"I'll go in with you but I am not letting you give me a makeover" I tell Adam.

"Look, Anna, I finally have a friend with the money to shop in Stella McCartney. We are going in and you are going to try on whatever I tell you to try on."

He pulls me into the store and all I can do is roll my eyes at him. It seems that whatever Adam wants, Adam gets.

We arrived in New York a couple of hours ago. After morning practice in Pittsburgh, we flew directly here to start our road trip. The game is tomorrow so we have a free afternoon and evening. Adam has organized with a couple of the equipment crew to meet us at a club tonight after dinner. With that arranged Adam dragged me out of the hotel and told everyone we would meet them there. He then threw us in a cab, told the driver to go to Stella McCartney and then told me to just take out my credit card when he tells me to do so.

"May I help you?" a tall, very thin, stylishly dressed woman says to us when we walk in the store.

These are the kind of stores I hate going to because I always feel dowdy by comparison to the women I see.

"Yes, you can" Adam tells her. Apparently he has no problem making himself comfortable in this store. "This is my friend, Anna. She is Governor Stanton's daughter."

Did he really just say that? I'm mortified, absolutely mortified. I avoid telling anyone who I am and he says it as a greeting.

"As you can see, she is absolutely gorgeous but very, very conservative" he continues. Oh God, I seriously want to disappear right now. "The look works for her professionally, sort of, but I want to redo her style for the night. Think fun. Think flirty. Not too much skin but tight to show off her curves. Short too. I think she has great legs under the knee length skirts she always wears. I'm thinking jewel tones that bring out her flawless skin and beautiful green eyes."

Before I can even process his comments on my appearance, I'm in a change room with many, many dresses to try on. I know that I look ok, I'm no stupid, but he clearly sees something that I don't when I look in the mirror. He really is a good friend.

"Try the blue one first" he tells me from outside my door.

I pull it on and it is, as directed, very tight. The scoop neck lies like a small cowl and shows just a hint of my breasts. It's sleeveless but has thick straps so I can still wear a bra. The hem stops above my knees. I put on a pair of heels I find in the room and I have to admit that my legs do look good.

I walk out of the change room and Adam stands. He walks around me looking me up and down for so long that I wonder if he's ever going to speak.

"That looks lovely on you Ms. Stanton" the clerk tells me. "Your champagne sir" she says and hands a glass to Adam. Apparently he's enjoying himself.

"It is lovely" Adam begins and takes a sip of his wine. "But it isn't sexy enough. The cleavage is right, you have great boobs Anna, but there needs to be more, something."

He walks into my change room, pulls out all of the dresses except one, and gives them to the clerk.

"These won't work" he tells her. "Anna, go try on the purple one."

He is already sitting back down and telling the clerk how much he loves the wine. I go back into the change room and put on the purple as directed.

Wow! That's all I can think is wow. I now know what he meant when he said more. There isn't any more cleavage showing in this dress, but the bodies is tight and, he's right, my boobs look great. Underneath them, the dress continues on very fitted until it hits my hips and flares out slightly. The only thing that really makes me uncomfortable is that it stops mid-thigh. That is very, very short.

"Come on Anna" Adam yells. Oh my God, he's yelling in Stella McCartney.

I step out of the room and Adam smiles. Actually, it's not just a smile. He gives me a huge, blinding grin.

"That's it. That's the one" he tells me and circles me again looking up and down. "That is absolutely the one."

The clerk comes in and Adam gives her directions about shoes and jewelry. When I start to protest, he simply puts up his hand and makes a zipper gesture over his mouth. Yeah, I get it, shut up and do what Adam says.

I don't have to wait long before the clerk brings in shoes, earrings and rings. Adam picks the ones he likes and tells me to put them on. I'm scared of him at this point so I keep doing what he says.

He looks me up and down again, nods and turns me toward the mirror. Wow is all I can think again.

"Do I know what I'm doing or do I know what I'm doing?" he tells me.

"Ok, you know what you're doing" I admit. "It's a little short though; especially with these heels."

I've been walking in heels as long as I can remember so I'm comfortable in these high ones; but, they do make my legs look even longer and my dress even shorter.

"Good God woman, you run enough to make those legs look that good so you might as well take advantage of it" he quickly dismisses my concern. Turning to the clerk, he says "we'll take all of it. Can you send it to our hotel?"

Within five minutes, I'm back in my old clothes, my credit card has been used, thoroughly, and I'm in the cab again.

"Mac cosmetics" he tells the driver.

"What?" I ask.

"You do your makeup well for work but you need a sexier look and I suspect that 'sexy' to you is a little more blush." I can't argue with him unfortunately. "I've see you with your hair down so we don't need to get that done too. Just straighten it like you did that time we got drunk in Southside."

We arrive at a Mac store and I'm quickly in a chair and being worked on by another thin, gorgeous woman. Do they breed them here in New York?

It takes almost an hour and Adam won't let me look until it's done. As every moment goes by, I become more and more terrified that I'm going to look like a hooker.

"Ok, done" the girl says.

Again Adam stares at me, every inch of my face, before exclaiming "perfect."

He hands me a mirror and I take a look. At first, I'm stunned that it still looks like me. I don't have pounds of make up on or look like I'm wearing too much make up. I look like a more glamourous version of myself. My eyes are vividly green and seem to swallow my face fringed with long lashes. There's a light pink in my cheeks and a nude colour on my lips with some gloss.

"Well?" Adam asks.

I look from my reflection to Adam and he looks apprehensive. So far he's had so much self-assurance that he knows what he's doing that this concern seems out of place.

"I love it Adam" I tell him. I stand and hug him. "Thank you so much for making me do this."

"That's what friends are for" he tells me.

When we leave the store, I notice that there is a Hugo Boss next door so I pull Adam in.

"It's time for you to get something new" I tell him.

I ignore his protests and tell the clerk "my friend needs something fabulous."

We are ushered to the change rooms where Adam grabs me.

"I appreciate this Anna; but, I can't afford anything in here" he tells me in hushed tones.

"It's on me Adam. Think of it as a 'thank you' for today. I haven't had this much fun in a while. Besides, you need to look great if you're going out with the new and improved me."

He chuckles and then looks pensive. I'm confused until he pulls me into his arms and whispers "thank you."

I'm quickly in a chair outside a change room while Adam consults with the clerk. When he has a pile of clothes, he goes into the change room and doesn't come out until he exclaims that it is perfect. When Adam comes out I have to agree that it's perfect. He is wearing dark, fitted jeans, a multi-blue striped button down shirt, a pink tie with a black abstract design running through it and a three button black vest. It should be over the top but it's perfect for him.

He turns around and looks at me saying "well?"

"Hmmm" I say and look him up and down as he did me. "I guess you'll do."

We both laugh and are back in a cab quickly with Adam's new packages.

We part in the hallway outside of our hotel rooms and agree to meet in a couple of hours. We both want some down time before the club. I order room service and boot up my computer. There are a few things that I want to check up on before tomorrow's game. Geno has a young fan coming to see him before the game. The boy has cancer and is a huge Pens fan, in particular of Geno.

My dress and accessories are in the closet waiting for me. After I eat, and respond to emails, I start getting ready.

Adam is right about my hair and I use the straightener so that it's tamed and not frizzy. It's still really thick but looks modern which matches the dress. Dress, shoes and jewelry bring the whole look together. I look like myself but also not like myself. It's really weird. I'm not used to seeing myself look this, well, sexy I guess.

My phone goes off and I wonder if Adam is ready to go early. No sooner does the thought go through my head then I push it out. He's never early when we go out. He's always on time for work but personally, well, he takes a meeting time as a suggestion.

The text is from Geno.

'You can sew?' he sends.

Huh?

'Yes' I tell him.

'My shirt ripped' he sends back.

'Ok I'll be there in a minute'

Before I leave, I think about it and text him asking 'do you have needle? Thread?'

'No' he sends back.

Of course he doesn't.

'NP I have it' I text and grab my sewing kit then go to his room.

I guess I'm a full service intern.

Sidney

"Seriously, just wear another shirt" I tell Geno for the tenth time.

"No, I wear this one. New York club" he says as if that explains everything. "Anna coming to sew it."

I pick up a little at that news. I haven't seen Anna since we landed. I wonder what she's been up to all day; did she have to work or could she take some time for herself to enjoy New York?

When there's a knock at the door I rush to answer it before Geno can move. I take a deep breath and then open the door. What I see makes my mind go blank and then immediately into over drive thinking a million thoughts at once.

She's gorgeous. Her hair is down, I've never seen it down before, and it flows over her shoulders and half way down her back. The dress is tight and short with miles and miles of leg. Her shoes make her almost the same height as me so that we're eye to eye. I can't speak or move. I'm completely captivated by her huge, gorgeous green eyes. Anna is beautiful most of the time; but, right now, I can't even articulate just how beautiful she is.

"Hi Sid" she says. "Can I come in?"

I realize that I'm still standing in the doorway and quickly move to let her pass me. The doorway is small so, when Anna passes by me, her fragrance overwhelms me as much as seeing her does. It's not a perfume or even soap. It is uniquely Anna. Holy shit, I sound like a really bad poet.

I try to shake myself out of it but then I shut the door and turn around. Fuck me! I always thought she was insanely hot in those tight skirts; but, holy shit, this dress hugs her waist, hips and ass before it flares out. Not even a tornado going through this hotel room could uproot me from this spot while I watch her walk into the room.

I hear her laugh and it finally breaks through that I'm still standing in the doorway. Time to snap back to reality. Fuck.

When I enter the room, Geno is taking off his shirt and showing Anna where the hole is. She takes his shirt and sits down on the bed with her sewing kit. Geno sits next to her and I know they're talking but nothing they say is making its way into my brain. All I can see is how high her skirt has ridden up now that she's sitting down and has crossed her legs.

My jeans grow tighter as I imagine those legs wrapped around me and her hair wrapped around my hand as I pull her head back and devour her mouth. She's currently biting her bottom lip as she tries to thread the needle. I'm so glad I left my shirt untucked or my semi would be very embarrassing right now. What is it about this girl? She leaves me confused about everything except the undeniable need to be buried inside of her as soon as humanly possible.

Holy fucking Christ! I'm losing my mind and duck into the bathroom before I make an ass of myself. Geno isn't stupid and he'd know right away that something was going on with me. I need to cool down before I go out there again.

Splashing cold water on my face helps some and I think I can finally act normally again. Maybe.

"Sid, let's go" Geno calls me.

One last look in the mirror and I fix my hair. Back in the room I see that Anna is gone and Geno is in his 'New York club' shirt minus the hole.

"I'm here" I tell him.

We leave the room and see Tanger and Suttsy in the hall so we all head to the elevator together. We have a curfew tonight but need to get out of the hotel for at least a little while. When we're in New York we usually go to the same club if we have a night off.

"Did you see Anna?" Geno asks me.

"Huh, what do you mean?" even to my ears I sound defensive.

Tanger looks at me weird but I only look back at Geno.

"The intern?" Suttsy asks.

"Yeah, but different, hot" he says. "So hot."

"Really?" Sutter replies. "I don't see it."

"You didn't see her. You tell him Sid" Geno tells me.

"Yeah Sid. You tell us" Tanger says and stares at me while we ride down to the lobby in the elevator.

"Um" great start. "Yeah, she looked good, different" I tell him.

"Good? Hot, very hot" Geno says.

Geno continues describing how Anna looks as we jump into a cab to travel to the club. I sit in the front and try to block out Geno's descriptions. Sure, he has all kinds of trouble with English until he describes a hot girl then he's a fucking language savant. At least being in the front seat helps me ignore the conversation in the back. The problem is that I keep fantasizing about Anna in the purple dress, out of that purple dress and wearing nothing at all in my bed.

Fuck.

At the club, finally, we are able to walk directly to the door even though there is a long line. Someone must have called ahead and put us on the list.

"Hey, Dana, Chris!" I hear Geno call out and turn to see where he's looking.

There, in line, is Dana and Chris with some guy and girl I think are other interns and, just my luck, Anna. She's wearing a trench coat that is slightly longer than her dress but still reveals lots of leg. Sutter gestures for them to join us and we all walk into the club. I try to hang back so that I can talk to Anna but that guy pulls her along with him.

"Yeah Sid" the girl gives me a wide smile.

What's her name? Michelle, Mary?

"Hi" I say and forgo the name altogether.

"Hot club" she says and has to lean in to be heard; a little too close because she brushes against me.

The look in her eyes is definitely predatory. Great, now I'm going to have to stay away from this one all night. I look at Sutter and notice that he's watching us. He gives me a nod and I know he understands what's happening and will help keep her away from me. It doesn't happen often but the guys are always there to help when it does. Random hooks up have never really been my thing but it would never be with a groupie or intern.

That brings my attention directly to Anna. Maybe I can make an exception for her. It's still not a good idea but it is sounding like the best one I've had in a very long time; especially to certain parts of my body.

Geno tells everyone to follow him and heads to the VIP section. Yep, it was Geno who had someone call ahead because he loves a VIP section. It must be a Russian thing. Most guys I've played with who are Russian, love a good party in a club and we always have a good time with them.

The guy with Anna, ah right Adam, he has large wide eyes that try to take in everything around us all at once. This is definitely new to him. It never really impressed me before I was able to do this and it certainly doesn't now.

There are low couches with coffee tables, and tall tables to stand at, in our area. A server is already there and takes our drink orders quickly. I watch Adam looking at the dance floor and the other chick flirting with Tanger. Geno walks over to talk with Adam and the other guys watch a football game on the TV. That leaves Anna alone and I can finally talk to her.

I walk over to where she's standing at one of the tables and she smiles at me. That smile has a direct line to my dick now.

"Hi" she says. "Thanks for inviting us to sit with you guys."

"No problem" I tell her.

She undoes her belt and slides her coat off of her shoulders. Without thinking, I move behind her to help and feel electricity where my fingers graze down her bare arms. I may only touch her lightly but I can feel her shiver. It seems that Ms. Stanton is not completely immune to me either. Very interesting.

I put her coat on the back of one of the couches and then join her back at the table. The server brings us our drinks and Anna reaches for her purse. I shake my head at her and wait for the server to leave us.

"It's on us tonight" I tell her.

She frowns and says "that's not right Sid."

"Why not?" I can't help myself asking her.

Of all the things I would have expected her to say, that wasn't even close. I would have expected a version of thanking me or even asking to contribute; but, to say it isn't right is odd.

"Because we work together and I'm sure you don't invite all of the interns to join you when you're on the road" she explains.

I chuckle.

"You have me there" I tell her. "We don't usually have the interns with us when we go out. That doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with it either. Dana and Chris have joined us before. Besides, it's not like we planned to all go partying together. You were here and we saw you. That's it."

She tilts her head and her brow furrows. I've come to learn that this is her 'thinking' face. It's time to change the subject.

"Who is that girl with you guys?" I ask.

"Meagan" she replies.

For a very, very brief moment I could swear I see a sneer but it disappears as quickly as it was there. If I hadn't been watching her so closely then I wouldn't have noticed at all. That is very interesting.

"What is her deal?" I ask.

"What do you mean?" she counters back.

Ah, Anna wants to play innocent now. I wonder just how far that sassy side of her is hidden and how much her red wine might affect that appearance.

"I caught a little something when you said her name" I tell her.

The volume of the music increases and there is a loud scream from the crowd on the dancefloor seemingly in appreciation of the next song. We are speaking directly into each other's ear to be heard. I feel her breath in my ear and my own answering shiver.

"I didn't mean anything" she says.

I turn quickly and my lips are an inch from hers and I watch her eyes widen and her pupils dilate. Yeah, this girl isn't quite as contained as she'd have us all believe. What would I be like to simply lean in that last inch and sample her full lips? Involuntarily, my tongue swipes at my bottom lip and her eyes follow the movement. Fuck.

"Come on Anna" Adam yells at Anna. "We have to dance."

With that, he pulls her out of our area and to the dancefloor. Geno and Meagan follow them.

Were we saved or interrupted by Adam's need to dance?

"What's going on Sid?" Tanger asks as he joins me.

"Not much, you?" I answer.

"No, really, what's going on Sid?"

I look at him now and he looks at me, at Anna on her way to the dance floor and then back at me.

"Nothing" I tell him.

I can tell immediately that he doesn't believe me.

"Really, nothing" I tell him again.

He just raises an eyebrow this time.

"Look" I begin. "Mario asked me to look out for her. She's the governor's daughter who is a good friend of his. That's it. Oh, and that's not how she got the job by the way."

I felt that I had to add that last part. I don't want anyone thinking that Anna didn't get this job on her own.

"It that's all you say it is then ok" he tells me and takes a sip of his beer.

We can see our group on the dance floor. Geno is jumping around like the goof he is although he may also be trying to keep away from that Meagan girl. Adam seems to be in his own world. Then there is Anna. The girl who is so buttoned up, careful and contained is currently anything but that. In her very high heels, miles of leg and bouncing breasts, she shakes her fine ass in time to the beat. The semi I've had since I saw her in the hotel grows.

"Yeah, right" Tanger says. "Nothing."

Before I can respond, he walks over to Sutter and the guys and leaves me watching Anna. As if I could tear my eyes away from her right now.

The server asks me if I want another beer. That's when I realize that I've been watching Anna dance for so long that I've finished my beer. I ask for a couple bottles of water for our group instead. One beer is my limit tonight and not just because of the empty calories. I should probably keep a clear head. In fact, I could probably use a few minutes to clear my head completely so I tell Tanger I'll be back in a few minutes and I go outside.

The air is cool which is welcomed considering how hot the club was and how hard I am. I walk about half a block and then turn and walk back to the club. I'm surprised to see Anna out front and walking towards me.

When we're closer, Anna laughs and says "it's way too hot in there."

"Gets that way when you're dancing" I reply.

What the hell was that? God, I'm an idiot.

"Yeah, well, Adam sure loves to dance."

Despite her saying she's warm, she shivers in the cool fall air so I take off my jacket and put it around her shoulders. Of course to do that I have to get very close to her. When I'm done, I don't move away and neither does Anna. We're only inches away from each other. The noise of the traffic, people talking and the usual New York hum fades away and all of my senses are filled with Anna.

It's a split second decision but I can't resist her any more. I lean in and lightly touch my lips to hers. I pull back to see her response and say a silent prayer that it's ok. Her eyes are wide but she doesn't look pissed or startled. In fact, I can't decipher her expression at all. She just keeps staring at me.

She's not saying no or pushing me away so I put my hand on her arm and pull her close as I capture her lips again. This time with more pressure and I can feel the length of her body against mine. She's soft and warm and seems to fit perfectly to my body.

I lean back but don't lose the connection of our bodies. Her eyes are still wide but they have darkened and her lips are parted as if begging for mine again.

A car alarm has me realizing that we are on the sidewalk where anyone can see us; but, I'm not ready to let her go when I finally have her in my arms. We're next to an alley so I pull her with me until we're in shadows and alone. I press her body against the wall with mine but wait before kissing her to give her the opportunity to say no. She doesn't, thank God.

This time I'm less gentle. I've had a taste and I am desperate for more. This time, when my lips meet hers, she ardently responds. I feel her hands both circle my waist and only stop at my lower back. My thumb strokes her jaw and my other hand tilts her head so that I can have better access to her lips. As soon as my tongue touches her lips, they part and grant me access. That's the last time I think clearly.

Anna

After backing me against the wall of the building, Sid's body covers mine, his hands are each on the side of my neck but he doesn't kiss me right away. His eyes stare into mine and I know he's giving me a choice. I also know that I should make the choice to say no and walk away. This is why I have tried, although unsuccessfully, to stay away from him. I have absolutely no will power when it comes to Sidney Crosby. I tell myself that I'm playing with fire. I tell myself that this could get me fired. I tell myself to remember what happened last time. My brain either doesn't hear me or doesn't care.

I stay silent and Sid's lips find mine again. He's less gentle this time and I'm carried away by the feel of his lips on mine. He tilts my head so that our lips fit even more intimately. My body betrays me when I feel his tongue against my lips and they part for him.

Our kisses become more desperate with neither of us able to get enough. Sid's knee pushes between my legs and I part them instinctively as far as my dress will allow. I tilt my hips up welcoming his thigh between my legs and I bring my hands up to feel the muscles at his shoulders. I slide them into his hair as his hands slide down over my waist and stop at my hips.

Sid's lips leave mine and he kisses across my jaw and to my neck. I tile my head further to give him better access and feel his lips and tongue throughout my body with the feeling settling deep inside me. One of his hands slide lower and my skirt slides up and his hand touches the cool flesh of my thigh. Oh God, his hands play my body expertly while his lips kiss across my collar bone to the other side of my neck. A low, long moan escapes my lips and I grind harder against his thigh.

Suddenly Sid raises his head and stops moving his busy hands. He looks at me confused, really confused. Oh God, does he remember?