All Hands on Deck

When Valentine’s Day passed while the Pens were on the road and Tessa heard not a peep about it from Sidney, she tried her very best not to feel upset. She reasoned that since they were technically not a real couple, she had no grounds to expect anything from him. Besides, what would they have done, gone out for a romantic dinner? Out of the question. Had heart stopping, mind blowing sex? Nearly impossible while they were on a road trip. Still, though she was loath to admit it, Tessa had always had a weakness for sappy romance, the hyper-unrealistic stuff of the novels she consumed regularly. And despite her intelligence, she knew she set her standards for these sorts of things unreasonably high.

So, as the calendar turned to the fifteenth of February and the road trip continued, Tessa tried to put it out her mind. But by the time they returned home to Pittsburgh, it was still irking her. What was the most annoying perhaps was the unutilized lingerie she had splurged on in hopes of surprising Sidney if he decided to plan a romantic evening with her, which he didn’t seem to be doing even after the holiday had passed. As such, the delicate lacy and satin set was shoved unceremoniously into the back of her closet while she was unpacking from the trip. A curse or two might have been uttered as she did it.

When Sidney called her on yet another Sunday afternoon, she had a hard time masking her frustration. Normally she would have woken up in his arms, smiling and content, but his parents had come to town the week they got back so she hadn’t been able to see him at all during the time they’d been home.

Tessa, burying her still burning bitterness, asked nicely, “How was yesterday?”

“Good, boring, we just went to dinner, played board games. They’re on their way home now, left a little while ago. I missed you this week, baby. Sorry things have been so crazy.”

“No biggie. I’ll see you tonight, right?”

“Actually, is it cool with you if I just chill at home? Things have been so hectic and while I love having my parents here, it’s a little draining.”

Tessa, bless her heart, did her best to act like a rational adult. “Oh, yeah sure. Whatever.”

She did an awful job of hiding her feelings and Sidney probed her. “You ok?”

Her otherwise cheerful voice had a bitter tone. “I’m fine, Sid. It’s not like I don’t have other things to do. My whole life doesn’t revolve around you.”

The hurt in his voice was obvious and Tessa immediately felt bad for snapping at him. “I never said it did.”

Letting out a sigh, Tessa chastised herself for acting like a child and tried to make amends. “I know, I know. That was out of line, I apologize.”

“What’s wrong? Are you pissed at me about this week? I’m sorry -”

“No, not at all, please don’t be sorry. I’m just stressing about work stuff and…”

“And what?”

“Nothing, I’m acting like a needy little brat and I’m the one who should be sorry.”

A smile shined through in his answer. “I like it when you’re needy. Tell me what’s going on, Tess.”

“I…God, this is so stupid.”

“Out with it.”

Tessa sighed again as she realized what was really bothering her. It wasn’t just Valentine’s Day, it was her life in Pittsburgh when Sidney wasn’t around. “I guess I just get…lonely when I don’t see you at home. On the road it’s tough because you’re there and I can’t be with you the way I’d like, but at least I get to spend time with you. When we’re home and things get like this week and you’re not here for days at time…I don’t know. Sid, I’m trying to sound pathetic, but I don’t know anyone in Pittsburgh except you guys on the team and it’s not like they want to hang out with me on their off days. I suppose I’m home sick, which I don’t notice when you’re here. When you’re not…I just feel…really alone. I’m used to having a lot of people around me. I like having a lot of people around.”

“Oh, baby, I’m so sorry about this week and any other time I couldn’t be there. I didn’t think about the fact that all your friends and family are miles away.”

Sidney sounded so upset as if he had actually done something wrong, which, of course, he hadn’t. Tessa immediately regretted saying anything at all. “God, please stop being sorry, it’s not your fault.” She forced her voice to brighten its tone. “Let’s just forget it, ok? Like I said, I’m just whining like a child because I can’t play with my favorite toy.”

“So I’m back to just being your boy toy, eh?”

“You know you mean more to me that, Sid.”

“I know, and you do, too. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

“There’s nothing to make up for, honestly. You have a life, we’re both busy and I didn’t mean to give you a guilt trip about something that you can’t control. I’m fine, really. Take a night for yourself. I’m gonna get out of the house, go to the market, buy myself some flowers, sip a $5 latte and eat a chocolate pastry, maybe two.”

Sidney let out a small laugh. “Sounds like a good afternoon, but do you really need more flowers?”

Tessa looked at the eight bouquets of roses in her apartment that had been freshly delivered that morning. True to his word given all those weeks ago, Sidney had them sent every Sunday like clockwork so that just as one batch was wilting, a new one would arrive to replace them. She smiled now, realizing how silly she was being about the whole thing. She was lonely at times, yes, but so what if he forgot Valentine’s Day, he sent her flowers every week, lavished attention on her when they were together. She was lucky, she didn’t deserve even half of the goodness he showed her.

She told him, “I don’t need them, no, but they make me happy.”

“Fair enough. No roses, though, that’s my department.”

“No roses, promise.”

“Call me when you get home.”

“I will. Bye, Sid.”

Tessa hung up and smiled genuinely. Honestly, what had she been thinking, acting so desperate for attention? February fourteenth was just another day and there was no need to behave like the world was ending simply because Sidney drowned her in affection every day but that one. And while she did miss him when he wasn’t there, that couldn’t be helped and she needed to get better at spending time alone. Feeling infinitely better she dressed in a pair of grey jogger sweatpants, black Nike sneakers, and a black Penguin’s hoodie; she threw her pea coat on and went out into the city.

Treating herself to lunch, she then browsed the flower market until she decided on a tulip plant that was close to blooming. For several hours she enjoyed several coffees and more than one pastry as she watched people bustle by about their business. What she told Sidney was true, she did miss her friends in Reading and her mom being just about an hour’s drive away. And yet she knew it was unfair to expect Sidney to feel the void left by them. The more she recalled her frame of mind and what she had said to him, the more she regretted it.

Hours later as she went bounding up the stairs of her apartment building, she was still thinking of ways she could tell Sidney she was sorry for the whole thing. Her thoughts were wondering when she opened the door, but the sight that greeted her caused her to quickly focus on the present. There were red and pink hearts of various sizes cut from construction paper littering the floor and covering the walls and ceiling of the living room and kitchen. She saw the hearts through soft candle light as there were dozens upon dozens of votive candles on the floor and counters.

She stepped inside in shock and closed the door just as Sidney came around the corner from her bedroom, greeting her with a wide smile.

“What’s all this?”

Sidney turned to look at the outlandish set up with her before he met her eyes. “I was informed by Letang after our phone call that Valentine’s Day passed recently.”

Tessa pursed her lips. “Oh, yeah? I hadn’t realized.”

Sidney’s look told her he didn’t believe her. Stepping closer, he took off her jacket before gasping her by the hips and leaning down to kiss her sweetly. “I’m sorry. I’m a shit boyfriend, but you know me, I don’t even know what day of the week it is half the time, let alone the date. It’s just a game day or a non-game day.”

“I know, I…” Her heart was filled with emotion and it had little to do with this sign of affection and more to do with what he had just said. “Did you just say that you’re my boyfriend?”

He gave her half of a nonchalant shrug. “What else would I be?”

“Good question, but I don’t know. Can you be my boyfriend when no one knows about this?”

“Letang knows.”

“Don’t remind me.”

“Tessa, just because no one knows doesn’t mean it’s not real. You’re so special to me and I don’t need anyone to know that to validate it.”

The man made a fine point. She leaned up to kiss him again, more deeply this time. “You’re right, as usual, this is real, and this is a lovely surprise.”

“Thank you. Now, tell me the truth, were you mad because I didn’t do anything for Valentine’s Day?”

Tessa blushed from humiliation and avoided his stare. “Maybe. Pretty stupid, but what can I say? I like romance and missing you all this week didn’t help my frame of mind.”

Sidney shook his head. “You’re such a girl sometimes, Tess.”

“Pretty sure I’m a girl all the time.”

“I mean a girly girl, you know.”

Tessa gave him a look. “Is that a problem, Sid? Because you sound a little disdainful of those types of girls, who are great by the way.”

“I’m not, not with you, anyway.” She continued to eyeball him as he was only digging himself in deeper. “Does it help if I add that it’s one of my favorite things about you?”

She gave him an inch. “A little.”

“Would a present help?”

Tessa scolding him with her eyes. “You didn’t.”

“Oh, I did. Look on your bed.”

More excited than anything else now, Tessa moved passed him and stepped into her bedroom, which was also done up with adorable hearts and candles everywhere. Then, on the center of her bed, she found a tiny grey kitten curled up and sleeping away. It was no more than a few months old, recently weaned from its mother and Tessa nearly squealed at how cute it was, with fat cheeks and short, stubby legs and tail.

When she delicately put her hand it’s back, a tiny round head popped up and looked at her with bright yellow eyes and a small squeak came from it’s mouth.

“Oh. My. God. Sidney!” She picked the kitten up, snuggling it under her chin as it started to purr. Sidney stood in the doorway smiling at her.

“Like him?”

“He’s perfect. Goodness, I…what…oh my God! He’s so cute I can’t handle it!” Tessa held him up now and kissed his little nose as he let out another squeak.

“I thought he could keep you company when I’m not around. I can’t have you feeling lonely, ever.”

“Sid…” Tessa held the kitten in one hand and pulled Sidney closer with the other on his shoulder, kissing him just once, briefly. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I love him so much already.”

“Good.” Sidney patted the kitten’s little head. “What are you gonna name him?”

Tessa looked at the tiny creature who had brought her so much joy already. Then, she looked at the man responsible who made her happier than she ever thought possible. “How about Nova, like Nova Scotia? Nova Blue. Like it?”

Sidney grinned at her and the kitten. “Love it. Nova Blue Crosby it is.”

Tessa pulled Nova against her chest possessively. “Excuse you. This is Nova Blue Higgins.”

Sidney reached for the kitten and then laughed when Tessa snuggled him closer, refusing to let him go. “Technically I’m his father, so his name should be Crosby.”

Tessa considered that as an option, glowingly pleased that Sidney wanted to claim paternity on the little thing. “I suppose you are. I could live with Nova Blue Higgins-Crosby.”

Always contrary, Sidney told her, “I like Crosby-Higgins better.”

She had to admit that Crosby-Higgins did seem to flow well. “What do you think, little one? Nova Blue Crosby-Higgins sound ok to you?” The kitten let out a meew and Tessa giggled. “Ok, ok, the boys win. Crosby-Higgins.”

“Now that you’ve named him, come and give me a proper thank you kiss.”

Kitten in one hand, Tessa smirked as she let Sidney pull her into an embrace and he started a kiss that was only innocent for a heartbeat before he was holding her hard against his body and thrusting his tongue against hers at a rhythmic pace. He broke from her lips and grabbed Nova from her hand. “Sorry, buddy. Daddy’s got urgent business with your mother.”

Tessa watched him settle Nova on the couch and the kitten was more than happy to curl up and go back to sleep. When Sidney tried to come back towards the bedroom, Tessa put a hand on his chest. “Hold on. I have gift for you, too.”

“Mmm, I know you do. Let me at it.”

Tessa was giggling again as Sidney grabbed her and started kissing her neck. “No, no. A real gift. Go away for a second.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, go pet your son. I just need a minute.”

Reluctantly, Sidney let go of her and Tessa closed the door, quickly digging her the closet for the discarded lingerie set. Once she was stripped and then dolled up in the outfit, she grabbed a box from the top shelf and pulled on something even more special.

When she opened the door again, Sidney was pacing her living room impatiently, but came to an abrupt stop, slackjawed when he saw her. “Holy shit.”

Tessa gave him a little turn, slowly since she was wearing heels for the first time ever in her life. The bright red satin corset buckled in front and featured ruffly black trim, including a bow between her now amplified breasts that spilled out over the top. The undies also red, but with black lace accents were a g-string, leaving Sidney’s favorite asset of hers fully exposed. The aforementioned heels were four inchers, matted black with a round toe. Her hair was still up in a messy bun because she didn’t know what else to do with it. She ended the turn with a sassy hand on her hip stance. “Well?”

He was speechless and frozen in place. He had never seen her like this, ever. Not that he minded; he liked her sweatpants and boy shorts style undies and too-big t-shirts that were easy to pull off. He was normally too interested in getting her naked to care what she was wearing, because any clothes were just a barrier to be removed as quickly as possible. Besides, while he liked the fact that she was a girly girl at times, her tomboy heart was as good as gold to him. But seeing her in this outfit…made him realize what he’d been missing out on because she was simply stunning. He finally answered, “Jesus, how long have you had that?”

“A week or so.” His inaction was puzzling her and she suddenly felt like an idiot. “You don’t like it. I know, it’s not me. I’ll take it off.”

Sidney closed the distance between them quickly, grabbing her arm. “No. No, please don’t. I love it. Tessa…goddamn.” He let go of her arm and ran his hands slowly down the sides of the corset, feeling the heat of her body through the soft and thin material. In heels she was easily eye-to-eye with him, but his eyes were on her body along with his hands.

When he reached her hips, they sunk lower to cup her ass and drag her body closer to his, pressing her softness against his cock now standing at full attention. Sidney let out a groan and finally focused those bottomless brown eyes on hers. Tessa reached up and slid her fingers into his hair. “So you do like me all girly?”

“I like you in old t-shirts, I really like you in nothing, I always like you, Tess. But, yeah, this…is nice.”

“Mmm, then take me to bed, because these heels are killing me already.” Sidney laughed and Tessa joined him. “I’m serious, how do women do this all day and survive?”

He started walking her backwards towards the bed. “No idea. You buy those special for me?”

“Yes, I should make you pay me back for them since I’ll never use them again.”

“How about I give you a foot massage as payment?”

“Fuck yeah. Later.”

Sidney nodded, but was too distracted by her cleavage and those ample breasts that were like two fat half moons poking out of the top of the corest. They stood next to the bed, his long fingers caressing the mounds as his mouth began to water at the sight of them. He bent down, running his tongue along the soft skin of her chest as he wrapped his arms around her waist. He just needed her closer, needed his face buried between her breasts, so that’s where he went, moving his hands to push them up from the bottom and stroking his nose and chin along the globes as they came together.

Tessa’s hands were lost in his hair as she clung to him. While it was about a week late, this was exactly what she imagined their Valentine’s Day entailing: thoughtful gifts, great sex. The kitten was, without question, the sweetest thing she had ever received in her life and she was even more in love with the thing after Sidney made it clear that he was theirs, not just hers. Not to mention the whole casually referring to himself as her boyfriend thing that almost made her heart stop.

She was overcome with emotion, grabbing his face to haul it away from her breasts, despite how good it felt. “You’re a damn good man. I don’t deserve you.”

His eyes were already blown out and hazy with lust. “Lies. You deserve better, but unfortunately you’re stuck with me for a while.”

Insanely, Tessa thought about telling him she’d like to be stuck with him forever. Instead, she said, “Well now that we have a son, we’ll have to at least remain friends for a dozen or so years.”

“I could never be friends with you, Tessa. I guess we’ll have to keep things the way they are.”

“Good plan. Kiss me, please, Sid.”

His mouth came down on hers with a controlled passion that was quickly lost. They shared breath, teeth clanking together, a tongue was bit, a lip trapped between two others. Sidney said practically into her mouth, “Bend over, hands on the bed.”

She gave him pleading eyes. “Shoes?”

“Off, they’ve served their purpose.”

Tessa out an exaggerated sigh of relief as she kicked them off and out of the way. Turning, she bent over in front of him and placed both hands on the mattress. She tensed with anticipation as Sidney cupped her ass with a warm palm. She was already wet for him, itching to feel his hardness invade her after going so long without him. Sidney, however, was in no rush.

He continued to stroke her ass as if admiring it for the first time. When he brought his lips to her and kissed it, Tessa let out a moan, leaning back towards his open mouth. “Your ass, Tess…it’s a goddamn miracle. Fuck the heels, buy more g-strings, never cover this thing again. Even a thong is too much.”

“Had I known you’d start worshiping it, I would have worn one for you weeks ago.”

“Mmm…” Sidney was too distracted to answer, now rubbing his cheeks on the rounded curves of her ass and reaching his hands down to stroke her thighs.

Tessa felt him drop to his knees and then run his fingers along her slit over the g-string, dampening it even with her arousal. She spread her legs further apart, bucked her hips back, panting for him already. He dragged his tongue along the crack of her ass until he reached her entrance, still covered by the tiny triangle of fabric.

She could barely feel him, the g-string acting as a thin barrier to his tongue, but the promise of full contact that was being withheld only made her wetter. “Fuck, Sid…”

His only response was to lave at her soaked panties more, pulling her lips apart until the fabric slipped between her folds. Tessa went down on her forearms, opening herself up even more and sticking her ass a little higher in the air. After teasing her plump lips now exposed on each side, Sidney finally pulled the g-string from her body and threw it behind him, settling back between her outstretched legs and returning his mouth to her wetness, drinking her in.

As he licked at her pussy from behind he continued to knead her ass, grabbing and squeezing the flesh until she moaned and pushed back against his hands for more. His tongue found her clit, swirling and flicking along until Tessa spasmed through her orgasm and her knees buckled. His hand between her legs and on her stomach kept her standing.

He came upright and turned her around, kissing her roughly before telling her, “On the bed, on your back.”

She did as he requested, resting her head on a pillow and watching him peel off his shirt and then his jeans, leaving his boxers on. Crawling up to straddle her thighs, Sidney returned his hands to her torso, rubbing his large hands over every inch of her and gazing at her hard.

“You’re so beautiful, Tess. Prettiest girl in Pittsburgh.”

“Boy, last week I was the most beautiful girl in Canada, now just Pittsburgh?”

He chuckled and pinched her nipples as best he could through the corset. “You’re the prettiest no matter where you are, anywhere in the world.”

“Mmm, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He whispered this across her skin before open mouth kissing her throat. He bit down on the skin of her neck, before moving down to suck hard at the top of one overflowing breast.

“It’s been so long, so long, Sid.”

“I know. Time to remind you that you’re mine.” Teeth and tongue and sucking lips pulled a hunk of flesh into his mouth as he worked it erotically until a deep bruise developed. The groan he let out as he did this was possessive, commanding, sexy as hell. Tessa shuddered underneath him, fisting the comforter in both hands as she fought back a scream. When he moved to mark the other breast, she let it out, a strangled, high pitched sound being ripped from her throat.

“Yes! Yours, Sid.”

Both breasts now with purple marks forming, Sidney sat up, reaching for the front of the corset, undoing the first buckle, telling her softly. “Mine.”

Tessa nodded, whispered back. “Yes.” Between the intensity of his look, his mouth on her skin, his body heavy on her legs and holding her down, she was about ready to explode again already. “Sid…”

He undid another buckle slowly, leaving the sides of her breasts exposed. “Hmm?”

“You drive me fucking wild with just your hands on me.”

This made him smile as he undid another buckle. “Still?”

“God, yes. I don’t think this will ever get old.”

“True.” He undid another buckle, leaving the top of the corset bulging open in the shape of a V. His tongue danced on the newly exposed skin, across her rapidly beating heart and her breasts rising and falling with her breath. His mouth kissed along her torso as his hands finished off the buckles, leaving her fully bared.

Tessa arched her back and pulled the stiff piece of fabric out from underneath her. When it hit the floor, they heard an annoyed, but muffled meow. Giggling, Sidney leaned over and freed Nova who had been trapped under the corset.

Tessa bit her smiling lip as he watched him pick the kitten up. “Your son is just as perverted as you are.”

“I think he takes after his mother, actually.”

Tessa laughed as Sidney put Nova back on the couch and this time when he returned, he closed the bedroom door. Pulling off his boxers, with a teasing eyeroll he said, “Kids. Where were we?”

“Pretty sure you were about to fuck the life out of me.”

“Sounds about right.” He straddled her body again before stretching his legs out to cover her entirely.

His mouth was on her neck, his reddened cock hard and warm against her core, his hairy legs brushing her perfectly smooth ones. She reached for his ass, because as much as he liked hers, she loved his even more. She spread her legs and pulled his hips flush against her.

Sidney reached back and grabbed her wrists, holding her so tightly that more bruises were inevitable. Tessa let out a whimpering moan as she also felt her pussy clench at this display of power. When he pressed her arms down into the mattress above her head, he simultaneously shoved himself inside her.

Tessa’s mouth opened silently and Sidney claimed it, licking through her hot breath before meeting her tongue. She hummed, moaning against his lips as he held her firmly down and started to fuck her. She opened her eyes and found him watching her and as his mouth and body were busy against hers, his eyes were still, focused. The faint candle light make his glare even darker, his eyes more dark and mysterious. The sight of him watching her induced her orgasm and she tightened around him, pulling him deeper. He released her mouth to let her breathe and cry out for him.

His pace did not slow or relent, but if anything became more acute. His fiery passion simmered, threatening to boil over. His hands compressed her wrists tighter, his cock found new spots to hit as he circled his hips, his smile was lazy and admiring.

He told her, “Nothing compares to you, Tess. Nothing.”

“Sid…fuck. You’re perfect. Don’t stop.”

“I won’t, baby.”

He did let go of her hands and grabbed her behind the legs, bending her knees until they nearly hit the bed next to her body. Wide open and wet for him, Sidney fucked her harder. Tessa, in response to this increased aggression, became even more gentle with him, using just her fingertips to trace shapes and patterns on his biceps and shoulders.

The tension in her body rose until she felt as tense as a string pulled taut, ready to snap at the slightest provocation. Sidney, having gone without her for so long was surprised he had lasted. “Tess…”

“I’m close, just keep going. Almost there. Sid!”

His hands still forcing her legs up and apart, his hips pistoned between them even more hectically. Her mouth fell open again, his breath was ragged as he tried to hold back. He pinched his eyes shut and came, just before she spasmed around him again, groaning out incoherent appreciation.

Their bodies stayed intertwined, both too exhausted to move for what seemed like ages occupied by heavy breathing and sweaty body parts rubbing against each other. It wasn’t until Nova started to paw at the door that Sidney decided to get up. Although, he returned soon after and went right back to making love to Tessa for the rest of the day and night. Nova made himself a bed in one of her tennis shoes and went back to sleep, in spite of the noise.

Notes

Requested Valentine's Day reading, late because you know Sidney would never remember. <3