Page 15 of Penalty Zone

Leo sets my helmet, the one I didn’t realize he was holding, on the floor and uses both hands on my shoulders to press me into the wall. Holy mother of the universe, Leo’s concern for me is unexpected.

Mason appears in my peripheral vision. “Dad, I know what to do when he gets like this.” Mason grips my arm, but he’s not my anchor, and my eyes stay on Leo.

I’m a terrible friend. The worst.

“Give me sixty seconds, and he’s all yours,” Leo says sharply.

They’re going to fight about me, and I can’t let that happen. I can’t be the reason.

Mason huffs, but my eyes are closed, concentrating on breathing and Leo’s touch.

Leo’s hand closes around my throat. “Look at me.” His amber eyes glow, ensnaring me. “I’m right here with you.”

His hand obstructs my nod, but I gurgle assent. My lungs automatically breathe with him like we’ve done this a thousand times before and not just once.

“You’re doing a great job. Come back to me,” he says, and I want to obey him. Do exactly what he tells me. “You can say no. Coach or an assistant can take questions. You’ve given your all today. It’s your right to stand up for yourself.” His thumbs stroke my neck, calming my racing pulse.

Leo’s actions and words provide protection against the nagging negative thoughts of not being able to deliver what the team needs.

“I won’t do that. Finn needs me.” His hands feel far too good.

He scoffs. “You should have Gray check you over first. You could have a concussion.”

His concern derails my anxiety spiral. No one other than the trainer or a coach ever worries if I have a concussion.

He smiles, turning his shrewd lion eyes into a friendly house cat’s.

“Good job.” He squeezes me. “Should I let go?”

“Not yet,” I whisper.

We stay chest to chest, breathing each other’s air, and I continue taking in his rich scent. It slows my brain and my heart rate. My vision funnels down to the black flecks in his eyes, and my pulse is thrumming under his hand as if it belongs there. Like this is what we both need.

His thumb dips into the hollow of my neck. No one told me that’s an erogenous zone.

I’m so turned on, and with my adrenaline flowing from the game, my body doesn’t know if it should fight him or submit. Submission is winning. But he still acted like a dick the other day. And what an incredible dick.

He sighs, and being a weakling, I swallow it. My head and body are in different solar systems when it comes to Leo Griffin.

Sugar-cakes. This is not helping.

“Please, let me go,” I whisper, and his hand drops as he puts a few inches of space between us.

“Time’s up,” Finn sing-songs loudly, but I can’t see beyond Leo’s handsome face and large body.

“Benz, you’re a future All-Star. I didn’t give you credit for your playing. I’m sorry for what I said in practice. Go change. You’ll do great in the pressroom.”

“Will you be there?” Kill me now. I’m a child needing emotional support. But his apology lifts my confidence higher than saving goals. It’s something I never expected to receive, and I soak it in.

“I won’t leave you.” Leo tugs me off the wall, gripping the nape of my neck again. Stupidly, I believe him.

Chapter 8

Leo

“What the actual fuck?” Mason bellows, dressed in his base layer and still unshowered.

Benz has disappeared in the locker room. Mason’s anger floods my system. There is no excuse for my attraction to his best friend.

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