2 am went by.

3 am went by as well.

By 4 am, James was pretty positive he was supposed to board a plane later that morning, but he was going to see if he had at least one more orgasm in him. If he didn’t, he knew Ali did, and he’d leave her still thinking about it long after he was on his plane.

They were on their bedroom floor now. They’d gotten so wrapped up in one another on the bed that James had no choice but to lift Ali off the bed and continue on the floor. He needed a hard surface; no more cushy bed. He lifted one of her legs over his left shoulder and laid himself into her, knowing he was hitting just the right spot when he saw Ali’s back arch. Her entire body was on display for him, and he bent forward into her even more so he could grab at one of her breasts.

“Yes…yes...right thereaaaagh!” Ali moaned, eyes shut, mouth open.

James pumped her at an angle he knew must be uncomfortable for Ali’s back, but by the sound of things, she wasn’t minding. He drove his cock into her warm depths, feeling himself nearly bottom out inside. Small beads of sweat ran down his sideburns and along both sides of his jaw as he strove to hit every point inside her.

Ali gripped at the muscles of James’ arms, literally holding on for dear life. With every forceful thrust, she wondered if he would split her; instead he hit the exact spot she needed him to. It was even work just to keep her eyes open, but the sight above her was too good to miss. Every single line of James’ body was working to deliver. Each cut of muscle developed from years of rigorous exercise and discipline was working to please Ali’s body. And through it all, James worked her that grin she loved more than any other part of his physical self.

He looked at her, but was shaking his head and biting his lip. His smile remained present amongst all his heavy breaths. “I didn’t think…..I could go……again….” His eyes closed and his jaw clenched. “But it…may just happen…”

“James….” Ali reached for him with her hand, and he leaned into it. She felt his abs moving hard, the muscles in his chest expanding and contracting as he continued drilling her. “James, I love you.”

“I love you, dammit.” James was feeling it now. “I’ve loved you since day one.”

“Shut up.” Ali pulled his face to hers and kissed him deep, which only made her moan further because of how deep he plunged inside. “Don’t leave me…fuck me like this forever….I want you forever…”

“I’ll never leave.” He couldn’t even tell if he was making any sense. Words were just coming out of his mouth. “Your mine…forever, Ali.”

“Forever” she repeated. She cried out as James slammed into her, her leg still draped over his shoulder, split by his wide frame. “FUCK.”

James tried to keep himself together until Ali came first. When she started swearing, he knew she was close, though he read the signs of her body just as easily. He felt her leg stiffen against his shoulder, marking how close she actually was.

“I’m gonna….I…..I’m….” Ali’s breathing was all over the place. James had no clue how he was still going, but he kept his hard pace. He was pounding home, feeling himself nearly hitting a wall inside her.

“Go, baby...” He bit at the flesh of her thigh, willing himself to last.

Nonsensical sounds came from Ali as she felt her body kick into her second orgasm of the night. It rocked her body, causing her back to arch once again as she cried out.

The one thing James cursed about their entire sexual relationship was how fucking hot it was to watch Ali orgasm. What was even hotter was that it was all his doing. Their bodies knew one another, they laughed at times during sex, they yelled whatever they wanted at one another, they just enjoyed themselves. James had never wanted anything more – but if he ever lasted long enough to let Ali cum first, he was quick to follow because of how her orgasm affected him.

This time was no different. James let Ali’s leg go and used his palms flat against the floor for him to drive it to the brink. He rode the waves of Ali’s orgasm until the pressure became too much. His mouth locked on to her neck as he felt himself finally explode, spilling what little was left of him from their entire night together.

James felt Ali’s arms wrap tiredly around his back, pulling him down onto her chest until they were both flat on the floor. His head lolled lazily against the side of Ali’s face, their bodies both sticky with sweat.

With a clearer mind, James kissed her neck, then her cheek, then nuzzled against her ear. “I really do want you forever, Ali” he said softly.

Beneath him, Ali smiled. “I want you forever too, James.”

* * *

By the time James showered, packed, grabbed a Power Bar and headed out, he had only thirty minutes to make it to the Consol Energy Center. Luckily, his gear would be packed and ready for him, so all he had to do was show up.

He walked into the room where all the other guys were waiting, gray pea coat on, Starbucks in hand. It took exactly three seconds for his teammates to start the banter.

“Ohhhhhhhhhh! There he is!” Dupuis cried.

The others laughed, and a few others called out his name as he came into the room. He raised his coffee as if to honor their chirping.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, laugh it up.”

“Where the hell have you been?” Sutter asked, smirking. “Busy fixing your hair?”

“Fuck off, Sutter” he said jokingly. “Slept in.”

A few of the guys laughed and rolled their eyes. Sid sat there laughing with the others, but had one eye on James.

“Whatever you say, man.” Dupuis smiled at him. “We see the bags under your eyes.”

James shrugged and drank some of his coffee. “I don’t even know what you’re talking about.” Now it was his turn to smile. He couldn’t hide it, and he knew the others could look right through him on this one.

Bortuzzo slapped him on the shoulder. “Nealer’s always gotta get one last fuck in before he goes anywhere.”

Laughter rang up around the room, and again, James just smiled. “Get it right, Bortz. Try three last fucks.”

“Ohhhhhh!!!!” The guys were half cheering and half laughing when they heard this. Sid smiled as best he could and faked a laugh. Inside though, he didn’t know if he was impressed, jealous, or just pissed. He stared down at his own coffee and let the emotions pass.

“How in the hell do you even have three fucks in you after a damn game?” Bortuzzo asked, his smile beaming at his friend. “Like how the hell can you even do that?”

“Have you seen Ali?” James asked with a laugh. “And do you know who you’re talking to here?”

Again, laughter went around the room. James wasn’t too upset the secret was out; who would be if they just spent their entire night fucking with only a two hour nap in between? He was too happy and too tired to care either way.

They harassed James even further until Bylsma and Granato showed up, then it was all business. James was looking forward to finally getting on their plane so he could catch at least a little sleep. It was a four-hour flight, and if he could sleep through half of that, he would consider it a victory.

As they boarded the plane, James chose a seat towards the back of the plane. There was enough room on their jet this time that everyone could spread out, so it was just him and his thoughts taking up the space. Because she was still on his mind, he sent Ali a quick text, assuming she wouldn’t get it until later because she was likely sleeping.

Hey slacker. No sleeping in today! Teasing. Boarding now, hoping to sleep as well. Thanks for an amazing night.

He hit send, and within minutes, James was asleep.

* * *

Back home, it wasn’t until 11 am when Ali finally woke up. She rolled out of bed, feeling sore everywhere. Even her pussy even felt numb. In the bathroom, when she saw her reflection in the mirror she laughed out loud.

“Wow. This is not okay.”

Her hair was everywhere. Literally. It stuck up in places she didn’t think long hair could. There were dull red marks on both sides of her neck, and one near her left breast. She looked down and saw that her one thigh even had a mark. She bent to look at the small bruise and felt soreness all down her back. After inspecting the marks on her neck, Ali knew she’d need to wear a scarf for the next few days.

She stood back from the sink counter and looked herself over. Aside from the hair, she looked like one happy girl. He said he wanted me forever last night. I think I said it back. She gave a happy sigh.

Ali went and turned on the shower, setting it for the hottest water she could handle. It soothed her soreness for the time being, but didn’t last long after it was over. When she thought back over the acrobatics her and James had done, it was a wonder her back didn’t give out at one point. It wasn’t going to make the job she had planned for the day any easier, but she wasn’t upset. This was her favorite kind of soreness.

Downstairs, she quickly whipped up an omelet and watched some news on tv while she ate. Food instantly made the lingering drowsiness dissipate, which made calling Becky and asking her for help a bit easier.

“Hey Becks, you busy today? Got a job for ya…”

Her friend’s laughter was cheerful on the other line. “Uh oh. Whatchya got planned?”

“Weeeelll….I was wondering….Would you, or could you, help me with stringing some Christmas lights around the house?”

“Inside or outside?”

Ali laughed. “OUTSIDE, silly! Are you busy? If so, it’s no biggie.”

“No, no! Actually – I don’t have to be back until 4 to pick up the kids. I can probably make it over in 20 minutes, if you want?”

“YES, that would be great!” Ali said. “I totally owe you. I’ll make sure I have lunch delivered and everything for us when we’re done.”

Becky protested, but Ali wasn’t having it. They agreed to a start time of noon, and would have lunch afterward they finished. It wasn’t too, too cold out, and the snow had melted off the roof during the past two weeks, so stringing lights may not pose too big a challenge for the both of them.

A little while later, Becky arrived and she and Ali got to work on stringing lights. They started with the shrubs out front, then together they wound lights around the windows that they could reach. Once they’d done everything they could on the ground, they busted out the ladders.

“Good God” Ali muttered, taking each step of the ladder with care. “Could James have bought a bigger ladder?”

“Big ladder for a big man” Becky replied. She held the ladder still until Ali reached the top platform.

“I think I’m just not all together today. It seems like I’m climbing a mountain.” She sighed, feeling the tightness of her muscles in her back hurting again.

“You’re not going too hard on your runs, are you?”

“I might be going too hard, but it’s definitely not on my runs.” Ali looked back at her and winked. “Ready?”

“Yep! Catch!” Becky tossed a roll of multi-colored lights up to Ali, who caught them with one hand. She took out the little plastic clips she had stuffed in her coat pocket and started to hang up one string at a time. Becky joined her farther down on her own ladder. Little by little, they were able to string lights…somewhat straightly…around the two-stall garage.

When finished with that part of the house, they stood back on the driveway with their hands on their hips.

“Not too bad, right?” She looked up at the lights, feeling pretty satisfied.

“Not bad at all, I’d say.” Becky was nodding. “And you said he doesn’t know you’re doing this?”

“Correct. And he won’t know until he sees it for himself the night he comes back.”

Becky smiled. She admired Ali, and for as young as her and James were, they seemed to have a pretty cool relationship. They were always surprising one another in some way, even the littlest ways. It made her long for when she was that age and in love.

“You’re pretty cool, Ali.”

She looked over. “What?”

“To do all this to surprise James. I think he’ll totally love it.”

“Well, we all know he wouldn’t do it for himself” Ali said with a laugh. “But thanks, Becky. I hope he does.”

They stood admiring their work again in silence.

“So now the hard part?”

Ali’s shoulders slumped just hearing it. “Yeah…..I suppose, eh?”

“Eh?” Becky looked at her. “You’re not talking like him now, are you?”

Ali laughed. “Maybe just in that sense.” She took the next roll of lights that they’d set on the ground and headed for the eave over the front door. Becky followed, noticing Ali was rubbing the back of her neck. When she saw Ali straighten the chunky scarf around her neck, Becky gasped.

Ali spun around. “What!?”

“What the HELL are those!??”

“What is what?” She was confused as to what Becky was looking at.

“On your neck!” Becky pointed, looking at her with awe.

“Oh……” Ali cupped her hand over her neck. She looked at her friend sheepishly. “Right. These.”

“Yeah, those.” Becky couldn’t stop laughing. “Did he do that?”

Ali nodded, smiling. “Last night.”

“No way.” Her mouth still hung open, and their light stringing seemed to have taken a backseat. “What the hell were you two doing??”

“What does it look like we were doing?” Ali grinned. “I told you at the bar that night how he was. Remember? I believe you were the one who asked?”

“Yeah, but…..damn.”

“You should see the mark on my thigh.” She winked and headed up the ladder.

“Not fair.” Becky was shaking her head. “This life is not fair.”

“Lights, Beck! Focus!”

Becky tossed up two more rolls of lights once Ali reached the top of the ladder. “Let me get the other ladder and join you….But this doesn’t mean we’re done talking about this, you know!”

Ali rolled her eyes. For just a moment more, she felt kind of special that James had left proof of just how fun and incredible their night had been.

As the pair moved their ladders this way and that, they eventually got both of the front peaks of the house lined with lights. It only took them a couple hours, and they were even able to squeeze in a few slices of the pizza Ali had delivered. As they each grabbed their first slice, Becky pressed Ali for more information on her crazy night and just how she managed to get so many hickies.

“They’re not hickies, Beck.”

“That’s precisely what they are.”

Ali took a bite of her pizza, remaining quiet.

“So is this also why you’ve been rubbing your back all afternoon?” Becky was smirking at her over her slice. “Fess up, lady!”

“I’m NOT telling you all the details of my sex life.”

Becky rolled her eyes. “You don’t need to, really. I can infer.”

They smiled at one another. Ali mulled over the thought of the things James said to her last night, specifically the line that lingered in her mind the strongest. She wondered if maybe she should ask Becky her thoughts on if she thought it was just an orgasmic thing on his part or…….”

“Hey.”

Ali looked up.

“Still thinking about it, aren’t ya?” Becky smiled.

“Well….yeah, I guess so.” She hesitated, thinking it over one more time. “Actually, can I ask you something? I mean, your opinion on something?”

“Sure! Fire away.”

She set her piece of pizza down and tried to think of how to phrase it. “Okay, so….last night, during a pretty intense moment, James blurted out that he ‘wanted me forever’. I think I said it first, but you know…”

Slowly, Becky nodded her head. “Go on.”

Ali blinked. “Um…that’s it. That’s the phrase I need your opinion on.”

“No. No it’s not it.” She gave Ali a very no nonsense look. “He had to have said other stuff, right? It wasn’t just that one random phrase?”

“It wasn’t.” Ali thought back. “He said he loved me, but that’s common. He also said he wasn’t going anywhere, he’s loved me since day one, and that I’m his forever. I think that was it. For that round.”

“For that ROUND?”

Ali smiled. She watched as Becky processed the information.

“Well, for what it’s worth, that was some damn heavy talking you two did.”

“It happens, yeah. But never that heavy.”

“And it wasn’t while he was finishing?”

Ali shook her head ‘no’.

When Becky saw this response, she gave Ali a reassuring smile. “Sounds like he really meant it then. It wasn’t at some crazy point where he was losing himself, right? You two were deep in it, but still very present…so to speak.”

“Yes!” She was feeling better about this now. “So it wasn’t just some, like…”

“Girl, listen.” Another matter-of-fact, motherly stare from Becky, so Ali listened close. “You’ve told me so many, MANY things during the few shifts we’ve worked together. You’ve shared stories; maybe not all the details, but enough for me to know, and now you’ve told me a really intimate thing you guys shared last night.”

“Oh, I’m sorry….” Ali started to feel bad.

“It’s cool! Don’t fret” she said with a laugh. “I guess what I’m trying to say is, I think James meant what he said. He didn’t have time or a care in the world to pick and choose his wording, so he just said what he felt. Non-censored.”

The two women were smiling at one another, both happy in completely separate ways. Becky was absolutely thrilled for her friend, and Ali was blown away that maybe it was the first time James had admitted something huge to her.

“I don’t really know what to say” Ali admitted bashfully. She didn’t know what to say, so she leaned over and gave Becky the biggest hug she could.

After a few more slices of pizza and a few more good laughs, it came time for Becky to leave to go pick up her kids from school. Ali wished her goodbye outside by her car, and remained standing in the driveway after Becky had pulled away. She took another look at the complete light job, and everything seemed straight enough. When the sun set, she would come out and take another look, just to be sure.

Since Ali had been busy all day, she finally had the chance to relax and check her phone. She saw the text she figured would be there:

Wow, 90 degrees feels damn good right now.

Despite the text being four hours old, Ali quickly tapped out a reply. She hoped it would make him laugh in return:

Shirtless pic or it doesn’t count! ;-) Glad you made it safe.

She made a mug of hot cocoa and decided to just unwind the rest of the night on the couch. Her muscles deserved that much, in addition to an early bedtime as a thank-you for all the hard work they put in the night before.

About ten minutes went by before James responded to her text. There were no words, just one picture: his beautiful chest, his mostly ink-free arm, and one very large welt on one of his pecs.

“Ohhhh NO!!” Ali went into a fit of giggles. She couldn’t even remember doing that to him, let alone making such a large mark. Her fingers flew on the keypads as she wrote another reply:

A: I don’t even remember doing that!! Sorrrryyy.

J: Better not be sorry. How are you feeling? I’m heading out to grab food with the guys, so can’t talk long.

A: That’s okay. I feel pretty good, considering. ;-) Very sore but it’s a good sore.

J: Same. Still thinking about it, and you. Love you, babe.

She smiled, and a feeling of comfort spread through her.

A: Love you too. Have fun!

The line was silent for most of the night after that. When the sun finally set and was dark enough, Ali threw on her coat and headed outside. With a single push of a button, all the lights turned on at once.

“YES!” She clapped for herself when she saw that her and Becky successfully strung all the lights straight. What looked like a bachelor pad from the outside, had now been transformed into a Christmas-ready home.

Taking out her cell phone, Ali snapped a quick picture and sent it to Becky. For a minute or two longer, Ali just stood there. She tried to envision James coming back from Phoenix on Christmas Eve, and what his reaction would be when he saw his house had been totally decorated while he was gone.

“Let’s just hope he makes it home in the first place” she said aloud.

Trying to not let worries about missing their first Christmas Eve together, she smiled at all of her multi-colored lights. Maybe he would make it home on time after all.

* * *