Hat Trick

Micah looked up at Paul’s grinning face. She couldn’t help but laugh “Does that stamina line ever work for you, Martin?”
Paul smirked at Micah “I don’t know, is it working?” he asked. Micah buried her face in his chest. Paul could feel her still laughing. “I’m not one to run lines, usually. I leave that to Neal and Tanger.” She shook her head no. So much for smooth lines. “You’re bad for my ego.”
Micah straighten her expression and looked at Paul “Okay, say it again and promise not to laugh.” Paul looked down at her before starting to laugh. “You can’t laugh if you expect me not to laugh.”
“I like it when you laugh.” replied Paul. Micah smiled at him.
“You realize this snuggling thing would work better if you weren’t on top of the blankets. And since these boys appear to be planning on playing hockey until breakfast you might as well get comfortable.”
“You trying to get me in your bed, Miss Prewitt” asked Paul
“You are already in my bed, Paul Martin” she defended.
“Nope, I am on your bed. You are in your bed.” he explained “But if you want to properly snuggle.”
“Well, I feel that testing your snuggling stamina can only be achieved in the bed.” replied Micah untangling herself from his chest. Paul slid off the side if the bed. He tossed his ball cap and phone on the chair. Micah had turned the duvet back on his side. “Better climb in, the first overtime is starting.”
Paul climbed in the bed and managed to wedge pillows behind him so he could see the game. Micah then scooted closer. She laid her head on his chest. Paul noticed her fiery hair escaping from its confines. He tucked an errant strand behind her ear. He was watching her almost more so than the game. It was about 5 minutes into the overtime period and she had not said a word. He knew she was awake. He could feel her breathing. Plus, she was toying with the hem of his shirt.“Why are you so quiet?” he whispered.
“I was being quiet so you can watch the game. This overtime stuff is serious.” she answered with a little shrug.
“I can watch hockey anytime. I can only have one first snuggle with you, Miss Prewitt.”
“So this is our first official snuggle?” asked Micah “What has all the stuff on the couch and on top of the blankets been?”
“That was totally pre-snuggling. Or warm up snuggling.”
“Warm up snuggling?” she questioned
“Sure, can’t just jump into things.” he replied smiling at her.
“And the kissing?” she asked.
“Another compatibility check” he answered.
“So, are we compatible, Martin?”
“Maybe,” he stated “Might need to conduct a few more experiments. See if you’re the entire package. You get points for handling the triplets. You get points for not rambling or complaining during hockey games. Another point for knowledge of college football. But there is the entire flooded the kitchen incident.”
“That’s still 2 to 1 in my favor.” she reminded.
“You’re decent at math” replied Pauly “Plus, you have red hair and freckles.”
“You dig gingers, Martin?”
“I’m practically a ginger”
“Oh no Goldilocks, you blondes don’t get to steal our ginger thunder.” exclaimed Micah.
“Goldilocks” scoffed Paul
“Yes, from now on I am referring to you and the triplets as Goldilocks and the three terrors.” explained Micah “It’s gonna be a thing. I think Flower will agree. Maybe even your boyfriend.”
“We prefer defensive partners” smirked Paul.
“Whatever you say to make yourselves feel better” she said grinning at him “Has he already been through this compatibility assessment? I would hate to have worse scores than your “partner”. That can’t bode well for our official snuggling.”
“He passed with flying colors” remarked Paul “I am way less choosing in my d pairings.”
“So the pretty Frenchman isn’t special. Does he know that? Because I am pretty sure he is something special.” she teased.Micah heard the buzzer sound that signified the end of the first over time. It was still tied. “What about your Nashville boyfriend is he special?”she asked nodding at the TV.
“Neal was totally my husband” deadpanned Paul. He was determined to keep a straight face even when she levered up off his chest and stared at him. She gaped at him for a minute. Then started to laugh. “Ask anyone they will tell you I’ve not been myself without him.” Micah swatted at his wide chest. Paul caught her hand and pulled her forward. He used her momentum to pull her on top of him. His hand tangled in the wild curls at the nape of her neck before bringing her mouth down to his. Paul kissed her gently. Micah let out a breath that she hadn’t realized she was holding. Paul kissed her again. This time nipping at the edge of her mouth. She made a small sound before Paul deepened the kiss. She pressed her body closer to his. His hands slid from the nape of her neck to cradle her face. His tongue stroked against hers. Micah’s hands slid up Paul’s chest. She rocked her body against his.
Paul moved lightning quick again. This time he had Micah underneath him. His hips settled above hers. Paul was still trying to catch his breath. Kissing Micah left him feeling like he skated a double shift. They were both pulling for air. She was fucking gorgeous. Her hair around her like a fiery halo, soft fair skin, and lips swollen from his kisses. He captured her mouth in a swift kiss. Her hands slid underneath his t-shirt. Her small hands clutching the muscles in his back pulling him closer to her. He broke the kiss. She made a sound of displeasure at the loss of contact with his mouth. His mouth slid close to her ear “Just as I suspected.” He kissed down her jaw line back to her up turned mouth. “Totally compatible.” He whispered. Micah wasn’t sure how long they laid there tangled up, but it was interrupted by Duncan Keith scoring the game winner.He kissed her again before moving so that she was tucked up against his side. How did he move that fast?
Micah snuggled into his chest “So I passed.” she asked. Paul smiled at her and nodded yes. He heard his phone chime. “You want to get that?”
“Nope,” he said snuggling her closer “I am happy where I am.” Paul kissed her forehead. “I should probably go home so that the boys don’t see me here. I’m sure Daylon would be impressed with my tongue kissing abilities.”
Micah groaned. She tightened her hold on him. “Aren’t I the one who should be impressed.” His mouth found hers in a hot slide. He kissed her breathless.
“Impressed yet” he teased. She shook her head no. Paul smiled and kissed her again. He was content to lay here for the duration of the night kissing Micah. He was trying to remember the last girl he had spent the night in bed with just kissing and snuggling. Paul couldn’t remember. But damned if he didn’t like it. Paul wasn’t sure how long their make-out session went, but it was interrupted by his phone chiming again. He growled.
“Just answer it” she said “I still be impressed after your call.” He gave her a smacking kiss before moving her so that he could grab the phone. He was going to kill the person on the phone.He noticed it was a missed facetime request from Tori Lynn. He climbed back into the bed with Micah. Once he had her settled back in her comfortable spot he called Tori Lynn.
“Hey, Pauly. Did I wake you up? I thought you’d be up watching Neal’s game. I can hang up and let you sleep.” rambled Tori Lynn “Paul Martin, do you have a girl in your bed?”

“No, you didn’t wake me up. I was mostly watching the game. No need to hang up. And technically I’m in her bed.” replied Paul.
“Do not play James Neal word games with me, Paul Martin! You haven’t mentioned anyone.”
“Tori Lynn wouldn’t dare pull a Nealer.” laughed Paul. Micah then realized that he was talking to Tori Lynn. “This is Micah.” he said in introduction “She is the Triplets new nanny. And I kind of dig her. In related news, she has no idea who Sidney Crosby is but totally fangirled when I showed her Neal.” Tori Lynn laughed when the red head smacked Paul “Ow, Mike. She wasn’t impressed with Neal. It was all you, boo.”
“Hey, Micah” waved Tori Lynn “I’m so sorry I interrupted. I need Neal advice. Pauly is my go to since my Russian Neal whisperer is in Russia. Micah waved shyly. Paul acted as if it were perfectly normal that half of country music’s hottest duo was on his phone.
“She likes you and your Ratpack.”
“Stop making me sound like a fan girl, Paul Martin. I’m going to toss you out of my bed.” Groused Micah.
“Sammy is single if you decide to dump Martin” laughed Tori Lynn.
“Neal’s is right you are mean” exclaimed Paul.
“I’m not mean” said Tori Lynn “Micah these hockey boys are so sensitive. It’s easy to hurt their feels.” she laughed “Speaking of feels…what do I do with, lost in double overtime in the playoffs Neal?”
Paul shook his head “Feed him and pet on him. He’ll be fine. They have 6 more games to get Chicago.”
“He’s gonna be all pitiful and dejected” replied Tori Lynn “I hate sad Neal that I can’t fix.” Paul saw Ribs head come into view.
“Show him your girly parts and he’ll perk up” said Ribs.
“Go away, Ribs” admonished Tori Lynn. He just laughed. Ribs waved at Pauly. “Micah ignore that heathen. He has no manners.”
“But he has a point” said Shea Weber coming into frame.
“Et tu, Shea” replied Tori Lynn. Micah couldn’t help but laugh. Tori Lynn planted a kiss on Shea’s jaw.
“Night, Brat.” said Shea leaving the Bridgestone “Night, Martin.”
“So this is just a normal night, Paul” asked Micah “Country Superstars and hockey guys.”
“Not every night” answered Paul. He heard a commotion behind Tori Lynn and saw her mafia boys. Tori Lynn smiled at the gaggle of Swedes and Jos.
“Micah, these handsome devils are the Swedish Mafia. “ Tori Lynn pointed out the boys one by one. “Yes, Roman really is that ridiculously pretty.” Micah laughed as she kissed them by as well.
“You kissing all the Preds now” asked Paul.
“Nah, I won’t kiss Ribs” shrugged Tori Lynn.
“Good plan, boo.” laughed Paul “Micah saw you all in concert in Columbus.”
“We played at CBJ arena”
“Micah is a Hartnell fan” teased Paul
“Really” asked Tori Lynn
“You’re one to talk, Miss I Love Brad Marchand.” said James Neal coming to stand behind his girlfriend.Tori Lynn’s face broke out into a huge smile as she turned towards Neal. Micah watched her talk animatedly to Neal. You could tell they loved one another. She hoped someday a guy would look at her like Neal was looking at Tori Lynn. Maybe Paul would be that guy.
“Look, Pauly met a girl” said Tori Lynn handing Neal her phone. “Say hi to Micah.”
“Girl” said Neal “Damn it Pauly, I’m getting ready for the playoff, not cut off from the planet.” James looked at tiny red head snuggled up to Paul. Neal smiled. Maybe the off season would be good to Pauly. “Hey, Micah.”
“So you’re Paul’s husband?” asked Micah. Tori Lynn started laughing as did Pauly.
Without missing a beat Neal said “Ex-husband.”
“Y’all are a mess” said Tori Lynn. Neal flopped down on the couch in the lounge and pulled Tori Lynn into his lap. Micah laughed at the disgruntled brunette. James kissed her mouth.
“Make him fix you French toast.” said James.
“He already has” replied Micah.
“So this is French toast serious, eh Pauly” teased Neal.
“She has survived two days as the triplets nanny. She deserved French toast.” explained Pauly “Remind me to tell you the puking bubbles story.”
“Daylon or Devon” asked Neal “Speaking of the hat trick of horror, where are they. They are quiet, no good comes from the being quiet.”
“Neither” replied Paul “It was Mike here that made the foam party in the kitchen. They are asleep Neal, it’s the middle of the damn night.”
“Did you tie a string with a gremlin bell to the door, so you know if they are up?” asked Neal. Tori smacked him “What? It’s creepy when they all three stare at you when you are sleeping!”
“It is!” exclaimed Micah
“Alright, say good bye to your ex-husband, and I will make you French toast at home.” said Tori Lynn.
“With bourbon syrup and bacon” wheedled Neal.
“His tastes are improving” said Paul “Night guys.”
“Nice meeting you, Micah” answered Tori Lynn “Hopefully, we’ll be up to see Paul and the triplets and I’ll meet you in person. If you want Ratpack swag, let Pauly know and I will hook you up.”Micah nodded as they disconnected.
“Now you’ve kinda met Tori Lynn and Neal.” said Paul.
“They seem like an awesome couple.” She answered.
“He’s come a long way” laughed Paul “I should go home Micah.”
“I know” said Micah snuggling closer.
“I don’t really want to seeing as how compatible we are.” said Paul. He waited for a reaction. But it never came. He looked down and Micah was sleep on his chest. “I see how it is. I’m boring.” She didn’t answer. Paul laid still watching her sleep. He could get used to having her in his arms. He clicked on the NHL network On the Fly to catch highlights of G and Sid. After about 20 minutes he was sure she was good and asleep. He managed to extract himself from her grip and replace it with his pillow. Paul grabbed his cap and phone. Before leaving he pulled the blankets up over her. He gave her a gentle kiss. “Night, gorgeous.”
Paul shivered as he crossed the yard. He thought back on the night. He’d brave the cold any night to hold Micah. He turned on an alarm to get up and help her with the triplets. Paul fell asleep thinking about exactly how compatible he and Micah were.

Notes