft enough that it eases out of her. She makes a small, sleepy sound of protest and immediately burrows closer, cheek pressing over my heart.
Mine.
The thought hits fast and hard, but it feels… right.
Me, my pack,wefeel right for the first time in years.
Because of her.
I bury my nose in her hair. DuoBlocks still make her scent mostly neutral, but there’s something faint underneath, warm, sweet, elusive. Just enough to make my alpha stir and suggest terrible ideas about round two.
“I can’t believe this is happening.”
Her voice is the barest murmur against my chest.
“What’s that, counselor?” I ask, my own voice rough around the edges.
She tips her head back just enough to look up at me, eyes hazy. “I came here to serve you papers,” she whispers. “Force you into a hockey game.” A breathy little laugh. “Not… this.”
“Jury’s still out on whether this counts as a negotiation tactic,” Felix mumbles against her shoulder, words blurred with sleep. “If it is, well, you're dedicated to your job."
Naomi snorts softly.
Liam hums from below. “Best serve ever,” he says, voice sleepy but sincere.
“Yeah,” I admit. “Can’t say I’m mad about where we landed.”
She exhales, her body settling heavier against me. “It’s nice,” she says quietly. “I’m… not used to nice.”
Something twists in my chest.
That asshole who walked away from her, who left her thinking this wasn’t for her? If I could find him, I’d throw him in a rink and check him against the boards again and again. And then love her so well every second after that she’d never doubt she deserves this.
That thought lodges in deep.
Then reality nudges in.
As soon as the roads are clear and rescue gets through… she goes back to New York. To a life that doesn’t have three silly athletes and a mountain in it.
Unless she decided to stay longer. Take more time. But we obviously haven't talked about that yet. For all I know, this was a one-time thing…
My shoulders tense before I can stop it.
What if… well,we could still refuse to play. Drag the contract mess out. Force more negotiations. More visits. Keep her orbiting us a little longer.
Ugh, it’s a terrible idea. It wouldn’t work, and even if it did, it would be a shitty way to keep someone.
Her palm slides over my stomach then, thumb stroking absent circles like she can feel my brain speeding up and is smoothing it back down.
“Hey,” she mumbles, not even opening her eyes. “Stop thinking so loud.”
I huff out a quiet laugh, the tension bleeding from my shoulders.
