Anna

I'm aware of two things as I wake. First, there is a blinding light that I can see through my closed eyes. I'm also aware of how warm I am. The heat is radiating from behind me which makes me aware of something else. I'm lying on my sofa being spooned by Sid.

Squinting against the light, I open my eyes and take in my surroundings. We're still at my apartment. The TV is turned off so one of us must have done that during the night. I remember Sid and me lying down on the sofa together while watching the game. I was doing a lot of yawning so Sid pulled me down with him. His strong arm is still holding me close and I can feel his breath fluttering against my hair and ear. I can't suppress the shiver that runs up and down my spine.

So, I've spent a second night with Sidney Crosby. Actually, we didn't spend the night together the first time. Sid passed out and I left. Also, this second time is different because last night we didn't have sex. I've always wondered what it would be like to sleep in Sid's arms. Now I know and I close my eyes to savour the feeling.

"I can actually hear your brain" Sid whispers against my ear.

"You can't hear someone think" I reply.

"Yes you can. It woke me up."

"Well your snoring work me up" I tell him.

"Shit, really. Sorry about that" he sounds so contrite.

"I'm kidding Sid" I reply and snuggle into his arms. That's when it hits me. "Shit! What time is it? I have to go to work!"

I try to stand up but Sid holds me to him.

"It's a day off, remember" he tells me.

Oh, right. It is our day off. When the guys have the day off then we are allowed to take it off too. We all came into the internship knowing that it wasn't a regular-hours kind of job but it's nice to have some down time.

I hear Sid's stomach rumble and I laugh.

"I'd guess it's nine" Sid tells me. "Time for breakfast."

Sid lets me turn so that I'm facing him. I rub my nose against his, very conscious of my morning breath, and then lay my cheek on his chest before I speak.

"I don't have too much in my fridge but I can make us omelettes" I tell him.

"Delicious" he replies and kisses my temple.

I need to take care of some business and definitely brush my teeth so I pull away from Sid and stand.

"I'll be back in a minute" I tell him and go to my bathroom.

Quickly I take care of everything and then do some repair of my make-up. After brushing my hair out, I put it up in a ponytail. Messy-bun hair slept on all night is not attractive. I look through my cabinets and find a new tooth brush and take that with some tooth paste to my guest bathroom. I also leave a wash cloth and towel out for Sid.

When I'm back in the living room, I see Sid on the sofa going through his phone. He smiles when he sees me.

"I found an extra tooth brush and put it with some towels in the bathroom down the hall. If you want to shower, there is soap and shampoo in the shower."

Sid stands and says "thanks."

"Um, I think I have some cheese and spinach for the omelettes. Is that ok? Do you want coffee?"

"Yes to the cheese and spinach. No thank you to the coffee."

"Orange juice?" I ask.

"That would be great, thanks."

He smiles again and then goes down the hall towards the guest bath.

Sid may not want coffee but I am desperate for it if I'm going to be pleasant over breakfast. After I've brewed myself a cup, I take out all of the ingredients from the fridge, put some bread in the toaster and start assembling the omelettes.

I'm at the stove cooking when Sid comes back. He stands beside me, tilts my face and then kisses me. It's brief but thorough.

"Good morning" he tells me.

"Good morning."

He must remember where I keep everything because he walks directly to the cupboards for glasses, dishes and cutlery. He puts the plates on the counter and takes everything else to the dining room. I love how he just helps out. He doesn't ask me or wait for me to do everything. My mother would say that 'his momma raised him right.' Of course she would also be disappointed that I'm letting him do it and not just taking care of 'my man.'

Hmm, my man. Is that what Sid is? Is he mine? I never thought that was ever going to be possible so I never let my mind wander there; but, maybe I've been wrong. Maybe we can make this work. Or am I just dreaming?

"I can hear your brain again" Sid tells me.

"Sorry" I reply.

"What are you sorry about?"

"I'm ignoring you" I tell him.

"Hardly" he chuckles. "Is this a southern thing?"

"Maybe" I tell him.

"Ok, well, let me tell you that I don't need you to cater to me. Although you do want to cook since I can't, trust me, but I can help with everything else."

"Can you toast bread?" I ask.

"Like a champ" he winks and walks over to the bread.

I fold over the omelettes to finish them off. They are ready as Sid finishes the toast and we're ready for breakfast.

"This is good" Sid tells me as he digs into his food.

I also put together some berries and yogurt. When Sid is finished his omelette, he digs into the berries too. I've seen how much these guys eat and I'm still amazed.

"What?" Sid asks when he notices that I'm staring.

"Do you want anything else?" I ask him.

"No, this is great." I chuckle so he asks "What?"

"I've been around you guys a while now and I'm still always impressed with how much you can eat."

He gives me a lopsided grin and shrugs.

"Growing boy" he says.

"I'm sorry that I don't have any of that protein powder stuff you guys all drink."

"Unless you planned this, I'm not surprised that you don't have any. It's ok. I'll drink it later." He pauses a few moments and then asks "speaking of later, what have you planned today?"

"Um, laundry, cleaning the house. All the stuff I can't seem to find time for when I'm working. Why? What do you have planned?"

"We can't really go out unfortunately" he begins and genuinely looks disappointed. "Would you like to come to my place? I have a full gym so you can use the treadmill if you'd like. I need to work out. Then we could watch movies. I have a nice room set up for it."

I'm finding it hard to breathe. Sid is asking me to spend the day with him and at his home. The piles of laundry and thick coat of dust on the curio cabinet beckon me to say no; but, I'm only human and can't pass up time with Sid. It's the most precious thing he has and he wants to spend it with me.

"That sounds good" I tell him and he grins.

Sidney

I woke up twice during the night and marveled at how right Anna felt in my arms. Her warm and soft curves pressing against my body made it hard for me to fall back asleep. Of course it would have been much more comfortable if we'd been in her bed but I didn't want to wake her up. I was afraid that she would kick me out or expect me to leave if she woke up. Of course I didn't completely think through staying the night with Anna. Sleeping on the sofa has given me a knot in my shoulder blade that I'm still having trouble working out.

I glance over at Anna who is currently running on the treadmill in my gym. She notices me looking at her and smiles. It's a shy and happy smile. Unfortunately the effect of that smile causes me to lose focus and I trip as I jump up onto the bench. My toe catches on the edge and I fall onto the mat. At the last minute I catch myself and roll but that pulls my shoulder and tightens the knot even further.

"Oh God, Sid" Anna yells and jumps off the treadmill. She's beside me in a moment. "Are you ok?"

I roll onto my back and take stock of my body: legs, ankles, back, all is fine. It's just that damn shoulder that's killing me. I reach around and try to work out the knot with my fingers. I can't quite get enough pressure to make a difference. Shit, I really don't want to call one of the trainers on their day off but this is just going to get worse if I don't work it out and we play tomorrow.

"Did you hurt yourself?" Anna asks.

"No, I'm good" I tell her.

She tilts her head and frowns at me.

"Sure" she says. "That's why you're grimacing in pain and rubbing your shoulder."

She's got me there.

"I have a knot in my shoulder" I tell her.

She tilts her head the other way and examines me. I feel like I'm under a microscope.

"What?" I ask.

"Roll over" she tells me.

Huh?

"Sid, roll over" she repeats.

I roll onto my stomach and Anna shifts behind me until she's straddling my lower back. I lose all thought of the pain in my shoulder because I'm suddenly very uncomfortable elsewhere.

"Here?" she asks as her fingers probe my shoulder.

I want to tell her that she doesn't have to do this but there is no way in hell I'm going to say those words.

"Higher" I tell her. "Oh yeah" I say as she finds the exact spot.

Anna's fingers probe the spot, first pushing straight down and then circling the knot. I'm momentarily distracted by the pain and then the slow release of that pain. It melts away under her fingers and another part of my body takes over. I barely control the groan as her other hand works my other shoulder. Her fingers are magic. I want to feel them everywhere.

Unfortunately, Anna seems to have other ideas and slides onto the mat beside me.

"Better?" she asks.

I turn my head and look at her.

"Definitely" I tell her. "Thanks."

"Did you hurt anything else when you fell?" she asks me.

"No, I think I'm good."

She frowns at me and tilts her head.

"Are you going to finish your workout?" she asks.

Oh, she's asking because I'm still lying on the mat. Fuck. I can't get up and embarrass myself with how hard I am right now.

"Yeah, in few minutes" I tell her.

"Are you sure you didn't hurt yourself Sid?"

"Yeah, really, I'm ok."

"Ok, if you're sure" she says but doesn't move.

I don't move either and it becomes awkward, very awkward.

"Ok, fine" I tell her and sit up.

It's very obvious what my 'problem' is and I watch as Anna looks down and then back up. Then something really interesting happens. Anna quickly turns bright red, says "oh" and turns quickly back to the treadmill. She misjudges her footing as she stands up and trips. Thankfully she catches herself before she falls. God, what a pair we are.

It is fascinating to watch her embarrassed. I didn't think that anything rattled Anna but she is definitely rattled right now. When she starts running again, and I can see that she's steady, I go back to my own workout making sure that I focus better this time.

When I'm done, I look around and Anna is gone. Shit. I was so focused on my work out that I lost track of Anna. That's not cool. After grabbing my protein drink, I head upstairs and follow the sound of music. Anna is at the kitchen counter making us lunch.

"Damn, I wanted to surprise you" she says when she notices me.

"Anna, you don't need to cook you know."

"I know but I like to cook. Besides, I'm making sandwiches and a salad which isn't really cooking. I hope you don't mind that I rummaged through your fridge."

"Mind? Of course I don't mind. Oh, that looks good" I tell her as I approach the counter.

"I found some left over chicken so" she shrugs.

"Well, it looks delicious. Spinach salad? I love spinach salad."

"That explains why you have so much of it" she tells me as she puts the sandwiches on the breakfast bar.

I notice that she's set it with plates, cutlery and bottles of water. She's made herself at home. I've never had a girl make herself at home in my house before. I've only had one girlfriend during the season but she rarely visited and I lived in the condo then. It's different having my own house or maybe it's different because it's Anna.

When we site down, I hand Anna the sandwich platter so that she can take one. Her shy smile seems out of place given how comfortable she's been in my home; but, she still takes a sandwich and then starts on the salad while I take my own. She's made three. I guess she's come to realize how much we eat. When people are new to pro athletes, they are usually stunned by how many calories we consume in a day. I fleetingly remember how much weight I lost when I broke my jaw. There was no way I was able to eat enough pureed to make up for how much I usually eat.

"This is delicious" I tell her. I don't know what she found in my fridge to make it so good but it really is delicious.

"I'm glad you like it."

We eat in silence but I can hear Anna thinking.

"A penny for your thoughts?" I ask. I look at Anna and she chuckles. "What? My grandma used to say it."

"I've heard it before just never from someone younger than fifty."

"Ha ha" I reply.

I keep looking at her with the question still lying implicitly between us. I know that I've finally worn her down when she rolls her eyes and looks down at her plate.

"I was, um, wondering" she stops and takes a bite of her sandwich.

"What were you wondering Anna? You can ask me anything."

She swallows and then says "I was wondering how many other girls you've had here." As she says this, she turns bright red again and closes her eyes, tight. "I'm sorry, I never should have asked that."

I'm surprised at her question and that I want to answer it.

"I've never had a girl to my house Anna." She looks at me again, skeptically this time. "I'm telling you the truth. I've had the house two years and you're the only girl. I'm assuming my mom and sister don't count" I tease her.

I earn a small smile from her and she nods before going back to her sandwich. Her question has me thinking.

"Why did you ask me that?" I say.

She takes a drink of her water and pauses before answering me. This can't be good.

"Sid, you don't seem like some of the other single guys but" she pauses here.

"But?"

She sighs.

"But, how can you be single?" she asks me and her cutlery drops to her dish.

"Huh?" I'm very confused.

"Ug" she says and puts her face in her hands. "I wish the earth would open up and swallow me whole."

I'm even more confused.

"Anna, I don't know what you're talking about."

"Ok" she says, takes a deep breath and turns to me. "I know you wouldn't lie to me, it's not who you are, but how can you have never brought a girl here?"

I'm still confused. She doesn't think I'd lie to her, which is true, but she also doesn't believe me. I just don't get it.

"I still don't understand" I tell her.

Anna looks up to the ceiling and rolls her eyes.

"Sid, you're a hot, pro athlete who is incredibly sweet too. How can you be single?"

Oh. That's what she means. She is so cute.

"Um, well, I don't know about all that but I am single and I did tell you the truth. I don't have a girlfriend and I've never brought a girl here."

"Why?" she asks incredulously.

"Why are you single?" I ask her back.

She frowns and stares at me confused.

"What does that have to do with anything?" she asks.

"It's the same question that you asked me. What's so weird?"

She continues to frown and then tilts her head.

"Ok, I get it" she says and smiles shyly at me.

"Good" I tell her.

Unable to resist, I brush a stray hair back behind her ear. It's sweet the way she leans into my hand for a brief moment. She really doesn't give herself any credit for how wonderful she is.

"Can we finish our lunch now?" I ask.

"Oh, yeah, sorry about that" she tells me and picks up her fork again.

"You apologize a lot" I tell her. "Are you sure you aren't Canadian?"

"Cute" she replies. "Eat your lunch."

We both finish up our lunches and clean up the kitchen together. It feels weird. Domestic.

When we're done, I'm reminded that we're both still in our gym attire and I know that I can definitely use a shower.

"Um, I could really use a shower" I tell her.

I want to ask if she wants one too but I don't want her to think that I think she smells. Oh, I also don't want her to think that I'm asking her to take one with me. How did a shower get so complicated?

"Would you mind if I have one after you?" she asks.

How did she know exactly how to ask that question? She said that she wanted a shower, made sure that I knew it wasn't with me and was polite and nice.

"I have an en suite in one of the spare rooms if you'd like?" I ask.

She smiles and replies "that would be great."

We talked about working out before we left her apartment so Anna brought a bag with her. I show her to the spare room and it takes all of my effort to leave her there and not follow her in the room. I'm going to make my shower a very cold one.

Anna

I have never been so embarrassed in my life. Did I really just ask Sidney Crosby why he doesn't have a girlfriend? I know I'm turning red again and it was an hour ago. Since I forgot a hair dryer, I towel dry it and put it up before heading back downstairs. I find Sid in the kitchen scrolling through his phone. He puts it down when he notices me walk into the room.

He looks so good. His hair is still damp and curls over his forehead. He's dressed in jeans, a tee shirt and sweatshirt. I'm in my own jeans and tee shirt too. We look like any couple spending the day at home on our day off. I almost believe that I could have this life.

"Want to watch a movie?" Sid asks me.

"Yeah, I'd like that" I tell him.

My heart almost skips a beat when Sid takes my hand and leads me downstairs. Opposite his gym, Sid opens a door and lets me walk in ahead of him.

"Wow" escapes me as I take in the room.

Inside the room is an enormous screen at one end. When I take in the rest of the room I notice that there are sofas, comfortable easy-chairs and pillows everywhere. I could live in this room.

"Cool huh?" Sid says.

When I look at him, I see that Sid is smiling widely at me like a little kid. This is definitely one of his toys.

"Yeah" I tell him. "It's really cool."

He pulls me with him to the biggest sofa and we both sink into the soft, plush cushions. Yeah, I could definitely spend lots of time in this room.

"What do you want to watch?" Sid asks me.

He's now holding what looks like a small tablet. I notice that it has a very long list of movies on it and Sid is scrolling through them.

"How many movies do you have?" I ask.

He looks up sheepishly at me and says "I like movies."

"I guess you do" I tell him as I lean over and look at the list.

I'm momentarily distracted by the mixed scent of soap and Sid. It's intoxicating. I bring my attention back to the list of movies.

"You have them in categories" I notice. "There are a lot of sports and war movies Sid."

He shrugs and tilts the list further toward me. I really don't know what kind of movie to choose. If I watch movies then they are usually chick flicks and I doubt that's Sid's speed. That's when I see it.

"You have Fifty Shades of Grey?" I ask and watch as Sid turns red, bright, apple red.

"Guilty" he says and quickly looks down at the list again.

He still looks so embarrassed that I move past it and find the comedies. I see one that I've wanted to watch but I'm not sure I should say it.

"Which one?" Sid asks.

"Don't laugh" I tell him. He crosses his heart. "How about the Lego movie? I hear that it's hilarious. Have you seen it?"

"I just got it" he tells me. "I've wanted to see it too."

Sid turns on the movie and looks at me. He doesn't say anything but continues to stare and I begin to wonder if I have something on my face. Sid leans back and stretches out his arm. That's when I understand and curl up beside him. His arm circles my shoulders and pulls me even closer.

The movie is really funny but half way through I become very distracted. Sid's thumb has started to move slowly over my shoulder, back and forth, back and forth. I can feel it throughout my entire body, just that one small movement, over and over, which makes my body shiver.

"Cold?" Sid asks.

Without thinking, I say "yeah" to cover up my reaction to him.

Sid moves away from me and pulls his sweatshirt off over his head. I get a flash of smooth, hard skin before he pulls his tee shirt down and hands the sweatshirt to me. It's warm and smells like him as I pull it over my head and savour.

Sid pulls me back to his side. This is what a perfect moment feels like, it has to be. We laugh together, snuggle closer and touch often.

"One sec" Sid says and shifts away from me. He pushes himself back farther into the corner of the sofa and pulls me with him so that I'm partially lying on top of him and between his legs. I lay my head on his chest and my hand on his heart. It feels like heaven.

Neither of us moves when the movie ends and then another one begins. The Lego movie must be in the kids section of movies because the next one comes on and is about Barbie. Sid and I both chuckle and he picks up the tablet thing. The movie turns off and music turns on. I don't recognize the song but it's slow and the woman's voice has a definite twang of country.

I look up at Sid and he's look down at me intently. On instinct, I reach up and cup his cheek, and Sid turns his head and kisses my palm. When his eyes turn back to me they are dark and I easily get lost in them. I barely notice that he's pulled me closer until his lips meet mine, softly at first but then becoming more insistent until mine respond in kind. His lips are soft and warm as they move against mine. His hand slides down to my lower back and presses me even closer to him.

I moan and turn so that I'm more fully pressed against him, straddling his lap now and cupping his cheeks as we continue to kiss. I feel like I'm surrounded by Sid. His sweatshirt holds his scent; his arms are around me, his hard body pressed against mine. I gasp when his hand slips under my shirt and I feel his warm palm against the bare skin of my lower back.

I open my eyes and look directly into Sid's as his hand climbs higher. He stops when he reaches my bra and I can see the unspoken question in his eyes. He's leaving it up to me. Do we cross this line? Do we go farther? Suddenly I'm not as sure as I was just ten seconds ago. Why did he have to stop?