The next day was a bit hectic for Kara and Mika. They’d had an appointment with a hairdresser and makeup artist. They got their hair and makeup done, nothing much, but they looked stunning. Kara had gotten a few loose curls in her hair, slightly accentuated eyes and only lip-gloss. Mika hair had been pinned up with a few loose strands left out to frame her face.
Back at Kara’s place they’d only put on their dresses, a frilly colorful one for Mika and a green and black knee length one for Kara. It tied behind her neck and left a huge section of her back bare that didn’t allow her to wear a bra. It was a bit unusual for her but she would get through this evening. She loved the dress and wouldn’t want to change it for the world.
Everything was already set up when they arrived. Kara’s agent greeted both of them, because he already knew Mika. They’d met a couple of times and got along really well. The buffet was ready, music was already playing and most of the invited people were there. So far she hadn’t seen one of the Bruins, but that was okay. Even though Tuukka had said that he’d be here diddn’t mean he’d actually show up. Or any of the other guys. She wouldn’t be disappointed, but she’d hoped for them to be there that day.
When her agent gave her a sign, Kara got up and stepped to the front, facing everyone in the room, a stack of her books and a huge cardboard cutout of the cover behind her. She waited for silence and then started with her little speech.
“Thanks everyone for coming here today. It’s nice to see so many familiar faces, so many people who have helped me with research and still helped me when I was being a pain in the ass and didn’t understand what you were telling me the first few times.” A lot of people chuckled. “This is the sixth book I’ve written and it still feels surreal to stand in front of you guys who came here because of this. I have a lot to be thankful for, so this evening is for you.” She saw someone come in at the back and immediately her heart sped up. A smile broke out on her lips. Tuukka, Shawn, Greg, Tyler and Brad just entered the room. And there, at the end of the row, was Benoit, looking at her, or rather staring at her. “It’s been a pleasure to work with you and now: Enjoy the food, the drinks and the music. Thank you.”
She had never been too fond of holding speeches. It had been the same way at school, but she’d had to do this today and it wasn’t a long speech, so that was okay. As soon as she was back at her table with Mika, the guys approached her. They were all dressed in jeans or chic pants along with a simple white t-shirt and a blazer except for Tuukka who had opted for his grey cardigan.
“It’s so great to see you, guys.” Kara said enthusiastically, getting a big hug from Soupy, as usual, and a kiss on the cheek from everyone else. Tuukka was already sitting down next to Mika and talking to her in Finnish. They had to use this opportunity, because who knew when they’d be able to talk like this again? “You should get something to drink and to eat.”
“I agree with that.” Tyler smiled at her, and then ventured off with Shawn and Brad, who was already checking out the women at the little party. Kara smiled at that. Good for him, good for the ladies.
“You look stunning, Kara.” Gregory smiled at her and took a step back to admire her whole appearance in that dress.
“He’s right”, Benoit agreed, a smile on his lips. He would have said so much more, but he held back, because they weren’t alone.
“Thank you.” Her cheeks turned slightly pink and she looked down for a moment to calm down a bit. “Would you like to grab something to eat? Because I’m starving. I haven’t eaten anything since this morning.”
“Why would you do that?” Soupy looked at her confused when he took a plate and started piling up different kinds of foods.
“Not voluntarily.” Kara grabbed a plate herself.”It was too stressful today, so I forgot to eat something. Happens to the best of us.”
“At least you’re eating something now and don’t skip this as well.” Benoit said with a smile on his lips.
“How could I say no to this food?” A frown puckered her brow. “The smell is already so delicious that I can hardly control myself.”
They sat down at the table. Meanwhile Tuukka and Mika had gotten something to eat and drink as well. They were lost in their conversation. It had been a while since Kara had last seen her friend this relaxed. Even when she was drawing she was more concentrated, but relaxed at the same time. She knew that Mika missed Finland and Tuukka seemed to take that homesickness a bit away from her.
Mika felt at home in Los Angeles, even in Boston, that wasn’t the problem. Still, she missed Finland, her Mom, the people there and even the food from time to time. Kara could relate. She’d only spend a few months in Germany and then two weeks every now and then, but she still missed it. There was so much family history and friends as well. It was time she went over there again. Just for a couple of weeks.
Kara excused herself after they’d eaten because she had to talk to some of the people, who’d come there. Publishers, agents, friends and especially people who’d been there to answer her questions. She owed them a lot. Half an hour later she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Gregory who wanted to have the first dance with her.
He led her onto the dance floor and placed his hand carefully on her hips, the other held hers. He smiled down at her. “You know that Benny’s interested in you, right?”
“What?” She frowned up at him. She didn’t particularly want to talk about this, but she found that she couldn’t lie to Greg. “Well, there is some kind of attraction.” She didn’t really know how to say this, so this seemed appropriate.
“So you’re interested in him as well.”
“I guess…”
“I just don’t want you to get hurt.” His smile was so sincere that Kara felt the sudden urge to hug him and never let go. “You and Benoit both.”
“You’re gonna make a woman really happy some day, you know that?” Kara stretched and kissed his cheek.
“Can I cut in?” A shiver ran down Kara’s spine as she heard his deep voice so close behind her. Gregory stopped moving with her and took a step back.
“She’s all yours. I’ll find someone else to dance with.” He smiled at Kara once again before he moved away from them.
She felt Benoit’s hand on her side and her hip. Carefully he took her other hand in his and started moving to the music. He was a good dancer, something Kara hadn’t expected. Of course she’d seen the way he moved on the ice, but this was something different.
Benny’s hand moved to the small of her back as he pulled her a little closer. Her own hand was now on his neck. She resisted the urge to stroke him there, fully aware of the people around her.
“You look breathtaking.” He leaned down to whisper these words in her ear. For a moment she closed her eyes, savoring that moment. The last time she’d danced with a guy before today had been too damn long ago. And that she’d danced with someone she liked, someone who could make her knees go weak and her heart skip a beat, had been even longer ago.
“Thank you”, she said against his shoulder, not ready to raise her head. “You look quite dapper yourself, mister.” When she raised her head, she was ready to kiss him there and then, in front of everybody, which wouldn’t have been a good idea. Luckily they were interrupted by Mika.
“Sorry, to interrupt, but I need to tell you something.” Mika looked at her, a big smile on her face. Kara took a step back and looked at her friend. “I’ll stay with Tuukka tonight, if that’s alright with you.”
“If that’s what you want, then I’m fine with it.” She was a bit worried, but she knew that Mika could take care of herself. And Tuukka was a great guy, who’d get his as kicked if something happened to Mika. “Ole varovainen!” (Be careful!)
“I will.” Mika hugged her, said goodbye to Benoit and turned around to Tuukka again.
She felt Benoit’s hand on her back, skin on skin. He stepped closer and leaned down to her ear. “Now that Mika’s not staying at your place today, I’ve got one question for you: Your place or my place?”
She inhaled deeply and bit the inside of her cheek. She hadn’t expected this. “Your place.” The words were out before she could even really think about this. Apparently her heart or rather other body parts had made that decision without her.

Kara was freaking out a bit when they sat in his car on the way to his house. They didn’t talk because it was hard enough for him to concentrate on the road with her next to him. All her thoughts and worries went overboard when they entered his house and he pulled her into his arms, kissed her lips and lit her whole body up from the inside.
She leaned into him, opened her mouth for him and put her hands on his hips. She needed something to hold onto. He gently pressed her against the door, ripping his lips from hers. She felt him smile against the tender skin on her collarbone. His lips were hot as he placed kisses along the edge of her dress into her cleavage. With one hand he untied the knot on her neck and pushed the dress aside, exposing her breasts.
Benoit leaned back and just looked at her for a moment. Self consciousness welled up in her and she tried to place her hand over her exposed body part, but Benoit stopped her.
“Don’t do that.” He grabbed her hands and placed gentle kisses on her knuckles. “You are so beautiful and don’t have anything to hide.” He dropped her hands again and placed a quick kiss on her lips before he cupped one of her breasts and rubbed his thumb over her nipple. The little moan that escaped her lips satisfied him. He kept doing what he did while running his other hand up her smooth thigh. He’d fantasized about her long legs wrapped around his body.
When he reached the top, he hooked one finger in her panties and pulled them down. Kara was trying to get his blazer off and he would let her do that, but nothing more. This was about her right now.
He shrugged the blazer off and cupped her breast again. Slowly he kissed his way down to one of her nipples. He circled it with his tongue before he drew it into his mouth and sucked on it. Gently at first, then a little bit harder, which made her moan in pleasure. Her fingers dug into his shoulder.
He put his free hand on her thigh again, moving it to the inside. The shiver that moved through her body made him smile. Her skin was so soft that he had to concentrate even more on what he was doing. When he reached the soft curls between her thighs she stiffened for a moment and bit down on her lip. Her head fell against the door when he touched his fingers to her clitoris.
“Oh God”, Kara mumbled to herself. She grabbed hold of his shirt, her eyes drifted shut. Benoit’s fingers moved in little circles, rubbed, and made her moan even more. “Don’t stop. Please.”
“I don’t intend to do that.” He whispered against her skin as he slowly pushed one finger inside her, making her squirm against his hand. After a short time he used a second finger, almost driving her crazy with what he was doing. He let go of her breasts and placed kisses along her shoulder and up her neck. While moving his fingers, he rubbed his thumb over the stiff little bud that held a lot of nerve endings which pushed her over the edge. She cried out in ecstasy as her orgasm shook her whole body. Benoit felt her walls contract around his fingers and stayed with her like this until it was over.
He placed his hand on her hip and raised his head. A huge smile spread over his face as he was watching her. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes still half closed and her breath was a bit ragged. She looked the most beautiful he’d ever seen her.
“I feel boneless.” Kara’s voice was barely more than a whisper. She leaned against him and pressed a kiss to his cheek. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held onto him, knowing that she’d drop to the floor otherwise.
“Don’t think we’re finished yet!” Benoit picked her up off the floor and carried her upstairs to his bedroom.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to move for a bit.” She mumbled against his throat, kissing it in between words.
“We’ll work on that.” Benny carefully placed her on his bed and watched her. Her breasts rose and fell with her breathing. Her eyes were shining bright green, her hair was a mess and she looked good enough to eat. He leaned over her and rolled her onto her side to open the zipper on her dress before he pulled it down and laid it aside.
“That’s not fair.” Kara sat up and crossed her arms not aware that she was accentuating her breasts with this movement. “I have no clothes on and you’re still fully dressed.”
“That is something we can change right now.” Benoit grinned at her and pulled his shirt over his head. He opened his jeans and dropped them to the floor. His boxer briefs followed suit. He stood there in all his naked glory, not one bit self conscious. He was at peace with his body, especially when he was with someone like Kara, who looked at him with such hunger in her eyes that it was hard for him to not throw himself at her.
Kara’s mouth went dry when she saw him naked. Sure she’d felt his erection against her body at the pool, but it was still bigger than she’d thought. She looked up at him again as he came closer and sat down on the bed. He grabbed a condom from the nightstand and suited up. When he turned around to her again, he took her hand and pulled her close. Her hair was pushed back from her face when he leaned over her and kissed her. They’d both been waiting for this for weeks.
Benoit positioned himself over her, placed one hand on her side and stroked her stomach with his thumb. Her fingernails trailed along his back, raising the hairs on his neck and turning him on even more. He bent one of her legs before he slowly entered her. Kara cried out and stiffened for a moment.
“It’s okay”, Benoit said and stayed like this. “I’ll make it good.” Gently he kissed her lips again and again while slowly sliding into her more and more. He pulled back, before entering her again a bit more. It took some time for her to get used to this again, but once her body had accommodated to his length, he could move faster.
Kara grabbed his shoulders, dug her nails into them. This was perfect.
Benoit put one of his hands on her leg and held onto it. “You are so beautiful, Kara”, he said against her lips before he kissed her again. He picked up his pace a bit more, tangling his other hand in her hair, enjoying every emotion that was showing on Kara’s face.
“More”, she moaned wrapping her legs around his hips, just as he’d imagined in his dreams. “Please, Benoit.” Hearing her moan his name like this drove him batshit crazy. He rose to his knees, grabbing hold of her hips. It was already hard for him to hold back, when he moved faster, harder and watched her body.
Kara cried out again and grabbed hold of the sheets. She felt her climax build and with one thrust she was gone. She moaned his name again as wave after luxurious wave racked her body. Her own orgasm made Benoit let go and he cursed under his breath before he collapsed onto her. He rolled onto his side and pulled her onto his body straightaway.
For a few minutes there was utter silence between them. They were listening to the calming breath of the other one. Kara felt comfortable in his arms and closed her eyes. She could hear his heartbeat. A little smile was playing on her lips and she felt content with herself and the world.