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  Smiling nervously, her eyes were bright. She had his brain all scrambled. He nervously scratched at his facial hair. It had become a nervous habit of his.

  "So have you always been a hockey fan?" Kris asked.

  "Yeah, as long as I can remember. When I was little I even insisted on learning how to ice skate." She giggled, covering her mouth with her hand.

  "So did I," he teased. "Do you work?"

  "I do, actually. I'm a reporter for the local paper, a sports reporter. I like it fine, except I am fairly new, so I don't get the big gigs like Renegades stuff. I get assignments like pee wee hockey tournaments or high school. But it's still fun."

  "That's actually really cool. Maybe someday you will work with the Renegades," he suggested.

  She shook her head and giggled. "No, I highly doubt that!" She waved off his suggestion. "I'm not going to hold my breath."

  A young clerk from behind the counter approached their table. "Um," she stuttered, looking at Kris timidly, "Mr. Lafleur, I'm sorry, but it's late and we need to close up. The arena is already closed." She shifted her feet and anxiously played with her hair.

  "No worries." Kris smiled at her and checked her nametag. "Kimmy. Hey, thanks for letting us stay so long, we'll get our things together and get out of your way." With a relieved look on her face, the young girl walked back to the counter.

  Kris noticed the empty cafe and chuckled "You would think I would know when this place closes! Oh well. Hey, uh, I know a cafe that has even better coffee than this place." Tripping over his words he continued. "Would you... like to join me?" Tucking some of his hair behind his ear, he stood and pulled out her chair for her as she stood too. "I'll be right back."

  While waiting on her answer, he walked to the register. The young barista, Kimmy, was standing there. He smiled and pulled a twenty dollar bill out of his wallet and tucked it into the tip jar. "Thanks guys! Have a good night!"

  Walking back to Kat he asked, "So? What do you think?"

  Chapter 4

  Kat wasn't sure what to think exactly. "Me?" Like there was anyone else in the cafe besides her, duh. "With you?" She felt stupid she had said that. You could've responded like an intelligent person, she thought silently to herself. Standing next to him made putting together coherent sentences difficult, almost impossible.

  "Sure. I've really enjoyed talking, and I'd like to continue our conversation. What do you say?" Kris asked.

  Kat swallowed hard. His smile made the butterflies do somersaults in her stomach. She felt like the last thing she needed was more caffeine. "Sure."

  It was cold, and the empty parking garage was dimly lit. They walked so close that he kept brushing up against her. Kris walked with his head down, but he kept glancing over at her. Her insides were squealing, and her face burned. Was he flirting with her? That's not possible she wasn't anything special.

  How was any of this even happening? She wasn't the typical arm candy that Kris Lafleur walked around with. She thought about saying NO to more coffee, giving him an easy out. But she didn't want this fantasy of a night to end.

  Kat headed towards her car, it was parked in a different lot than his, him being a player and all.

  "Why don't we, uh, ride together? If that's... okay?" Kris rubbed at his right sideburn as he stuttered through his words.

  Kat paused, not quite sure what to say. "I…" The words were just not forming. This whole night had been a dream come true. Talking to him was so easy, not to mention he was insanely attractive.

  "I'll take care of the parking, so don't worry about that. Unless you, uh, don't want to go. That would be okay, I mean... it is up to you," Kris stammered.

  They stood silent for a moment. He was trying to give her an out. That was sweet, but she definitely didn't want an out.

  Finally Kris spoke up "I thought we could continue our conversation, but if you–"

  "Um… Sure, let's go," Kat interrupted him mid sentence. "Oh, and don't worry about the parking." She was having a hard time worrying about her junky old car while looking into those brown eyes.

  "I know the guy who owns the garage, it won't be a problem" Kris said. He put his hand on the small of her back and led her to the security lot that he was parked in. When he touched her back, chills ran up her spine.

  He led her to a black Jeep Grand Cherokee. It was a fancy model, but she wasn't sure what kind exactly.

  Kris opened the passenger side door for her and she hopped in. The interior of the Jeep was nice, dark gray leather seats, and not a speck of dust anywhere.

  When he sat in the driver side, he looked over and smiled at her. Oh that smile… that hair.... Okay Kat, just enjoy this. Really, how often does something like this happen? Trying to relax she sat back in her seat.

  "Very nice Jeep," she said, impressed.

  "Thanks. I have a thing for Jeeps. I have a black Jeep Wrangler at home too. I don't take that out much in the winter."

  As she was running her hand over the soft leather interior, he caught her hand in his. Kat trembled as his strong hand wrapped around hers.

  ****

  They arrived at East Coast Coffee. It was a charming little coffee shop not far from the arena. The walls were painted a light beige, and the tables were dark green. Photographs hung on the walls were of the city of Pittsburgh, some of the bridges at night, some of the various sports venues in the area, like the Rivers Arena, the old Icehouse that stood before Rivers was built, and the city's football and baseball arenas.

  Kris smiled as he watched her taking it all in.

  "Cute place," she said, looking around with wide eyes.

  "Yeah, it is. I thought you might like it."

  After ordering their coffees they found a quiet table in the corner. As they sat down at the small round table, Kat rubbed her hands together, trying to warm them up.

  "Can't get warm?" he asked her from across the little table. Their knees lightly brushing together under the table.

  "Well, no, I can't seem to get warm, my hands are freezing. I forgot my gloves tonight, and–" Before she could finish her sentence, Kris reached over and grabbed her hands. He slid his hot hands over hers, warming them up.

  "Better?" he asked. Her delicate hands were icy to the touch.

  Kat nodded. Her face flushed pink.

  "Oh!" She jumped startled as her phone buzzed. She grabbed it out of her jacket pocket and looked at the screen. After a minute she silenced it and slid it inside her purse.

  "Better now?" Kris asked, grinning and ignoring her phone call.

  "What?" Kat asked, confused.

  "Your hands, better? Warmer now?" Still smiling he didn't feel so nervous now for some reason. He was amused that she was so flustered. It was kind of cute. Everything about her was kind of cute.

  "Oh yes, thank you," she answered softly.

  "I meant to ask you, were you at the game all alone tonight?" he asked, making small talk. He could feel her knees touching his under the table. His pants grew tighter each time her leg accidentally brushed against his. There was no mistake he wanted this girl.

  If he was going to hook up with someone it never took him this long. With Kat it was just different. He wanted to know about her. Looking into her soft eyes he saw nothing but kindness. And lust. He also saw lust. Her soft blue eyes sparkled in the fluorescent light every time she smiled.

  Her teeth pulled at her bottom lip nibbling on it for a moment.

  "Yeah, I was." She explained how she was supposed to be here with her sister. Then when that didn't work out she invited her coworker, Liz. Unfortunately, she had cancelled on her at the last minute.

  "Her loss, my gain." Trying to be smooth he hoped that it didn't sound too cheesy.

  "Yeah," her teeth pulling at her bottom lip again. "I should've known she was going to bail on me. I don't really know her all that well. But, no biggie." Kat shrugged.

  "Okay, well, at least you enjoyed the game. We won, of course." He couldn't help the cocky smile that slid across h
is lips.

  "Little smug, aren't we?" Kat giggled.

  "Nah, not at all. Who wouldn't be confident with Tyler Kidd on their team?"

  "Well, you got me there," she shrugged. Her mouth curling up at the side.

  Her mouth was delicate. He wanted to kiss it and see if it was as soft as it appeared. His body was tingling, he wanted her. Looking around he was reminded they were in the middle of a coffee shop.

  "We are the top team in our division right now. I'm hoping we make it to the Cup this year. We are having a good run so far. The honor of hoisting that trophy at age twenty-four– now that would be heaven." Unless he could kiss those luscious lips, because that would be heaven too.

  "Twenty-four, huh?"

  He tilted his head at her confusing comment. "Yeah? Don't tell me you didn't know from all of the media that I'm twenty-four."

  Kat looked down at the table and shrugged. "Yeah, I guess."

  Kicking back in his seat, he folded his arms as a satisfied grin lit up his face.

  "I'm twenty-four too." She quietly squeaked out. Her eyes slowly moved up to meet his stare. "But you've already accomplished so much more in life than me."

  "C'mon," waving her off. "Tell me something about you. Tell me about your job."

  "No, that's boring. You don't want to hear about that." Kat shook her head, trying hard to hide a bashful smile.

  He gently slid his hand onto Kat's. "Sure I do."

  Kat silently stared at his hand holding hers.

  "So, you report on hockey tournaments? And you like it just fine. But it's not the big leagues. Yet."

  "Pretty much," she giggled. "You summed it up nicely. But like you said, it's not the big leagues."

  "So, that purse?" Nodding towards her purse. He could see his signature on it.

  "Yeah..." She pulled her hand away, lowering her eyes.

  "I remember signing that."

  "No you don't! Really?" Kat asked, amazed.

  "Kind of." He smiled. "I remember signing a purse like that. It was at practice, right?"

  "Yeah."

  "I'm sorry to say that I don't remember the exact day. But I'm sure thankful that our paths crossed again tonight." His voice deepened and his eyes darkened.

  ****

  She felt electricity when he held her hands, and especially every time their eyes met. She watched him toss his hair to one side, away from his eyes.

  Before they were ready to leave, Kat pulled out a tube of lip gloss and applied it. She slowly rolled the glittery lip gloss over her lips. She could feel his eyes on her. She knew he was watching, and she took her time.

  Kris helped her put on her winter jacket, pausing as his nose moved by her hair. A chill slid over her body when he stood close to her. His strong hands paused on her arms. Her body ached for those same strong hands to push her up against a wall somewhere. Anywhere. She shook her head. She needed to get a grip. What was her problem anyway? Why was she acting like a horny teenager?

  "Thanks." She untucked her hair from the hood of the jacket and spun around to face him. "Okay, I guess we're ready?" Her face burned. She knew she was bright red. There was no where to hide; she hated when she blushed.

  There was no way she was making a fool out of herself by coming on to him. Coffee was nice, but surely he was bored of her by now, and it was time for their evening to end.

  Walking to his Jeep, Kris turned to her. "I really enjoyed talking with you. I'm really having a nice time." He flashed a bashful smile and softly took her hand in his.

  Her pulse raced as her hand slid into his. "Me too," Kat replied. "I kind of don't want it to end…" Ugh, did I really just say that?? Kat shook her head. So much for playing it cool. Now she just looked desperate.

  "You know…" Kris said. Pausing he cleared his throat and rubbed at his sideburn. "The night is young. I mean, it doesn't have to end yet. It's up to you."

  Her mind raced. When she met his brown eyes she wanted to agree with anything he suggested, and she meant anything. All common sense escaped her.

  She had admired him from afar for a long time. Now standing beside him as he held her hand, she wasn't sure if she should back away bashfully or hope that he wanted to put his hands on her as much as she wanted them on her. "Okay, Kris…What did you have in mind? There's really not that much to do around here." They seemed to keep closing out coffee shops.

  The Jeeps doors unlocked as Kris hit the button on his keychain. Kat turned to open her door, but Kris stepped directly in front of her, bracing her between him and the Jeep. His lips were inches from hers. She could feel his warm breath. Her breathing quickened she wanted him to kiss her so badly. He looked down into her blue eyes, then at her lips. Leaning in he brushed his lips gently against hers. He pulled back, only enough to look into her eyes as she drew in a sharp breath.

  Her body was tingling she wanted more. Why did he stop? She was frozen, his dark eyes holding her hostage.

  She stood feeling his breath on her for what felt like forever. Moving his hand to her cheek, she looked into his dark eyes. He leaned down and kissed her lips hard. Electricity shot though her body as she parted her lips, hoping he would take it as an invitation. Luckily he did, forcing his tongue inside her waiting mouth. Her body fell numb as he pulled her close.

  Kris smiled against her lips once he pulled away. Kat sighed, her stomach did flips, her knees grew weak from that kiss.

  "Do you trust me?…I mean, besides that fact that we just met?" he chuckled. Opening her door, he helped her in his Jeep.

  "Strangely enough, I do." After that kiss, she didn't want to be anywhere that he wasn't tonight. It all felt surreal, but if this was a dream, she didn't want to wake up.

  "You know, Kat," Kris said, looking over at her, "I noticed you before the game tonight, during warm ups."

  So she hadn't imagined that, he did notice her…Oh No… He noticed her with nacho cheese dripping down her chin! Panic started to set in. "During warm ups?" she asked nervously.

  "Yes."

  "But there were all kinds of screaming girls and kids standing around me." And boobs. There were lots of boobs. She couldn't believe he really did notice her in that crowd.

  She touched her chin, remembering the nacho cheese on her face. She looked down to her lap and blushed.

  "When I saw you in the coffee shop, I knew I had to come talk to you. I thought it had to be fate." He ran his hand through his hair. "I know that sounds really cheesy, sorry." He laughed a little and scratched the side of his face nervously. "But I mean it."

  "Yeah, I feel it too." Everytime he ran his hands through his hair, the butterflies in her stomach felt like they were doing circus tricks, as a rush of warmth filled her body.

  "What would you say to, uh, a night cap at my house?" Kris proposed. "I mean, don't think that I do this all the time–" He shook his head nervously. "It's just like you said, I kind of don't want this night to end. We could just go have a drink?"

  "Yes." It was all Kat could manage to get out. She blushed shyly again, surprised at her own answer. "Sure, a night cap at your place sounds nice." Kat knew this might be more than a night cap she wasn't that naive. He was sexy as hell, and if this ended up being the one guy that she went home with for one night, well, that seemed fine with her at the moment.

  "If you want to go home, just let me know." His voice shook. "You just say the word."

  Kat nodded. "I'm good." She smiled at him. This was the most fun she had had in a long time. She was excited to see where this was going.

  Chapter 5

  They arrived at Kris's house. It was dark out, but from what she could see, it was a really nice house. It had a stone exterior and a double garage in the front. He drove up the large driveway and parked right outside the garage doors.

  Just like a gentleman, Kris unlocked the front door and let Kat enter first. Kris flipped on the light switch. The hallway was made of beautiful stone. There was a large stairway ahead of her, and a sunken in living room to her lef
t.

  She turned to say something to Kris, and at that very moment, his lips met hers. The force of his kiss gently pushed her against the wall. Kris pulled back and smiled as he gazed into her eyes. Their lips met again, harder this time. His lips were warm and soft. Kat felt like her knees were collapsing beneath her. He placed small soft kisses on her lips, before he kissed her harder. She ran her fingers through his hair and he pulled her closer. His tongue slid along her lips as he gently pushed his way inside her mouth¸ taking her by surprise; but she liked it. She kissed him back, and teased his tongue with hers.

  His body was hard and strong against hers. His hips pinned hers to the wall. Her hands explored his broad shoulders. His body, even fully clothed, pressed up against her drove her lady parts wild. Her breathing turned into a pant. A small part of her worried that once he took off her jersey and saw that she wasn't skinny, well, that her night would promptly end.

  ****

  Kris knew as soon as their lips met, this was it. She was it. He had never felt this way before, and he wanted her to stay. He didn't want to let her go.

  Kris removed her jacket, then his own. He pulled at her jersey, hoping to toss it to the floor, but Kat pushed his hands away. Maybe she was self conscious, and he wasn't going to push her. He slipped a hand under her jersey, caressing her soft warm skin as he ran his hand up her bare back. She shivered a bit at his touch, and he liked seeing that. He kissed her lips again, then the side of her mouth. His lips slid down her neck, scraping her skin with his teeth before moving back to her mouth.

  He couldn't get enough of her lips, full and now swollen from his kisses.

  His hand moved down her back, towards her thigh, cupping her soft rear, pulling her into his hips. His hard-on pressed into her he wanted her badly.