Contracted To The Beast novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4

STEA

The next day flew by in a blur of ice, sweat, and barely-contained panic.

It was still early when my phone lit up on the nightstand in the team condo. Maddox-saved as “Mad Dog” because I needed the reminder not to soften.

Come back up. Need to go over the script before the announcement drops. Hale just texted, it’s happening at the team lounge right after the game. Bring whatever you’re wearing. We leave at twenty.

Twenty minutes. No time to drive home. No time to kiss Zara good morning or explain why Mommy might be on TV tonight. Or why I wasn’t home last night.

I typed back: On my way.

The elevator ride up felt endless. When I reached his door I knocked once, hard.

It swung open.

Maddox stood there shirtless, towel slung low on his hips, water still dripping from his hair onto his chest. My mouth went dry before I could stop it. Broad shoulders, carved abs, that sharp V disappearing beneath white terrycloth. He looked like every dirty fantasy I’d tried to forget since high school.

Those gray eyes locked on mine, and for one stupid second I remembered the way his hands had felt on my waist that night six years ago, rough and desperate, like I was the only thing keeping him from falling apart.

He noticed me staring. Of course he did.

“Eyes up here, Page,” he said, voice rough with that cocky edge I hated. But there was heat in it too. “Shower ran longer than I planned. Give me two minutes to throw clothes on and we’ll head out.”

I forced my gaze to his face. “We’re going out now?”

“Driver’s pulling up soon. Paparazzi already camped outside the garage. Hale wants the first sighting leaked before the official announcement after the game. We smile, we touch, we sell it. Then I drop you back here. Your car stays for now-the team will handle it.”

He stepped aside. I walked in, trying not to notice the way the towel clung to his hips or the fresh scent of his soap. My pulse hammered. This was fake. All of it. But my body hadn’t gotten the memo.

Maddox disappeared into the bedroom. Drawers opened, fabric rustled. When he came back he was in dark jeans and a black button-down, sleeves rolled up over those inked forearms. Still barefoot. Still dangerous.

“Ready?” he asked.

I nodded, throat tight. “Let’s get this over with.”

The private elevator took us down to the garage. A sleek black SUV waited, driver already behind the wheel. Maddox opened the back door for me like a perfect fake boyfriend, his hand brushing my lower back as I slid in. The touch burned through my shirt.

Paparazzi flashes exploded the second the SUV rolled out. Caméras pressed against the tinted windows. Shouts of “Maddox! Who’s the girl?” and “Beast got a new one!” echoed behind us.

Maddox leaned back, thigh brushing mine. “Smile for the cameras, Doc. After the game the whole league sees us together.”

By the time the final buzzer sounded on a 4-2 win, my nerves were shredded. I changed into the simple black dress the team stylist had dropped off and waited in the players’ lounge, heart racing. Cameras were already set up. Reporters milled

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Chapter 4

STEA

around. Coach Riggs kept glancing at his watch.

Maddox emerged from the locker room in a dark button-down and jeans, hair still damp, looking every inch the billionaire hockey prince. His steel-gray eyes found me immediately. Something hot and possessive flickered when he took in the dress.

Coach Riggs clapped his hands. “Let’s make this quick and clean. Smile, look happy, sell the story. Kane-keep the Beast on a leash.”

The press conference started. Lights flashed. Microphones thrust forward.

Hale stepped up first. “After recent events, we’re thrilled to announce that our captain, Maddox Kane, has entered a relationship with Dr. Nia Page, our new head physiotherapist. We believe this marks a positive new chapter for the team and for Maddox personally.”

The room erupted with questions.

Maddox’s hand found the small of my back, warm and steady. I forced a smile, leaning into him. His thumb brushed my spine once, slow, deliberate. Heat pooled low in my belly despite everything.

Then Coach Riggs caught Maddox’s eye and gave a subtle hand signal, two fingers tapping his lips, then pointing at me.

Maddox didn’t hesitate.

Before I could process what was happening, he turned me toward him, one big hand cupping my jaw. His gray eyes darkened, locking on mine with an intensity that stole my breath.

Then he kissed me.

Right there. On live camera. In front of the entire press corps.

It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t planned, at least not by me.

His mouth crashed into mine-hot, firm, and completely unexpected.

The kiss wasn’t soft. It wasn’t careful. It was possession.

My breath caught as my body reacted before my brain could catch up, leaning into him like it remembered something I’d tried to forget. The cameras flashed wildly around us but for one second, it felt like it was just us.

This wasn’t part of the deal.

And the worst part?

My body didn’t care.

The room exploded with flashes and cheers.

I pulled back, dazed, lips tingling. My cheeks burned. Maddox’s eyes were dark, breathing a little rough as he rested his forehead against mine for half a second.

“I had to make it believable,” he murmured, voice rough against my car. “Coach’s orders.”

I wanted to slap him. I wanted to kiss him again. The conflicting emotions made my head spin.

The press went wild.

“First kiss on camera! The Beast is in love!”

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Chapter 4

“Dr. Page. any comment?”

i forced another smile, fingers digging into Maddox’s arm. “We’re… taking it one day at a time.”

Maddox’s hand stayed possessively on my waist as we answered a few more questions. Every touch felt electric Every glance from him sent sparks racing across my skin. I was supposed to hate him. Instead I was fighting the insane urge to drag him somewhere private and finish what that kiss had started.

The moment the press conference ended, my phone exploded.

Official Vipers account: Welcome to the family, Nia Page. The Beast has found his match. #VipersForever #KaneAndPage

Then the gossip sites. Twitter. Instagram.

Comments flooded in so fast my phone couldn’t keep up.

THE BEAST IS OFF THE MARKET???

She’s the new physio?? This is ICONIC.

Wait… isn’t that the girl who called him reckless on that podcast? Enemies to lovers arc loading.

Mom’s call came first.

“Nia Evelyn Page.” Her voice cracked with shock and something close to laughter. “You’re dating Maddox Kane? The same boy who used to make your life hell in high school… Honey, what is happening? Does he know?”

“I can explain,” I whispered, glancing at Maddox. He was watching me, gray eyes dark.

Before I could say more, my college best friend Natalie was calling. “You’re kidding me. The rival? The bully? Nia, are you okay? Do I need to come over with wine and a bat?”

I laughed, but it came out shaky. “It’s… complicated. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

The high-school group chat exploded next.

Girl. MADDOX KANE??? The one who used to knock your books out of your hands???

Tell me this is fake news.

Wait… you always said he was hot when he wasn’t being an asshole.

My phone buzzed again. Unknown number, but the preview made my stomach drop.

Beck Kane: Got your number from the team directory. I couldn’t believe it when I saw the announcement and that kiss. Nia… we really need to talk. Soon.

I locked the screen.

Maddox appeared at my side, his hand sliding around my waist like it belonged there. “Driver’s waiting. Let’s get out of here before they swarm us.”

We slipped out a side exit. The black SUV pulled up. Paparazzi flashes exploded as Maddox guided me inside, his body shielding mine. The door slammed shut and the car sped off.

Inside the quiet cabin, the air felt too thick. Maddox’s thigh pressed against mine. His fingers brushed my knee once, casual but deliberate.

“You okay?” he asked, voice low. “That kiss wasn’t planned. The coach signaled at the last second. I had to sell it.”

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