"Finally."

The only thing Ali felt was sensation after sensation.

First, the cool sensation of James' hallway wall as her face was pressed against it. This was quickly replaced by the heat of his hands, strong and urgent and needful, pulling up the hem of her dress. The air played against her skin, teasing the nerve endings already at attention from his body grinding against hers. And then the feel of his kiss on the back of her neck, sending her into overdrive.

"I've been waiting for this all night..."

His breath was hot against Ali's skin, and it made her body respond in ways she honestly didn't think were possible.Everything James did made her wonder what she had been missing with all her other boyfriends; none of them, not a single one, handled her the way he did.

She felt a rush of cooler air as James expertly tugged her thong to the side, her wetness fully exposed now. She instinctually pushed her hips out, begging him with her body. Though her head was pressed against the wall, Ali felt James mouth lock onto her neck and it was enough to know he was grinning. He may have even let out a short laugh; one of victory, or maybe it was in disbelief.

"You're so perfect..."

His words coaxed her and flattered her, but Ali could barely even focus. His hands spread her legs with a simple push, and then she felt the heat of what she'd been dying for all night being guided along her slit. She heard herself moan, maybe a little too loudly, and James let out another soft chuckle.

"More" Ali begged. She felt James push his length into her and she moaned again. He stopped short and exhaled.

"More?" His voice taunted her as he licked at the skin where her dress exposed part of her back.

"All of it." The desperation in her voice disappeared when she felt the instant push of those last few glorious inches into her core. "Fuck."

Fuck is right James thought, pulling himself back slowly. Fucking perfect. Fucking beautiful. All fucking mine. He slid his hand up to her hair, taking a fistful and tugging gently. He saw Ali bite her bottom lip happily, so he tugged a little harder. "Everyone wanted you tonight. Did you see them?" He thrust his hips harder, sending himself deeper into her pussy.

"Yes…"

His voice went even lower. "Did you see the way they stared at you?"

She glanced back, giving him view of her devilish grin. "I did and I loved it." She felt the hand on her hip digging into her skin, just as the hand in her hair tightened. Her body was on fire and she had never felt anything so good in her life.

James laughed again at Ali's response, then released the hand in her hair. Both hands went to her hips, holding her tight as he gave her everything he had. Ali had to use the wall for any sort of leverage, smiling and moaning and breathing just as heavily as he was at that point. Her fists balled up against the flat surface, her head lolling as the force of James fucking her took over any sense of reality outside of how amazing he felt inside her. She didn't know how long it went on before she felt herself being turned around. He was in control and she was his willing participant.

With Ali facing him, James' hands went to her face, pulling her gaze up to the hungry blue eyes staring down at her. "I can't believe I found you" he said, struggling to speak between his heavy breaths. "I'm the luckiest guy in the world."

"James---"

She was silenced by his mouth; those unfairly soft lips guiding hers slowly…sensually…keying her body back up in a new way. His dick was still slick with her wetness as he pressed it against her lower abdomen. His tongue slipped into her mouth, never really getting enough of her with anything he did, especially her taste.

Reaching down, Ali felt the width of it in her hand as she stroked him, getting another one of his guiltless smiles to form against her mouth while they kissed. She lined him up with her core, still dripping wet and hot for him, and James did the rest.

"Jesus you're big" Ali exhaled.

James responded by lifting her legs up and around his waist, which allowed him a few extra inches of depth inside her. "Still not used to me?" he taunted, the smirk of pride heavy in his expression.

Their mouths met, and it was Ali's turn to smile into their kiss. "Not sure I'll ever get used to you, babe."

James made sure of this, and spent the rest of the night proving to Ali she never would.

* * *

The next morning was the first time Ali had ever woken before James. She was locked in his embrace as they lay on their sides, with not much of a view besides the wall of his bedroom facing her. That's when it hit her:

Whoa.

I'm in his house.

She blinked sleepily, waking up to the realization as it settled in.

Last night was my first night staying at his house she thought with a smile.

Behind her, James shifted in his sleep, softly clearing his throat. Ali held his arm that was already wrapped about her tighter against her chest, unable to stop smiling.

Another box checked in the relationship.

Last night, several boxes had been checked, and meeting the rest of James' team had been a big one.

Maybe this is for real after all.

Ali ran through the events of the evening, going through all the names and faces of the various guys she met while at the bar. It felt surreal, even as she lay there in James' bed, reliving in her memory the way the guys had accepted her so quickly. They had all been so nice; surprising her with their fondness for James and for his new girlfriend.

I guess it's official now.

It made Ali want to shriek...and had she been in her own bed, alone, she may have.

Glancing around, Ali couldn't see much from her position lying next to James. Very gently, she wiggled and slid from beneath his arm which was heavy with slumber. She stood for a second, watching his sleeping form to make sure she hadn't woken him up. As she'd been learning, James was a bit of a heavy sleeper, which worked in her favor that morning.

As quietly as she could, Ali reached for whatever article of clothing was nearby on the floor. Since her dress was the only thing she had with her when they arrived late last night, her only option was James' dress shirt. She slipped the large button-down over her shoulders, getting an immediate whiff of his cologne from the night before.

The same cologne he wore in Denver, she noted with a smile.

Making her way into his bathroom, Ali took care of her need to pee, but as she reached for toilet paper, it occurred to her......there was none. Quickly, she scanned around for where James might keep his spare rolls, but found none. Her only option was a box of tissues that sat on the back of the toilet.

In this moment, it occurred to Ali that she really had no idea what James' place looked like. And obviously, this was her first trip to the bathroom. Because their need for one another overpowered just about everything, Ali had missed basically all of the rooms they'd fucked their way through to get to his bedroom. In fact, she couldn't recall what any part of his house even looked like.

But there in the master bathroom, as she looked around for the first true time, Ali noticed one thing and one thing only: the amount of products on the double sink counter. As she washed her hands, she was able to inspect the various items scattered across the dark granite counter: at least four cologne bottles, an electric razor, two different sticks of deodorant, shaving cream, toothbrush, a tube of toothpaste without a cap, face wash, and the largest tub of hair gel she'd ever seen.

Good god, he uses more shit than I do.

She giggled to herself quietly, hugging his shirt about her tighter. James' attention to detail when it came to his appearance left her with a smile as she looked about the rest of the bathroom. Other than the amount of items around sink, it could have been like any other nice master bath she'd been in: dark wood detailing against starch white walls, a spacious four-walled glass shower, a separate bathtub, and plain white towels that were actually hung up.

She nodded, somewhat impressed. Nicely done. Towels are hung neatly, but no toilet paper.

Tip toeing out to the bedroom once more, Ali found James still sound asleep, so she decided to get her bearings and explore a little. Her stomach rumbled as well, and she was thirsty.

Interesting, considered I swallowed quite a bit last night, she thought with a proud grin.

Down the hall she went, noticing a few closed doors here and there, marking other rooms or closets within the sizable second floor. Still, not a single portrait hung, no pictures anywhere. Nothing. Just white walls and white doors.

This didn't really mean much to Ali until she got downstairs where the emptiness of James' house was never more evident.

What the....

She passed by the living room where a giant flat panel tv, a nondescript black media stand, and exactly one piece of furniture sat looking lonely.

He has no furniture.

Ali shuffled into the kitchen, where she saw only a few more items: a coffee pot (with coffee still in it), a toaster oven, and several stools circling a broad kitchen island, its shiny marble counter top reflecting the morning light from the nearby window.

So clean, Ali thought somewhat confused. Which means he never uses the kitchen.

She mulled this over as she reached into his refrigerator for a drink, only to see rows and rows of individual Gatorade bottles lined up on one shelf....with several six-packs of beer lined up on the shelf below.

"Oh my god." Ali placed a hand over her mouth, stifling the laughter that wanted to bubble forth. "I have never in my life seen this."

She'd lived with at least one past boyfriend for a limited time in college, and had dated enough other guys to know that they all lived fairly similarly: but James was a new one to her.

Deciding she'd lingered long enough, she grabbed two Gatorades and headed back up stairs. As she made her way around to her side of the bed, James stretched and opened his eyes just as Ali handed him a Gatorade. "Morning."

He smiled, stretching further. "Morning."

"Brought you something." Ali went to hand him the bottle, but James pulled her hand enough to bring her down onto the bed further.

"Thank you, but I want this instead..."

His mouth connected with hers, never losing step between the last time their mouths met and now. At this point, they were far enough along in their relationship that they were comfortable with one another, and their bodies moved in sync better than they ever had.

"Mmmm..." Ali opened her eyes as their lips parted, her nose still close to his. "Addicted."

"Yeah?" James' smile sparkled, despite the sleep still evident in his eyes. "I like that."

Their mouths reconnected, and Ali felt the butterflies she felt the first time they kissed come back to her all over again. She wondered if it was possible to keep this kind of feeling as long as she could...and she hoped it would be a very long time.

As James took a swig of Gatorade, his mouth encircling the bottle completely, Ali let her eyes linger on the sight. She thought back to the countless times that same mouth had worked her into a frenzy. Such talent she thought to herself.

Propping her head up with one hand, she waited for James as he leaned over towards his bedside table.

"Almost 9" he said, checking his phone. He rolled back over and tugged the blankets up over his shoulders, making sure to cover Ali's bare skin as well. "Surprised you're awake."

"Surprised you weren't."

He wrinkled his nose. "I deserve rest."

"I won't argue with that." Ali gave him a knowing smile. "I'm only up because I had to pee. By the way, you're out of toilet paper."

"I know." James facially shrugged. "Been meaning to take care of that for a week now."

"A week?" Ali said with a laugh. "But--"

"--I'm on the road all the time, I'll get to it" James replied seriously. "Until then, I'll bum a roll off Paulie."

Ali had to think about this for a second before James saw the confusion on her face.

"Martin. He's my neighbor" he added. "Across the street."

"Ohhhh...." Ali couldn't remember if he'd told her that yet or not, but nonetheless, she found it cute they lived so close. "So you two share toilet paper, huh?"

"He cooks me breakfast, I take his toilet paper." He shrugged. "Everyone wins."

Ali smirked at him. "I noticed there wasn't much downstairs that was cookable."

"Where'd you look?"

"In the fridge."

James smiled. "Didn't you see the peanut butter and bread?"

"You mean the two other ingredients besides all the beer and Gatorade?" She laughed out loud, falling in love with how serious his face turned in that moment. "Are you just joking, or--"

"--Well I mean, granted..." James said, trying to reason with her, "you can't really cook peanut butter sandwiches, but it's still food."

"James." Ali brought her hand up to his face and squeezed his chin. "That is not food."

He frowned. But I'm on the road all the time. And really, I'm never here at the house even when I AM I'm in town, so..."

He's cute when he's defensive, Ali thought. With a small amount of pleasure, she watched as James' frown lasted longer than she thought. With a sigh, she poked him in the shoulder. "So.....last night...." This got his eyes to light back up.

"Yeah? Pretty good wasn't it?"

With a nod, Ali smiled.

"You know, at first..." James sat up a little further, shifting so that he was comfortable against the pillows. "I was afraid you might not be into fucking against the wall, but the way you basically shoved that perfect ass of yours against my di--"

Ali busted out laughing, silencing James, who merely sat there with his mouth hanging slightly open and his eyes round with confusion. When she looked at him again, he blinked.

"I feel like I missed something..."

She stared at him with patience. "I meant meeting your teammates last night, not fucking."

"Ohhhh...." He slowly nodded.

"Although the fucking spoke for itself" Ali added, sliding her hand through his morning bed head. "So did my two orgasms."

Glancing sideways, the corner of James' mouth lifted proudly. "You're welcome."

Ali shoved him playfully. She could say it all she wanted to; she could say the words in the most casual of ways, but it was mind blowing to her. No man before James had ever given her two orgasms at all, let alone in one night. He hit all the right spots, said all the right words, and the look he had in his eyes when their gazes connected spoke volumes of what they felt for one another.

And its only two months into this Ali thought blissfully. I hope this isn't just lust, because I feel--

"So what about the team?" James opened his arm to Ali, who snuggled in instincfully.

"They were all really nice. Not at all what I expected, honestly."

James nodded, his fingers gliding through the length of her long hair. You're not what I expected...never in a million years... He placed a kiss to her head, holding her close to his chest. "Thanks for being so cool with them. I think you were a big hit."

Ail shifted her eyes upwards. "And how does one tell this after just one meet and greet?"

"By the size of their hard-ons."

"Ew, James.....Ew."

He laughed softly. "You undress in enough locker rooms over time, you start to be able to tell these things--"

Ali made a face. "I don't need to know this about your teammates."

"Not even Crosby?" When Ali looked up this time, he gave her a sassy smirk. "C'mon Diserelli, every chick wants Crosby."

"I thought I was the only chick we were talking about here?"

"Don't avoid the question."

Ali sat up, somewhat concerned by James pushing her. "The answer is no, James." She made sure her eyes were steady as she looked into his, wondering why the insecurity was there. Sure, Sidney had been beyond handsome, moreso than the cameras gave him justice, but there was always more to it than that. There always is...and that's what made James different. He had the looks and the personality that attracted her.

"Okay." He gave her a solid nod, then tried to smile. "Sorry. Was only meant to be a joke."

She knew it wasn't. Somewhere in there, James was fearful of something, and while Ali could only guess what it was, she couldn't figure out why. What little she knew from watching this team week after week, she could assume the obvious, but it was James' bed she was laying in, no one else's. Surely he could see the significance in that.

"Geno seemed to love you" James added quietly. He was treading carefully now, hoping he hadn't gone too far earlier. "That's a huge plus." When he saw Ali smiling again, he knew he'd succeeded in getting her mind back on track.

"THANK YOU for reminding me!" Ali bolted upright, eyes going wide. "What in the fuck does 'Lazy' mean?"

James immediately hung his head and laughed. On the bed next to him, Ali started to giggle. The sound of her laughter made him beyond happy, even if it was at his expense.

With a heavy sigh, James held her close. "Wellllll, let's see, where do I even begin..."

* * *

After a full explanation of his nickname, the reason why he had so many styling products of his own, and why he kept more beer than food in stock, James asked if Ali wanted to head out for lunch. Given the amount of razzing she'd done about his lack of groceries, it seemed the appropriate move.

As he left her to take a shower, he wandered around the downstairs of his place, trying to see it with new eyes. He managed to almost see what Ali had been teasing him about: the lack of any decor, the obvious fact he owned as little furniture as possible, and the emptiness of his place in general. If he focused really hard, he was almost able to see how it might turn a girl off.

I hope she doesn't judge me based on this. Fuck.

He did a slow turn around his living room, arms folded over his torso, one hand holding his chin. Studying the room, he tried to think what he could do to make it nicer.

It's fine the way it is, he thought to himself. But I suppose if Ali thinks it's too empty....

At that moment, he chuckled out loud. He shook his head in disbelief of himself and ran a hand through his still-damp hair nervously.

Changing for a girl you've only been with for a few months. What the fuck is wrong with you.

Before Ali, any chick he'd ever brought back to his house with him immediately left the morning after he'd fucked them. They asked no questions, said nothing about his house or his furniture, and he made sure they didn't stick around long enough to wonder about food.

And now this.

He glanced around while scratching at the nape of his neck, wondering if he should have Paulie help him go pick out more furniture or if---

"Squeaky clean."

James glanced up and smiled. Ali walked into the living room with her sheet of dark hair straightened to its full length, donning an old Whitby t-shirt he'd given her, in addition to a pair of baggy workout pants. He choked back a laugh when he saw the clothes and how they fit her, admiring how well she still managed to pull it off.

"You sure no one's gonna care about how I look?" she asked, obviously worried.

"Promise." He watched as that familiar left eyebrow shot up sharply. "Seriously, it's as casual a place as ever."

Ali held his gaze, studying the blue in their fullness for any hint of fibbing. There was none, as she calmed slightly at the sight. "Good. Let's go - I worked up an appetite last night and I'm finally feeling it."

James threw an arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple. "That makes two of us, babe."

Together, in their baggy, casual clothes, James drove Ali to one of his favorite lunch spots in the city. He took a chance in doing so, deciding to take her to his favorite run-of-the-mill sub shops. When he said it was casual - he meant it. The owner knew him, but most of the patrons were locals who'd been around long enough to not care if he was a famous face or not. Aside from that the food was good, so the anonymity was simply a bonus.

The reason he thought he might be taking a chance by taking Ali there was that it was literally a Pittsburgh dive. He hoped that she didn't mind, but something told him she wouldn't. So far, from all he'd learned about her, she wasn't all about the money and fame that came with his name.

Much to his surprise, when James rolled up to the parking lot, Ali let out a loud laugh, that shocked him.

"Holy shit - Pete's Subs?" She turned and looked at him in pure shock. "You're taking me to Pete's Subs?!?"

James put his car in park, his grip subconsciously tightening around the stick shift. "Yeah, why?"

Ali nearly punched his arm as she laughed. "I fucking LOVE this place!"

"You do?!?" His mouth dropped open a little, a tiny, relieved laugh escaping. "I figured no one has even heard of it--"

"-Heard of it?" Ali's jaw lowered further, her dark eyes aglow. "Fuck - I knew I liked you, but after THIS?"

She clicked her teeth happily, still laughing as she opened the door to exit. James let his gaze linger on her a few seconds longer. How on earth have I earned a chance with a girl like this? he wondered in awe.

Without another moment's hesitation, James leapt from the car and joined Ali inside.

* * *

Duper picked up right where he left off the following day. James had to deal with nonstop chirping for most of his time in the locker room, on the ice, and even after his shower following practice.

"So hey, you gonna bring her out again or what?" he asked James, the personal glee of his taunting lighting up his brown eyes.

"I think exposing her to you guys once is fine for now." He pulled a gray Pens weight room t-shirt over his head, not minding the mess it made of his hair. "Don't you?"

Dupuis shrugged, hands resting on his hip pads as he stared as his teammate. "But what about us? I didn't get a chance to ask her if she understood what a pretty boy you are."

"Does she know you don't have any furniture?" Fleury asked, his genial smile spread wide across his face. "Because she's probably going to need to know this."

"What about the food situation?" Sid added with a smirk. "How are you going to cook her breakfast with beer?"

"COOK?" Paul made a face, directed at Crosby. "I'm sorry....did you say cook?"

The guys all had a healthy chuckle over it, but James played it off cooly. "For your information" he said, raising his voice a little so they could all hear, "but she stayed over last night, and she seems pleased with what I gave her all night....and later that afternoon."

A chorus of surprised voices rose from those still in the locker room, especially Dupuis.

"Oh okay, so she knows how you live then?" His furry eyebrows remained lifted. "And she still stayed?"

James focused on putting his sneakers on, leaving the laces half done. "She can't get enough of me, boys. How hard is that to understand?"

They looked at one another silently, all of them smirking but none of them commenting. James felt he'd won this round for the time being, and decided his exit had to be now or never. "I'm heading over to her place next, in fact. So if that'll be all..."

"All for now, yeah" Duper said, slapping his shoulder. "But come tomorrow, before the game? We're continuing this discussion."

James twirled his keys on one finger, simultaneously giving his audience of chirping teammates a wave. "Til then, assholes."

These thoughts, plus ones that still worried him from the day before, played over in his mind the entire drive to Ali's condo.

Is my place a joke?
Do I get more furniture or have someone decorate it?
Should I get groceries?
I don't really know what she likes to eat, though...

He turned his music up louder, hoping it would drown out the whirlwind of questions. As the highways and maze of Pittsburgh bridges and tunnels passed by outside his windows, James' mind stayed focused on all the things he never thought he'd be thinking about when it came to having a girlfriend. He tried to cut himself a break, considering. He wasn't used to this...almost as much as Ali wasn't used to having a high profile boyfriend.

By the time he arrived at her place across town, he was able to settle himself a little. He focused on her perfect face, her dark eyes and that mischevious smile she got whenever they flirted. Eventually, he got lost in these thoughts and in the music, focusing on the good waiting for him a few miles away.

As he took the brick steps to her doorway three at a time, he'd all but forgotten the guys chirping him or the concerns he'd had on most of his drive. His full attention was given over to the excitement he felt in seeing Ali again.

When she opened the door, she was dressed in a skin tight white top, cut low enough to give James a view of one of her best aspects.

She leaned against the doorframe, one eyebrow raised smartly, head cocked to one side. "You took too long."

"Wow." James gave her a smirk right back. "Miss me that much?"

Before he could even get another word out, Ali had him by the cloth of his hoodie, dragging him inside her condo.

* * *

Hours later...James lay on his back, staring happily up at Ali's ceiling fan as it spun in slow circles.

"We fuck too much."

He shot Ali a look of horror. "Say what?"

"I'm joking, loser."

He held her gaze long enough to realize she was indeed joking, then exhaled. "You had me scared there."

Laughing at him, Ali rolled over and onto his stomach so that their noses were almost touching. "You actually think for a second that I meant that?"

The way she was looking at him then, James had all but lost track of the conversation. Her flushed cheeks, messy hair, and the slightly pronounced pink of her lips made him want her all over again. I made her look like this, he thought proudly. That's proof of her orgasm. That's proof I made her happy...again.

"Hey." Ali tapped him gently on the forehead. "You in there?"

Her smile killed James literally every time he saw it; this was no exception. His heart did a weird dance every time she looked at him the way she was at that moment. "Hmm...more like 'out there'..." He gave a bump of his hips into hers, letting her know exactly what he meant. "But like you said...we fuck too much."

Ali let out an exaggerated laugh. "I was joking!"

"Nope."

She stared at him, mouth agape. "Seriously?" She stared at him until he gave her a side-eye. When his grin finally appeared, Ali slapped him. "James!"

"Did that scare you? Huh? How's it feel, Diserelli?"

They were flirting again, and it felt good. Even after they literally had just gone at one another like rabbits - there they were, in bed, on one another, flirting like teenagers. Ali couldn't get enough of the way James needed her, and James couldn't get enough of the way Ali wanted him.

Crawling over his body sprawled beneath her, Ali reached for James' watch, which he'd lost at some point during the past hour and a half. Exaggeratedly, she lay across his stomach, ass poised in the air as she read the hands on the large face of the watch. "Almost 9:30."

James' eyes were glued to her bare ass. "Huh?"

"Almost 9--" She glanced back and laughed. "Ugh. You're so easy."

This gave James a laugh. He moved his eyes away from her flesh with a prompt pat on her ass. "So what are you saying?"

Ali was about to answer, but she was yanked back into her position lying next to James. His hand went to her neck before loosely sliding down to her belly.

If he only knew how damn distracting he was, she thought, feeling the heat of his hands on her skin. Motherfucker....

"If we fuck too much - let's go out" he said, his hand taunting Ali with every slow pass along her stomach and back up to her breasts. He shifted his eyes upwards, a small smirk appearing. "Want to?"

Ali watched his hand. He knows exactly what he's doing, too.

"I mean...we might as well..." he continued. "Nothing else to do, really."

Ali was well aware of the innocent act he was putting on, and he was winning. Slowly but surely, he was winning. This time, though, no matter how heavy the desire was to stay in, she was really was starting to worry that that's all they were doing.

Not that she minded much.

James' hand traveled back down again, then slowly back up, and Ali sighed. "I think we should go out." She glanced over and saw his smile grow. "You wanna?"

"Yep. Drinks?"

"Yes please." Ali sat up. "You have practice in the morning?"

"Who cares."

"James."

"Hmm?" He folded his hands over his abs guiltlessly and grinned.

"Aren't you nearing the end of the season?"

"We have a week left" he replied, sitting up and facing her. "Might as well live it up now, eh?"

Ali kept her eyes on him as he stood and stretched. A slow trickle of worry settled into her veins. Live it up now? Was there some sort of end she wasn't privy to?

James turned so that his full frontal was all Ali could look at. When her gaze lifted, he gave her the nod. "Let's go."

The smile he wore then looked excited, and only slightly mischievous. Pushing off the bed, Ali felt her worry dissipate just as quickly as it had arrived, and before she knew it...she and James had readied themselves and were heading out into the early Pittsburgh evening.

* * *

Hours later, James sat across from his girlfriend, eyeing her as she downed her latest shot of tequila. "Another?" He had a surprised but pleased look on his face as Ali set the shot glass down with a heavy thump and a smile.

"You betchya." She leaned into him and rubbed his knee. "Thank yoooouuu."

It would be her fourth shot, and his fifth, but neither cared much for numbers that night. In the low light of the locally owned bar, James felt none of the reservations he normally had walking into a bar in the city that he played hockey for. Even though he'd only been on the team a short time, people still recognized him everywhere. It was nice, but it was also surprising. Another pleasant surprise was that he discovered how polite Pittsburgh fans were despite how fiercely loyal and devoted they happened to be to their teams.

And even if they weren't, tonight - James didn't care.

He and Ali sat at the end of the bar on dark worn stools facing one another, backs turned to most of the other patrons. The typical blue collar crowd was assembled; the neon light of Iron City and Rolling Rock beer signs aglow in various windows. Karaoke on a small stage went on while the couple talked and drank, laughing loosely at the dumbest things and laughing much louder at the brave souls who dared to sing horribly-chosen tunes. It provided a constant stream of entertainment, which both thoroughly enjoyed.

Ali was enjoying herself almost too much. James could make her laugh like no other guy ever had; he was funny and charismatic and handsome. He had chosen a dark plaid shirt, which he'd rolled at the sleeves up to his elbow, plus jeans and expensive looking shoes he'd matched to an equally expensive looking belt. While Ali felt he was the star of the show, James made her feel otherwise. He never halted to compliment her, buy her a drink if she wanted, or to look into her eyes as intensely as he had when they were being intimate.

It was a similar story for James. Being with Ali outside of their private time was just as fun as it was when they were alone. Not to mention that Ali had chosen a dangerously tight, low-cut silver top paired with black leggings and knee high boots to wear out that night. Her olive skin and dark hair complimented by the brightness of her top. Her leggings hugged the curve of her ass, which teased him every time she got up to use the restroom.

Most importantly, when James was with her...especially in a setting like this....he felt normal. He wasn't playing the part of a professional hockey player or some super star he had to live up to. He could be himself, and it seemed to make Ali happy. That made him very, very happy.

As their next round of shots came, both James and Ali started to lose whatever reserve was left. That's when Ali popped the question.

"We should do it" she said, the light in her eyes dancing as she nodded her head sideways to the stage. "Wanna do it?"

"Is that a challenge?" James slid another five dollar tip to the bar tender, trading money for the shots handed over to him. He lifted the glass and Ali gratefully took it.

"Of course."

James debated it. He and Ali clinked their shot glasses together and downed the clear liquid in unison as the next person took the stage and the microphone. The first few notes of the song Love Me Do by the Beatles began to play, and the man on the stage started to sing.

Ali and James groaned.

"You really wanna look like that dude?" James chuckled, shaking his head. "I don't know, Als..."

"Oh come on!" Her eyes pleaded with him, but still had that playful shimmer to their otherwise deep color. "What? Are you worried someone will see you?"

"No." Which was a lie...sort of...but James didn't want to look weak in front of Ali.

"So what's the hold up?" She was bouncing with pent up thrill in her seat, the soft flesh of her cleavage jiggling subtly.

She's gorgeous when she's excited. James could see how badly she wanted to go up there, and whether it was the liquor talking or not, he wanted to as well. A few more notes of Love Me Do streamed through the small bar, the crowd laughing and cheering.

"We'd be better than this guy, that's for sure" he said with a wild grin. "I'm down if you are."

"REALLY?" Ali's face totally changed. Instantly, she took James by the hand and together they headed up towards the DJ who had the large, spiral bound book of songs. James was laughing as he was being drug, but did the honors of grabbing the binder for he and Ali to look through.

Gazing down, Ali had to really adjust her eyes to the small print. Whoa. Maybe I took one shot too many. Just as she was starting to slowly move down the line of songs on the current page, James slapped his hand down on the binder and pointed.

"Found it!"

"Our song?" Ali giggled at how downright excited James seemed in that moment. "But I didn't even have a chance to look?!"

"Don't need to....already found the perfect one."

He was already jotting the title down on a tiny scrap of paper the DJ gave him. Ali could hear the man on the stage finishing up his song, and her excitement turned over to a slight case of stage fright, even as James trotted up to the stage with her close behind.

"Are you gonna tell me the song, at least?" she whispered, taking one of the two microphones being handed over. She glanced out at the crowd, whose faces...for better or worse...were quite fuzzy to her. There was a murmur heard among those seated close by as the patrons, one by one, began to recognize who had just stepped onto the stage.

The blue of James' eyes sparkled happily as he tapped his mic, making sure the sound wasn't on. He turned Ali around so that their backs were once again facing the crowd, his nose pushing into her hair next to her ear. "Just trust me, okay? It'll be fun."

He turned around and gave a wave to the DJ and then to the crowd. Ali also turned, looking and feeling apprehensive, but excited nonetheless. Next to her, James lifted the microphone and gave the crowd a smile.

"H--hello..." He tapped the mic again and cleared his throat. "This thing on now?" The crowd cheered, and James felt the energy of being in the spotlight again. "Sweet. How's it going tonight?"

"JAMES NEAL of the Pittsburgh Penguins, everybody!" the DJ announced, and those who had cheered now hollered loudly and proudly. "And....I didn't catch your friend's name?"

"My girlfriend, Allison." He looked at her proudly and nudged her. "Ready, babe?"

Ali smiled and nodded, looking out at the crowd as they clapped for her as well. She waved, albeit somewhat bashfully.

And then the music began.

James was staring at Ali, waiting for the reaction he hoped he would get. The notes were so distinct that it didn't take long whatsoever for Ali to realize the song that James had chosen.

Her jaw dropped as the laughter spilled forth, even as James began to sing:

"I threw a wish in a well.
Don't ask me, I'll never tell.
I looked at you as it fell,
and now you're in my way..."

James couldn't help but laugh. Ali faced him, microphone poised near her mouth, proudly singing the second verse. Her voice was happy; her smile twice as big as usual.

"I trade my soul for a wish,
pennies and dimes for a kiss
I wasn't looking for this
but now you're in my way!"

She could've slapped James for choosing that song. She could've kissed him, too. Instead, all she could do was laugh and lose what little straight-face she had, just as James started up the third verse. Looking out at the crowd, she saw nothing but smiling faces and people laughing; a few people in the back were standing now, clapping along with the beat as James continued. The bright glow of a few cell phones flashed as some started to take pictures.

As the notes of the chorus played, James took on the best girly-voice he could, flicking his wrist at Ali as he sang:

"Hey, I just met you
And this is crazy!
But here's my number
so call me maybe?"

James couldn't finish the chorus because he was laughing too hard. Even the crowd got rowdier in that moment, loving the way the couple seemed to play off one another, both acting silly as they sang. Ali was playing the part, getting the crowd going as she walked with some sass past James and did a quick turn, staring at him and pointing as she sang:

"It's hard to look right
atchya baaayyybbyyyy!

But here's my number
So call me maybe!?"

The music played, and whether the crowd knew it or not, James and Ali realized in that moment that above all else, they were more than just special to one another. No way in hell would James have ever done something as ridiculous as singing Call Me Maybe on a stage, in Pittsburgh, with a girl he didn't truly care for. And while this went unspoken, Ali felt the same way. As the second half of the song came and went, her and James hit it out of the park, the crowd anything but disappointed with the show.

James put his arm around Ali's shoulders as they finished the song. As the music fell silent and only the sound of the crowd could be heard, James gave her a very long, very deep kiss...right there in front of everyone.

Among the cheers and whooping and hollering going on around them, James looked Ali in the eyes and smiled. "I love you, Diserelli."

Ali wasn't even surprised when she heard it. It should've made her heart explode with happiness, but she felt like she'd been waiting this whole time to hear what she already knew was true. She simply smiled back, and with every ounce of happiness already within her, she said the words back: "I love you too, Nealer."

* * *

Notes

All together now: AwwwwWWWWwwwwwWWWwwww ;)