Well that didn’t take long. James felt Ali’s hand work his growing erection through his pants, her other hand draped around his neck. Their mouths moved as one as the pair clumsily walked through the kitchen towards the stairway. James took his coat off, leaving it on the floor wherever it fell. Ali’s was already off, and James’ wanted her dress to be next.

He gripped her waist and backed Ali into the wall adjacent to the steps, her body pressed firmly against it. She let a soft moan escape, but her mouth never left his. The taught muscles of his arms flexed beneath the sleeves of his button-down, and Ali never hated a fabric so much in her life. She gripped at his biceps for leverage as she felt one of his knees spread her legs. She closed her eyes and let the sensation of James’ lips take control of her as they trailed down her neck and along her exposed collarbone. As he did so, James slid both hands along her thighs to hike her dress up, but he stopped.

“What….” He looked down, slightly out of breath from making out. His mouth hung a little open in surprise. The slick nylon covering her thighs ended a few inches below her waist. He looked down at lace thigh-highs that seemed to make a bulls-eye right for where he wanted to be.

Ali smiled. “Yes?”

“That’s so fucking sexy.”

“Thought you might like that.” She tugged on his tie, bringing his mouth back to hers. His hands slid the rest of the way up to her hips, hiking her dress up even farther, exposing the lace bands of her thigh-highs and the sheer black thong above. She felt the fullness of his hard-on pressed against her now, and her need for him strengthened.

“I don’t think I want to wait much longer” Ali said, biting his bottom lip.

And she didn’t have to. James had her moving up the stairs and back against the door to their bedroom, where he proceeded to take a little more of her skin in his mouth before allowing them to get much farther inside.

“Here.” Ali moved away, so he could get a full visual. She lifted the dress off her body and shook out her hair. James groaned, seeing her still in her heels, still in those stockings, still in that damn black bra and panties he wished would go away. All of it made it hard to focus on anything other than the pulsing happening below his waist.

“Now you” Ali said, pointing at him.

James took direction well. He was out of his suit in a flash, and their bodies met again near the bed. James was hell bent on giving her every inch of his tongue over every inch of her delicious body. He pushed Ali onto the bed, watching her bounce a little as she landed, a smile over her face. She moved to take her heels off, but James objected.

“Leave them.”

Ali grinned. “Reeeaally?”

James smiled and got on his knees. “Really. Now lie back.”

Turns out, Ali took direction well also. She felt James slowly run his hands along her calves and up her thighs, tugging a little at one of the bands of her thigh high. He smiled up at her and shook his head.

“You’ll be the death of me, babe.”

“Let’s hope not just yet.” Ali would’ve smiled back at him, but her head flipped back as she felt James’ tongue slide up her center, making her already-wet panties even wetter.

James loved Ali’s reactions. Every one made him feel like the center of the universe, like no one else could get out of her what he could. He licked her again, and got another soft moan. I’m going to drag this out for all the teasing you did earlier. With a small smile, he pressed the width of his tongue along her swollen button, getting yet another, louder moan.

“Torture” she said from above, writhing as he pulled her thong to the side and licked her again. “Fucking torture.”

“You deserve it.” James sucked on her clit and shoved one finger inside, eliciting a soft gasp from her now. “Aw, too tight, even just for a finger?” She couldn’t even answer him, and he rewarded her with another long, painfully slow swirl with his tongue.

Ali was all his now. What little resolve she thought she had was now melted off and puddled somewhere far from her. All she wanted was to feel the stubble around his mouth taking turns with the warmth and softness of his tongue. His finger….no, two fingers now…oh god yes…were merely a bonus. She knew he was priming her for him, and that was the only reason she would allow to be an end to this.

James continued between fingers and his tongue, working Ali as best he could, but never driving her too close to the edge. He wanted that for himself. He took a break when he thought her moaning was becoming too heightened, and nuzzled against her inner thighs, kissing and licking her. She was putty in his hands, and he knew it.

Unable to ignore his cock any longer, James crawled on top of Ali, his mouth melding with hers once again. She tasted a little of herself and it turned her on, and James thought he felt her smiling against his mouth.

“You dirty little slut” he said, grinning. “You like that, don’t you?”

“Mmm hmm.” Ali kissed him again.

Did I remember to count my blessings earlier? James moved back down to her pussy, removing her panties and dumped them on the floor where his suit was. He gave her one final lick on his way back up to her mouth, then lined himself up with her.

“Go slow” she whispered.

James kissed her, and obeying her request, slid just the head of his dick inside her. I might lose it right here, he thought, closing his eyes. He shoved more of himself now, and Ali’s back lifted in response. He finally slid the remainder of his length as far as he could, and felt her pussy spread to accommodate his width. His body took over for him, his hips moving with hers, still going slower than he wanted. He was seeing how this had an effect on Ali when she bit her lip and moaned.

“Fuck, James” she breathed, her eyes still closed. “…so big…”

Those words were dangerous. James felt himself increase his speed almost immediately, widening her further to take more of him inside. Ali’s nails made dents in the muscles of his back, which made him work all the harder.

“Switch me” she said.

James rolled, lifting Ali on top of him. Best view in Pittsburgh. He lifted his hands away from her hips, watching her work his dick all by herself on top of him. Between the heels she still wore and the thigh highs and bra still cupping her breasts, James literally had to close his eyes so he wouldn’t cum right there. Ali was too skilled….she knew him too well….and she used it to her advantage. He didn’t even have to direct her, she just took off riding him, her hair falling forward as she bounced rhythmically over him.

“So fucking beautiful” he uttered, and she leaned forward and kissed him silent. Every part of their bodies were locked together now; one giant circle of pleasure encompassing them both. James gripped the sides of her face even after they broke their kiss, holding her head so he could look at her as she rode him. The look in Ali’s eyes were of focus, gratification, and desire. She smiled that little smile of hers, and James kissed her again, tasting her as he fucked her.

In one smooth motion, James reached behind and unclasped her bra. It fell somewhere to the side, and now he was able to taste the softness of her breasts. He bit at a nipple and an amazing shot of pain coursed through Ali’s body. In response, she gripped at James’ neck and held him as she really let her hips work his length, her breathing becoming even faster.

“Fuck, that’s good.” It might have been too good, because James was losing it. Her talents were a blessing and a curse. He reached down and rubbed her as she rode him, and now she was catching up to him. Her body tightened even more around him, and his minutes were officially numbered.

Ali brought his hand away from her clit and James looked up at her. She shook her head, grinning. “All you right now” she exhaled, half moaning.

Luckiest. Man. Alive. He felt the pressure build in him more, and he squeezed her waist in his hands forcefully. Ali let James take over, but she didn’t have much of a choice. His hips were moving so fast she would never be able to keep up. She rode his powerful thrusts out, feeling his balls slapping against her hard with every move. Leaning forward, Ali gripped his head and moaned into his hair. She was practically squealing as he took the rest of her for himself.

James couldn’t hold on any longer. He moaned hard and loud as he exploded inside her, almost laughing at how fucking incredible this girl was. Her body. Her personality. Her smile. Her skills. Everything. He held onto her as she fell limp on top of him, allowing him those moments to catch his breath.

“I didn’t kill you did I…” she asked through tired breaths.

James let out a fatigued laugh. “Not yet, no.” He kissed her lazily. “Did I kill you, is the question.” He felt Ali sigh into his hair.

“No, but I think you pounded me into a new dimension.”

They looked at one another and Ali smiled. Luckiest. Woman. Ever. she thought.


* * *


It was another day, another plane, and another game. James unloaded from the plane with the rest of the team, dressed in their usual game day formal attire. It was brutally cold in Chicago, and the wind off the lake wasn’t helping one bit. Each of the Pens had their own version of a knit hat on, but the wind made it feel like they were naked of any clothing whatsoever.

The team went to their hotel first. They dropped off their luggage, changed, and then went straight to the rink for practice. Their game that night against the Blackhawks would be a tough one, but James felt really good about how he’s played against them in the past. He skated strong during practice, and felt just as good when a few of them went out to an early dinner before the game. By the time he had to head to the arena for the game, James gave Ali a call from his hotel room.

“Still sore.”

Her greeting made James laugh. “No waaay. Don’t feed me that.”

“Fine! I’ll just pretend I’m not.” She giggled on the line. “Tell me about Chicago.”

“What’s to say? Windy. Cold. Great food, though. How was your return to work?” James faced the tall windows in the room, staring out at a blanket of concrete and steel.

“It went really well! First time in a while, actually.”

“Were they all excited to see you again?”

“Who wouldn’t be?”

James smiled, sitting half on the window ledge. “You have a point there. By the way…Still thinking about last night.”

“You’re sore too?” Ali joked.

“Nooooo,” James bit his lip. “Our date together…before all that.”

“Ahhhh” she replied. “It was really nice. We should do that more often.”

“I agree. You deserve it.” He heard her sigh happily, and it made him smile.

“I had an idea today” Ali said. “Care to hear me out?”

“Lay it on me.”

“Okay….so, Thanksgiving…American Thanksgiving…”

James laughed. “You don’t have to say American, babe."

“I just wanted to show Canada’s some respect, so I labeled it! Anyways, so you have a game the night before, right?”

“Correct.” James wondered where she was going with this, but he suspected he had an idea. He let her continue, hoping his guess would be right.

“Well…I was wondering if that would be a good time to, maybe, introduce you to my parents….” She ended the sentence sounding slightly frightened. “Pretty please?”

James was happily relieved to hear that he was right, and his guess was correct. “I have been waiting to hear those words come from your mouth for a long time now. So the answer is most definitely a yes.” He had to hold his phone away from his ear because of Ali’s squeal of excitement.

“Really??” she exclaimed. “So they can come stay with us and I can take them to the game the night before?”

“Let me see if I can get you guys the best seats in the house before I say yes to the game…but I am pretty sure it’s a go, babe.”

“JAMES I LOVE YOU.”

He laughed. “You’re crazy. Did you really think I wouldn’t be up for that?”

“Well….”

“Really?” He felt slightly hurt.

“No, I just know how busy you are, so I mean…”

“Hey.” James stood up again, crossing his arms over his chest as he held the phone. “Come on, you know I’d clear the calendar of what I could for your mom and dad.”

“Again – I love you.”

He smiled. “I love you too, and don’t forget it.” And I’m not going to let your mom and dad forget it either. That’s for damn sure.

Across the room, the door opened as Niskanen appeared in his coat and knit hat. He held up two fingers, indicating the two-minute warning before they had to be down at the busses.

“Nisky’s giving me the finger, so I better go.” He saw Niskanen glare at him, and he flashed his smile in return. “You going to be up later?”

“Not sure if I’ll be up by the time you’ll be done, but I’ll be up to watch all of the game.”

“Awesome. I’ll see what I can pull out for ya.” Every game that Ali had a chance to watch, he felt proud inside. He felt like he had to impress her night after night, every rink he played on. He knew he actually didn’t, but aside from wanting to do well firstly for the team, he always wanted to do well for her.

“Can’t wait. Miss you.”

“Back at ya. See ya later.”

“When don’t you just ask her to marry you already?” Niskanen teased as James grabbed his coat. “You sound like you are, anyways.”

“Dude. I’m just now meeting her parents.” He slipped his coat over his shoulders. “And it hasn’t even been a year.”

“A year’s time in Nealer Years is more like 10 years’ time Human Years.”

James made a derp-face and grabbed his bag. “You ready?”

“Lead the way.”

They headed down to the bus, and James mulled over Nisky’s “marriage” joke. It made him think of his and Ali’s date, when the restaurant had called them [i]Mr. and Mrs. Neal[/i] by accident. It did have a nice ring to it.

By the time they made it downstairs and joined the rest of the guys, the thought was gone.


* * *


The weather in Pittsburgh didn’t make for great running conditions, so Ali took her workout back inside to the gym. She had a few hours before the game, but her treadmill had a tv, so she wouldn’t miss much if her run went a little long. Her shock of hair was tossed up into a messy bun, which was as damp with sweat as her orange Nike tank was. She had logged 50 minutes so far at a decent running pace, with only one walking break. Considering how sick she was just a week ago, Ali was incredibly pleased with her body and how her workouts hadn’t suffered all that much.

The pre-game on RootSports was showing on the small tv attached to her treadmill. Every now and then, Ali would glance down to see what the status was, hoping to crank out another 15 minutes before she absolutely had to leave. To her surprise, however – when she looked down at the tv and at her time left, James was being interviewed. Quickly, Ali jumped her feet to the side rails of the treadmill, and popped her ipod cord out and into the sound jack to the tv.

“Yeah, it’s uhh….It’s always a challenge to play the Hawks, but uh….I think we have a strong team, no injuries so we have a full line-up…”

Ali caught her breath and took a drink from her water bottle, watching James do his thing. He was dressed in full gear, minus his helmet. She shook her head when she saw him brush his hair with his hand as another media member asked a question about his and Malkin's chemistry on the ice.

“With Geno?” James said with a small smile. “Yeah, well, you gotta watch Geno.”

When he laughed, Ali did too.

“But you know, it’s really great to have the chemistry we have on the ice” James continued. “Geno always brings the heat when we’re out there, and uh…he just, uh….just passes really well, always sets us up well…So I think if I just keep up with him, we should be able to produce.”

“James, you had a brush with what could have been a bad injury just a few weeks ago” the reporter said. “Can you tell us how your knee’s been feeling as of late?”

“Knee’s been feeling good” James said with a solid nod. “Yeah, I think I was lucky I only sat out for one game, but uh…I haven’t had too many issues since. Been able to use it a lot on my off days, so uh….I think I’ve tested it enough to know it’s good.”

When James said this, his blue eyes looked at the camera and a very subtle smile appeared on his face. Ali almost spit up her water. He did not just say that.

“Well that’s very good news to hear, James. Great talking to you, and good luck.”

“Thank you.”

The broadcast went to commercial, and Ali had to take a second. She picked up her phone and punched out a quick text, a smirk on her face as she typed:

I saw what you did there, James, don’t you dare think I didn’t! ;-)

As Ali gathered her belongings around the treadmill, her phone vibrated, much to her surprise:

J: GREAT, you saw it! Is there any other test better than the ones you’ve given me? Didn’t think so.

She laughed when she saw this. What a little bitch she thought with a smile. Again, Ali was surprised once more when her phone began to ring.

“Hi Mom!”

“Honey, now….be honest with your mother…” Wendy said slowly. “But….what did James mean by that comment in his interview?”

Ali’s jaw dropped in horror. “Wait—“

“—Because if it means what I think it means…”

“Oh my god, mom, stop.” Ali closed her eyes. She stood in the women’s locker room at the gym, but hurriedly grabbed her coat and gym bag.

“What!?” Wendy sounded as if she had no idea what Ali was insinuating. “He’s been practicing too much, hasn’t he? That's what he meant, right?”

“Practicing?” Ali was confused. “You mean….like, hockey?”

“That is his job, isn’t it?”

She exited the gym and headed for her car. “Well, yeah…it is, but…”

“Okay so you need to tell him, a direct message from me to him: he shouldn’t practice so much, especially on his off days. I don’t care how many goals he has this year, tell him he’s already won our hearts.”

Oh my god, she didn’t get the joke after all! Ali got in her car and let out a sigh of relief. “I’ll be sure to tell him, Mom. And I’m 100% sure he will listen to you.”

Wendy laughed. “Sorry, Allison. Your father and I were just talking about how many games these guys have had lately, and wondered how you two were doing with him practicing and traveling all the time.”

“We just had an amazing date night” Ali said, starting her car. “I’ll tell you all about it later, though – but I have a real quick question for you…..What are you doing Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving Eve?”

“Oh know your father and I, we just do something simple—“

“—Exactly. So James and I would like to invite you guys down to stay, go to the game on Thanksgiving Eve, then have Thanksgiving at our place.” She bit her lip, trying to tame the smile that was taking over her face. “What do you say? He’s determined to meet you guys, and it’s taken way too long to introduce you all.”

There was a pause. “Really, honey?”

“Yes, really! Say yes, please? Please??” Ali couldn’t believe she had to beg. “I’ll even help cook. Maybe HE will even help cook.”

“Oh now, don’t promise miracles he can’t give, Allison” her mom said with a laugh. “Let me talk to your father, but as far as I can tell – we’ll definitely make the trip down and finally meet this guy who’s made you so happy.”

“YES!” Ali clapped inside the car, hardly able to contain her excitement. “Oh mom, I can’t wait. Our first holiday together! And we’ll get to go to game, finally!”

“Your father will definitely be thrilled to hear this! Let me go talk to him now, and I’ll call you later…Then you can tell me all about this date you two went on.”

"Deal. Bye Mom."

With that, they hung up, and Ali felt a whole new set of butterflies inside her stomach. James and her parents were finally going to meet, and it was only a week away.


* * *