There's a knock on the door so I take a last look around and make sure I haven't forgotten anything. It all looks right so I go and open the door.

"You're doorman let me right in" Cat says as soon as the door is open.

I can't help but chuckle. "Yeah, so?"

"How did he know who I was?"

"I told him that my girlfriend was coming over."

She smiles hugely.

"My boyfriend is very, very thoughtful" she replies and rises up to meet my lips for a kiss.

"Come on in. You must be freezing. I wish you'd let me pick you up."

"Sid, it's only one bus from the diner to here so it didn't make sense. I got door to door service and you didn't even need to leave home."

I shake my head as I help her off with her coat. Cat walks directly to the bay of windows as she always does when she visits. It gives me time to take her in. She changed before she left work. She's wearing skinny jeans that mold to her legs, hips and ass. I can't take my eyes off of her perfectly shaped ass showcased in those jeans. When I finally can move my eyes, I see that she's wearing a loose sweater. She turns around and shows me that the sweater has a very low scoop that reveals the swell of her breasts. Finally, I tear my eyes away from her body to look at her face. Cat's smiling at me knowing exactly what I've been look at and thinking. She gives her head a shake, chuckles and then looks around the room. I can tell that she's taking in all the candles I've set up and the fireplace. That's the only light on in the room.

"Wow Sid. You went all out."

"It's not cheesy?" I ask her.

"Is it cheesy? There is definitely a high cheese factor; but, fortunately I love cheese" she smiles at me.

"Good. Can I get you some wine?"

Cat nods and then walks back to the windows. I pour us each a glass of the Cabernet that I had opened for us.

"Here you go" I say as I hand her the glass. I hold up my glass and say "to new beginnings?"

Cat clinks my glass. "More cheese? I love it" then she sips. "Oh this is good."

I take her hand and lead her to the sofa in front of the fireplace. We both sit down and I pull Cat to my side under my arm.

"Thanks. I developed a taste for wines when I lived with Mario."

"It's really good. How long did you live there?"

"With the Lemieuxs? I moved in when I first came to Pittsburgh. I was eighteen and had never lived on my own. I was either at a dorm or a billet family. It was going to be hard enough to adjust to the NHL without also adjusting to living alone."

"That's nice he did that for you."

"Senior guys on a team will often take in younger players for a year or two. I was lucky that Mario was still playing so he was also a captain and mentor to me too."

"How long did you live there?"

Now I pause. Cat's been on her own since before she was eighteen. This is going to seem very strange to her.

"I moved out almost a year ago. This condo was supposed to be temporary because I bought a house in Sewickley but I ever lived there. I bought it because I thought that I was supposed to live on my own but it never really felt like mine. It was renovated so David Moorehouse bought it. He's the Pen's president."

"So now you've decided to stay here?"

"Actually, I'm having a home built for me in Sewickley; I love the town. I found the perfect land aso I tore down the existing house and have rebuilt. It's not quite done but I should be in it at the beginning of next season."

"Wow, that's great. You'll be able to make it exactly the way you want it. I bet it'll have a wicked man-cave."

Now I blush because she's right. "The man-cave is actually most of the carriage house. There's the main house, a large pool and then a carriage house. My family often comes for long stretches so they can stay there if they want privacy. Or, if a bunch of us are playing games and getting loud then no one will hear us in the main house."

"That makes sense. At my place, I just have to be really quiet" she chuckles.

I hope that I don't sound like I'm bragging. It's so hard to talk about these kinds of things with people who don't have a lot of money. I really don't want to seem like I'm an elitist or snob. That's not how I was raised.

"So you lived with the Lemieuxs for almost seven years?" she asks me.

"Yeah. They have four kids so it was great to be with a big family. I was also able to talk to Mario about anything, anytime I wanted. For the first year, especially, it was invaluable."

We're silent for a few minutes simply enjoying the soft music, candlelight and each other's company. Since we've talked about me, maybe I can ask her a few questions too.

"Cat, we've talked a bit about your past and I know you don't like to focus on the past and growing up in foster care. What about Lizzy's father? Obviously you didn't stay together but why isn't he helping you? If he doesn't want to be a father to Lizzy then to at least help you financially. It's not right that you're in this all alone."

I can tell immediately that I've gone too far or hit a nerve; Cat pulls away from me physically and emotionally. Her entire body stiffens as she takes a long sip of her wine. I decide to pause and let her guide our conversation now.

"Sid" she starts but then pauses. "Sid, I'm Lizzy's mother and father. She doesn't need any more than that and she isn't missing anything."

"Oh Cat, I didn't mean that Lizzy was missing anything. It's just that Lizzy's" I can't say father. "That guy has a responsibility that's solely on you. It's not fair."

She's quiet for a long time. I turn to face her and, cupping her cheek, turn her to face me. Her eyes are sad and I can tell that I've ruined the moment. Shit.

Before I can say anything, Cat's expression clears and she gives me a small smile.

"Sid, I have Lizzy. How can I say that life isn't fair?"

She's right of course. Lizzy is incredible and it's because Cat is incredible. Fair or not, she's made it work.

I need to change to mood so I get up and walk over to my docked iPod. It takes me only a few moments to find the song that I'm looking for and Lady Antebellum fills the room.

I take Cat's glass and place both our glasses on the coffee table. Cat takes my hand and I pull her into my arms. She fits perfectly. Her arms go around my waist and she lays her head on my chest. We sway slowly and I hear Cat sigh softly. It's a wonderful sound; sweet.

"We fit perfectly" Cat says.

I chuckle and reply "I was thinking the exact same thing babe."

I can feel her smiling against my chest now. I can't resist running my hand through her think hair. It's soft running through my fingers. It's soothing and exciting at the same time having Cat in my arms like this with her arms around me holding me tight to her. I get lost in the music, the candlelight and mostly Cat.

I really don't want to let her go but I did promise her dinner.

"Hungry?" I whisper in her ear.

She pulls back and looks up at me. "For?" She asks.

I reply "let's start with food. We'll explore everything else after that"

I lean down and peck her lips then head off to the kitchen.

"What have you ordered for us?" Cat asks.

"I didn't order. I cooked."

Cat scoffs at me. "You did not."

"Seriously, I cooked. There's stew in the crock pot" I reply.

Of course I called my mom for a recipe. I didn't even know what a crock pot was never mind how to use it before I talked to mom.

"I chopped everything and even seared the meat. Who knew you had to sear meet first?"

Cat laughs now. "It smells delicious. I'm sure it will taste even better."

"Go sit down and I'll bring it out" I tell.

"I'll get our glasses."

While she goes out to get our glasses, I scoop the stew into our dishes and bring them and the bread out to the table. Cat is seated and has lit the candles on the table.

"Oh Sid, it smells delicious" she says when I put the bowl in front of her.

Cat immediately tastes and I'm surprised that I'm holding my breath. I really hope she likes it.

"Mmmmm, you really need to cook more Sid. Wow."

The smile on my face must resemble when I got the goal at the Olympics. I'm so excited that she likes it. I sit and taste it myself. It really is good. I owe mom a big thank you for the help.

Dinner is a lot of fun. We talk about the diner customers, practice and Flower's most recent prank on a rookie and Lizzie's latest obsession with Sesame Street. I don't remember laughing this much in a very long time. When we're finished, Cat helps clear the dishes and clean up. I try to stop her but she insists since I cooked.

When we're done, I refill our wine glasses and we go back into the living room. I put them on the coffee table and sit beside Cat on the sofa.

"You really can cook Crosby."

"Ok, truth time. I don't want to give you the impression that I can cook. I was able to make a good stew with a lot of help from my mom" I finally admit.

"Your mom?! You cheated! You called your mom to help you and then tried to pass it off as your own?!"

I shrug my shoulders and try to look sheepish.

"Oh don't try that 'gosh darn' look on me Sid. You tried to pass your mom's stew as your own."

With that last comment, she attacks and discovers something that I've always tried to keep quiet; I'm very, very ticklish.

As soon as I squirm at the first touch, Cat realizes my secret and attacks with more fervor. Thankfully I have more size and weight than her so I'm able to push her back against the length of the sofa. I pin her hands above her head with one hand and push her into the sofa with my body. Her legs instinctively fall open to cradle me there. I push up on my free arm so that I can look at Cat.

Both of our smiles disappear slowly and we're simply gazing at each other.

"Cat" I whisper.

"Yes" she replies.

I brush my fingers lightly over cheek.

"Just 'Cat.' You are so beautiful."

She smiles, which only makes her even more beautiful. I lean in and sip at her lips softly. Over and over I sample her lips and savour her taste. I pull up and lick my lips.

"You're delicious too" I whisper.

I watch her eyes darken and the bright blue becomes deep as the ocean. When I release the hands over her head, I slide mine down her arm slowly and over her side making sure that my thumb flicks over her nipple. She bites her bottom lip and I slide my hand back up and over her nipple repeating the action yet again. She moans this time. To torture us both, I move my hand lower over her waist, hip and then down her thigh. Pulling her leg over the back of mine allows me to push closer to my goal even if it is through our clothes. I push my hips steady and with pressure against hers. There's a groan that I realize is from me.

"Sid" Cat whispers so I open my eyes and look down at her. "Sid" she repeats.

I lean down and kiss under one ear then move to the other side and kiss under that ear. I feel the shiver go through her and my dick twitches in response.

With her free hands, Cat moves them to my ass and pulls me even closer while she thrusts up. I groan again. She moves her hands up and under my shirt and takes my shirt with her as her hands slide further up my back. I bury my face in her neck and kiss, lick and taste every part of it. That's when I feel her fingers digging into my skin; but, part of my mind is uneasy.

"Cat" I whisper into her ear. "Are you sure?"

I pull back to look in her eyes.

"What do you mean?" She looks confused.

"I know we've decided to go slowly with, well, this; does that mean you want to take this slow too? Do you want to stop?"

Her confusion clears up and she places a hand on each of my cheeks to hold my face an inch from hers.

"Sidney Crosby, let me be abundantly clear about two things. First, the go slow plan is a good one and we need to make up for the dates we missed in between date one and date twenty-two. The second thing is very simple: don't you dare stop touching me; ever!"

I stare into her eyes, stunned for a few moments and then watch her fierce look turn into a huge smile. Mine matches hers and I dip in to take her lips.

It's a fun but intense kiss. We both end up laughing and wiggling around. That causes us to roll slightly but off of the sofa. Thankfully I go first so Cat falls on top of me rather than the other way around. We break out into laughter again; giggles actually.

I shift and then stand up taking Cat with me.

She slaps my arm. "Sid, you're crazy!"

If she thinks I've been crazy so far then I need to show her what crazy really looks like. I stoop down and scoop Cat up over my shoulder like a potato sack and head toward my bedroom.

"Sid!" She cries out.

I decide to go with it and slap her ass; not hard but hard enough to hear a slap.

"Sidney Patrick Crosby!"

"Only my mother calls me that Catherine!"

"Well no one calls me Catherine."

In my bedroom, I throw her on my bed and watch as she bounces into the centre. I climb after her and stalk her up to the head of the bed.

"Sid, what you doing?" She asks very slowly.

"You said to keep touching you. That's what I'm trying to do."

She smiles at me again and rises onto her knees.

"Does this mean that you want to touch me too?" I ask her.

She keeps smiling and crawls over to me. We meet in the middle. Without speaking, Cat reaches for the hem of my shirt and pulls it up. Her hands slide up my stomach and chest to raise my shirt. When she reaches my shoulders, I raise my arms and she pulls it right off then tosses it to the floor.

I look back at Cat but she's not looking me in the eye. Her eyes are running over my body and I can feel them like a caress. When her hands follow her eyes, I have to force myself not to throw Cat down on the bed and devourer her. Her small hands lightly trace every muscle she finds. I almost come undone when Cat lowers her head to follow her hands with her lips. Her tongue does send me over the edge. There are small, hot, wet little licks leaving a trail down my neck and then chest. I know that my fingers are digging into her arms but I can't control myself. Actually, I am controlling myself since I haven't simply thrown her to the bed.

Cat's lips follow her trail back up my chest again until we are kneeling flush against each other. I want to feel her skin against mine so I pull her sweater over her head. When free, Cat leans against me and takes my lips with hers. The kiss heats quickly with Cat adjusting the angle to her satisfaction. I love this aggressive Cat. She knows what she wants and takes the lead. It's hot and reassuring; hot for obvious reasons and reassuring because it helps assuage some of my concerns from our last encounter. I still have rough moments when I remember how selfish I was that last time.

Her hands hold my shoulders tight so I slip mine up her back to unhook her bra. Cat pauses just long enough to free herself and then she's pressed up against me again. I feel her nipples tighten against my chest. We continue to kiss with Cat leading the way. I love the way she sweeps her tongue over mine; her lips press and move over mine; her teeth nip at my lower lip and then her tongue soothes. Soon though, it's not enough. I need to feel all of her.

I grab her hips so that she's straddling me and lower her backwards so that I can press against the length of her. Starting at her neck, I kiss, lick and nuzzle her skin. Moving lower, I stop at her breasts. Her nipples are still taut and begging for my mouth. Cat's hands tighten in my hair with anticipation. To torture us both, I flick my tongue over one first and then the other. Cat arches her back trying to push against my mouth. I can't hold out any further either so I close my lips around one nipple and roll my tongue around and around. She lets out a long moan. When I move to the other nipple, Cat moans again. I give it equal attention and then go between the two leaving wet kisses between them as I go.

Cat pulls at my hair so that I come up to her lips again. The kiss is searing, deep and long. Cat's hands slide down my back and then inside my jeans. There's not much room so she slips a hand between us and into the front of my jeans. I'm concerned I'll go off like a teenage so I slide to her side and grab her hand.

"Not yet" I tell her and move my hand to the front of her jeans.

I unsnap them and then drag the zipper down letting my fingers lightly graze over her. I smile when she shivers. God, I love how responsive she is to my touch. I try pulling her jeans down but they won't go. I tug a bit and they still won't budge. Pulling away, I look up at Cat.

"Skinny jeans were a good idea at the time" she says.

I stare at her for a few moments and then we both break out laughing. I fall beside her on the bed barely able to control myself.

Cat slides off the bed to stand beside it and shimmies out of her jeans. I watch her, moving to sit at the edge of the bed, until she's standing in front of me wearing only her panties. I pull her toward me between my thighs. Her hands rest on my shoulders then slide up to my cheeks. As I continue to stare at her, I hook my thumbs in her panties and pull them down. She kicks them aside and then kneels in front of me. I watch as she unbuttons my jeans. Her fingers softly caress me through my shorts. I could explode from that alone but fight it back. She looks up at me and smiles knowing exactly what she's doing to me. She pushes me back onto the bed and I slide toward the middle. Cat follows me. She pushes my jeans down and I help her until they follow hers to the floor. She does the same with my shorts.

When we're both naked, Cat straddles my thighs and slowly slides herself up my body until we're lined up. She leans her body down so that she's fully covering me when our lips meet.

I love the feeling of her soft, warm body covering mine but I roll us on sides facing each other. Slowly, I slide my hand down her back, over her hip and between us until I reach my goal between her thighs. She's soaked, thoroughly soaked, and my two fingers easily slide inside of her. I absorb her moan with my mouth and begin to swirl my fingers around the way I know she loves. He hips tilt and begin to grind against my hand. Fuck, she is so hot.

I continue to work her with my hand and watch her face as I do. She looks so beautiful biting her lip yet still not able to suppress her moans. I've always enjoyed my partners and sex but I love watching Cat as I touch her. It's more than how beautiful and hot she is; she is completely uninhibited and demonstrative. When I push my fingers in again, deep, Cat can't control the scream that erupts from her lips. I quickly switch to her clit and watch her completely come undone in front of me. She's slipped to her back now. Her left hand is by her side clutching at the covers. Her right arm is thrown over her head and that hand squeezed tight. There's a sheen of sweet over her face. I feel her body tighten and she throws her head back as she cums. My hand is soaked from orgasm.

I know that if I don't act quickly then I'm going to embarrass myself. I reach to the bedside table to grab and a condom and return to Cat. I position us and take her lips with mine. The kiss quickly becomes heated and I have to be buried in her. I grab the condom and pull slightly away to glove up.

Before I can, Cat grabs my wrist and says "wait."

Wait? Wait for what?