Adam was holding both his mom and Julie's hands. His coach was talking everything over with the arrival of his father and Charlie was just laughing at him. It was almost time for the draft selections to begin. The day had been long and he spent it in nerves. This had been his dream for so long and finally he was here. And it couldn't have been any better thanks to his friends and family surrounding him. Having their unwavering support meant everything to him because it was these people that helped him make this dream a reality.
There were people everywhere. Hundreds of prospects who worked their tale-ends off to get this life-changing opportunity were surrounded by their own support units. Julie spent a good twenty minutes searching for her late night hero. Even to this very moment she remembered the velvet touch of that kiss. She spotted him sitting near the front with his tall and imposing coach Wolf 'the dentist' Stansson right beside him. They didn't speak, and Julie almost wished she could somehow wish him luck. Adam was right earlier when he said that the Icelander was a great player. It was true, he was well rounded with sought after leadership abilities, and surely he only improved in the five or so years since she last saw him skate.
But she was here for Adam, the boy that made it a habit to stick up for her against anyone and anything. Banks was a real genuine friend and she would lend him her shoulder (or hand) whenever he needed it. After all, he only ever showed her the same courtesy.
A Canadian took first overall and they showed some incredible videos as everyone congratulated him. Just about everyone had him pegged to go first and he did to no surprise. What was a surprise was when Gunnar Stahl was selected next by the Los Angeles Kings 2nd overall, that is damn impressive. Julie put her all into celebrating, especially watching as all he received from the man that molded him was a flimsy nod of acknowledgement. It wasn't right, someone as skilled as he was deserved more. He was happy though, it was obvious in his soulful eyes.
For a flash of a moment she felt his eyes connect with her own and his smile widened just enough to thank her for the support even if she had come here for someone else. He recognized that she was glad for him and that recognition did something to her. The moment tugged at her heart strings, she would have to make sure to properly congratulate him later. Something was going on between them, it was magnetic and seemed impossible to resist, no matter how temporary it would last.
Teams kept announcing their picks and Adam was chosen by the Minnesota Wild, his home state team, 16th overall. First he hugged his mom and then Julie. Charlie patted his best friend on the back while his dad and coach both gave him a one-armed hug.
Julie watched with happy tears in her gaze as her friend made his way and pulled the jersey for his new team over his head. They posed for pictures and soon it was time for the next draft selection. As Coach Bombay walked with Adam's parents Charlie kept Julie on his arm while walking around the backstage area to meet up with their friend.
They paused and watched the top 5 picks take photos together all sporting their new jerseys with the draft year as the number on the sides and back. It was pretty cool to take in all the behind-the-scenes material that goes into media marketing. They met up with Adam who was still conversing with the owners and top management for the team that selected him. He introduced them all to his family and friends who were warmly welcomed. Coach Bombay even received a few compliments from his own coaching days.
After that it was time to party. Adam was the first to take his female best friend out on the dance floor, letting the knee-length hem of her red halter dress flow airily as he twirled her around.
She put one hand around his neck and the other on his back with him doing the same in return, and they shared yet another laugh, "Adam, I'm so happy for you!"
He dipped her low and brought her back up, the grin on his face never fading, "Me too, although I'm kind of glad its over."
"Well yeah," she teased him, "now you know what your future holds."
"Julie," he shook in head as he was still in disbelief, "I just can't believe it, I get to stay in Minnesota."
"You deserve it Adam, and thank you for letting me be a part of this wonderful experience with you."
"You know I love you Julie, you're one of my best friends."
Charlie cleared his throat, "Well as your other best friend, let a brother cut in and take this pretty lady for a spin."
Adam just rolled his eyes and relinquished his hold on Julie over to Charlie. That was fine as he had some mingling that needed to be done anyway. So he left his two friends alone as they continued to dance the evening away. They were all leaving later the following afternoon to head back home to their everyday lives, so this was the last night to spend together.
And they decided to live it up, the party continued in the hotel lobby where several of the prospects conjoined and let loose. Finally after the long years of dedication and commitment they had a place, a future. Even if nothing turned out or they were traded or injured, they will always have that feeling of being chosen for a team to play professionally.
Only problem was Gunnar Stahl seemed to be missing in action. Surely he didn't go to bed already, well, he probably didn't get much sleep the night before thanks to Julie. After 11 at night Julie yawned and excused herself though she had no intentions of actually going to bed. Maybe it was a little selfish of her, but she thought someone should be thinking of him. Adam was surrounded by people that cared about him and Gunnar had no one. He was alone.
Passing up her own hotel room she considered that maybe he didn't want to be disturbed. Then came the second thoughts on actually going to congratulate him, they barely even knew each other. He was the bad boy rival from her youth, but the fact that he was here all by himself ate at her. Gunnar wasn't that same jerk from five years ago; or maybe he was and it just didn't matter at the moment. Something in the way he looked at her, in the way his lips daringly pressed against her own was exciting. She'd knock once and if he didn't answer then so be it. Taking a deep breath she rapped twice on his door and waited.
It didn't take long for him to answer and his gaze softened at seeing her, "Julie, come in."
With a smile she walked pass him, his hotel room was the exact mirror opposite of her own. Meaning their heads were only separated by a thin wall, no wonder he heard her the night before. "So why aren't you downstairs celebrating with everyone else?"
Gunnar closed the door behind her and shrugged, "My flight leaves early tomorrow morning."
Julie could appreciate his appearance; he was still in a silver grey suit that perfectly matched his eyes, only his jacket must have been removed some time ago. His black shirt was still tucked in and she could just make out the angular lines of his stomach and chest. She blushed as he caught her staring, "I'll go, I just wanted to congratulate you Gunnar. 2nd overall, that's really great."
"Wait," he asked and moved to turn on the radio of the alarm clock. He shuffled through the different stations until soft jazz music began to play softly in the background and turned the volume up a little. There was a small smirk in place as he turned back to her with a hand reaching out for hers, "I saw you dancing earlier; this is how you can congratulate me."
With her heart beating triple-time she put her hand in his; the warmth invaded everything as she was immediately swept away by the mysterious look in his eyes. She shouldn't be here with him alone in a hotel room. He used to be the enemy, and now it felt as though he was pulling her in and every sense was screaming at her to let it happen because this felt so natural and right. She knew exactly who he was and didn't have to pretend around him, she could just…be. And that alone was something to treasure.
He kept her body close to his own. Their gazes remained locked as he spun them slowly around the room. It was quiet and intimate and dangerous and those eyes of his simply smoldered. There was no resistance or hesitation when his lips met hers, just pure acceptance and encouragement to further explore. They both let out throaty moans when their tongues collided for the first time. Never had a boy made her feel so alive with just a kiss, it was like magic dancing along her spine. And it probably had everything to do with the knowledge that this was something a good girl like her should never do.
Before she knew it she was against the wall with one of his hands on her thigh, bringing her leg around his own. Heatedly he pulled his mouth from hers and looked deep into her eyes, "Stay with me tonight Julie," he placed a soft kiss to her jaw-line and whispered against her skin, "just one night."
She knew exactly what he wanted, one night of unrestrained passion. They had this one night to get each other out of their systems. More than likely they'd never see one another again, but this night, this one night, they could be as close as two hearts would ever allow. And Julie wanted that, she wanted this with him. Gunnar made her feel beautiful and wanted, desirable and sexy; he made her feel like a woman. And after spending months alone he could draw out her sexuality with one breathtaking look.
She nodded against him and his mouth feverishly took hers. One by one she took her time to undo the buttons of his shirt until her fingers ran into the snap of his trousers. Her head leaned back against the wall as his lips and tongue further explored her neck and collarbone and further down the line of her dress showing the barest hint of her breasts. Pulling out his shirt from his pants he groaned when she placed her hands against his smooth bared chest. He was all hard planes and soft skin, it was intoxicating.
He moved them into the center of the room and stepped back from her, keeping his intense eyes on hers while he slowly pushed his shirt over his shoulders. Julie kissed him as her fingers deftly unbuttoned his pants and slid the zipper down. She looked him over and what greeted her was the sexiest thing she had ever seen. Gunnar shirtless with his toned muscles and pants barely hanging on to his hips left her feeling breathless. With a smirk he turned her around, pushed her hair hanging over her shoulder onto her back and left searing kisses in its place. She leaned back against him and savored the feeling of his warm body enveloping her.
Gunnar's hand found the zipper holding up her dress and brought it down inch by slow inch, his mouth following the trail all the way down to her lower back. His lips seemed to burn their way back up her body and Julie felt shivers everywhere he touched her. She held her breath as he gently slipped the straps down her shoulders, slowly removing the fabric between them. With her dress pooled around her waist, Julie felt Gunnar simply hold her in his arms while still behind her. It was an intimate action and it spoke volumes for what might have been in another time and place. Julie turned and her mouth found his, their kiss slow and sensual.
His fingertips played along the hemline of her panties, bringing them lower and lower with every movement. She turned and tugged at his pants, wanting to see more of him, wanting to just feel more. Right now, she wanted it all.
Gunnar stepped out of his trousers and brought his hands to her waist, picking her up against his chest and moved them to the bed. He lay her down and took his time to stare at the girl that was quickly becoming close to his heart. If he only had this one evening to love her then he would take it. She helped him remove her bra and his mouth sealed itself over one perfectly erect nipple, her skin was so smooth and creamy, she was just so beautiful. Soon they were both naked with their hands, mouths, and eyes soaking everything in.
Lying next to her with them both on their sides he kissed her lips with such a gentle caress Julie felt like she was floating. His hand trailed from her cheek down to her breast, over her stomach and settled on her hip. Pulling back to gaze into those amazing grey eyes, he pushed their bodies closer together, his hand bringing her leg over his hip and thigh. And then she could feel him, the hardness of his length brushing against her. With a guided hand he lined up against her and with eyes still on hers he thrust into her.
That first moment of their bodies becoming one was overwhelming. He stilled inside her as they stared deep into each other, the feeling flowing between them unexpectedly meaningful and full of surprising emotion.
Julie had to close her eyes just to break the moment and enjoyed the fullness of her body being stretched to accommodate his thickness. Another thrust and her eyes burst open to find him still staring at her with such passion it left her panting. God, she never felt so much pleasure before. Again and again he steadily rocked into her, every movement building to something explosive.
Her first orgasm hit suddenly and she pulled his body to hers as close as possible, riding out the perfect storm of emotions. Gunnar felt her body shaking and pulsating and fought down his own release. He wanted this to last for as long as possible. There was no comparison, this was the best he'd ever felt. The tension, it just kept building and building within him. He turned her to lie on her back and loved how her body responded and pushed back against him and with every turn he moved deeper.
Gunnar was moving faster now; sweat beading on his forehead as he continued to pump with all his strength. Her legs were tightly wrapped around him and soon he couldn't hold back anymore. "Julie," he called out as he came, relief flooding him as she milked him for all that he was worth.
Julie was just catching her breath as Gunnar finally pushed himself off of her body and pulled her into his arms. That was breathtakingly amazing. And it was just the beginning.
He hadn't been lying when he said he wanted her to stay the entire night with him. When they weren't making love, or having sex, or further exploring each other's bodies…they talked. And they laughed and just enjoyed every second of this one night spent together. It was beautiful.
They were both equally exhausted but didn't dare to fall into slumber as the hours continued to creep by. Not much longer and he would be saying goodbye. Never in a million years did Julie think she would experience such an extraordinary sexual moment, and that it would be with Gunnar Stahl of all people.
He held her close after a last round of making love. She was riding him until they both climaxed and he pulled her down after the final release. Collecting their breaths Julie giggled as she continued to shiver uncontrollably. Gunnar laughed at her but felt that same bubble of intense closeness.
"Thank you for tonight," his fingers played with her soft hair, "it was beautiful; you're beautiful."
She was still lying on top of him with their bodies joined, "Yeah, pretty unforgettable."
He sighed and kissed the top of her head resting on his chest, "I wish we had more time, Julie is there any way we ca-"
She immediately shook her head, "Ssh, let's just enjoy the time we have left."
After all this wasn't meant to go beyond the night. And as she watched him move around the room to pack his suitcase the whole finality came over her. Him kissing her one last time, him walking out the door, it all played out just as it should have. No regrets and no expectations.