“I might be able to do lunch…” She looks out onto the ice where Asher is. “He has school all week. I’m still looking for a new job, so there’s some flexibility in my schedule. But it’ll have to be somewhere cheap.” I can’t keep the smile off my face. Excitement pours through every inch of my body.
She’s saying yes!
“I can do that, Mama. Just give me a date and time; I’ll do the rest.” Nixie stiffens, looking up at me. Uncertainty wars with desire on her face.
“Will he be coming?” Her scent sours. She’s not prepared to offer Julius a second chance or to forgive him. Twice she’s met him, and he’s been an absolute ass both times.
It feels wrong leaving him out, but something in my gut tells me I need to let her take the lead. The only way to get her to love us is slowly.
“I would like to include him, but whatever you say goes. It can be just me, you, and several pounds of delicious food.” She’s so lean and delicate, I wonder if she’s eating enough. But when I look at her big strapping boy, I know he is getting the proper nutrition. It makes worry build inside me.Does she go without so he can eat?
“I… Can I think about it? And in the meantime, I need you to get him to stop claiming Asher is his son. He’s mine, and mine alone. That’s final.” Though I don’t agree with her, I can tell the idea is triggering.
One day, Asher will be my son as well, just as important and loved as any who come from us biologically. He’s a part of her, and as my scent-match, I love every single piece of the Nixie puzzle.
“You’ve got it, Mama. He won’t say it again without your permission.” Not a lie.
Curled up together, we look out at the ice and watch as Asher dominates the rest of practice. He wobbles in his too-looseskates, but he still manages to streak ahead of the rest of the team. The kid has potential, extreme potential. And all I want is to help him turn his dreams into reality.
“Asher really is amazing. Is there anything you both need? I know Julius was the reason you lost your job. Will you let us help with rent or groceries?” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I know they’re a mistake, but my inner Alpha wants to provide for them.
“No, I don’t want your money. I can take care of myself and my kid.” Just like that, all her barriers snap back to the surface. Her perfume sours, and her walls come up.
“I know you can. You’re an amazing mother. Just remember, we’re here if you need anything.” She stands abruptly, and the space where she was nestled is already colder.
A whistle blows on the ice, and Nixie tenses. Our time is up. “I have to go. Ash needs dinner, and then we have a night filled with homework.” She grabs her bag, and I stand to my full height, towering over her tiny frame.
“Please don’t leave upset.” Reaching out, I rub the pad of my thumb over her cheek. “You don’t need us. I just hope one day you’ll want us.”
She gives a hard gulp, her eyes darting to where the boys are filing into the locker room. “I already wantyou.”
With that, she rushes off, taking my whole heart with her.
Chapter Seventeen
Julius
“Whether the money comes from the team’s bank account or mine, I don’t care. Just make it happen. All the Junior Scorpions who are playing in the exhibition game need new pads and helmets with our logo on them… and skates, too.” The voice on the other end of the phone murmurs in agreement.
“Okay, I can get that done. Great idea, Julius. It really works with the image we’re trying to project,” Marilyn agrees, and I swear I can hear a smile in her voice. There’s no doubt in my mind that our PR manager knows exactly what she’s done. But it doesn’t matter, I can’t go back. Now that I’ve scented my little firebrand, the world has completely changed. My dick, my wallet, and everything else I have belong to her.
“Oh, and Marilyn, I want all the gear for Asher Alton to be taken care of first. Especially those damn skates.” I swear, if I see him wobbling around the ice, nearly breaking his neck again, I’m gonna lose my fucking mind.
“Anything you say, Captain,” Marilyn promises with an obnoxious giggle.Yeah, she knows exactly what she’s done.Without another word, she hangs up, and I wonder if I should’veasked for something else. Something more personal for Nixie, like a job. Oh well, too late now. But I’ll keep that favor in my back pocket. If she won’t let me pay her rent, or better move in with us ASAP, then that’ll be my next phone call to our meddling PR manager.
I grab a sports drink from the refrigerator, red because I’m not a savage, then saunter eagerly toward our couch. I’m horny as fuck, but raspberries, green eyes, and long red hair stop me from sending a message to any of the puck bunnies in my phone.
Puck bunnies in my phone? Can’t have that.
After opening my contacts, I scroll through the list, deleting name after name with borderline disgust.
Damn, how did so many of them sneak in here?
Dirty, dirty, slutty dick.
A key twists in our front door lock, and I’m off the couch like a gunshot. Rushing into the hallway, I lean nonchalantly on the wall, then try to stifle my panting like I didn’t just run in here.
With a quiet squeak, the door hinges open, and Vonn peeks in as though he has a chance at tiptoeing to his room and avoiding me.No way, fuckface.
