Page 107 of Ice King

“Oh, no, you don’t,” I groaned.

“Oh, yes, I do.”

Perhaps there was something to be said for being his mate.

Other than the hot sex of course.

When he managed to yank me over his lap, the shifter in him exposed in his swift actions, I didn’t have a chance to deny nor escape before he brought his hand down against my bottom.

Not once but several times.

After the fifth crack of his hand, I realized something very important.

The bastard had managed to avoid discussing his personal life.

Again.

CHAPTER 23

Georgia

“What are you telling me, Mark?”

Ford was agitated as hell, the phone call unexpected. He paced the lawn, moving back and forth while fisting his hand.

While he’d been much happier the last couple of weeks, enjoying the game he loved so much differently than when in competition, I could sense he was growing antsy for news about his future.

Hell, so was I.

I moved away, placing my glass of wine on one of the tables set up outside his parents’ house, searching for my phone. Roxanne had called my attention to a few posts she’d seen on the internet and I’d yet to take the time to find out what she’d been talking about.

It didn’t take me long to discover what she’d meant. One headline popped after another by a few seconds of scrolling online.

Portland Herald:Excitement Continues to Build as the Latest NHL Team Prepares for Tryouts

Seattle Sentinel:Will Ford ‘The Wolfman’ Kendrick Become a Portland Hellion Star?

Vancouver Times:Negotiations are Underway with the Vancouver Kingpins and Ford ‘The Wolfman’ Kendrick

“I consider it your loss, Mark. Thanks for nothing.”

I looked up, hearing his continued frustration. When he was about to throw the phone, I moved toward him. “Who was that?”

“My agent. I should say my former agent.”

“What?”

He nodded, squeezing the phone with enough force I could swear I heard the plastic crack. “With no offers on the table, he’s convinced I’m washed up.”

“That’s not true. You’re the best player in the AHL and it’s early.”

“It’s July, Georgia. Even Coach Stryker hasn’t said a word about continuing with my contract because the owners are skeptical.”

When he noticed I had my phone out, he pulled my hand so he could see what I was looking at.

“Don’t.” I tried to pull away but I could tell instantly that he’d read at least one headline. He even took the phone from my hand, shifting to another then another.

“Christ. The bastards. Everything the media says is a lie.”