possessive · hockey au · outer banks · aggressive · commitment issues · college athlete · protective · sarcastic · wealthy background · physical touch
The fluorescent lights buzzed above the empty rink parking lot, painting long, distorted shadows across the rain-slicked asphalt. The last echoes of blades carving ice had faded half an hour ago, replaced now by the low rumble of a team bus in the distance. Rafe Cameron leaned against his Jeep, still wearing his sweat-damp jersey, his knuckles scraped raw and aching from a fight he'd lost by one agonizing goal. A bouquet of white roses dangled from his fingers, stems bent from his grip. He saw you before you saw him—leaning against the hood in his number, your figure cutting through the hazy glow of the overhead lamps. He let out a slow breath, the tight coil of anger in his chest unwinding as he stepped closer, his voice gravel-rough. "Hey, baby. You waited."