September, 1998: Part Two

They didn't call attention to the obvious thing that overwhelmed the both of them. It settled, unspoken, into a solid warmth in their bellies and an ignition of light in their eyes. It sparked across their fingertips when they connected their hands in a snug grip and pulled their lips into delighted smiles. Instead of speaking, Erik simply slid from his stool and towered a full head above Magda. He paid for his drink without looking at how many American twenties he placed atop the bar, and gently tugged her along to the exit.

Outside, the frigid evening air translated into gooseflesh on their bare arms. Erik lifted his free hand up, fully prepared to hail down a taxi to his hotel, but Magda placed a warm palm on his bicep and told him that her apartment was actually within walking distance. Later, he would realize that he would have never noticed if a cab pulled up or not anyway; he couldn't tear his eyes from her's.

So, they walked hand in hand down block after block, exchanging fond glances and tender smiles. Despite a chasm of years since having seen one another, surprisingly few words passed between them. She told him she had recently moved to New York for schooling.

"I want to teach," she had declared proudly, her chin lifted in the air almost defiantly, as if one too many people had criticized her choice.

Erik had only blinked. "Okay," he replied back with a smile. "Then teach."

Her hand squeezed his a little tighter after that.

He told her that he was playing professional hockey with Germany, and that his team was currently in New York for a combined training session with the Americans. A raised brow was the only indication of her surprise, but she made no remark. She had always thought he would become an engineer or welder.

In lieu of a reply, she took in the rough edges he had incurred over the years: the crinkles around his eyes, and the seemingly permanent line in his forehead. There was a small, bare patch on his upper lip; an indication in the light stubble that it was a scar. Another scar lie slanted inward on his chin: a thin, white and raised mark. She couldn't help but feel he looked so much older than he truly was.

Neither knew how much time had passed before they finally reached her apartment. The building wasn't much to take in as it was. It was three stories high, made with dirt-ingrained beige bricks and dark stone, with one rusted fire escape precariously attached to the front. It didn't look like the type of place that was safe. Erik didn't much care, but he found himself sticking a little closer to Magda's side as they shambled past trash-littered hallways and up to the third floor walk-up. She opened her door with shaky hands. He held it aside with one hand braced above her head.

Erik wanted to take the time to tour her apartment; to see what knickknacks she had placed atop the fireplace's mantle or stowed away within a bookshelf. He wanted to try out her unusually modern stove, and run a hand over the living room's sole brick wall. He wanted to see and touch and learn more about her via the place she had made her home, but Erik wanted to do that later.

Right now, Erik simply followed closely behind as she entered the combined kitchen and dining area. She allowed him to step around her as she turned back towards the door. The soft click of the lock was the starting pistol that had Erik stepping forward and brushing aside her thick braid of hair. He nuzzled at her neck with closed eyes. He wanted to inhale her scent, to smell what soap she used and to be consumed by her flesh, but the kitchen air was thick with onion and spice. He softly snorted against his skin.

Magda knowingly laughed as he pulled away to allow her to turn. She wrapped her arms around his middle in a tight embrace, and pressed her cheek to his chest. She sighed contentedly as he gently rested his chin atop her head. He pulled back so he could stoop low enough to rest his forehead against her own. He smiled so hard that his cheeks reddened and ached.

He placed a chaste kiss on the tip of her nose. She pulled him toward her bedroom.

TBC...

Please Review.