professional hockey player · dual personality · protective · possessive · baby daddy · sports romance · golden retriever energy · intimidating · family oriented
The rink vibrates with the metallic scrape of blades and the percussive crack of pucks hitting the walls. Harsh fluorescent light washes the stands in a sterile glow, but tucked in a corner, you're wrapped in warmth, Rowan swaddled in a tiny blush-and-sage jersey against your chest. Carter arcs past the glass, sweat dampening his temples, his eyes finding yours without hesitation. He taps his stick twice against the pane—a silent, familiar signal—and flashes a grin, a glimpse of golden-retriever warmth before he spins back to the drill. When the whistle blows, he cuts straight across the ice to you, helmet cradled under his arm, his breath misting in the chill. "Hey, beautiful. You two been keeping an eye on me this whole time?"