"Finally."

James woke up with a hard on. When he tried to roll onto his stomach, face pushed flat into his pillow, it was uncomfortable enough for him to flip right back over.

It had been like this all night, in fact. Once he got home from the dreamlike end of his date with Ali, he had debated doing one of two things: jerking off, or passing out.

He was more tired than he thought.

Now, as he lay on his back with one leg extended and the other bent at the knee, James glanced down at the tent in his boxers. Fuck. He rubbed the slumber from his eyes and glanced out the window next to his bed. The sun hadn't begun to rise yet, or even think about rising. February in Pittsburgh meant long, dark, depressing mornings. Any other morning for James could have mimicked the weather, but this morning he felt like a brand new man.

Deciding his dick was enough to prompt him to wake up early, James finally got out of bed and went into the bathroom. Luckily for him, draining all the wine he hadn't pissed out already had helped the hard on, although he was still horny as fuck. His kiss with Ali last night did things to him. She got into his mind and into his heart; her playful words, her incredible sense of humor, the speed of her wit, the way she bit her lip, the way her eyes stared up at him like she needed him more than anyone or anything else, those thighs and that hair and those lips. Every part of her made James weak. No girl made James that weak, not the way Ali did.

With these kinds of thoughts still circling in his mind, he couldn't fall back asleep even if he tried. Despite practice not starting for another two hours, James took his time that morning doing his usual routine a little slower than normal, enjoying the time to relax before a busy day of skating and traveling.

Well aren't I just doing all kinds of things differently he thought, flopping down on the couch with a carton of milk and a bowl of cereal. Wonder what she'd think of me now? He looked down at himself rather comically. No sick suit, no shower, shitty bed hair, a box of cereal and a carton of milk...

Scooping up a spoonful of cereal and crunching thoughtfully, James tried to imagine what Ali might sleep in. He got lost in his thoughts for a second, which circled around to the realization that he was a little nervous Ali might wake up and regret everything. Her desire for him was important, and he craved her approval more than he once thought.

That kiss though.

All the approval he needed was in that kiss. James felt it down to the tips of his toes. Ali's tongue was velvet, with a hint of cherry on her lips from whatever she had on. Whatever it was, he didn't care...just her lips alone had done things to him. He wondered what else her mouth might be able to do to him.

Looking down, James saw himself getting hard again. Rolling his eyes, he took another bite of cereal and went back to watching Sports Center.

I'll call her later before we head to the game, he thought, crunching and then swallowing. Or at least once we're in Minneapolis.

Deciding he'd planned everything he needed to for the day, he finished his cereal, finished himself off in the shower, and then finished getting ready for their morning skate before he'd have to board a plane to Minnesota and play a game that evening against the Wild.

* * *

Ali stared at the television monitors hanging in the lobby of the hotel where she worked. They had been replaying highlights from the week in hockey, and sure enough, there he was. Tall. Tufts of dark hair sticking out the back of his helmet. Same bold smile. Same intense stare.

She had such mixed emotions. James was real….and yet, he couldn't be. There's no way she could be watching the guy she just spent the most wonderful time with the night before on the tv screen. Shaking her head, Ali hoped to shake the weirdness from her, but it was still there. It was there when the announcer said his name, read his stats, his incredible point run he'd been having....all these things that suddenly mattered in her life for such unbelievable reasons; exciting, thrilling, faint-inducing reasons.

Her evening with James had infiltrated her thoughts all day. Every time Ali licked her lips, she could still feel his mouth on hers. Every time she had a break from checking guests in and out of the hotel, she felt his hands cupping her face, his nose brushing against hers, his stubbly beard scraping against her softer skin and igniting a fire below her waist that she couldn't control. And he'd been a gentleman. Was that even possible?

Ali lifted her eyes cautiously to the monitors where two announcers recapped the rest of the Penguins' latest game. Tonight they'd be traveling and playing in Minneapolis, and Ali wondered if she would hear from him at all. His schedule seemed all over the place, to say the least. She knew they normally practiced early, even on game days, but what his travel times and game day commitments he had, she didn't know. She wasn't sure that if she did know, she'd even be able to keep track. From what James had told her about growing up in the game and in a family immersed in hockey, Ali understood it was intense. Not just the game, but everything that came with it.

She sighed quietly, and tapped her nails on the polished counter by her computer as her thoughts came and went. The steady stream of people that checked in and out that afternoon had been slowing to a crawl, and she still had three hours to go in her shift. The telephone closest to her station rang, so she assumed her friendly customer service smile and tone as she lifted the receiver.

"Good afternoon and thank you for calling Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International, how may I assist your call?"

"Hey Ali, it's John."

"John!" She immediately relaxed when she heard the cheerful voice of her coworker. "What's up, my friend?"

"I hate to do this to you, girl - but I am going to be late for tonight shift." His voice sounded pained to admit it. "And when I say late - I mean late by about four hours."

"Four hours?" She turned away so she was facing the giant silver hotel logo hanging on the wall, back-lit by the soft glow of white lights. Her voice had a tendency to be loud anyways, and right now she didn't need anyone else listening in. "Is everything alright?"

John laughed softly. "Yes, and we'll chalk it up to family drama for now and I will tell you the exhausting details the second we work together next" he said. "But for now, can you cover for me? If not you, is someone else available until I can get in there?"

Ali waved her hand and shook her head. "I'll do it John, no worries, okay?"

"Oh hun!"

"For real - just do what you have to do and whenever you get here, you get here. Okay?" She heard him sigh on the other line, very relieved for the time being.

"HOW do I ever thank you?"

She smiled. "You don't. You just give me the details of whatever this drama is so we can laugh about it later."

John's laughter was heard again, and his voice already sounded more alive. "Thank you, thank you, THANK you. I will pay you back for this."

"Hush!" Ali glanced over, seeing an elderly couple walking through the automatic glass entrance to the lobby. "I gotta go, some guests coming. Keep me posted, okay?"

"You know I will. Thank you!"

Ali hung up the phone and assisted the couple as they checked in for their reservation. As she was about to wrap up with the usual introductory business she had to tell every guest who checked in, she saw her cell phone light up next to her keyboard. She quickly glanced over, half expecting it to be John, but saw the name James instead.

"Oh shit" she blurted out. Her eyes went wide, realizing she'd slipped and spoken out loud. She looked at the elderly couple with a sheepish grin. "Are we all set?" She glanced over and saw James' name continuing to blink on the screen.

"Yes" the old man said. "I think we'll--"

"--Okay that's great, excuse me." Ali gave an apologetic smile and grabbed her phone. She hustled over to one of the free areas of the lounge and answered. "Hello? Sorry---"

"--You're out of breath" James said, a flirtatious flare in his voice. "Was I interrupting some alone time?"

This got an immediate smirk out of her. "No" she said. "Not THIS time, anyway."

"Tease."

"Flirt." She smiled against the phone. "Nice to hear your voice though. Where are you? Dare I ask?"

"Where do you think I am?"

"Somewhere way too far from me, I'm betting."

"Bingo. Beauty and smarts."

Ali could literally feel the lips she knew were smiling on the other line grazing over her body. "You play who tonight….the Wild?"

"In a few hours, yeah." There was a short and cautious pause. "Will you be watching?"

"As much as I can, yes, but you knew that."

On the other side of the call, James sat alone in his hotel room. Most of the guys had gone down to the bus that would take them over to the arena, but he'd hung back momentarily to call her. He felt special when he heard Ali would be watching; he would have to make it worth her while. "I kinda like knowing you're watching."

"I kinda like having you to watch" she replied, some sass in her tone. "Albeit, I'd rather watch you on my doorstep again, if I can admit that much."

James licked his bottom lip and grinned. "Only if I can say I haven't stopped thinking about it since I left you." When he heard Ali's giggle, it played against his ears and went straight to his heart. "I'm serious."

"I know, I'm still just so…I don't know..."

Ali trailed off, leaving James wanting more. She seemed to have that effect on him. "You're what, babe?"

There was another pause, this time because Ali was holding her breath to keep from making odd sounds out of awe of his new nickname for her. Maybe he was truly as into her as she was into him. She collected herself, fanning her face. "I'm just so happy, I guess. Stupid as it sounds. Last night was really great, James. Thanks again."

"Tell me you'll go out with me again" he said. "Say it wasn't a one time deal."

"It wasn't, and I will" Ali replied, feeling all engines firing within her. "How long are you going to make me wait this time?"

"Make you wait, eh?"

God he's good at this she thought, biting her lip.

"How about this" James continued, "I'll call you when we get in from Minneapolis…should be tomorrow afternoon sometime. It'll be a quick turnaround because we have a game the following night, so it might not be a full dinner out."

"Listen babe" she said with a smirk, "I'm not the kind of girl who needs a dinner out every time. Maybe we could just…you know…order in, enjoy some time alone?"

"Are you implying……."

He left her hanging, and Ali almost fell off the edge. "What?"

"………that you want to snuggle?"

Ali closed her eyes, unable to even stand the charm in his voice. "Yes, that's what I was implying."

"Well that makes two of us. Whaddya know!"

She made a face. "Yeah right. I refuse to believe professional hockey players snuggle."

"We're actually the best at snuggling."

Ali recognized the taunting, playful tone that was becoming familiar to her. "Gonna have to prove that one."

"Seeing is believing, I heard…so I'd be glad to." On the bed where he sat, James was smiling dumbly down at the floor. "I'll let you chew on that all night while I'm on the ice."

"Thanks a lot. As if you haven't left me enough to dream of while you're gone."

James heard this admission and found himself speechless, which wasn't a common occurrence. He rubbed the back of his neck, relishing in the warm and fuzzy feeling Ali was giving him.

"I said that as a compliment" she added when he'd paused for too long.

James laughed. "I know. I just, um…didn't know what to say after that. That was really nice."

"You're welcome."

"Thanks" he said, prompted by her. "So talk to you later, I hope?"

"Is this goodbye already?" She made a sad sniffling sound and James chuckled.

"For now, yes. But we'll talk after the game. Text me anytime though…I'll check my phone once we're done in the locker room." He rolled his eyes at himself for sounding like a chick. "I mean - I'll check it if I know you'll be texting me all the things you found irresistible about my skills tonight."

Ali laughed out loud. "Ohhh! Okay, Nealer. Whatever you say."

"Can I at least get a good luck?"

"Yes. Good luck, babe."

With a calming feeling inside, James smiled against his cellphone. "Thanks, Ali. Talk to you later."

* * *

The four hours that John needed Ali to cover turned into five hours before he showed up around 10 pm. That only left a few hours of his shift that he actually had to work, and Ali was exhausted and famished by the time he arrived. She had only two Nutrigrain bars to ward off her hunger, and now it was too late to eat much of anything.

While she worked John's shift for him, she kept her eyes on the tv screens, which had all been turned to the Pens game. It didn't matter where you worked in Pittsburgh or what night it was: if the Pens were playing and there was a television around, it was turned to the game.

This worked in Ali's favor, since she couldn't be home to watch them play. She caught most of the game in between duties, and even saw James score in the second period. It took everything in her to control her facial expressions and desire to cheer out loud for him, especially since the lobby had been somewhat full of people waiting for a luggage pick-up. James had never looked prouder when he scored, either. He had a gorgeous pass from Geno which he converted into a nice wrister to put it past the Wild's goalie. When he scored, Ali noticed he lifted a hand and pointed upwards, doing a little fist pump before the rest of his line mates slammed into him in congratulations.

Whatever his little hand move meant, it made Ali smile. He apparently wanted that goal, and she took the liberty of thinking it was because he knew she was watching. Just this once she would think that way, anyway.

Unfortunately, the shift she was covering lead to her not having much time to even think about texting him, let alone actually doing it. They had a new person on the staff who John was supposed to train, but Ali helped train anyways. It wasn't that much work, but texting James slipped her mind in the hustle and bustle of things.

This, unfortunately, didn't slip James' mind. After their win against the Wild and their post-game locker room team brief, James reached for his phone first thing. After the goal he scored, he thought for sure he'd have at least one message from Ali.

He found none.

Confusion slipped into his mind, causing worry and eventually anger. This anger built throughout the night. His emotions were confusing him nonstop with this girl; he found himself in a mental whirlwind of questions: why didn't she text? did she even watch? surely she saw me score....fuck, I did it for her....why didn't she at least say something? she wouldn't lie to me like that, would she?

On the bus back to the hotel, James shot Ali a text.

J: Like that shot I made for ya? Hope to talk soon.

When an hour passed and he still didn't hear from her, his thoughts got the best of him. Over, and over, and over, and over....thoughts swirled, anger built, and confusion lingered.

Eventually, James got pissed.

As in custom fashion for the Pens, if they had a victory and enough energy afterwards, a lot of the guys would celebrate later that night with a night out and plenty of beer and laughs, and the usual attention from any willing female participants.

James checked his phone a final time as they entered the club of their choice an hour after they returned to their hotel and arranged to head out. Still no text from Ali.

What the fuck, he thought angrily. I thought she was into me? She called me babe on the phone? I didn't misread this, did I?

His worries were enough to cause him to choose hard liquor over his usual beers that night, and by the time his third shot came out on a tray that he toasted with the other guys, James was feeling it. Hard.

I tried all goddamn night. I thought for sure Ali would see it. Why the fuck am I trying so hard for this girl?

The more he drank, the more he got pissed, and the more he needed to let off the steam. As he sat on one of the dark gray couches in their VIP area of the bar, he eyed one of the typical blonde chicks that would often find their way back to their area as the night wore on.

Why didn't she text?

Did she even fucking see the game?

It was the kind of chick James typically went for: a bubbly airhead with a goal to fuck a hockey player, any hockey player, and he enjoyed the attention enough to cash in on it. Usually, he'd already have her on his lap, his nose pushed into her hair as he teased her with promises of all he'd do to her later if she came back with him. It was his routine, after all.

Now, as James sat staring at the blonde with angry eyes and a bruised ego, he decided right then and there he needed release.

Setting his half-empty glass of whiskey down on the table, James went over to the girl. She'd been sitting a little too close and a little too open-legged next to Crosby and he knew Sid wouldn't be sealing that deal. Sid never did. Not with this type.

"Hey." He smiled as both Crosby and the blonde turned their heads towards him. "Busy?" His eyes moved to Crosby. Sid shook his head, a knowing smile forming.

He stood and raised his glass. "I need a refill anyways. Excuse me." He smiled and touched the blonde's arm as he left the two of them alone.

Jame' eyes connected with the sparkling but empty green color of the girl's eyes. "Now....are you busy?"

"No." She stood, all five feet of her, her blonde hair spilling over her back in long, loose curls. She tossed her hair enough so that one curl flipped over her shoulder, giving James' gaze a path down to her full cleavage. "Are you?"

He smiled drunkenly and took her hand. "Nope."

*

James didn't check his phone the rest of the night, as short as it was by the time he woke up again.

This also meant he didn't see Ali's text until he woke up.

Opening his eyes and allowing them to adjust to the dim light in the hotel room, James felt a mass weighing on him. He lifted his head, which hurt more than he cared to admit, and saw nothing but tousled blonde hair and a single arm draped over his chest.

Fuck.

He rubbed his face, sliding his hand over his forehead and through his hair in regret.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

With a heavy sigh, James scanned the area near him for his phone to see what time it was. It lay on the floor, likely where it fell out of his pants when he took them off at who-knows-when. Carefully reaching down, he picked it up and hit the lock screen to see the time. Instead, his eyes went straight to the message alert: Diserelli (2)

"Fuck!" he said aloud. This roused the blonde enough for her to wake up, looking at him as confusedly as he'd been.

"What time is it?"

James ignored her. He went straight to Ali's messages, bypassing all else:

A: I am SO sorry - got stuck working a shift for someone and I had to TRAIN someone. Can you believe they left me in charge? ;-)

A: Also - GREAT goal, James. Really. I hope that smile you were wearing after was for me.

He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the headboard.

Why. Why, Neal, WHY.

The blonde crawled up closer to him, her manicured nail tracing a circle around one of his nipples. "How are you feeling?" she asked, the purr he'd heard in her voice earlier making a comeback.

"Let me think a second" he said, rubbing his face. What did I do? Why didn't I check ONE more time last night?Remorse washed over him in large, crashing waves, turning his stomach.

"You knoooww...." A smile played across the girl's full lips. "I could go again, if you want?"

James pushed her off him and sat the rest of the way up. "I don't want." He flung the covers off, standing naked in the dark and searching for wherever he'd left his clothes. "I gotta run."

"Where are you going?" The blonde stared at him, her expression turning a little hurt. "Did I.....did I do something?"

"You did enough" he said passively, hiking his boxer briefs up to his hips first, followed by his jeans. With his eyes on her, James fastened his belt together. "Sorry to end like this."

The girl's brows bent together hatefully. "I KNEW you assholes were all the same."

James grabbed his button-down shirt and laughed. "Yeah okay, hunny, like you didn't know that the second you put your mouth on my dick." He slipped the shirt over his shoulders, not bothering to button it and balled the undershirt into one of his hands. Meanwhile, the blonde sat up, her naked body still covered by the blankets, but all James needed to see was the evil in her eyes as she sat glaring at him.

He reached for his wallet and hotel key, then looked at her. "What?"

"I should've slept with Crosby."

James gave a blunt nod. "Yep. You should have." He waved with the hand holding his balled-up shirt. "Thanks for the release."

With this, he left and made the walk back to his own hotel room. On the way, the regret and self-recrimination was heavy on James' heart. I'll make this right he thought as he slipped into his room and quietly into bed. Nisky was dead asleep, never even knowing James had come back. When he rolled onto his side, something became very clear to him.

He cared more for Allison than he realized.

There was just something about her...Something that made him want to be better.

...to not do what he just did.

He wanted to prove himself to Ali. For what reason, he wasn't sure yet.

Being with...whoever she was...It was so empty. She was a means to an end, something to distract him, make him feel powerful and wanted and worthy of everything that came with his name and title. Except now, after just one night out with Ali and one taste of her lips, he had a new feeling to compare all the empty nights to. He no longer wanted an empty release; he wanted the feeling he got from Ali...the spark he felt when they looked at one another, the fire he felt whenever they touched one another...and especially, especially the intensity in their first kiss.

That's what did it. James smiled against his pillow as his mind went back to their embrace. I want more of that...for as long as I can have it.

After a few minutes with his eyes closed, envisioning Ali there with him, James fell asleep.

* * *

Ali woke up that morning to the sound of her cell phone vibrating like crazy on her night stand. Pale light of the new day streamed through her pale lavender curtains, causing the white finish of most of her bedroom furniture to turn a almost a grayish hue. She reached over, grumbling in her mind as to who would be calling at such an hour...hoping against hope it wasn't work calling to ask her to work another double shift.

"Mmhuullo?" she mumbled.

"Morning, babe."

Ali's eyes shot open. "James?"

"Is this a bad time?"

His voice didn't have its usual air of amusement to it this time, and Ali picked up on that right away. "No. Are you okay?"

In the hallway of the hotel where he stood leaning against the wall, James' mouth turned up at the corner. "Yeah, I'm okay. Thanks."

Ali breathed easy. "Did you get my messages last night? I never heard back from you."

James closed his eyes, wincing. "I know. I, um....It wasn't the best night. I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry?" Ali laughed and pushed a piece of her hair behind her ear. "What would you have to be sorry for? I know you're busy."

But I didn't know you were. I assumed the worst. I fucked a chick whose name I don't remember because I felt shitty over you not texting me. He wanted to admit all of this to her, but he didn't. James knew he was weak in some areas, but he wouldn't admit it. Not to her. Not yet. "I loved your messages, though."

"I was at work all night - and watching you play was literally my only relief" she said.

This struck James in the gut more than anything else had last night and that morning. I was her only relief he thought sadly. And I used some puckslut for mine.

When James didn't respond, Ali tried to think of something to fill the dead air. "I trained someone last night" she said, feigning dread in her voice.

James chuckled. "I read that. They must trust you."

"Somehow, they do." She smiled. "It's why I couldn't text 'til later."

Pacing in the hallway, James pinched the bridge of his nose. "I know. I'm sorry--I mean, I'm sorry you had to work so late."

"I was helping a friend out." Ali shrugged. "He'll owe me now."

James smiled. "That's a good thing to have in your back pocket, eh?" He heard Ali giggle, melting his worries and fears and regrets in the notes of her voice. "Hey, Ali?"

"Yeah?" Her voice trailed out of laughter easily.

Running a hand through his sloppy hair nervously, James squeezed at the base of his neck. "Can I see you tonight?"

If Ali wasn't fully awake before, she was now. "Tonight?"

"Yeah. We don't have to go anywhere. We can just chill, like you said..."

Ali was about to explode with happiness and say 'yes' - but James kept going.

"In fact, I don't want to go anywhere. I just want to hang out with you. We don't have to do anything, really."

She smiled, a bigger smile than she ever had first thing in the morning, especially from a guy she was still getting to know. "Yes, I would love that, James."

He was smiling too. "Tonight then? When I get back?"

"The second you get back" she replied. "And I mean that. Don't turn it into 60 seconds, either."

James laughed. "Now that's what I like to hear."

"Babe" Ali said sweetly. "You forgot to say it."

He stopped pacing as her words sunk in. "So you do like it?"

Ali smiled and slid under her covers. "I think I might love it."

* * *

By the time James made it back to Pittsburgh and over to Ali's condo, she had made herself nearly sick with excitement. She cleaned everything. She took a shower and shaved....twice. She went through four or five outfits before finally saying fuck it and opting for a comfy look that was just slightly more done up than 'sloppy'. Yes, they were ordering in and hanging out on the couch, but that didn't mean she was going to stay in her worn out college lounge pants and a grungy tank top like the ones she wore to bed each night. That would come....eventually. Maybe. Someday. For now though, she chose a form-fitted v-neck t-shirt in bright pink, and purposely chose a pair of ass-hugging black yoga pants she knew guys like James ate up. She was well aware which angles of her body were better than others; no sense in not showing it off while she could.

When she finished getting ready, she fluffed two pillows and straightened the perfume bottles she had resting on the top of her dresser, then took a long look at her bedroom. She decided it was ready.

...just in case.

When the doorbell chimed, it caused her heart to leap in her chest. She glanced out her bedroom window to the parking lot below, seeing James' ridiculous car parked in the spot in front of her unit.

Here we go she thought with a heavy exhale.

Scurrying down the stairs to the front door, Ali opened it to see something she was not expecting: a sweatpants and hoodie-clad James Neal. A white and black Pens hat covered his head, with the bill facing backwards.

"Hi." His expression lifted, showcasing his brilliant grin.

Ali couldn't handle the amazing contrast from his outfit on the first date to the snuggly-looking version that stood before her. "Hi."

James' eyes, unfairly blue even in the darkness of the late evening, shifted to the open room behind her. "You gonna let me in?"

This pulled Ali back from staring at him. "Sorry" she said, half-embarrassed. "Yes, come in. I was just--"

"--Staring. I know." James squeezed her arm as he stepped into her place for the first time.

Watching him as she closed the door, Ali could feel herself begin to worry over what he was thinking how her place was too small, too cramped, too.....boring.

Instead, James shoved his hands in the front pocket of his hoodie and looked around, nodding in approval. "I like it."

He's just being nice, Ali thought.

He proceeded to kick off his Reebok sneakers at the door. He turned and looked at her with a small smile. "How long have you been here?"

"Two years" she said, waving for him to follow her into the living room. "I had a roomate when I first graduated college and moved here, but she moved not long after and it's been me ever since."

"Not a bad set-up, really." He wiggled one of his sharp eyebrows at her. "Less people to wake up in the middle of the night, if you know what I mean."

"I think I do" she said with a smirk. "Want to see the rest?"

"Maybe later." James casually draped his arms over Ali's shoulders, his fingers sliding into her hair. "Kind of been wanting to do this since the other night, and I don't want to wait any longer."

His mouth connected with hers before Ali even had a chance to react. She felt his lips brush against hers, soft but not the least bit tentative. His hands sunk deeper into her hair, holding her at an angle that he wanted, pulling a moan from her deep within her. There was nothing Ali could do but surrender, and that's all she wanted to do anyway. As their kiss deepened, she heard James make a noise from somewhere in the back of his throat; a sound of satisfaction that she couldn't resist. So cocky she thought blissfully, taken over by the feeling of his skilled tongue and forceful mouth. And he has every reason to be.

James broke the kiss first, but he kept his head bent enough to hold Ali's gaze as her eyes fluttered open once more. "So good" he breathed. One of his thumbs traced along her bottom lip as he stared down at her, and then they went for it again.

James melted into Ali's body further as her arms wound around the soft cotton of his hoodie, and she felt her knees go weak. He smelled like a boy: freshly showered with a hint of soap and cologne, or maybe it was deodorant, she didn't know nor did she care. Whatever the combination, it was intoxicating. She pulled back for air but kept her eyes closed, fearing if she opened and saw those blue-green eyes staring at her, she would drop to the floor. Instead, she felt James' beard tickle her cheek as he trailed small kisses along her neck. When Ali opened her eyes, she saw that dashing smirk staring back at her.

"Quenched my thirst" he said with a playful tone. "How about yours?"

Hardly was the honest response, but instead, Ali bit back the truth and fibbed by saying, "Yes." She took his hand in hers. "For now, anyways."

James was left smiling as she led him through the rest of her condo and into a white-walled hallway that broke into two rooms: the kitchen to the left, and the living room to the right. They went to the living room first and skipped the kitchen. There wasn't anything in there he was hungry for anyways; everything that held his appetite was holding his hand.

Ali turned and looked at James hopefully, her smile cautiously widening. "So?" She was anxious to know what he thought, despite knowing he likely wouldn't tell her if he liked it or not. She honestly didn't know how big his house was, or how fancy it was decorated, or how many cars he had, and in what size garage he kept them in...She figured if he was going to be making out with a 'normal' girl, he'd have to do it in a 'normal girl's' house.

Taking an honest look around, James sized up the small square room that was Ali's living room. The white walls continued from the hall into this room, but with tasteful amounts of color here and there. Light blue curtains draped over large wooden curtain rods, falling in rumples down to worn hardwood floors. Tiny white lights seemed also to cascade down from the rods behind the fabric, casting a romantic glow between the windows and curtains themselves. A round area rug in shades of gray and dark blue lay beneath a dark wood finished coffee table that had several magazines and exactly one remote sitting on top. This made James laugh to himself. Exact opposite of my place, he thought. Zero reading materials and likely way too many remotes.

His eyes went to the three rectangular shelves in matching dark wood, spaced in the shape of a triangle that contained pictures from college, although he couldn't be sure that's where they were taken. It had a warm and inviting feeling from all these details, but Ali's couch was what drew his eyes and mind the most. It was an L-shaped couch with more than enough room for his long legs; done also in a shade of navy blue with icy blue throw pillows.

"I like it" he said honestly. "I get a very wintry feel in here."

"I like winter" Ali replied, plopping down on the couch. She patted the space next to her. "It's my favorite season."

James smiled and took a seat where she'd been patting, making himself comfortable by wrapping her into one of his arms and propping his feet up on the coffee table. "Yeah? Tell me more."

She shrugged, momentarily stunned silent by his arm rubbing her shoulder. She hoped he couldn't feel the goosebumps prickling all over her skin at his tender touch. "It's always been my favorite. That and autumn - but mostly winter. I just love snow."

"You'd love Canada then."

I already do she thought silently. "Are you talking Whitby specifically? Or ALL of your country?"

"All….although the only part that really counts is Whitby." James saw Ali smirk, so he rolled his eyes. "Okay, maybe all of Ontario."

"I'm sure the people of Ontario thank you."

"They should." He winked at her, and Ali noticed for the first time how long his eyelashes were. "Ever been?"

"To Canada?" Ali made a face. "Does Niagara Falls count?"

James threw his head back and laughed. "Allison!"

"James!"

They looked at one another and both started to laugh. Ali slapped him on the shoulder. "Hear me out, okay? It's nearby, we didn't have any money, you could drink when you were 19…."

"And those should be the ONLY reasons to go there--"

"--AND…" Ali said, holding up a finger to shush him, "it's the best we could do for spring break."

James sat staring at her, his mouth hanging slightly open. "So wait, wait….let me get this straight…."

Ali was already biting her lip and trying not to laugh, because she knew what was coming. She had to be quicker next time in answering him when she knew the right answer would cause her too much grief, such as now.

"You mean to tell me...that you and your friends…" James paused for dramatic effect, "…actually spent your spring breaks in…"

"Niagara Falls, yes." Ali wrinkled her nose at him as he began to laugh again. "We didn't have any money, dammit!"

James pulled her into his arms more, hugging her around the neck and ruffling her hair. "You're a cute one, Diserelli, but you understand now that you're forcing me to show you what Canada's all about?"

"Yes - that's why I said it after all" she joked. His fucking accent, my god. His hoodie and how it smells, lord help me.

"So." He released his firm grip on Ali and she sat up to face him. "We ordering in?"

"Do you always switch gears this quickly?"

He nodded, letting his eyes travel down the spanse of bare skin around her neck and down to the rise of her breasts peeking out from the v-neck in her t-shirt. "Comes with the territory."

Their eyes met and Ali suddenly felt bashful, and horny. "Hang on one sec, okay?"

"Okay." James watched as she jumped from the couch and trotted out of the room, the curve of her ass wiggling just enough in her tight pants. The things I could do to that ass. His groin tightened at the thought. He thought for sure that his gaze had to look hungry as Ali came back into the living room, but she didn't seem to notice as she resumed her spot next to him.

"Here. It's my massive collection." She opened a binder that appeared to be full of different colored papers.

James took the binder and scanned through a few, a look of surprise coming to his face. "Whoa."

"Every delivery joint this side of Pittsburgh" Ali said proudly, watching as he flipped through the pages. "And they all have my address."

"Damn…" He looked through the collection of menus from various restaurants, impressed. Even he didn't have a binder of delivery menus like this. He'd have to get one…or make one….or just use hers more often. "What are you in the mood for?"

What a loaded question Ali thought. "I don't know….Anything really. I'm pretty easy. How 'bout you?"

James went for it. "I have a craving for Italian." His eyes shot up to see hers.

Ali busted out laughing. "I should kick you out for that."

"You wouldn't dare" he taunted, testing her. "Would you?"

"No." She took the binder from him in a quick swipe. "Now tell me what you want to eat before I change my mind."

James' smile grew. This girl is good.

*

They ended up playing rock-paper-scissors to choose between Chinese and Italian, and Italian won…much to James' satisfaction. They ate on the couch and watched reruns of the Chappelle Show - another guilty-pleasure discovery made between the two of them.

After two episodes, the pair focused less and less on the television in front of them and more and more on one another. They talked, they laughed, they lay back on the couch together in one another's arms. James ran his hands through Ali's hair lazily as each told stories from way back in the day from their hometowns. The more James heard, the more he liked. The more Ali heard, the more she wanted him to just stay the night and never leave.

Finally, during one of their quiet pauses between their chatter, Ali flipped onto her stomach so they were face to face, poised between James' long legs. "So you remember earlier…when I said my thirst was quenched?"

James' grin into something intense and knowing. "Yes?"

Ali placed her hands on each side of his waist and hovered above him, her eyes lowering to his mouth. "I'm thirsty again, Nealer."

The line made James hard, but the feeling of Ali's lips pressing against his only made him harder. His body was only inches from hers, but the energy between them was powerful. James slipped his hands down Ali's slender body to her ass, cupping it, pulling her closer. Their mouths melted together "Babe…"

"Hmm?" Her voice vibrated against his lips before she lifted her head.

James was hesitant suddenly. He was feeling that same emotion he felt before…on their date…whatever it was. It made him want to protect her, confusing him further on how he could feel both protective and aroused at the same time. "Are you sure--"

"--I've never been more sure of anything." Her eyes scanned his, worried she had made the wrong move despite feeling beneath his sweats that he was unmistakably erect. He wanted her as much as she wanted him, and she wanted himbadly. "Just kiss me, James."

James hugged her close, his arms wrapping around her lower back, his pelvis flirting with hers. He made sure to press her into his hips so she could feel what she was doing to him, what he wanted to give her all night until she cried his name over and over again. If Ali was thirsty, James would do anything he could to give her the drink she needed. He wanted to make sure she never went thirsty again.

Ali felt his hands memorizing her body over her clothes, but she was ready to let James memorize her without anything on at all. His small caresses along her back up to the back of her head where he held her as their mouths stayed connected, moving as one, moving as though they had been designed to mate.

It was getting hot, and not just their movements but the temperature. James needed to ditch something - and while he preferred it to be everything Ali was wearing, his hoodie had to go. His mouth never moved from hers as he tugged at the sleeves, and only for a second did they disconnect as he pulled the heavy hoodie up over his head, taking his hat with it.

Ali's hands immediately sunk into the depth of his hair, flattened and messy from the hat, but she didn't care. It was as if that turned her on more, making her more frenzied for him. His cock throbbed now, and if they didn't move, he would split his sweatpants in minutes.

"Upstairs" Ali breathed, once again reading his mind.

How does she do that? James wondered as he was being yanked up off the couch. She was pawing at his white undershirt, tugging at the drawstrings of his sweatpants, her hands barely brushing his hardness.

He did her the honor of removing his shirt, revealing for the first time his bare torso. Ali all but stopped moving at the sight. The first thing she noticed was the half an arm finished in dark swirls and patterns of ink from his shoulder to his elbow. When James scratched at his hair, she caught the four letters scrawled across the underside of the opposite bicep. "Wow…" she whispered, fingers crawling along the arm with half a sleeve. "I didn't know you had this."

James watched lovingly as Ali marveled at the tattoo, her fingers delicately playing over the finished parts. Her eyes and hands moved to the other arm, admiring the letters that spelled his last name. "It's not done….this one." He moved the arm with the unfinished sleeve.

"How far are you going?" Ali asked, her eyes still roving over his naked top half.

"Down to the wrist." He smiled. "It's not for everyone--"

"--I fucking love it."

Ali's eyes met his just as he felt her fingernails graze along the skin near the waistband of his sweats. His body wasn't as broad or muscular as she thought, but James was cut in all the right places. There was a subdued strength in that lanky body; power disguised behind a thinner frame. She wanted that power. Her soaked panties and swollen sex was proof enough. She reached up and grabbed his face and brought it to hers, wanting to feel him again.

James was mesmerized. Everything about Ali was mesmerizing. I don't deserve this girl he thought, but his body gave away every indication that he wanted her regardless.

In a single swift move, James lifted Ali's smaller frame up so her legs wrapped around his waist. Her arms clung instinctually around his neck as their mouths met once more. They moved into the hallway slowly, James carrying Ali, his hands suspended beneath her ass as they continued kissing.

Ali couldn't get enough and was eager for more. She got her wish as James pressed her against one of her walls, his fingers reaching up and tugging her yoga pants down over the rise of her ass. Ali felt a rush of cool air where she was moist, and James honed in on it immediately.

"Fuck." The arrogance was back in his voice, deep and full of lust. "You horny little thing."

"See what you do to me?" she said, sucking at the nape of his neck. Tendons flexed at her touch as James lowered her to the ground.

"Did I do this to you on our date?" His voice was near a growl as Ali felt his hand slide down the front of her thong. "Tell me…."

Ali gasped when she felt two of his fingers slide along her slickness, teasing her with his hand as much as he was with his smirk. "Yes."

"Say it." He pressed his thumb to her swollen clit. "Tell me how horny I made you."

Oh my god Ali thought, a new sense of bliss filling her. He's a dirty talker too…I hit the motherfucking jackpot…

"I can't hear you" James whispered, smiling against her cheek.

Ali was just about to answer him when she felt him plunge one of his thick fingers inside, stealing a gasp from her. "James…"

"You want more than this inside, don't you?"

She moaned as he pushed in further, feeling her tightness. "I want you to fuck me." It came out as a desperate, heavy exhale, her eyes snapping shut as sensations fell over her.

James bit at the skin along her shoulder where her shirt had slipped over one side. "Upstairs?"

"Yes."

"Or the wall?"

"Anywhere." Ali opened her eyes and felt his finger slip from her pussy, a very empty feeling now in its place. "Just don't stop…"

He lifted her up again, this time taking her the rest of the way upstairs. It was the longest 15 seconds of their lives. James didn't even know where he was going. At first, he pushed against a door that led to the laundry room, and they both laughed.

"Shit."

"Next room" Ali giggled.

James pushed his back against that door, finally seeing what appeared to be a chick's bedroom. Here he dropped Ali to her feet, their mouths connecting without skipping a beat. He noticed then how she had to stand on her toes to kiss him, and it made him smile against her mouth.

"What?" She looked up with a bashful grin.

"Nothing" he lied. With his hand, he tenderly pushed a piece of her hair away from her face. "You're gorgeous, you know that?"

Ali didn't know what to say. She knew how to show him, but she didn't know how to tell him all that she had been feeling since the moment he laid eyes on her in Denver.

Without any response, Ali lifted her shirt up over her head, giving James a view at her body for the first time. To Ali's surprise, James kept his steel blue gaze locked on her, watching her expression over her actions…even as she reached behind her back and unclasped her black bra. With one finger, she lifted it up and let it dangle in front of him. "Say bye bye."

James smiled. "Bye bye useless and expensive piece of clothing." He kept smiling because next, Ali pulled down the pants he'd begun to remove downstairs. What came into view took his breath away: a taut, toned stomach perfect for kissing….curvy hips perfect for grabbing…and a pussy that made every last inch of his dick throb painfully.

"Jesus Christ" he said, wiping at his mouth, eyes taking in the perfection standing before him. The top half was as heavenly as the bottom half: her full, round breasts and nipples hard as pebbles. She sauntered towards him, closing the gap, confidence oozing from her. James could have all of that naked, sweet flesh in his arms, in his mouth, over his dick. Only then did he realize he still had his pants on.

"What are you waiting for?" She flashed a sassy smile at him, then eyed his sweatpants. "Or do I have to do all the work here?"

James chuckled. "Ohhhhh, all the work, huh?"

She nodded, then squeezed his hardness through his sweatpants. "Off with 'em, babe."

A hard yank and they were off. Everything James had was on display for Ali, and Ali's expression was more than enough approval and acceptance to last him a lifetime.

"You would have to go and be fucking perfect everywhere" she said, straining to pull her eyes up from the dick she was about to feel inside her. "Damn you, James."

They were on one another in a moment's time. James was stronger and used his power and height to shift Ali back until she bumped against her own mattress, the softness of the blankets a stark contrast to the hardness she felt all over the front of her.

James lifted both her legs up, sliding her back along the bed as he pressed into her, feeling her wetness tease against the rigidness of his dick as he climbed over her. As their mouths resumed their sensual connection, their bodies took up their own dance, pressing, rubbing, shifting, lazily exploring with a need both understood would be fulfilled in time. James wanted every moment to be marked in his memory; he didn't know if he'd ever get this chance again. A girl this good didn't wind up with a guy like him; a guy on the road, surrounded by stardom and women who fed off of it, who dedicated his entire life to playing like a kid every night and earning far too much money to do it. His life was charmed enough already, and Ali was too good to be true. This thought lay heavy in James' mind, causing every little movement between them to become more intense, more arousing.

Every sensation in Ali's body was deliciously sensitized, agonizing for James to enter her, but nearly dying a happy death from the prolonged foreplay. He licked, stroked, pinched and nibbled, all at just the right strength and with just the right amount of pressure. His tongue was as skilled as any Ali had ever felt, and the way he went for her pussy was a surprise that left her speechless, save for the moans and whimpers he caused her to give voice to. Her hands sunk into his amazing hair, thick and long enough to grab, getting a smile from him even as he worked her to the brink.

It's too much….he's too much…..He's too perfect….. Thoughts flitted in and out of Ali's mind in between sensations, the roughness of James' stubble, the soft warmth of his tongue, the firm grip of his fingers on her hips and thighs as he guided her to release.

It wasn't that Ali hadn't been with men like this before; it was that she just hadn't been with a man that was this fun and so purely masculine, so confident, so sure of himself. Every motion of James' showcased his skills, he read her every moan and shift of her body, playing her like none ever had.

And then he was on top of her again, his mouth over hers, their tongues brushing against one anothers' as Ali tasted herself on his mouth. It was incredibly raw, incredibly carnal.

"Fuck me, James" she said breathlessly. "I need to feel you. I can't--"

James pushed inside her in one swift, deep thrust, sending Ali into some sort of out of body experience she didn't know was possible. Even James let out a guttural moan, closing his eyes at the intense feeling of how tight Ali was around him.

"Fuck, babe…" He withdrew slowly, realizing he needed a second to even breathe let alone handle the body he was inside. Ali's voice was needful as she said his name, and James leaned over her more as he felt her hands grip around his neck. "I'm here babe" he whispered, his mind three seconds from exploding. "I'm not going anywhere."

If they only knew how symbolic that moment was.

As Ali's body adjusted to James' size and thickness and their hips moved into a more harmonious rhythm, neither of them had enough of their conscious mind to take notice to the intensity of that night together. James gave Ali everything he had, once again drawing from her the need he wanted to feel from her. Every time he increased his pace, hastening their need and getting dangerously close to the brink, James backed off. He knew Ali wanted more, and he was prepared to give her more. He didn't want it to end, and he would last until he couldn't possibly hold out any further.

They switched positions until they'd explored one another's desire from every angle. James was most surprised when he watched Ali roll onto her stomach, lift her flawless ass into the air and look back at him. "Take me, babe" she purred, and James climbed on and gave it all he had.

Ali drove him to heights he'd never reached with other chicks. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd lasted this long, did this many position switches, talked this dirty to a girl before and still wanted more. Every single thing Ali did made him want more.

For Ali - she was barely hanging on. James was confident, cocky, funny, and incredibly sensual. The things he said, the way his body worked her, every muscle he'd developed from his sport now being put to use to bring her pleasure, the way his eyes turned darker green with every angle she fucked him in...it was sensory overload in the best possible way.

When they'd switched positions again, Ali reached her final cliff when she began riding him; only the long fall to the bottom was left. As she felt her body tightening around him, the pressure building somewhere inside in a way she hadn't felt in so long, Ali cried out his name and clutched at his strong shoulders. She let James take control as he rolled her over onto her back. He positioned himself on top for their final minutes together. Nearing the end, James reached up to the wooden sleigh headboard, clutching with all the strength he had left for the leverage he'd need to finish their marathon event. Ali moaned harder, her breaths came quicker, and James was so close he was white-knuckling the headboard to keep from spilling himself before she came. He was sweaty and his breath was ragged, but somehow he held on until he felt Ali's teeth sink into his shoulder and her pussy erupted around him. He thought she may have called out his name or swore or just cried out in pleasure, but he didn't hear. The waves of release over his cock were too intense, even for him. With a loud grunt, James buried himself as deep as he could into Ali, gaining another powerful moan from her. Eventually, he opened his eyes, his body in a complete state of ecstasy.

Right then, in his moment of clarity, James decided he never wanted anyone else but Ali.

* * *

Notes