“Do you want a massage?” My head jerks to her, and I raise a brow before giving her a smirk. “Not a happy ending massage,” she says, rolling her eyes. “A normal one, to stretch out your muscles.”
I give her a skeptical look but nod my head. I’m definitely not turning down an opportunity to have her hands all over me. She closes her laptop and places it on her nightstand and directs me to lie stomach down on the bed. I do as I’m told and jostle Owen a little in my movements, but he doesn’t even stir.
Piper straddles my back, slightly sitting on my ass as she starts using her hands and arms against my back. I can’t help the ridiculous noises she rips from my throat with each movement. My muscles are tighter than I thought, and she expertly finds all the knots in my back and kneads them with her thumbs at each opportunity.
“This feels so good, thank you,” I tell her.
“You’re welcome. It’s nice to take care of you for a change.”
I groan and just let her hands do their magic. If this is Piper's way of taking care of me, I wholeheartedly accept.
“I feel like you’ve been holding out on me.”
She leans forward, and she’s nearly pressed against my back as she whispers in my ear. “I don’t think I could deny you anything, Alpha.”
“Is that so?” I say with my face pressed against the pillow. She hits a spot so good in my shoulder I can’t help but to groan.
“Yeah, you deserve the world.”
I shake my head and shift my body so that I can roll over while keeping her straddled over me.
“I have everything I want right here,” I say, nodding my head to Owen who sleeps peacefully. I grab Piper’s hips and stroke my thumbs over her soft skin.
“Well, if you ever want anything from me, all you have to do is ask,” she says. The words are so reminiscent of the ones we tell Owen. To be honest and upfront about his needs. I’m so concerned about my pack that sometimes I feel like all I need is for them to be happy.
“Will you take my last name?” I ask her quietly. Once I bond with Owen and we register as a pack, I want it to be pack Bandnin, but I’m not sure how Piper feels about that, also being an Alpha. Not to mention she’s a goddamn doctor and all the paperwork of changing her information.
She smiles down at me, her hands landing against the pillow on each side of my head. “I would be honored to become a Bandnin. I kinda like that you’re claiming me,” she says with a smirk.
“In any way I can,” I joke, and she leans down and kisses my cheek.
“I’m ready for the beard to go.”
“Hopefully one more game,” I say, and she nods her head.
“One more game,” she agrees.
* * *
The locker room is electric with excitement and nerves. I’ve been here before, I’ve won the Cup, but I’m still on edge. My heart rate is elevated, and I feel jittery, ready to get on the ice.
Owen looks like he’s about to throw up.
He’s fully dressed in his gear, sitting on the bench, and I come sit next to him. Our arms and thighs touch as I speak.
“What do you need?”
“I don’t know,” he says softly.
“Are you going to be sick?”
“I think it’s just nerves. Once we get on the ice, I’ll be fine.”
“Don’t push yourself.” He nods. “Seriously, if you start to feel too sick, you need to know when to stop.”
“I’ve got this,” he says, amping himself up.
“Fuck yeah, you’ve got this. We’re going to win this game, and then I’m going to take your sweet ass home, and I’m—” I lean forward so only he can hear “—going to bite that soft little neck and make you mine.”
