Nathan’s POV

Tonight was the night Nathan was to take Lillian to dinner. The night where he would sit across the table from someone who was, in my mind, better than he was. He liked that she was so confident in herself and acted as if she didn't need a man. He needed someone like that, someone who wasn't afraid to be themselves and who would be fine on their own. He had had enough of those clingy fangirl types. He was ready to settle down and find someone worthwhile. And he hoped that someone would be Lillian Kinnon.

But there was also something about her that was magical. It was as though Nathan knew her. Had known her. Had always known her.

He finished buttoning up his shirt, ran some mousse through his hair and did a once over. Good enough, Nathan thought to himself. Grabbing his keys, he shut the lights off to his apartment building and headed out.

Pulling up to her apartment, he cut the engine. Do I walk up to the door or do I wait for her to come out? he thought to himself. Wanting to make a good impression, he got out of the car and walked up to the door. He couldn't recall ever be so nervous and being so cautious over every move he made. Reaching the door, he slicked his hair back nervously and knocked.


Lillian’s POV

Lillian had just finished brushing her teeth and putting her make up on, when she heard a car door close. Looking out of her bedroom window, she saw Nathan making his way up the walkway. Giving herself one last look in the mirror, she smiled at her reflection. She had to admit she looked good. She had ultimately decided on the black dress and a pair of heels. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, she heard him knock. The she opened the door and studied his expression.

She watched as he slowly brought his hand down from knocking, his eyes fixated on her legs. She knew at that moment that she had made the right choice.

"Hi, ready to go?" Lillian asked scooping up her purse.

"Uh, sure," he said clearing his throat and ushering her to the car, opening the door for her to get in.

He drove a black Jeep Liberty with a leather interior, a mixture of cherry and aftershave filling the air as she sat down. She'd have to remember to make sure that she didn't pull a Paris Hilton when she got out, with her dress being so short.

"You look amazing," Nathan said as he got in the driver's side and shut his door.

"Thank you," she said graciously, smiling and looking at him. She watched him turn the key in the ignition and then they made their way to Cafe du Jour, the restaurant of Nathan’s picking.

Lillian didn’t know why, but it felt superficial and also somewhat familiar. Almost deja vu-ish.


Nathan’s POV

As Nathan watched the door open, he had to keep his jaw from dropping to the floor. There stood Lillian with her hair falling down in loose curls, in a stunning black dress that showed off her long, tan legs. She looked more beautiful than Anna from Frozen. Heck, she looked more beautiful than he had ever seen her before. He could feel blood rushing, surging to his pelvic region and his face started to heat up.

Luckily she interrupted him with, "Ready to go?"

"Uh, sure," he managed to stumble. He let her lead the way towards the vehicle, allowing himself to calm down from what was happening in his nether regions. He opened the door for her and helped her in. Damn, she was gorgeous.

Getting in the driver's side, he told her so, to which she replied "Thank you," and smiled.

"So, um, you’re the same Lillian Kinnon from Halifax right?" Nathan asked, knowing she was new to Colorado and also just taking a stab at it. Her name sounded familiar, but perhaps there was another Lillian Kinnon in the world, it wasn’t the most uncommon first and last name and it was certainly plausible.

"Uh, yes I am. How many Lillian Kinnons do you happen to know...and one’s with snowy colored haired friends? I thought you were familiar, Kinny. How do you like playing for the Avs?"she asked, turning to him, with that same fire that had always been there when we’d met in high school.

"I love it. They're a great bunch of guys and I love playing hockey here," he said thinking back to the days when they were in high school and when they’d dated and then Lillian had over-reacted and dumped him, going her separate way. And then how she’d miraculously returned and moved to Colorado.

"How have you been since high school?"

"Well, I didn’t think I’d ever run into you again. But truth is, I somehow always hoped that we could make it work."

“We can.”

She grew silent and he could sense something was wrong.

"Everything okay?" he asked taking his eyes off of the road and glancing over at her.

"Hmm, oh, yeah everything's fine. Sorry I just got a little sidetracked."

He could sense that this was a cover, but decided to leave it alone for now, she didn't want to seem to pushy on their first date since high school and that awful night. It was technically their third date. The second had been a flop and he’d ruined it with his news. He’d chosen hockey over her basically and at the time, he didn’t blame her for getting furious at him.

But he never forgot her and always longed that she would come back. That was one of the reasons why he had such a stellar first year. He was secretly hoping that his skill and talent would be enough to draw her back to him. And sure enough...it kind of did. She was back with him and she was in Colorado to stay.

“Listen, Nathan, I’m really sorry about the past. I didn’t mean to hurt you that much.”

“No, no, you didn’t hurt me. I was kind of a jerk for dropping the news on you like that. It wasn’t right.”

“Oh Nathan! It wasn’t your fault, I was the one who overreacted. After you left Halifax, I was utterly heartbroken, but I couldn’t forget about you...well after a month I did, but that was with Des’ help. But, look, I still feel drawn to you. I never questioned your hockey talents! You were always the star player to me...and in a way, I never could stop falling for you. I bought your jersey for heaven’s sakes!”

“That’s true. Thanks for that. I get a kick out of knowing that a girl like you wears my number!”

“You are the best Av. No matter what Destiny says and how she uses the whole “Gabe is the Captain” speech. You are the best. If I had known that I would end up back with you, in Colorado, I would have never dumped you!”

“I know. But, I’m still single, luckily for you.”

Lillian grinned. She knew that. “Nathan MacKinnon, I’d love to resume our relationship...as girlfriend-boyfriend.”

Nathan smiled sweetly. “I accept.”

“I love you Nathan and I’m so happy to see you again.”

“I love you Lillian Kinnon.”

The hockey player tapped the brake at a red light, leaned over and gave her a kiss on the lips, real fast. “Still the same Lilly, I remember.” He resumed driving and she tried to hide her large blush that had colored her cheeks a deep red color. “So, how’d you chose your princessy look? You know that you don’t have to dress up for me, Lilly.”

"Well, I wanted to and since most guys want a well mannered, prim and proper prized possession to hang off their arm, we are forced to look our best at all times. We do our nails and hair color to impress you boys. Seriously, if we didn't look the part no guy would ever have any interest in us at all. Amiright?"

"I don't think that's every man. That's a bit of a stereotype don't you think?" Nathan asked feeling a little defensive.

"Stereotypical? No, if I were being stereotypical I would be saying that we all need to be size zero and bleach blonde with blue eyes. That is stereotypical. I'm just stating a fact. Men generally notice women for their outer appearances, it's an attraction. Without the added features, they tend to overlook them. Women just have to realize when enough is enough."

She had a point, after all he was eyeing her up and down when she first opened her front door this evening, but that was pure attraction. Plus he really did love when she would dress up for him. He wasn't all about lust and getting in her pants, although he wasn't opposed to the idea either. He loved how honest she was with him, it turned him on with how powerful and confident in herself she was. She’d always been that way and he could tell she valued her pride and dignity.

Pulling up to the restaurant, he helped her out of the car. She was careful as to not allow her dress to ride up, for which Nathan was thankful. He didn't suspect she would be the type to let it all hang out.

As he was about to open the door, he heard a group of girls scream his name. Turning around, he saw a flock of teenage girls running towards him, all with their cell phones out. "Nathan, Nathan, can we get a picture with you!" they asked as they came up to him.

"Sure," he replied posing for a round of pictures. He hoped Lillian didn't mind. This was what came with being in a professional sport like the NHL, a very public private life. Hopefully, she could understand that.

"Thank you, we really appreciate it," a petite blonde said looking at the picture she had just taken.

"You're welcome, anytime guys," he said turning around to find Lillian standing there grinning.

"Sorry about that," he said as he placed his hand on the small of her back, guiding her through the door.

"It's okay, that was really nice of you to take the time to do that."

"It's part of the job. That's one thing about being a professional athlete, nothing is private and you are always in the public eye."

"I know, I understand how important maintaining your fan base is."

"Right," he said smiling as they both took a seat at the table, "So tell me more about you."

“What more is there to know, that I hadn’t told you before.” She grinned slyly and swayed in her spot.

Smiling at her honesty, he replied, "Oh, I see."

"Sorry, too vague?" she asked concerned.

"No, not at all. That's what I like about you Lilly, you're honest and you speak your mind," he said reaching across the table to touch her hand.

She smiled and looked straight into his eyes as she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, he had never seen her look more beautiful.

"Lilly, there's something I have to tell you."

"What's that?"

"I didn't ask you here tonight to talk about just you."

"Oh, you didn't?" she asked flirtatiously.

"No, I asked you here because I'm extremely attracted to you and every time I'm around you I get speechless and lose focus."

"You, get speechless around me?" she asked dumbfounded.

"Yeah, I do. Ask the guys on the team I've almost killed them a couple of times at practice with some of my wild shots," he said laughing at himself causing her to giggle.

"I'm flattered Nate, no one has ever said that to me before...except you, back in Halifax. It is honestly right where we left off."

"It's true Lilly, and if you'll let me, I would love to get to know you better and see where this goes. And I promise, I won’t mess this up and be insensitive this time."


Lillian’s POV

The night had been going really well so far, aside from Nathan being bombarded by a bunch of girls before they entered the restaurant. She was impressed when he didn't ignore them and keep walking inside, but actually took the time to pose in pictures with them. He even showed genuine concern afterwards, thinking she would be upset about it. That was indeed a step up. When in reality she adored him for it. Not many players took the time for fans, especially when they were on a date. But this wasn't a date, she had to keep reminding herself of that. This was just dinner, nothing more and nothing less, although she was beginning to wonder.

"Lilly, there's something I have to tell you." he said looking her straight in the eyes.

"What's that?"

"I didn't ask you here tonight to talk about just you."

"Oh, you didn't?" she asked flirtatiously.

"No, I asked you here because I'm extremely attracted to you and every time I'm around you I get speechless and lose focus."

"You, get speechless around me?" she asked dumbfounded.

"Yeah, I do. Ask the guys on the team I've almost killed them a couple of times at practice with some of my wild shots," he said laughing at himself causing her to giggle.

"I'm flattered Nate, no one has ever said that to me before...except you, back in Halifax. It is honestly right where we left off."

"It's true Lilly, and if you'll let me, I would love to get to know you better and see where this goes. And I promise, I won’t mess this up and be insensitive this time."

That was the nicest thing anyone had ever said to her. Only something Nathan MacKinnon would say to her...to someone he cared about. She couldn't believe the words she had just heard him say. Had he really said them to her? Was she dreaming? No, he had said them and was awaiting her answer, his thumb slowly tracing over her fingertips.

"Well, I'm going to be upfront with you," she started, "I'm sarcastic, rude, loud and annoying but I promise you'll never find another one like me. I would love to see where this leads," A smile spread across her face.

Laughing a little, he spoke, "I'm glad you feel the same way. To be upfront with you, I'm extremely shy. I have a nervous habit of touching my hair and I'm a hopeless romantic."

Together they laughed and joked, discussing anything and everything. Lillian was having the time of her life and didn't even realize when the clock struck midnight and the restaurant was closing. They had been talking for hours when the hostess came over and informed them, they needed to leave. But inside, Lillian knew that she could talk to Nathan MacKinnon for hours on end and never grow old of it. That was how she’d always felt with him and it had never changed.

"I had a great time tonight," he said as he walked her to her front door.

"I did too, thank you for dinner and I couldn’t be more happier about getting back together."

"You're welcome. Thank you for giving me another chance," he said smiling at her, his eyes twinkling in the porch light as he looked at her, running his fingers through his hair.

He was nervous and sensing this, she decided to make the first move. She took a step forward and put her hand to his cheek as her lips met his. As soon as their lips met, the sparks flew. She felt a surge of electricity flow through her veins and she wanted more. Honestly, she had wanted to kiss him all night long. She wanted to have his hands run all over her body, and to show him how a real woman treated a man.

Reluctantly though, she pulled herself away from him, to which he leaned forward for another kiss. This time he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her against him. She could feel a bulge forming beneath his pants, which was pressing against her hip, as he kissed her passionately on the mouth. He wanted her just as bad as she wanted him and just as she was about to give in, he pulled away.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have gotten so carried away, but I have been wanting to do that for a long time."

"That's okay, I enjoyed it, but that's all you're getting for tonight," she said as she turned around and opened her front door. Standing in the doorway now, she looked back and said,"Thank you again for a wonderful night, I had a great time."

"You're welcome beautiful," he said smiling, "I'll call you tomorrow."

"Okay," she said smiling as she watched him walk down her driveway and get in his vehicle to drive away. “Just don’t let me get you distracted with your hockey.”

“Ha! Never!” he called back.

Beautiful, he had called her beautiful. Tonight had been magical, better than she could have ever imagined the night going, and that kiss! That kiss had left her hot, horny and wanting more. She knew if she wanted more though, he had to be dying, especially after what she felt pressing against her hip. She was happy that she hadn't given it up on the first date, but kicked herself in the ass for it at the same time.

She had never longed for someone to touch her and ravish her the way she had longed for Nathan MacKinnon just moments ago. Come to think of it, she had never felt this way about anyone in her life. Lust was a crazy thing and left her feeling elated, a feeling she could definitely get used to.

Getting into bed, she replayed the days events and slowly drifted off to sleep. Tomorrow was a new day, a day where she would no longer just live in Colorado, but have a boyfriend as well. A hockey player boyfriend. The universe had won and the stars had aligned and the sparks had flown.

Lillian Kinnon was back together with her high school heart-throb and crush, Nathan MacKinnon.

Notes

One more chapter to go!!!!!!!!!