Hands Off The Ice King novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Hope’s POV

Gosh, the three of them had been absolutely insufferable ever since they caught me lingering on Connor’s page

I tried explaining that it was just a coincidence. A completely harmless social media slip-up.

They didn’t buy a single word of it.

Desmond especially acted like he’d just uncovered the scandal of the century.

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Fortunately, after threatening to assess them only once a week instead of daily, they finally backed off. Well… mostly. Desmond still made kissing noises every time I walked past him.

Idiots.

Still, despite the chaos of the past few days, one thing remained unchanged.

Levi Reeve still wanted absolutely nothing to do with me.

It had already been four days since I started working for the New York Glaciers, yet their star player continued avoiding every possible attempt I made to assess him.

Every time I approached him, he either walked away, ignored me, or stared at me long enough to make me feel like I was the inconvenience. Honestly, it was starting to become impressive.

But this morning, Beth had finally cornered me before practice.

“You need to check Levi before Monday,” she’d said seriously. “No excuses this time.”

Apparently, Monday’s practice game was important. Very important.

The moment she mentioned a “cocky rival team,” I already had a strong suspicion who she meant.

The Gotham Pucks.

The other pride of New York City.

The New York Glaciers dominated the Atlantic League. The Gotham Pucks ruled the Metropolitan.

Two powerhouse teams from the same conference, constantly compared, constantly competing, constantly trying to prove who truly owned the city.

And during the regular season-where rankings determined who qualified for The Winter’s Crown, the biggest championship in professional hockey-their matches always turned into bloodbaths.

I knew all of this because of Connor.

Back then, I learned hockey for him. Researched statistics for him. Memorized rankings, injuries, schedules, and rivalries just so I could support his dreams better.

The Gotham Pucks were also the only team who had successfully beaten the Glaciers last season.

People talked about it for weeks. Sports channels practically exploded over the upset.

So yes.

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This game mattered a lot to the Glaciers.

And whether Levi liked it or not, I needed to make sure his body was in proper condition before he stepped onto the ice. Which was exactly why I found myself standing in front of his room that afternoon, taking a deep breath before knocking loudly on the door.

Beth said he was inside.

A few seconds later, the door swung open.

And every coherent thought in my brain immediately abandoned me.

Levi stood there wearing nothing but a towel wrapped low around his waist, his hair damp from the shower. Tiny droplets of water slid down his chest and disappeared beneath the fabric.

His shoulders were broad and his abs were very prominent. His entire body looked like it had been sculpted specifically to ruin everyone’s lives.

He frowned at me.

“What do you need?” he asked flatly.

Right.

The attitude. That helped a little with this attraction.

“Beth sent me to check on you,” I replied, forcing my eyes upward. Specifically toward his face.

He clicked his tongue and walked back inside without another word.

I hesitated for a second before following him in. Huge mistake. Because now I had front row seats to Levi Reeve casually rubbing lotion all over his chest and arms like he wasn’t actively destroying my concentration.

My eyes followed the movement unconsciously.

Slow hands. Long fingers. Strong forearms flexing with every motion.

I could be lathering that lotion on him.

My entire body froze.

… What the hell was that thought?

An inner voice I clearly did not approve of had suddenly entered the conversation.

Maybe I was dangerously deprived. Connor had been the only man I’d ever slept with, and honestly, even calling it good sex felt generous. Freya joked all the time that Connor was a “professional pillow princess.”

Unfortunately, she wasn’t wrong.

Even during our first time-my first time-I did most of the work. He liked being admired and being pleased. Meanwhile, I convinced myself that mediocre sex was still romantic because I loved him.

Looking back now? That was deeply embarrassing.

“You’re drooling.”

I snapped out of my thoughts then. Levi was staring directly at me. Mortified, I immediately wiped the side of my mouth with my hand.

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Chapter 9

A small smile appeared on his lips.

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I froze at the sight. It wasn’t the cold smirk he used when mocking people. Not the sarcastic twitch of amusement he occasionally gave Desmond.

A real smile.

For someone constantly labeled as intimidating, he suddenly looked dangerously human.

“What are you doing here?” he asked again, now thankfully dressed in a loose black tank top and sweats because another minute of towel-only Levi probably would’ve sent me into cardiac arrest.

My gaze instinctively landed on his shoulder.

The bruising looked darker now.

He was definitely still in pain.

Professional mode, Hope.

I cleared my throat and straightened. “I came to do my job. Your practice game is on Monday. I need to assess your condition.”

He sighed. “How many times do I have to tell you I don’t need to be checked?”

“And how many times do I have to tell you that this is literally my job?” I shot back. “I’ve already assessed everyone else-”

“Then assess them again,” he interrupted lazily. “Don’t bother me.”

My irritation flared immediately.

This man. This incredibly attractive, deeply frustrating man.

“Well, I can’t just stand here and let you do whatever you want.”

His eyes lifted to mine slowly, a small smirk playing on his lips.

I already hated that look.

“If you don’t want to stand there,” he drawled, “then make yourself useful.”

I crossed my arms. “Excuse me?”

“Buy me a drink from Aurum.”

He leaned back against the headboard like this was the most reasonable request in the world.

“I need a drink before I get assessed. Nate always bought me one before sessions.”

I inhaled deeply.

Nate did tell me Levi was difficult. If buying coffee was the price of getting him properly checked before Monday’s game, then fine.

I could survive this. For the team. Strictly for the team.

“What do you want?” I asked through gritted teeth.

His smirk widened slightly, clearly enjoying this.

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