Chapter 5

The volume of The Palace had been steadily increasing over the last 30 minutes.

The night had started as an impromptu celebration of the end of the fall season. Tiana had announced the "little get together" on the bus ride back home after their last game earlier that day. It was their first party of the year, so Anna was unsure what to expect. But this was not it. College kids were scattered throughout the bottom story of the house, huddled together in the kitchen, on the numerous couches in the living room and in the garage around the ping pong table. Although Anna had thought this would be a girls' night, she was not surprised to see some familiar faces from the baseball team. But none of the usual suspects had arrived yet. No Flynn, no Naveen and no...

She tried to push the thought of Kristoff out of her mind. She didn't even know if he was planning on showing up. She hadn't invited him. Should she have invited him? Their "date" had been two weeks ago, and Anna had been playing it casual since then. The dinner itself had been easy. They just went to the local burger place and chatted about simple stuff: what they were majoring in, how they like their team, what did they do for fun (was there anytime for fun outside of their sports?). Anna had enjoyed herself. Correction: she had enjoyed Kristoff. He was funny and it was nice to have someone seem interested in her. The way he flirted with her was flattering. They had texted more since then but had not seen each other in person. Between morning work outs, classes, practices and homework there hadn't been any downtime to socialize. But now that the fall season was over, Anna could catch her breath.

"Anna, come take a shot with us!" Tiana called to her from the kitchen. From her location at the bottom of the staircase, Anna had a straight view to her housemates around the kitchen island.

Anna had lived here for months now and still hadn't told her roommates that she didn't actually drink. Considering this was the first party of the school year, it's not like it came up very often. Still it was embarrassing. Well, maybe embarrassing wasn't the right word. Its not like she was afraid of the cops catching her since she was only 20. She was just very conscious about the effects of alcohol and the scientific research behind what it did to your body and brain. None of it appealed to her. But she didn't want to be a party pooper. Or the pretentious asshole trying to educate everyone about the dangers of alcohol. They were all adults…kind of…and they could make their own decisions.

But now Anna was thrown into a real situation of drinking in a group.

"Ok, but I'm going to need a chaser!" Anna laughed as she joined Tiana, Rapunzel, Moana and Merida around their granite countertop. Merida threw Anna a can of Coke as Tiana started pouring tequila into five shot glasses. Anna opened the can and drained half of it in a few gulps. She tried not to grimace at the taste, she hated Coke.

"To a great fall season!" Tiana raised her shot glass in the air.

"And to an even better off season!" Moana added and the rest of the girls laughed, throwing their heads back and emptying their glasses.

Anna did the same, only when she drank the soda for her "chaser", she slyly spit the tequila back into the can without anyone noticing. Don't let anyone tell you Coyote Ugly was not an educational movie.

"Another?" Tiana raised the bottle as she looked around. Before the rest of the girls could answer, there was a loud holler coming from the living room.

"Finally!" Rapunzel signed in mock annoyance.

Anna turned to follow her gaze at the front door. Walking into the Palace was Flynn and Naveen. The holler was apparently the typically male greeting for the baseball team. Anna's eyes shifted from Flynn and Naveen. Yes, obviously they would show up together. They're best friends, roommates and the best battery the men's team has so this was not surprising. But Anna also kind of hoped a third man would be accompanying them when they arrived…

"I thought Bjorgman was riding with you guys?" Aladdin called from one of the couches in the living room across the entryway.

"Al, I know you only care where I am because I've got the beer." Kristoff called as he walked through the threshold carrying a large case of beer on each of his shoulders.

"Speak of the devil and he doth appear!" Aladdin called back as he popped up from his reclined position with a huge grin on his face.

Anna didn't want to stare but before she could look away and pretend like she didn't see him, Kristoff's stupid hazel eyes found hers. And now the smile on his face is so damn good looking she can't tear her eyes away from it. Kristoff quickly transferred the cases to Aladdin, who gladly took them, without breaking eye contact with Anna. As soon as his hands were empty, he made a bee line for her.

Anna's mind flew into overdrive. Shit, he's coming over here. How do I greet him? Do we hug? Is that too weird? High five? Oh my god, wow I have no idea what I'm doing, cool.

"Hey." It was so simple but the smile on Kristoff's face said a lot more.

"You made it."

"Yeah, but strangest thing that I heard about this little get together from Naveen and not one of the hostesses." His eyebrows rose as he gave her a pseudo accusatory look.

"Hey hey hey, I had no idea Tiana was planning this thing, I just live here."

"It's fine, I forgive you." Kristoff raised his hand for a high five, but when Anna went to give him one, he instead pulled her hand towards him and wrapped his arm around her shoulder in a fluid movement.

"Smooooth." Anna laughed but didn't pull away as he turned them back towards the kitchen. She felt kind of nice tucked perfectly into Kristoff. What the fuck was she saying, kind of? She was kidding herself.

"How was your Biomechanics test?" Kristoff dropped his arm from around Anna, but not before she felt it brush past her shoulders and down her back a little. The sensation sending pinpricks down the backs of her legs.

"Eh," She shrugged trying to regain her brain function, "I got an 87."

"Why do you sound disappointed?" Kristoff turned to face her, leaning a hip against the counter. Her roommates were nowhere to be found now, so the kitchen was empty.

"Because when I looked over the test he handed back, I missed the dumbest questions. I should have known them." Anna was embarrassed talking about a test she should have aced.

"Still. An 87 is nothing to sneeze at." Anna wasn't looking at him now, and Kristoff furrowed his brow.

"Did you finish your accounting project?" she quickly changed the subject.

"Yeah yeah, just barely. I won't miss that class when the semester is over."

"We all have one of those courses in our major. Did you know I had to take Sports Law?" Anna walked to the cabinet to retrieve one of her reusable Starbucks tumblers.

"I didn't even know that was a thing." Kristoff turned, watching her movements.

Anna retold a story about a particular court case she had studied regarding a baseball field without a warning track and the chain link fencing installed upside down. As she talked, Kristoff watched her fill her clear tumbler with ice and a can of sparkling water. She then cut a lime and added a slice before stirring it in.

"…but yeah, the class discussions were really interesting, but all the lawyer jargon was a snooze fest."

"So, are you going to represent me when I get signed then?" Anna's eyes drifted to his crossed arms and the tightness his biceps caused in his t-shirt sleeves.

Anna laughed, "You're not worried I would take all your money and buy a G Wagon or something?" raising her brows at him.

Anna didn't miss the intense flicker that past through Kristoff's eyes, "I would buy you a boat if you asked me too."

Her smirk faltered for a moment as his seriousness, "Oh shut up." She shoved his shoulder as she walked back to rejoin their friends.

The night progressed as any typical college house party usually does; friendly chitchat, loud laughter and drinking games. They had just finished a rousing game of King's Cup and everyone was talking amongst themselves around the kitchen table. Thankfully, Anna had not drawn the fourth and final King, so she didn't have to worry about drinking the nasty concoction in the center cup. The party looked to be moving into the "chill out" portion as some people split off to the garage, some to the living room and some to the kitchen counter. Anna was tired but she knew it would be hard to fall asleep with people still lingering about. Just then, she felt her phone vibrate.

Want to go for a walk?

She tried not to smile to herself because he was sitting directly across from her at the table. Without typing a reply, Anna looked up to Kristoff's awaiting gaze. He quirked his eyebrow and smirked back at her. She inclined her head slightly to signify a yes. Rapunzel and just gotten up so that left Flynn and Aladdin being the only ones still sitting at the dining table with them. And they were enthralled in some serious MLB-related conversation. Kristoff nudged his head to the door, signaling Anna to go first. Anna casually stood from the table and made her way upstairs. It didn't look suspicious as she did live there, but she wanted to grab a jacket since the fall nights were brisk here. As she came back downstairs, she did so slowly. Anna didn't draw anyone's attention towards her, so she continued quietly out the front door. She wasn't ashamed of going for a walk with Kristoff, but she did not want to deal with the teasing and questioning she was guaranteed to get if her teammates knew.

She exited the house as quietly as she could. When she shut the door behind her, she was met with the Kristoff's back. She didn't have much time to admire his physique as he turned around to face her. A wide grin spread across his face as he saw Anna.

"Aren't you cold?" Anna asked him, noticing he was only wearing a t-shirt and jeans.

"Nah, I run hot." Kristoff winked at her, emphasizing his double entendre. Anna rolled her eyes, but laughed, nonetheless.

They fell into a nice pace as they walked down the suburban sidewalk. The night was cool, but there was no breeze so Anna was comfortable in her sweatshirt. Anna listened to the nightly sounds of the neighborhood, content in just walking next to Kristoff.

"So is there a reason you aren't telling people you don't drink?" His gruff voice cut through the night and surprised Anna. She hadn't expected to hear that. Hell, she hadn't expected him to notice.

"What are you talking about?" Apparently her brain thought that acting dumb was the best way to play this.

"Well, you made your seltzer look like it was a vodka soda and used it during all the games…" Before Anna could defend herself, Kristoff added, "And then you pretended to take the shot when we played Quarters."

Well…she did do both of those things. It's not like this was a huge secret or anything. And it would be nice for someone else to know about her preferences.

"Wow, you've got a good eye." Anna nudged him with her shoulder but didn't turn to look at him. "I don't know, I was just kind of embarrassed about it. I don't want to make anyone feel bad about their choices and I don't want anyone to try and convince me to change mine. So I guess it's just been easier to…fake it."

"Well if you don't want it to be a thing, your secret is safe with me." Kristoff said.

"I'm sure I'll tell the girls eventually, I'm still just the new girl so…ya know." Anna shrugged, voicing an insecurity she didn't really know she had.

"Just the new girl? I don't think you're 'just' anything." Kristoff scoffed. His voice was so casual but the words hit Anna in a way that she was thankful that the darkness covered her blush.

"When are you going to let me take you out again?" This time, Kristoff turned to face Anna.

"Well it turns out my schedule just opened up." Anna was still feeling a little coy, so she kept her eyes lowered.

"Tomorrow." It wasn't a question.

"You're in a hurry aren't you?" Anna teased him. Teasing she could do.

"I don't know," Kristoff slowed his feet to a stop and rubbed the back of his neck, "I haven't seen you in a while."

Anna took a few more steps before she stopped and turned back to him, "Kristoff Bjorgman have you missed me?" the teasing tone still in her voice.

Kristoff's timid body language was instantly replaced with a sly smile, "I just prefer seeing you in person rather than through messages on a screen."

"And why is that?" Anna urged, looking up into his shadowed face.

"The sound of your laugh is nice…And you have a cute nose. And I like the way your mouth looks when you talk." Kristoff's eyes darkened to molten lava as he subconsciously stepped closer to her. Anna's stomach flipped and her face heated again. Unable to think of anything to say, she bit her lip in embarrassment.

Kristoff's eyes followed the movement down to her mouth and then flashed back up, "Don't do that. I like that too much." The heat from Anna's face spread down her neck and to her chest. Its like his eyes were seeing right through her—through her facades and lies, and melting her to her spot. She didn't know how they got so close but Anna definitely didn't have to worry about the fall chill anymore. She couldn't tell if the heat was radiating off of Kristoff, herself or a combination of the two but all of the sudden her body was on fire. Just then, Kristoff brought up his right hand to sweep some of Anna's hair behind her shoulder. As he pushed it back, his hand lingered and then went to the back of her neck. Anna's skin buzzed with anticipation and in that moment she couldn't take her eyes off of Kristoff as his head dipped down. She could feel the pressure of Kristoff's hand pulling her to him, but she was going willingly. He was so close now. Impatiently, Anna grabbed the front of Kristoff's t-shirt and closed the gap between them. Warmth blossomed down Anna's back at the sensation of Kristoff's lips on hers. She melted into his body as he wrapped his other arm around her waist. The kiss was firm as their lips moved rhythmically together.

Kristoff pulled away much sooner than Anna would have liked. And in a breathless whisper said, "I was really trying to wait to do that until tomorrow."

"Waiting is overrated," was Anna's only response as she pulled him back down to her and eagerly continued their heated exchange.