Page 22 of Knot Your Pucking Mate
Marilyn has arranged for a media publication to report about how the team has embraced me and allowed me to see behind the scenes so that I can get to know the sport before publishing my next novel.
Apparently, Designation Daily absolutely loves the story and wants to take some photographs to accompany the write-up. They’re even going to plug preorders for the novel, which is ah-mazing.
What’s not amazing is that Marilyn instructed Chase to be a part of the shoot as well. Apparently, when she first recruited Axel to show me around, he had put his hand up for Chase too, and Marilyn is holding him to it.
My gut tells me there’s more to it than that. I get the feeling that Marilyn’s goal isn’t just positive press for the team. Being a pawn in someone else’s game isn’t exactly my idea of a good time, but this promotion helps me too. Being around Chase and dealing with his intoxicating, panty-destroying scent for a few hours is more than worth it.
I hope.
“You ready, Mally?” Axel asks, using his free hand to sweep my soft pink curls away from my neck so he can place a soft kiss there. A shiver runs down my spine at the contact, and I swat him away.
“Stop it,” I breathe. “You know what that does to me. We need to be professional. This is big for both of us. For your whole team.”
Axel pouts teasingly. “I know, babe. Just trying to break the tension.”
“What tension? There’s no tension.” Denying it doesn’t make the feeling go away, but I’m here, aren’t I? I’m dealing.
Not giving him a chance to answer, I push through the door, plastering a practiced smile on my face and making a beeline forwhere I spot Marilyn in conversation with someone who looks to be our photographer across the room.
“Ah, Mandy, I’m so glad you could make it,” she says, offering her hand. I take it, shaking it politely and turning to the photographer.
“Mandy Paige,” I say, introducing myself. “Romance author trying to break into sports romance.”
“Mighell Ferr,” the beta photographer says, offering his hand like Marilyn did. He smells vaguely of watermelon—light and refreshing. We shake hands, his grip warm and welcoming as he runs through the plan for the photo shoot today.
“Once your second player arrives, we’ll dive right in. I see you got the brief?” Mighell asks.
The brief was to wear something soft and romantic. Something that would be a sharp contrast to the guys' hockey gear. The Designation Daily really wants to play on the soft, gentle omega paired with the tough, athletic alphas angle.
I chose a baby-pink summer dress with white daisies scattered across the fabric. The pink one hundred percent clashes with the scarlet red of Axel’s jersey.
“I did, and I’ve got a mockup of my book here.” I reach into the messenger bag I brought with me and pull it out, handing it to him. “It’s not finished yet, so the pages inside are blank, but thecover is finalized. Apart from my dedicated critique partners and street team, this will be the first look for readers.”
“Incredible! We weren’t expecting that.” He turns the cover over and over in his hands, examining the design.
“I figured, why not? Hopefully, it’ll draw more attention to the article.”
“I dare say it will.”
“It’s stunning, isn’t it?” Axel states, puffing out his chest with pride. I showed him the design about a week ago. He’d come back to see me after practice to make sure my heat spike wasn’t actually me going into heat. He’d been so worried about the thought of me being alone and in pain that he’d almost skipped practice completely that day. “The designer outdid herself.”
“It’s a beauty.” Mighell says, moving across the room and placing the mockup on a small table he’s set up in what I can only assume is where he’ll be taking photos. There are multiple lights on and pointed at the plain white backdrop, draped over the wall and floor. He starts snapping pictures while we wait for Chase to arrive.
“Chase, there you are. It’s about time,” Marilyn scolds as Chase slinks through the door, a sheepish look on his face.
“Sorry,” he mumbles. “Coach wanted a word. Held me up a bit. But I’m here now. Let’s do this.”
The flutter of activity that ensues is enough to keep me distracted from the fact that I’m once again in Austin, uhhh… Chase’s company.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him. And right now, as Mighell directs us to pose together with my novel, and I’m so close to him that his fresh forest rain scent is all I can focus on, I almost forget why I haven’t spoken to him at all.
Looking up at him, our eyes lock, and I’m drawn into the deep dark depths of his. They take me right back to high school when I thought they’d be mine to stare into forever. The electricity between us is its own being, goosebumps breaking out across my flesh as Axel moves in behind me, wrapping an arm around my waist.
What. Is. Happening?
God, I hate the history between us. The pain that still lingers and the unexplained reasons behind his disappearance. I wish I could give in to my instincts that scream that he’s my scent match and all should be forgiven.
Why can’t it be that easy?
