Desired By The Hockey Captain Alpha

2. Worst Reunion Ever

Emily

I run up the stairs as fast as my legs can carry me while Ken keeps shouting behind me, telling me to stop and come back.

As if.

I ignore him completely, turn sharply into a hallway, and finally duck behind a corner, bending over and trying to catch my breath.

“Oh my God,” I pant under my breath. “That was way too close.”

My heart is pounding like I just ran a marathon. I peek around the corner, half-expecting to see Ken charging after me, but the hallway is empty.

Looks like I lost him.

Thank God.

I straighten up, smooth down my hoodie, and take the stairs again, this time moving more carefully. When I reach the third floor, I slow down.

Jack’s floor.

I shake my head in disbelief. I cannot believe I’m doing all this because my boyfriend turned off his f*****g phone. He better have a really good explanation for this.

Something dramatic. Something heroic. Something that justifies me running from security like a criminal.

I take a deep breath and step into the hallway.

As usual, this place blows me away. Every time I sneak in here, I can’t believe it’s real.

Their dorm is insane. Wide, polished corridors, soft golden lights, floors so clean you could eat off them, and doors that look like they belong in a luxury hotel.

And then there’s my dorm. A glorified storage closet. Cramped beds shoved against the walls, a shared bathroom that smells like regret, and zero dignity anywhere. That’s what happens when you’re broke and a nobody.

Unfair.

I walk forward, still annoyed, until I suddenly notice the group of guys standing near the rooms.

Shirtless guys.

Very shirtless guys.

Broad chests, defined abs, huge biceps, and way too much confidence for people wearing nothing but shorts and briefs. I recognize most of them from the official hockey team…a bunch of arrogant dickheads.

Why is this happening to me?

I immediately look away and fix my eyes on the wall like it is the most fascinating thing I have ever seen.

Of course, that does not stop them from noticing me.

One of them whistles. Another grins.

“Look who we have here,” someone says.

“Hey, gorgeous,” another adds. “You lost?”

“You wanna try out for the team?” someone else jokes.

They all laugh.

My face burns. Heat rushes to my ears.

“Oh my God, shut the f**k up,” I snap, trying to keep my stride steady.

They just laugh harder.

One of them reaches out and grabs my wrist, too tight. “Relax, beautiful. Why don’t you come inside and let’s get busy?”

“Don’t f*****g touch me.” I yank, but he tightens his grip, smirking like he owns me.

“Why? Aren’t you here to do it? I could f**k you so good,” the bastard hisses.

That’s it.

“Let go of me, you bastard!” I roar, every nerve on fire, and wrench my hand free.

I spin around, not looking where I’m going, and my forehead bumps into something solid. A f*****g bare chest.

A very warm, very muscular bare chest...covered in tattoos.

The hallway goes completely silent.

I freeze.

Then I notice his cologne…woody, spicy, clean, and expensive, like he bathes in money. My heart starts racing for no reason at all.

Slowly, I lift my head and see a tall, muscular, broad-shouldered guy with a sharp jawline, emerald eyes, and jet-black hair that looks unfairly perfect. He towers over my five-foot-four frame and looks down at me with an unreadable expression.

He looks familiar, but I can’t quite place him. He’s probably on the hockey team.

I gasp when I realize I’m standing way too close to him.

Like, personal-space-violation close.

I step back quickly and clear my throat. “I’m sorry,” I mumble. “I didn’t see you. I wasn’t trying to… run into you. Or your chest. Obviously. Sorry.”

Why am I still talking?

He keeps staring at me, looking mildly amused, which somehow makes me more nervous.

“Yeah,” I add stupidly. “Sorry.”

Then I turn and hurry away before I embarrass myself any further.

My cheeks are burning by the time I finally stop in front of Jack’s room.

I take a deep breath and stare at the door.

Get it together, Emily.

Because today, I have survived long road trips, security chases and half-naked hockey players.

I raise my hand to knock, but it freezes in midair.

Wait… did I just hear something?

Did I hear that right?

Something feels wrong.

I tilt my head slightly, frowning, and lean closer to the door. For a second, I think I imagined it. Maybe I’m just tired. I’ve been on the road for hours, I ran from a dorm manager like a criminal, and my brain is probably malfunctioning at this point.

Still, I press my ear against the door.

At first, all I hear is muffled silence.

Then a sound slips through.

Soft…breathy.

A woman’s voice. “Harder… f**k me harder…”

I pull back immediately, my heart jumping into my throat. What the hell was that? I shake my head, forcing myself to calm down. Don’t be stupid, Emily. It’s probably just a movie. Some random late-night drama with unnecessary s*x scenes. Jack watches trash sometimes. This is nothing.

I take a shaky breath and grab the handle.

I’m not standing here overthinking like an i***t. I need to find out.

Without knocking, I grab the handle and fling the door open.

My eyes widen instantly at the sight in front of me.

Jack.

My Jack.

He’s on top of some blonde girl, both of them naked. She’s on all fours on the bed, and he’s behind her, growling as he pounds into her from behind. She’s moaning loudly, like she has no shame.

They’re so busy f*****g that they don’t even notice me standing there.

My ears start ringing and my mind goes completely blank. This isn’t real. It can’t be. I have to be hallucinating, because there is no way this is actually happening. But then he moves again, she lets out a loud moan, and reality crashes into me all at once.

Hard.

My heart doesn’t just crack. It shatters.

“Jack!” I yell, my voice coming out loud and broken before I can stop myself.

They freeze.

Both of them.

Jack stiffens, then slowly turns around. Our eyes meet, and his widen instantly in pure shock.

“Emily…?” he breathes. “How…”