Hands Off The Ice King novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Levi’s POV

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This woman-who had barely been with the team for two days-was standing in front of me with her lips pressed against mine.

She was seriously getting on my nerves.

First, she walked into my room without permission.

Second, she acted like she could fix me.

And now this.

I was about to shove her away when her grip around my neck tightened slightly. She pulled back just enough for me to see her eyes.

“Make it look convincing,” she whispered hurriedly. “Don’t just stand there.”

Then she grabbed my hand.

I nearly recoiled.

She was warm. Too warm.

It contrasted so sharply against my own hands-cold from years of hockey, from endless time spent on the ice, from becoming so used to freezing temperatures that warmth now felt foreign.

The sound of approaching footsteps echoed closer. Louder. Without thinking, my hand slid to the side of her neck. It was warm there, too. Maybe even warmer.

I felt her shiver beneath my touch.

Our lips were still pressed together, and that alone should’ve had me pushing her away immediately. But instead, I stayed frozen in place, letting her shield my face while the crowd passed by us.

Her lips were soft-softer than I expected-and every second they lingered against mine made the heat in my body rise another degree.

Then the back door finally swung open.

I immediately pulled away from her, my chest tight, my skin burning hotter than usual.

I glared at Hope.

Her cheeks were flushed pink, her lips slightly swollen from the pressing of our lips, but she didn’t look nearly as affected as I was. If anything, she looked weirdly satisfied with herself.

“Fuck,” I muttered, dragging the back of my hand across my mouth.

She smiled at me without worries. “You’re welcome, by the way. I can’t believe that actually worked.”

“What happened?” Beth asked as she appeared in the doorway, slightly out of breath and painfully curious. “Never mind- just get inside before they come back.”

I clicked my tongue and shoved the door open harder than necessary. Before heading toward my room, I looked back at Beth.

11:41 Wed, Jul 15 AMM

Chapter 7

“Increase security,” I snapped. “Now.”

Beth straightened immediately, looking apologetic. “On it, Levi.”

I left the two of them behind, my pulse hammering against my ribs like I’d just finished playing overtime.

What the hell was wrong with me?

I pressed a fist against my chest once, irritated by how fast my heart was beating.

Then I headed to my room.

Unfortunately, peace wasn’t waiting for me there.

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Instead, I was greeted by an idiot sprawled across my bed with his shoes on while eating popcorn, crumbs scattered all over my sheets like confetti.

“Fuck off,” I spat immediately.

Matthias raised both brows as I ripped the sheets off the mattress and threw them into the dirty laundry hamper.

“So strict as ever,” he mused, tossing another piece of popcorn into his mouth.

Then his eyes narrowed as he studied my face.

“Why are your cheeks red?” he asked suspiciously. “Did you already go to practice? Wait, that can’t be. The rink was still empty when I checked.”

I frowned and glanced at my reflection in the mirror.

Damn it.

He was right.

My face was redder than usual.

I clicked my tongue in annoyance.

It was because of that woman.

Her hands had been too warm. Too soft. And she kept touching me without hesitation like it was nothing.

I tugged my shirt off, planning to shower, but Matthias suddenly grabbed my shoulder.

Pain shot through my arm instantly.

I shoved him off hard.

“Bro,” he said, brows furrowing as his expression shifted into concern. “Your shoulder looks worse than before.”

“It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not.” His gaze stayed fixed on the bruising around the muscle. “Have you even gotten it checked? Desmond said you’ve got a new PT now. Maybe let her take a look before you end up needing surgery.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I said flatly. “I can still play.”

“You’ve been saying that since last season,” Matthias shot back. “You’re lucky you’re Levi Reeve-the hockey prodigy, the golden boy, the freak of nature. Anyone else would’ve tanked their career by now.”

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11:41 Wed, Jul 15 AMM

Chapter 7

I grabbed a towel and headed toward the bathroom. “I’ve got it under control.”

Behind me, Matthias sighed heavily.

“Don’t tell me you haven’t had anyone look at it since Nate resigned.”

I didn’t answer.

“That bad, huh?” he muttered. Then, casually, “Desmond said the new PT’s nice. Pretty too.”

My steps slowed.

Pretty?

“If she’s actually pretty, introduce me,” Matthias continued shamelessly. “I’m serious.”

My mind betrayed me instantly.

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Her eyes were wide and expressive. Her hair fell over her shoulders in soft waves. The way her cheeks flushed so easily. The warmth of her skin against mine.

Was she pretty?

…Maybe.

“Hey,” Matthias called, grinning now that he noticed my silence. “What’s her name? I’m searching her up.”

I exhaled sharply and turned back toward him. “Why do you even care?”

He spread his arms dramatically. “Because I’m Matthias Robinson-your one and only best friend. Obviously I deserve to know what my superstar best friend is up to.”

I rolled my eyes and looked away.

Matthias Robinson.

The only childhood friend I’d managed to keep all these years. Now a successful runway and commercial model, but still annoying as hell and too observant for his own good.

But he’d seen parts of my life most people never would, so somehow, he stuck around.

Then his tone shifted, losing its teasing edge.

“Do you have any plans before the season?” he asked quietly.

I paused. “What do you mean?”

“You’ve been playing nonstop since you were seventeen,” he said. “Along with that, you’ve played for four years on the main roster. No breaks. No life outside hockey. You’re already 24, Levi.”

His eyes searched mine carefully.

“You know… normal people our age actually live, right?” he joked weakly. “Go out. Fall in love. Do stupid things.”

I stayed silent.

Honestly, the idea sounded exhausting.

“I swear,” Matthias continued dramatically, “the happiest day of my life will be when Levi Reeve finally gets into a

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