CHAPTER 4 ~ CAPTAIN

MEGAN’S POV

"I did not buy a single thing for you, Caleb," I replied calmly, shifting the heavy shopping bags in my hands so the plastic handles would not dig into my palms.

"You are lying to me," Caleb said, taking another step forward and reaching his large hand toward the bags. "You always buy me gifts because you are desperate for my attention, so just hand over whatever you bought."

Because I anticipated his movement, I quickly stepped backward and pulled the bags safely behind my legs to protect my new clothes. "You are completely delusional if you think I would ever spend another dime on someone who secretly plots to record women without their consent."

The arrogant amusement completely vanished from Caleb's face, and his eyes widened in genuine shock. He clearly had not expected me to know about his terrible scheme, yet he quickly tried to regain his composure by clenching his jaw tightly.

"I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about, Megan," Caleb stated loudly, although his voice lacked its usual confidence.

"I was standing directly in the next aisle at the library last night while you told Vanessa exactly how you planned to set up a hidden camera in your bedroom," I explained smoothly, making sure my tone remained completely steady. "I heard every single disgusting word you said about me, and I know you threw the expensive silver bracelet I bought you into the trash can behind the arena."

Since his secret was completely exposed, Caleb dropped his fake charm entirely and revealed the cruel, nasty person he truly was. His face turned very red with anger, and he clenched his hands into tight fists at his sides.

"You should be grateful I even gave you the time of day, because you are a pathetic, ugly loser," Caleb growled, stepping dangerously close to my personal space. "Nobody else on this entire campus will ever want you, and you are going to regret speaking to me this way."

Even though his physical proximity was highly intimidating, I refused to back down or show any signs of fear. I stood up very straight, adjusted my new half-rimmed glasses on my nose, and looked directly into his angry eyes.

"I am actually very grateful that I found out the truth before I wasted any more of my life on a mediocre hockey player," I told him honestly, knowing exactly how to hurt his massive ego. "You have to manipulate vulnerable people because you have absolutely no real talent or personality of your own, Caleb."

My insulting words made him completely lose his temper. Caleb let out a furious breath, raised his arm, and stepped forward rapidly, intending to grab my shoulders violently. Because the street was mostly empty during the afternoon, no other pedestrians were nearby to witness his aggressive behavior. I braced my body for his physical impact, but his hands never actually touched me.

Before Caleb could close the distance between us, a very tall, broad-shouldered man stepped directly between us and completely blocked Caleb’s path. I immediately recognized the dark hair and the massive physical build of Connor Blake, the highly respected captain of the college ice hockey team. Connor stood completely still, displaying a calm but incredibly dangerous presence that made Caleb freeze instantly in his tracks.

"Is there a specific reason why you are harassing my girlfriend on the public sidewalk, Mercer?" Connor asked, his voice sounding incredibly cold and entirely steady.

Caleb looked completely dumbfounded by the sudden intervention, and he stared at Connor with his mouth slightly open. "Your girlfriend? You are completely lying, Connor. She is a nobody, and her clothes belong in the garbage."

Although Connor did not raise his voice or show any outward anger, he wrapped his heavy, warm arm securely around my shoulders and pulled my body firmly against his solid side. The sudden physical contact sent a feeling of intense warmth through my entire body, yet I remained perfectly still because I felt incredibly safe under his protection.

"I will not tolerate you speaking about my girlfriend in that manner ever again," Connor warned softly, staring down at Caleb with intense authority.

"You are just trying to mess with my head," Caleb stammered, crossing his arms defensively but taking a cautious step backward. "There is absolutely no way you are actually dating her."

Instead of arguing with Caleb verbally, Connor turned his body slightly toward me. He reached out with his free hand, gently placed his fingers under my chin, and tilted my face upward. Because he moved very deliberately, I had plenty of time to pull away, but I found myself completely paralyzed by the intense look in his dark eyes. 

He leaned down and pressed his mouth firmly against my lips in front of Caleb and the passing traffic. 

The kiss was surprisingly gentle yet highly possessive, and his lips felt incredibly warm and soft against mine. My heart beat very rapidly inside my chest, and my stomach felt very nervous while I breathed in the clean scent of his masculine soap and woodsy cologne. 

Even though I knew the kiss was meant strictly to establish dominance over Caleb, the undeniable physical chemistry between us felt entirely real and highly overwhelming.

After several long seconds, Connor slowly pulled his lips away from mine, but he kept his arm wrapped tightly around my shoulders. I felt completely breathless, and my cheeks burned with a deep, natural blush. 

Connor turned his attention back to Caleb, who was now staring at us with wide eyes and a deeply furious expression on his face.

"If you ever come near her again, or if you ever try to speak to her on this campus, I will personally ensure you never play a single game of hockey again," Connor stated firmly, leaving absolutely no room for debate or negotiation. "Do you understand me, Mercer?"

Caleb did not answer the question verbally. He simply glared at us, turned around aggressively, and walked back to his parked SUV before slamming the heavy door shut and driving away down the street. 

Once the vehicle disappeared around the corner, Connor finally dropped his arm from my shoulders and took a small step back to give me personal space. The sudden absence of his body heat made the afternoon air feel surprisingly cold.

"Why would the team captain involve himself in a dispute between a regular player and a girl he does not even know?" I asked quietly, looking up at his sharp jawline while I gripped my shopping bags tightly.

"I know exactly who you are, Megan, and I know exactly what Mercer is capable of doing to people," Connor answered calmly, looking down at me with a serious expression.

"Thank you for helping me," I said, my voice still trembling slightly from the adrenaline of the confrontation. "But I really need to know why you just kissed me, since we both know you do not actually have romantic feelings for me."

"I did it for my own benefit, but we absolutely cannot talk about the details here on the open street," Connor replied seriously, gently placing his hand on my lower back and guiding me toward a small, quiet coffee shop located on the next corner. "We need to discuss a very specific, mutually beneficial arrangement, Megan."