Anna

"Who is he?"

I look at Adam confused by his question.

"Who is who?" I ask.

"Who is the guy? You've been walking around with a huge smile on your face all day. That's an 'I just had great sex' smile. Give."

I pray that my embarrassment doesn't show on my face.

"There is no guy Adam. I'm in a good mood, that's it."

"No, that is absolutely not it Miss Anna. Maybe you didn't have sex but there is certainly a guy involved."

I want to tell him that he's right. There is a guy and he's great. I have huge smile on my face because, despite what my head still tells me, I've given into the feelings I have for Sidney. So far we've only had late night phone calls the last two nights but I'm definitely riding high on them.

"Adam, there is no guy. I'm happy because everything has gone smoothly with Geno's bobble head giveaway and we've made the most money ever for the foundation on the online auction."

"Yeah" he says and frowns. "I don't buy it but I'll let it go. For now."

I shake my head at him and we go downstairs. Adam has been given a project with Kris Letang for heart disease awareness. Kris has supported this cause since he had his own heart problems. I'm going downstairs to meet with Geno. He asked if we could talk after he worked out and showered.

Adam and I part at the locker room door. I see Sid standing at the doorway with Pascal so I say hi to them both and then continue onto the lounge. I find Geno waiting for me which is odd. He's never on time for anything except practices and games.

"Hi Geno" I greet him.

"Anna, we meet in office" he tells me and walks towards the trainer's office.

It's empty and I follow Geno inside then he shuts the door. I can't help the feeling of apprehension that runs through me. Geno is behaving really weird and unlike him. I may not have known him very long but I do know him well. I decide to stay quiet and sit in one of the chairs to wait for Geno to speak. He paces the room a few times before turning back to me.

"I need help" he says.

"What can I do Geno?" I reply when he doesn't continue.

"Pens Foundation wants me to sponsor zoo. I want mine to be for kids."

Oh, his foundation is working with the Pens' foundation on an activity like Geno and I discussed at the beginning of the year. Jen said that she was going to work on this so she must have set something up. So why is Geno talking to me?

"Isn't Jen helping you with this work?" I ask.

Geno sighs and rubs the back of his neck, which is a gesture he does when he is frustrated because he can't find the right words in English.

"She is but it's not what I want" he finally says.

"They've set something up to work but it's at the zoo. You don't want that?"

"Yeah" he says.

I think he means that yeah, he doesn't want that, so I confirm and I'm right.

"Have you spoken to Jen about it?" I ask.

"She doesn't understand. It don't make sense to her" he replies.

Well this is certainly a bad position for me to be in. Geno doesn't like something my boss is doing and he's asking me for help. This will be tricky.

"We had those children here at the game a couple of nights ago" I remind him. "You are doing work with kids."

"I did that before. Want more now."

Shit.

"What can I do to help, Geno?"

I'm concerned that he's going to ask me to talk to Jen but I have to ask him how I can help. This is my job; to help Geno with press, the public, everything he needs.

"Want you involved in foundation."

Oh, it's even worse. He wants me to completely replace Jen on this work. How the hell am I going to do that without pissing her off?

"Ok Geno, I can help out."

"No help" he says. "You do it."

He may have trouble with English occasionally but he is very smart. There's no getting around him.

"Ok, give me a couple of days please. I'll figure something out."

He smiles, for the first time since we left the lounge, and pats my arm. He leaves the office but I stay sitting and place my head in my hands. This is a horrible position to be in. Jen is great, but you don't tell your boss that the 'client' prefers you, no matter how great she is.

"It can't be that bad" I hear and look up. "Geno was smiling as he left."

Sid is leaning against the door jamb with his hands in his jeans. His long sleeve tee shirt stretches across his chest and shows the muscle definition there. I'm momentarily distracted.

"It's not bad" I finally tell him. "It's tricky."

He smiles and asks "want to talk about it?"

I do, I really do, but we need to be careful about how much we interact when we're around the team.

"I can call you later" he says.

He must be thinking the same thing that I am. He did promise me that he would make sure that I didn't lose my job.

"Yeah" I tell him and smile. "I'd like that."

He smiles back and looks like he wants to say more but only nods and walks back down the hallway. I can't wait for later.

Sidney

"Hi" Anna says when she answers the phone.

"Hi" I reply. "Do you have time to talk?"

"Yeah, one sec" she says and I can hear the phone against a hard surface. She must have set it down. A few moments later, she's back.

"Sorry about that. I was just getting changed" she tells me.

"Did you just get home?" I ask her.

"About ten minutes ago, yes."

"That's a really long day" I tell her.

"Actually it wasn't. Game days are really long. We have much shorter days when there is no travel or games" she tells me.

I never thought about how long her days are. We get to the rink after them and they leave long after we do after the game. At least we get to go home for an afternoon nap. That gives me an idea.

"Have you eaten dinner?" I ask her.

"Actually no. I don't think I've eaten since this morning" she tells me and chuckles.

"I haven't had dinner either. Want to eat together? I can bring something over to your place?" She doesn't answer me directly so I quickly add "I would take you out but we can't so I thought of this. You could come to my house if that's better."

I wait for only five or ten seconds but it feels like hours. Finally she answers me.

"You've had a long day too Sid. I don't want to put you out."

It doesn't sound like a 'no' so I press on.

"It won't. To be honest, I can't cook so I'll be picking something up anyway. No work. Ok?"

She makes me wait again before saying "sounds great Sid. I'll text you my address."

We say goodbye and I run up to my bedroom. I'm in shorts and a tee shirt. I stare at my closet and wonder what to wear. I want to look casual but I want to look good too. Five minutes go by so I finally pull out jeans and a blue button down shirt. This will have to do. I still need to pick up dinner.

Once I'm in my car, I call Whole Foods and order roasted chicken, vegetables and sweet potato. I order brownies too. Girls like brownies, right? Shit. I should have asked Anna what she likes to eat. Everyone likes chicken, right? Shit.

It's too late to fix it so I continue to the store. They have my order ready but I'm still noticed and have to take a few pictures with fans. Thankfully it doesn't take long until I'm on my way to Anna's apartment.

I recognize the neighbourhood she lives in as a very expensive area where some of the young guys on the team live. I guess I should have known that her parents would buy her a condo while she's employed here. She wouldn't live with roommates like many of the other interns.

When I enter the lobby of her building, I'm surprised by the amount of security it has. I had to be buzzed into the building by security and only after they checked a 'list' to see if I was on it. Once inside, one of the security guards, and there are two, calls up to Anna to tell her that 'her guest' has arrived. Anna must confirm that I am here to visit her because I'm allowed through to the elevator.

Even the elevator screams 'expensive'. There is thick carpet, etched glass walls and classical music playing. I've been around expensive stuff over the past ten years but this still surprises me. I forget that Anna comes from money.

I knock on her door and she quickly answers it. I'm unable to say anything because she looks incredibly beautiful. Her hair is in a messy bun on her head, she's wearing an oversize Shattuck's sweatshirt and leggings. Her feet are bare. She's gorgeous.

"Do you want to come in Sid?"

I shake myself out of my revere and move through the doorway as she steps back. I want to kiss her, desperately, so I do but keep it light. I touch my lips to hers softly as I walk by.

After taking off my shoes, I ask "where is the kitchen?"

Anna smiles and points to my right. I follow her direction and find her kitchen. It looks like she does a lot of cooking or, at least, she has the equipment to be a chef.

"I hope you like chicken. Whole foods does a great roasted rosemary chicken" I tell her. "Oh, and I got some veggies and sweet potato. They're my favourites so I know that they are good. I hope that you like them. Do you like chicken? Oh and I got brownies for dessert. Do you like brownies? They're almost as good as the chicken."

I look up from the counter where I've been taking out the containers of food.

"What?" I ask when I notice Anna is smiling at me.

"Are you nervous Sid?" she asks me.

"Of course not" I reply and try to brazen it out.

"Really? You usually talk about chicken this much?"

She's clearly making fun of me and, she's right, I am nervous. Why am I nervous?

"Maybe you should answer my question. Do you like chicken?" I ask.

"Lucky for you that, yes, I like chicken" she winks and goes to a cupboard.

I watch as she pulls out plates and then cutlery. I follow her to the dining table with the food containers.

"Would you like some wine?" she asks me. "I have a great Chardonnay."

"Yeah, sounds good."

She goes back into the kitchen and I finishing opening the containers. Anna hands me a glass when she comes in and I taste the wine. I'm surprised at how good it is and that I recognize it as one of Mario's favourites.

"Mario loves this wine" I tell her.

"He must have discovered it through my father. It's his favourite too."

So far we have thoroughly discussed the food and the wine. Steller date so far. Come on, I'm usually better than this on dates.

We each sit down and fill up our plates. I watch as Anna samples everything on her plate.

"Ok" she says. "This is chicken worth talking about."

We both laugh and whatever awkwardness we felt is gone.

"Do you cook?" I ask her.

"I don't do it often but I do love to cook. I think it's because I grew up with chefs and have eaten out so much that I love to stay in and have a home cooked meal."

"I'm sorry that this isn't home cooked but, trust me, you don't want me to cook for you ever. I burn cereal."

"Sid, you aren't supposed to cook cereal."

"That's what I'm saying. See how hopeless I am."

She chuckles and says "next time, I'll cook us dinner."

"There's going to be a next time?" I ask.

"I hope so" she says and takes a sip of wine.

Her eyes stay on mine and suddenly the air crackles. I feel that connection, that pull which feels stronger than gravity.

"Earlier you said that you were in an awkward situation you were trying to figure out. Can I help?"

"Maybe you can."

Anna proceeds to tell me about her meeting with Geno and how he wants Anna to help with his foundation rather than Jen.

"So you need to talk to Jen?" I ask.

"Yeah. I'm really looking forward to doing that right away" she replies sarcastically.

"It wasn't right for Geno to ask you. It's like he's trying to make you responsible for what he should be doing himself."

I'm kind of pissed that Geno would put her in that position. That's not her job.

"Sid, that is my job. Essentially I'm there to help Geno with his public face and his foundation is part of his public face. It's just going to be tricky."

"Ok, so how will you do it?"

"I don't know but I need to do it soon and before the plans are made for that zoo thing."

"How about telling Jen that Geno has asked you to get more involved and see what she says. If she's ok with that then you don't have to go into any further details."

"That's brilliant" she tells me.

I know that I'm smiling but I can't stop it. I love that we're having a conversation like this at the end of the day. We're sitting together like any couple sharing our day over a meal. I've never had that before.

"Glad I can help" I tell her.

We finish dinner and clean up the dishes together.

"Would you like some more wine Sid?"

"Sure" I answer.

When our glasses are filled, we go to her living room and settle on the couch. From a remote, Anna turns on the fireplace and then the TV.

"Which game do you want on?" she asks.

"We don't have to put a game on" I tell her.

"It's ok. I know you want to keep your eye on the scores. A few people were talking about the Rangers' game tonight."

I should probably tell her to turn off the TV but she's right, I do want to keep an eye on that game. We play the Rangers in a few weeks and they are on a hot streak. It would be a great boost to our team if we could beat them and in the first game with them of the season too.

"If you don't mind" I tell her.

"Of course not" she replies and finds the game. "So how much does it matter how well a team is doing at the beginning of the year?"

"In some ways, the phrase 'it's how you end, not how you begin' is true; but, we're still playing for points that matter towards getting into the playoffs. Every win, even in October, gets you closer to the playoffs."

It's fascinating to watch her listen to me. She is clearly interested and I can almost see her mind working as she processes what I'm saying. It's been a long time since I've been with a woman who is genuinely interested in what I have to say.

"So why do you want to watch this game tonight?" she asks.

"We play the Rangers in a few weeks so this will help me see how they're playing. It's also a big game because the Rangers are playing the Capitals and they are both in our division."

"So you are measured directly against them for the playoffs, right?"

She's so smart. Already she knows more about the game than many and we're only a few games into her first season.

"That's right."

"It seems like you focus on hockey almost every minute of every day."

It's not the first time I've heard this from a girl. It's one of the reasons I rarely have a girlfriend during the season or, if I do, we don't see each other a lot. They usually get pretty pissed if I don't pay attention to them all the time.

"Yeah, I've heard that before" I tell her and wait for Anna to tell me that I need more balance in my life or some other crap I usually hear.

"I guess, when you only have so many years to play, that you want to give your life to it while you can. I've seen it first-hand now how much time, effort and work it takes to play this game at the highest level. If this is your dream and something you've worked toward your whole life then you want to make the most out of every moment."

Holy shit! She gets it. Anna barely knows the hockey world and me; but, she understands why I do it.

"You get it" I say softly.

"Of course I get it Sid. Life is short and there are only so many years that you can play this game. Why would you work this hard to achieve your dream and then not work hard to stay here? Besides that, you love it. During a game or practice, no matter how frustrated you may sometimes get, it's clear to see how much you love it."

Wow, she really does get it.

Anna

I'm puzzled by Sid's expression. He looks surprised and something else that I can't figure out. He shakes his head slowly then puts his wine glass on the coffee table. Next he takes my glass and puts it beside his.

My heartbeat picks up as I watch him. I know exactly what he's going to do and I've been hoping for it all evening. Not that I don't enjoy talking to him, I really do; but, there is always this electricity or spark between us and I really want to feel his lips on mine.

Sid slides his hand from my neck up to my cheek and then pulls my face closer to his. We are so close, just about to kiss, but neither of us closes our eyes. I watch as he moves the last little bit until he sips my lips. Softly, his lips move over mine and I watch his eyes darken. Desperately, I want more, much more, so I softly slide my tongue against the seam of his lips. They part but Sid pulls away.

His free hand moves over my waist and his hand at my cheek stays still. I'm unsure if he's going to pull away, stop or keep going. Sid shuts his eyes, his lips purse and then he roughly pulls me towards him. The fingers on my waist tighten and I encircle his neck with my own. With a quick move, I'm sitting on his lap astride him.

Both of his hands slide to my lower back and I feast mine in his hair. The pressure of his lips force mine open so that his tongue can sweep into my mouth. I moan as our tongues duel and Sid's hands pull me further toward him. My centre grinds against him and I absorb Sid's groan with my lips. His hands slide under my sweat shirt and I gasp when they make contact with my bare skin. My head falls back and Sid takes advantage to kiss, lick and nip at my neck and the skin exposed at my clavicle. As I lean back further to give him more access, I grind down against him again and again. The friction both gives me relief and creates even more need. I feel his errection begin to push against me.

Sid's fingers brush over my bra and then they pause as if asking permission. To answer, I push my hips more fully against him and he groans while his fingers make quick work of my bra clasp. Now that it's undone, Sid slides his hands over my sides and slips his thumbs inside my bra. As each brushes against a nipple, I cry out as I feel it deep, deep inside. I've never felt this wanton, this needy and I've definitely never acted this way. I've definitely only felt close to this way one other time. It was with Sid at that party.

His lips take mine again and his thumbs alternate between flicking and rubbing at my nipples. I continue to rock against Sid and his hips begin to move until we find our rhythm. My fingers dig into his shoulder muscles and I revel at his strength. I have a flash back to the feeling of his strong, naked body covering mine.

That memory serves as a bucket of cold water to my libido. What am I doing? How did I let this happen? Am I destined to throw myself at this man over and over? I know that I want to try and make this work but I also feel like I'm powerless and spiraling out of control.

I push away from Sid and his hands drop immediately to my hips. We're both breathing heavily and Sid's lips are plump and wet from mine. I almost give in again. Almost.

"Are you ok?" Sid asks me.

I slide off of his lap and back onto the sofa beside him.

"Yeah" I say softly.

I don't know what else to say.

"We seem to get easily carried away together, don't we?" Sid says.

I look at him and he has a hesitant but small smile on his lips. Oh, those lips.

"Yeah, I guess we do" I reply softly.

"This, um, this isn't why I came over. I want to make sure that you know that Anna."

"Yeah, I do."

I reach around to do up my bra but my hands are shaking so I give up and take it off through the arm of my sweatshirt.

Sid chuckles and says "I've always wondered how girls do that?"

"Do what?" I ask.

"Take off your bra without taking off your shirt. You're like a magician."

"Oh, ok" I answer.

We both stare at each other awkwardly but then Sid lets go a snort that turns into a laugh. I follow him and soon we're both laughing and leaning back against the sofa. We're side by side and slowly stop laughing. The initial unease of the moment is gone and a comfortable silence settles over us. The only sound is the hockey game on the TV.

"There's something that I've wanted to talk to you about but haven't known how to bring it up" Sid say.

"Ok."

"Anna, I know that we're just getting to know each other and there is still a lot more to find out."

He stops there so I say "go on."

He takes a deep breath before continuing.

"I hate that the last time we were, well, together, I don't remember it. But, Anna, it really doesn't seem like you to have sex with a stranger."

I have to take a beat before I can speak.

"You weren't a stranger" I tell him. "I'd heard of you of course. And Lauren had spoken of you."

"Ok, you knew who I was but you know what I'm saying Anna. It really seems unlike you. I don't mean that you aren't, or that you are, or" he pauses. "Shit. I'm making a mess of this aren't I? Maybe we should just forget I even brought this up."

How do I answer him? How much of the truth do I tell him? I'm still processing everything myself. Maybe I should just forget he asked and change the subject. Or maybe I should answer him.

"Sid, you're right. I've never, I mean, I'd never" I can't continue.

"You were a virgin?" he asks and I can hear the incredulity in his voice.

"No" I reply. "No, I wasn't a virgin but I was pretty close to it. Anyway, a couple of days before the party, I found out that my boyfriend was only with me because he wanted a future in politics. He thought that mine was the perfect family to marry into and that my father would help him. That's the only reason he was with me."

Sid is silent for a few moments. He takes my hand in his and absently runs his thumb over my knuckles.

"That sucks" he says softly.

"Yeah. It's not the first time that it's happened although it's never happened with a boyfriend before. Of course he was only my second boyfriend so I don't have a lot to compare it to."

"You've only had two boyfriends?" he asks.

Sid sounds surprised but it doesn't seem like he's making fun of me or laughing at me. He seems simply surprised.

"You're smart and funny. Caring and sweet. Absolutely gorgeous. How could you have only had two boyfriends?"

He is incredibly sweet and kind.

"It is very sweet of you to say Sid but I know who I am, what I am, so it makes sense that I don't have a lot of experience with guys." Before Sid can say anything more, I continue on. "Anyway, that night I was trying to forget and you were sweet and funny. I don't know if you're aware of this Mr. Crosby but you're also hot as hell. So I decided to sleep with you. I wasn't drunk or anything, I simply wanted to forget. I was surprised that you spent so much time talking to me and then I was stunned when you kissed me."

I want to look at Sid but I don't have the nerve to do it. I've debated about how I would answer him when he inevitably asked me the question about that night. Right now I'm grateful that I decided what I would tell him so I didn't just pour out everything on my mind, in my soul.

Sid pulls me close to him and wraps his arm around me. I can smell his cologne and the soap he uses. I can feel his warmth and the hard muscles of his body against mine. He keeps my hand in his and continues to caress it. I find the motion and his touch soothing.

"Why do you say that about yourself Anna? Why do you deny how great you are? Believe me, ok?" I don't reply so he repeats "ok?"

"Sid" I begin but he cuts me off.

"Anna, stop. You are smart, funny, caring, sweet and gorgeous. Have you ever heard the expression 'fake it 'till you make it'?"

"Yeah."

"So, you just need to trust and believe me until you believe it, ok?" he asks.

He sounds so incredibly earnest that I don't have the heart to disagree with him.

"Ok" I tell him.

Ah, if only it was that easy.

"This is nice" Sid says. "I like spending time with you. We need to figure out how to do more of this."

"It is" I reply. "Thank you for bringing dinner."

"You're welcome."

I lean my head against his shoulder and sigh pushing everything else out of my mind. Nothing else matters except this moment because I know it can't last.