Caleb's P.O.V.“Her ex-boyfriend fucked her up, and now, she has trouble letting me in.” I sighed, my fingers gripping the steering wheel a little harder since speaking about that fucker out loud made me angry.“OK. Hear me out,” Jake spoke, looking out in front of him at the road.“That ex-boyfriend of hers is wherever the hell he is, doing whatever the hell he pleases. Right here, right now, you are here. Reese is here. You are going to be the guy that she will come to to keep her company. You’re the one that is texting her every day and every night, and don’t give me that look, I can hear your phone vibrate all the way to my room, wolf hearing and all.” He stated, making me roll my eyes at him because all of a sudden he sounded more like a father than a brother to me. “So, good luck. Go get her, chaise her, make her yours. Label whatever you want to get labeled.” He smiled at me, leaning in closer.“And besides, you don’t have the willpower to resist her either, your wolf will mak
Caleb’s P.O.V.“Caleb is an incredible hockey player, and you’re only calling out on him for his injury because you know that he would wipe the floor with Florida’s team if he would be at his full strength. Hell, he’ll wipe the floor with you WITH an injury!” Reese yelled, sticking out her finger and probably giving the man the look she would give her students whenever they were crossing a line. I could not help but feel my chest swell, along with my dick, seeing and hearing how Reese was sticking up for me, trying to protect me even though I knew for a fact that she had never seen me play on the ice. Fuck… it made me want to throw her over my shoulder, take her home so I could have my way with her, ending with her having my mark on her body so no other guy would ever dare to look her way ever again. The guys standing with the troublemaker already sent me an apologetic look, but all I cared about was hearing what else my woman had to say. Fuck… hearing her so angry somehow was freakis
“Actually, I’m pretty busy tonight. It’s my brother Zach’s birthday.” Caleb finally said, bursting my bubble.“Oh,” I responded, trying to keep the disappointment out of my voice.“Yeah, sorry about that,” Caleb continued.“I promised to celebrate his birthday with him, it’s kind of a family tradition and all.” He added, as I felt a lump form in my throat. Caleb was going to celebrate his brother’s birthday, meaning he was not going to spend his time with me, or even worse… not ask me to join him and his family for his brother’s birthday celebration.maybe he really doesn’t feel the same way as I did?Wouldn’t he ask me to join him, if he wanted more with me than just being friends?He had said he wanted to explore this 'thing that was growing' between us...maybe I was now the one that was rushing things?“That’s OK.” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.“I have plans too, anyway.” I added, nodding mostly at myself, in the hopes that my words would make me feel strong. Which they
Reese’s P.O.V.I turned myself around, facing the bartender so I could ask him for a drink and at the same time hide my blush from Caleb.“No, I’m not jealous at all. I don’t even have any reason to be jealous in the first place.” I answered him matter-of-factly. “In fact, I’m so ‘not jealous’ right now, that I won’t even bother you for the rest of the evening, especially when you seem to be so… busy,” I spoke, before lifting my hand in the air, finally getting the attention of the man behind the bar, finally.“A martini, please!” I shouted over the music, giving Caleb my back and nothing more. I was pissed and right now, I needed time to cool off, so instead of giving Caleb any more attention so he could piss me off even more, I took my drink and walked over to Dana, saying hi to my coworkers and sticking out my hand to meet some of her friends who I had never seen before.“Hi, I’m Reese.”I shouldn’t even have felt down when Caleb seemed to take the hint and stepped away from me. B
Reese’s P.O.V. As soon as I knew that the creepy guy called Jef Markle had walked away, I turned myself back around, my eyes scanning the bar to make sure I would find Dana. Caleb had loosened his grip on me, but his arm was still very much there, and in the meantime, ever since I had been to the bathroom, more and more people had shown up inside this place, so now, I was forced to have my body close to his.Very, very closemaybe even too close for my self-control…Darnit... “Are you trying to run away from me again, gorgeous? Because let me tell you, it was my job to chase after a tiny puck on slippery ice, grab it and score with it. If I can do it with a puck, don’t be mistaken, I can and I will chase you again. And just like on the ice, I will win.” He told me as he leaned down so closely that his lips were against my ear. The crowded bar pulsed with energy, the music thumping in my ears. Or maybe that was my own heartbeat I was feeling? Who could really tell at this point? I st
Caleb’s P.O.V. I sensed her turmoil, so I stopped walking and turned to face her. Her gaze burned with intensity, her eyes filled with a mix of frustration and affection at the same time. And I sighed, as I tried to find the right words to say to the most stubborn woman that I had ever met in my life.“Reese, I need you to listen to me for a second,” I said, my voice steady but laced with vulnerability.“I get why you are scared here, but you have to know that my feelings for you go beyond any superficial desire. What we have between us, it’s real, and I care about you deeply.” I watched her as her eyes welled with tears, her defenses slowly beginning to crumble. Thank you, alcohol!“I’m terrified.” She gasped before she pressed her lips together. Looking like a little bird that needed to be saved. And I felt my own expression soften, my hand reaching out to gently cup her cheek.“Oh gorgeous, you have to believe me. You are not just another name for me. I have never felt this way be
Caleb’s P.O.V. I walked her toward and into her car, before climbing into my own truck as I followed her home. I wasn’t going to get out of my truck once I would have made it to Reese’s home. Getting out would have drama written all over it, and since the moon was almost full, my wolf was making it even harder for me to stay away from my one true mate. My inner wolf craved for her, ready to claim what was rightfully his. So shit… because here I was... going against my own earlier thoughts, because sure as shit I was getting out of my truck, wanting to be a gentleman by opening her car door for her. And fuck… opening the door and getting a new whiff of her vanilla scent in my nostrils, sure as shit didn’t make it any easier on me or my wolf.Fuck!“Hey,” She spoke, her eyes widening a little.“Your eyes, they have this shimmer in the moonlight. It’s really beautiful.” She spoke as she got out of her car, now really looking at me as she tried to make sense of what she saw.double fuc
Reese's P.O.V. With trembling fingers, I picked up my phone and opened my messaging app. I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say or do. But the memory of our kiss was still vibrantly alive in my mind and the taste of him was still resting on my tongue. God… I wanted to see Caleb again, hell… I wanted to be with him again. But how could I possibly put into words the whirlwind of emotions that were coursing through my veins right now? I pondered for a moment, but eventually… taking a deep breath, I began to type. Reese: Hey you, Mr Melt-my-heart and turn around to leave. I hope you know that my thoughts are still consumed by tonight. That kiss… it’s a fire that’s still burning bright… I paused, my fingers hovering over the screen. Was this too bold for me to send? Nah, I thought, smiling and shrugging to myself, the alcohol still giving me the extra courage. I wanted to show Caleb that I appreciated his intention and his desire for something more substantial. Reese: But you,
Caleb’s P.O.V.The sun bathed the garden in a golden glow as I stood at the end of the aisle, my heart racing with anticipation. My brothers, Zach, and Jake flanked me as my groomsmen, their presence a reassurance of the unbreakable bond we shared as siblings. I looked at them, sharing a knowing smile that spoke volumes about our unspoken connection.The doors opened and Reese, a vision of beauty in her flowing white long gown, began her graceful walk towards me. My breath caught in my chest as I took in her radiant smile, her eyes sparkling with love and happiness. Beside her, Dana, her best friend who was also the maid of honor, beamed with pride and joy.The soft melody of a love song filled the air, harmonizing with the beating of my heart. And then, like a little angel, my niece Dahlia stepped forward, clutching a basket of rose petals. She delicately scattered them along the aisle, leaving a fragrant path in her wake. God only knows how many times she had begged both me and Rees
BONUS CHAPTER Reese’s P.O.V. “Are you ready?” I smiled, looking next to me in the car as I watched Dana look in front of her, mouth agape and eyes big in wonder as she took in the place.“What the hell did he do to this place?” She gasped before she looked back at me in awe again.“This must have cost him a fortune.” She added before she opened the door and got out of my car, to which I smiled and did the same, closing up my car before we walked over to the main entrance of the ice skating rink. We stepped into the newly acquired ice rink with a sense of awe. The transformation of this place was nothing short of extraordinary. The once worn-out and almost neglected space had been completely revitalized, thanks to Caleb’s unwavering dedication to turning this place into a fun spot for kids today and in the years to come. I couldn’t help but feel a surge of admiration for his commitment and dedication to creating a haven for young aspiring hockey players. The grand opening of the ice
ONE YEAR LATER.Reese’s P.O.V.A warm Florida breeze rustled the leaves of the trees that lined the driveway leading to our house on the Loup ranch. The sun shone brightly overhead, casting a golden glow on the lush green landscape. It had been a year filled with healing, growth, and rebuilding, and now Caleb and I were ready to embark on a new chapter of our lives. Moving into our own house, together.As the moving truck pulled up in front of our house, I couldn’t help but smile with anticipation. It had been a long journey in order to get the house done, filled with challenges and triumphs, but we had persevered together, and right now, I honestly believed I had never felled so at home as I did in this house. We had put careful thought and consideration into designing our new house on the Loup Ranch. The result was a beautiful home that was both practical and elegant.The exterior of the house boasted a charming blend of stone and wood, blending with the natural surroundings. Steppi
Reese’s P.O.V.I was just walking into my apartment, holding on to my grocery bags when my phone started buzzing again. I picked it out of my jacket, seeing that it was Dana who was calling me.“Hey,” I greeted her, “Where are you?” She asked me, sounding a bit panicked in a way.“I just got home, why?” I asked her, frowning.“Turn on your TV, right now!” She told me, making me frown even more as I heard the urgency in her voice.“OK,” I answered her, picking up the remote and pressing the power button, seeing how my TV screen came to life, my eyes widened as I saw Caleb’s face on my screen, accompanied by four other men I didn’t recognize.The news anchor’s voice filled my living room.“In a shocking turn of events, professional hockey player Caleb Johnson has pressed charges against his boss, Samuel Hardt, for blackmailing him in order to stay on the team. And now, it seems as though Caleb Johnson isn’t the only one who has been blackmailed. Four other players and the head coach of
Reese’s P.O.V.I was sitting on my couch, my mind clouded with thoughts of the blackmail and me leaving Caleb behind. The weight of the situation had left me feeling weary and uncertain. I needed time and space to process everything that had happened. But I smiled, as my phone started to ring and I looked down at the screen, seeing Dana’s name. The girl that had grown from a colleague to a friend. The girl that had picked up all of the pieces to my broken heart and was trying her best to put the pieces back together.“What are we watching?” Dana’s voice asked me from the other end of the phone line, making me smile. “I am still doubting between Queen Charlotte or The Bachelor,” I answered her.“But there’s probably more heartbreak in The Bachelor, so I’m going for that one.” I shrugged, hearing Dana’s giggle on the other end of the phone.“Good, I’m right there with you.” She answered me, probably pressing play on her own TV, so even though we aren’t watching it in the same room, we
Caleb’s P.O.V.I was staring at all the serious faces. The coach blew out a deep breath, while asshole Samuel Hardt behind his desk was sitting rigid and jerk-like as always. And a sinking feeling about what was about to go down came over me.“Thank you for joining us, Ms Reese. Have a seat.” Samuel spoke as Reese went to sit next to me but didn't look at me.“Why am I here?” She asked, her voice sounding stressed and a bit shaky. And I shifted in my seat, trying to understand what these men were all trying to pull here. Samuel opened up a drawer of his desk, pulling out a white envelope that he placed in front of Reese, who looked up with eyes big in surprise. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched the tense exchange between Reese and Samuel, my very own boss. The atmosphere in the room had almost grown suffocating. What the hell was in the envelope?Samuel leaned forward in his chair, a calculating glint in his eyes.“Reese, I understand you care for Caleb, but we believe your pr
Caleb’s P.O.VThe first rays of morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow upon the room. I stirred in my sleep, the remnants of my wolf’s presence slowly fading as I started to wake up. My mind floated between dreams and wakefulness, my senses still attuned to the lingering connection I had made with Reese last night.MineShe is finally mine…My eyelids fluttered open, as I found myself immersed in the warmth of our shared space, and I couldn’t help but smile. Reese lay beside me, her features relaxed in peaceful slumber. I marveled at her beauty, the way her tousled hair framed her gorgeous face, and how her lips curled into a serene smile. Shit… I had done it, I had been able to pull it off. To mark and claim her without her getting hurt or even worse. I had actually done it! But I frowned as reality slowly started to sink in.she would leave again tomorrow…She would go back home…And I needed to stay here…For another couple of weeks...Shit...Sure, m
Caleb’s P.O.V.I sat on the bathroom floor, my heart pounding in my chest, as I grappled with the inner turmoil that consumed me. The sound of running water from the shower provided a semblance of solace, the droplets cascading over my trembling body.Seconds…Just seconds…or I had been too late to stop my own wolf…my mind raced with conflicting emotions, torn between my love for Reese and the primal instincts that surged within me. The wolf inside of me yearned to claim Reese as our mate, to mark her as my own. But I feared the consequences of succumbing to my wolf’s desires. If I would ever hurt her, I would never be able to forgive myself. Hell... how would I even be able to live with myself if I would hurt her?I closed my eyes, trying to find clarity inside the chaos. Reese’s face, filled with love and trust, flashed before my mind’s eyes. I couldn’t bear the thought of hurting her, let alone causing her any harm that could be irreversible. Or even worse...kill her, mark her so
Reese’s P.O.V.Caleb called over Jacob, who had a mischievous glint in his eyes as he stepped closer, immediately approaching Dana. “Dana, meet Jacob, one of my friends and teammates,” Caleb spoke, gesturing towards Jacob.“Jacob, this is Dana, Reese’s very close friend.” He spoke as I saw how Dana’s eyes widened with surprise and a smile bloomed on her face. She extended her hand towards Jacob.“Nice to meet you, Jacob. I have heard a lot about you.” She smiled at him, while Jacob’s gaze lingered on Dana’s hand for a moment, a playful twinkle in his eyes. He took her hand, holding it gently.“Likewise, Dana. It’s a pleasure to finally meet a pretty girl around all these brawny men.” Dana blushed at Jacob's words, her cheeks turning a rosy shade of pink.“Oh, thank you, Jacob.” She smiled while Caleb chuckled, probably already sensing the chemistry between those two.“Why don’t you join us for the celebration? We’ll be heading to the rooftop bar of the hotel. The whole team will be t