The Compromise

Sidney sat quietly at his stall, wishing he could be putting on his pads and skates like the rest of his teammates. Instead he waited for Bylsma's press conference to briefly announce that he was out indefinitely. Concussion like symptoms had returned after only eight games. He was beside himself.

The off day practice was just wrapping up and Sidney did his best to remain in the background as the rest of the guys filed in, goofing off, and acting rowdy with each other.

Discussion among a large group of the younger guys was what they planned on doing later that evening. It was rare that they had a night off, so they wanted to go have a good time before curfew at 11. Sidney wasn't anticipating an invitation to come along. It was just as well too, his presence among the group of hockey players would draw much more attention than they were probably looking for. He'd head home, see what Mario's wife Nathalie fixed for dinner and fish for an invite to join them. Then probably just hang out with their son Austin. Play a video game or two.

It was a pretty lonely life, the life of the face of the NHL. The face of a man who can't get rid of a damn concussion, or keep a girl interested in him long enough to get through a season.

Sid snapped out of his daze when Matt Niskanen asked James from across the locker room to join their group for dinner and drinks.

"Nah man, I can't. I have a date. Thanks though," James said tossing Sid a sideways glance. Sid pretended to not be paying attention, when he was actually acutely aware of the conversation.

"With Jess?" Geno asked as he sat down next to James.

"Uh, huh no not with Jessica," James said. Sid definitely heard that, but tuned out the rest of the conversation.

And as Sid was summoned to the press room to talk with the media briefly, he thought how ridiculous he was making himself feel. Pity party over.

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Jessica was only home for 45 minutes when there was a pounding on her front door. She hadn't even gotten a chance to change out of her skirt and leggings, which was all she really desired to do right now. She wasn't sure who could be coming to see her, usually she was aware of any visitors prior to their arrival.

This person was persistent in knocking. She reached for the deadbolt, and as she turned the locks the door pushed open.

She was stunned to see Sidney barrel through her door. She was even more taken aback when he didn't say a word, instead grabbed her around the small of her back and crashed his lips against hers.

Caught off guard she pushed him away, "What are you doing?"

"Everything I've been holding back from doing the moment I told you that you and James are perfect for each other." Jess was floored. She thought they were past the whole love triangle thing, but in all honesty she was unable to stop thinking about Sid.

Jess was still confused, but welcomed Sid's kiss more willingly than before. She wrapped her arms around his neck and felt his cool fingertips brush the soft skin of her hips. She shivered against him, feeling a stirring deep within that she hadn't felt since their encounter over the summer. Or ever with James for that matter.

"Wait, wait, wait, we need to stop," Jess said between kisses and attacks along her neck.

"This feels right Jess. You know it does," Sid whispered, his luscious lips brushing across her throat.

"We can't do this to James. I won't cheat on him," Jess was only slightly thinking of James. She was more focused on the grip she had on Sid's biceps and how the bulge in is pants was rubbing up and down her thigh. But the mention of James seemed to deflate Sid and he took a step back.

"He's on a date," Sid said simply. Jess thought she heard incorrectly.

"He's what?" She wanted him to repeat it. Her grip loosening a little.

"The guys were planning on going out tonight and they asked James. He said he couldn't because he had a date. Geno asked if it was with you and he said no."

Jess considered Sid's words. It wasn't like the pair had committed to each other again, but he had promised he wouldn't date anyone else either. What was funny about the news, however, was that she wasn't mad or didn't feel hurt by James going back on his word. She was silently thanking her friend from backing out on meeting Sid.

She felt liberated. And completely turned on by Sidney. He was looking at her with concern in his eyes. He hadn't let go of her waist yet, poised and ready to either pull her into a hug to console her or completely ravage her body.

Jess slowly moved her hands to the front of Sidney's jacket and pulled the zipper down, releasing him from the bulky coat. Sid only moved his hands to allow the coat to fall to the floor. Returning them immediately to their spot on her hips.

"Are we really doing this?" Sid asked as Jess pushed him towards her couch. The back of his calves hit the couch and his knees gave out. Jess straddled his lap and crushed her lips to his.

"Feels like it," Jess whispered seductively as she rocked her hips against the ever-growing bulge in Sid's pants. His head dropped back against the back of the couch. His head being back gave her an advantage to pepper his neck with kisses. He groaned at her actions and began to run his hands up her legs and under her skirt.

"You need to get these tights off now," Sid said. He was tugging at the waistband in a feeble attempt to push them off her hips. Jess laughed at him and leaned back.

"Let's start with my skirt," Jess said. Sid eagerly reached for the zipper on the side of her skirt and fumbled with the latch holding the garment closed.

"Here, let me," Jess stilled Sidney's fingers and nimbly unhooked the hook as Sidney released the zipper. She quickly stood and as the skirt began to fall down her legs she reached for the leggings and took them down as well.

Jess stood before Sid in her cardigan set and a pair of blue lace boy shorts. He studied her up and down.

"I've been dreaming of this since the day I met you," Sidney said. Jess blushed at the thought of him lusting after her for so long. "It didn't help when you were naked in my bed a few weeks ago."

"I woke hoping you were with me," Jess finally admitted. Sidney reached for her and pulled her back into his lap.

"I hope I live up to your expectations," Jess whispered against his lips.

"You've already exceeded them," Sid replied. He pushed her sweater off her shoulders and tossed it in the growing pile of clothes. Next came the camisole she wore underneath. Her breathing hitched when his fingers ran down her sides lightly brushing her breasts along the downward path to her ass.

"Do you always match your undergarments?" Sid asked as he took in what little clothing she still wore.

"I guess you'll just have to wait and see," implying that this won't be the only time he gets to see her naked. "No lose your shirt," she demanded.

Sid willingly obliged leaning slightly forward to take off the offending piece of clothing. He balled it up and threw it on the floor with Jess' clothes.

"Wow, you have a nice chest, do you work out?" Jess joked. Sid fell into a fit of giggles at Jess' attempt to be silly.

"Maybe just a little, you know. I don't overdo it," Sid played along. Jess ran her fingernails up and down his chest as she rocked on his lap. The friction his jeans were causing was making her wetter than before and she knew that she needed to lose her panties soon.

Sid reached for the front snap of Jess' bra and released her breasts from their confines. He immediately palmed them and leaned down to capture a nipple in his mouth.

Jess threw her head back and moaned. She felt like she was going to fall apart in complete and total bliss. Sid's tongue and fingers worked her into a frenzy and she found herself rubbing her pussy along his covered shaft a bit more frantically.

"Stand up," Sid demanded huskily. She obliged as he hurriedly unbuckled his belt and lost his jeans and boxer briefs. Jess was impressed by the length and the width of his dick. She wondered if he would fit, but considering how wet she was she figured it would be their mission to see if it would.

Before sitting back down Sid hooked his thumbs into Jess' panties and dragged them down her thighs as he continued to move towards the couch. He placed a soft kiss on Jess' hipbone and gently ran his hands up and down her inner thighs.

"Are we doing this here?" Jess asked.

"I really don't think I'm going to make it back to your bed," Sid said. Jess pushed him back against the couch and straddled him again. She reached down between them, gripped his rock hard cock and lined it up with her sex.

This was new – this guy, the frenzy, the lust – all of it. But as she lowered herself onto his waiting arousal it felt like home. They both groaned in unison as their bodies effortlessly melted together, their hands finding each other as anchors. He held onto her for dear life. Jessica opened her eyes to see the deep chocolate hue of brown in Sid's. His head had fallen back against the back of the couch as she lowered herself further down and let her weight rest completely on top of him. Her body throbbed with the urge to move and just do it already, but she stilled.

Tiny beads of sweat had formed between them, making them slick. She kissed his bottom lip lightly as Sid's hips gave an involuntary roll. She made a purring noise she didn't even know she was capable of before taking his hands that were still linked with hers and resting them on her hips. The newness of it all made her nervous and unbearably excited at the same time.

He nodded, exhaling against her chest. His strong, thick hands grabbed her waist harder and slowly pulled them forward. Jess' toes curled as his hips lifted slightly off the couch and filled her to the brink.

She was full of him and it was positively exquisite.

"Sidney," she gasped, unable to stop herself. She didn't need to, she reminded herself. They could be loud if they wanted; she never usually chose to be so vocal, but in that moment she discovered she truly just didn't give a fuck.

Sidney's hands gripped her hips as she leaned forward and moved slowly on top of him. He surprised her by leaning forward and capturing her nipple in his lips and sucking lightly. Her chest moved closer to grant him better access because fuck if that didn't feel like heaven. He moved slowly, tortuously slowly between the two, paying attention to one before lavishing the other. His warm tongue played and teased and felt amazing as he coaxed her nipples to stand at attention. Jess felt herself grow even wetter and her hips moved forward jerkily as Sidney lightly bit down on one of her tips. She gasped raspy and began to move faster. He groaned in appreciation as she squeezed her muscles against his already throbbing cock. It just felt so good. She imagined this was what a drug addict felt like getting another hit. The raunchy thought made her insides tingle with pleasure. Sidney's head fell back against the couch again with his eyes squeezed shut but she wanted to see his brown eyes as he came undone.

Her hands moved to grab his head, her fingers easily weaving into his curly locks. Her palms could feel the sweat that was forming against his temples and it made her want to explode. Instead, she moved her hips against his and whispered, "Look at me."

His eyes opened and she was greeted with a lusty shade of brown that made her want to gasp in appreciation. "Jess," he groaned.

"I need you so much," she whispered. "I need you."

Sidney let out a deep, throaty groan at her words as his body grew rigid. Disappointment surged in his eyes, but she didn't care that she hadn't finished. It had been fast, but that was what they needed. She slowed her movements and let his hands guide her as she steadily helped him ride out his release.

"Jessica, I….I'm sorry, I…you just…"

The only word to come to her mind was overwhelmed.

"Shhh," she whispered, pressing a kiss to his damp forehead. "You'll make it up to me later."
He gave her a breathless grin and could only nod. It was going to be one hell of an evening.

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Sidney was sitting at Jess’ kitchen table in only his boxers watching Jess spin around the kitchen in his t-shirt and her panties as she prepared the two of them a snack plate full of fruit, cheese, and crackers. He smiled, completely amused by her antics. She seemed to be dancing to a song playing in her head. They had spent the rest of the evening lounging in their underwear, talking about anything and everything, and occasionally getting caught up in heated make out sessions. It wasn't until Jess' stomach rumbled did they venture off the couch and out of reach of each other.

“So what does indefinitely mean?” Jess asked as she walked over to sit at the table with him. Rather than sitting across from him, she sat diagonally so that he was in arm’s reach. In case either of them wanted to share a quick touch, caress or kiss.

“Until I am symptom free.” Sid didn’t want to talk about the situation, but knew that it was inevitable. He couldn’t seem to keep himself from saying anything to this woman.

“What kind of symptoms are you having?”

“Headaches mostly. Some vertigo experiences, dizziness when I skate.” He took a bite of cheese and popped a grape in his mouth.

“How is your head right now?” Jess asked as she nibbled on a cracker.

Sid thought about it, he hadn’t felt an ache since arriving at her place hours before. Since they managed to rip each other’s clothes off and take each other on her couch.

“It doesn’t ache at all now.” Jess smiled wanly at Sid.

“Could it be because of me?”

“I absolutely think it’s because of you,” Sid agreed. He leaned over and planted a kiss on her cheek blushing cheek.

“Is this what you typically eat for dinner?” Sid asked. Jess’ head fell back as she laughed.

“No! I tend to fix large amounts of food and eat the same thing for about five days straight. But, I didn’t get a chance to broil the chicken in the fridge. I was interrupted.”

“Good interruption?” Sid asked, a half grin on his face. Jess hopped out of her seat and climbed into Sid’s lap.

“Amazing interruption,” she whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Can I make things up to you now?” Sid asked as he rubbed his nose against hers. She pushed her forehead against his and nodded in response.

He slipped his arms under her thighs and lifted her from his lap as he stood. He carried her towards her bedroom. He was floored that he was taking her to her bed and he was joining her.

After everything he had dreamed of for the past months, he was finally there. This time he undressed her slowly, guided her to the center of her bed and positioned himself in between her legs. He pushed inside of her and waited to adjust to her tightness.

Bliss was the only word that came to mind as he glanced down to watch his length slide in and out of Jess' exquisite body. He didn't think he would ever tire of seeing that. She clenched against him, eliciting a moan from his throat that sounded like a plea. A plea he wanted to quench. She threw her hands across his back as he hovered over her. Angling his hips, he hit a spot deep within her that made her drag her nails down his skin. The red, angry marks on his shoulder blades will be difficult to hide but well worth the cost.

"Oh…fuck," he slipped, wincing in pleasure. Looking back up, he was met with Jess' dark hair splayed across her pillow. He had stealthily slipped her hair tie off the end of it almost an hour ago, and now the tidy updo she kept it in looked more like a wild rat's nest. A light sheen of sweat decorated her collar bone as their bodies joined together for the second time that day. Determined to make up for the quickness of their first romp, he slid his free hand down her stomach and circled the nub between her legs. Jess' eyes flew open and met his with a lust-ridden gaze.

"Oh my God," she gasped, arching her back. He used the slick pad of his finger to tease her further, making her cry out loudly and writhe. He laughed against her skin and slowed his movements as he attacked one of her dark pink nipples with his mouth. His tongue danced around the swollen peak, making her pant up at the ceiling.

"I'm gonna….ung," she finished with a hoarse cry, her words failing her. Sidney continued stroking and rubbing until he was sure she was spent. Then, he hooked her leg around his hip and moved towards his own release. She bit his shoulder as he came, his hips jerking against her body with a pleasing slapping noise. His head fell forward to rest on her sweaty chest, both of them breathing rapidly. After a few moments he raised his head up and looked at her with a lopsided grin.

“What?” she chuckled, running her hand over his sweat-drenched curls.

“So does this mean I can spend the night?”

Jessica burst out laughing. “I’ll even let you choose what we have for breakfast in the morning,” she said as he settled under the covers next to her. He pulled her close and the pair settled to sleep wrapped up in each other’s arms.

“So what does all this mean…for us?”

“Let’s just enjoy this right now,” Jess whispered. Sid nodded in agreement and the pair began to drift off to sleep. Phones had been ignored all night, the television neglected. They were completely absorbed in each other and their own little world.

And for the first time in over two years Jess forgot all about James. When she heard the light steady breathing coming from the man wrapped around her, she sighed, content. “I am definitely falling in love with you,” Jess whispered. Her eyes closed then as sleep consumed her and Sid, whom she thought was sound asleep when she made her confession, opened his and watched her as she burrowed closer to him with a look of adoration. He knew he loved her too.

Notes