Little. At five-foot-eight, I wasn't little to anyone except him.
"I'm doing my job. Back. Up."
The air between us crackled with tension. His scent was overwhelming, making my head swim and my core clench with need. My heat wasn't due for two weeks, but my body was already responding like it was tomorrow.
Then he stepped back.
Released my wrist.
Sat back down on the examination table like nothing had happened.
"Finish your exam, Doc," he said, that dangerous smile playing at his lips. "Wouldn't want to keep you from your job."
Ignoring his words, I steadied my hands and avoided his gaze as I took his blood pressure first. I noted in the computer that it was elevated and then went to check his reflexes, which were as I expected, perfect. For the most part the Grizzlies star enforcerwas on his best behavior for the entire rest of his physical. But still, his eyes tracked my every movement, and the smokey pine scent continued to linger in the air.
"You're cleared," I said finally, backing away from him, realizing still that it was just our two bodies occupying the space."But that left shoulder needs work. I want to see you twice a week for treatment."
"Whatever you say, Doc." He stood then, stretching in a way made his t-shirt ripple from the muscles underneath. "Tuesday and Thursday work?"
"Fine."
I had my hand on the door handle when he spoke again.
"Harper."
I froze. I hadn't told him my first name.
"That's Dr. Graves to you."
"Sure thing, Doc." His smile was all teeth. "See you Tuesday."
I made it to my office before my legs gave out. Sinking into my chair, I pressed my palms against my eyes and tried to steady my breathing. My body was on fire, every nerve ending lit up from being near him.
This was bad. This was dangerous.
Knox Maddox was everything I'd come to Seattle to avoid an Alpha who saw through my suppressants, who made my carefully controlled life threaten to spiral. He was trouble wearing hockey gear and a smirk that promised to destroy everything I'd built.
My phone buzzed with a text message from Mark Richards as if he were some how psychic and knew the exam was over.How did it go?
I shot the text back to him after I’d stared at the screen for a long moment.It went alright. He's cleared to play.
Except everything didn’t feel alright and it was only my first damn day on the job.
But I'd handle it.
I had to.
Because the alternative letting an Alpha like Knox tear down the walls I’d put in place, would completely fucking destroy me.
I’d promised myself never again would that happen to me.
Never ever again.
Chapter 2
Knox Maddox
Mark Richards' office still reeked of Mallory's fear-sweat, a sort of sour acidic smell that reached the back of my tongue and made my skin itch. It still lingered even though it'd been three days since I'd made the good doctor piss himself.
