Monday, September 27, 2010

New Story!

New story time!  Inspired by Kimy, I'm going to try my hand at something non-Penguins related.  Plus, Jonathan Toews makes me laugh every moment he's not so serious.  And he gets all fangirl-esque when he talks about Sid, so we know he had good taste.  Anyway, here goes...

Backstage - ft. Jonathan Toews
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Saturday, September 18, 2010

New story!

It started as a one shot, but Do Not Disturb looks to be going at least 5 parts. I'm posting it, and other shorter stories, at (One) Shot Through the Heart.
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Monday, September 13, 2010

Chapter 11 - This Time of Year [The End]

Soundtrack: I know there's a reason to change, I know there's a time for us. You think about the good times and you live with all the bad. You can feel it in the air, feeling right this time of year. – Better than Ezra, “This Time of Year”
____

Perfect summer days passed at Sidney’s house – barbeques, swimming, Ski-Doos. Kris woke up before Ginger most mornings, taking the cooler hours to work out with the guys. They ran or hit Crosby’s gym, challenged each other to contests swimming the width of the lake. Most afternoons Ginger, Dani and Vero put themselves in charge of snacks, carving watermelon and making smoothies. The nights stayed warm and clear.

“You’re bluffing,” Max said.

Ginger arched an eyebrow, her expression barely changing. “So bet.”

“There’s no way you have a third queen, and you can’t beat me without it.”

She drummed her fingers on the back of her cards, which lay face down on the table. “You seem pretty confident.”

“I am,” Max replied. “You’re bluffing and I’m willing to make this interesting. If I win, you have to strip, run to the lake and jump in naked.”

“Hey!” Kris stood up from the arm of the couch.

Max turned his cards down. “And if you win… name your price.”

Ginger smiled wickedly, like she’d been waiting all night for that. “If I win, we all strip and skinny dip.”

“Whooooooooooooooo!” Jordan shouted. Sidney blushed furiously and opened his mouth to protest. Ginger threw up a hand.

“INCLUDING Crosby. Or I’m not going!”

Jordan tried to pants Sid on the spot, but he was luckily wearing a belt. “Crosby, these are the only naked chicks I’m gonna see this month! Don’t you ruin it!” Sid relented, laughing. He held Dani in front of him like a shield.

Max looked seriously impressed. “I think I love you,” he said. “So let’s do this. I’ll call your bet, $50 bucks. Now let’s see ‘em.”

Max flipped his cards. He had tens over queens – one ten and one queen in his hand, one of each on the board. Ginger slowly smiled. She flipped up one of her cards: queen. Max hissed. He had a strong hand – she needed a jack, another queen or a nine-ten suited to beat him.

“Head start. Take your shirt off,” she said, tapping her last hidden card.

“No way, no freebies,” Max said, though he had absolutely no problem getting naked at any moment.

Ginger lifted the card to her face and spun it between her fingers: queen.

“Merde!” Max shouted, jumping up from the table. He ran around to Ginger’s side and grabbed her. “You had that up your sleeve! Take off your shirt so we can see where you hid it!” Ginger wiggled free, pulled her top off and threw it in Max’s face. With him temporarily slowed, she screamed and ran for the door.

They all barreled out of the house at full speed and top volume. Ginger jumped the stairs, unbuttoning her shorts as she hit the ground. She was less than two steps ahead of Jordan, who was covering ground like Usain Bolt. Ginger stutter-stepped out of her cutoffs.

“If you’re getting naked, I’m getting there first!” he yelled, shirt off and sandals flying. She turned halfway and tossed her bra at him. He was so surprised he almost stopped. Sidney flew past them both, shirtless and working on his mesh shorts.

“That’s what I’m talking about, Crosby, show us your best side!” Dani yelled from somewhere behind.

Ginger’s feet hit the planks of the dock at the same time as Jordan’s. Crosby was three steps ahead almost to the water. They screeched to a halt next to him, right at the end, and looked at each other.

“One, two, three!” Sid yelled. They all dropped their underwear and jumped into the lake.

Kris was two seconds behind them, followed by Max and then Dani. Flower and Vero reached the end of the dock, fully clothed.

“Cheaters!” Kris yelled, splashing up at them.

“In a few weeks, I have to see you guys naked all the time!” Marc ducked behind Vero as water flew in all directions. A wave hit her and she screamed. She emptied her pockets onto the dock, wrapped her arms around Marc and threw them both into the lake fully clothed.

“Get away from me, Staalsy! I know you’ve had a dry summer, but I am not that French!” Max shouted. Jordan threatened to head back first and lock them all out for the night.

Kris swam up behind Ginger and wrapped his arms around her. The lake was cold enough he had no problem keeping himself in control. But he did kiss her deeply.

“You are going to make Pittsburgh a lot more fun,” he said.

“Do you have a lake? We can do naked polar bear club!”

They lasted fifteen minutes in the water. Max and Jordan walked naked back to the house like they were out for a Sunday stroll. Ginger pulled her underwear and bra on before dashing past and slapping Jordan’s bare ass. Kris chased her right inside.

“Uh, I dropped my contact lens,” Dani yelled.

“Yeah, in the lake. We’re gonna look for it,” Sid helped.

“Then we’re eating all your ice cream!” Vero shot back.

Ginger changed into one of Kris’ t-shirts and a pair of shorts. Vero lined glasses up on the counter and Kris scooped coffee ice cream into each one. Ginger followed behind, filling each with root beer then topping them with whipped cream. Vero found straws and carried the drinks to the porch.

Jordan scooped whipped cream into his mouth with the end of the straw and looked at Ginger. “I saw you naked.”

“I saw you naked,” she said.

“I told my brothers.”

“I’m telling your mom.”
____

Ginger stood on the porch, watching the guys make their way down the road toward the house. At barely 8 AM the air was just beginning to heat up. It was time to head back to Montreal for the last two weeks of the summer – Ginger had to pack up her apartment, her roommates had found someone to take her place before school started. Most of the stuff she guessed would go to Kris’, since she didn’t know what he had or needed in Pittsburgh.

Need, she almost laughed. Kris makes $3.5 million a year. I don’t think he needs to borrow my toaster.

Dani came out and sat on the porch railing. “This is weird, eh?”

Ginger nodded, leaning against the post. “I’m nervous. Is that stupid?”

“No, you’re off to live in a fairy tale. If I didn’t know you and Kris were new, I’d think you’d been together as long as Marc and Vero. Don’t be scared, the guys will take good care of you.”

“I’ve never let anyone take care of me before, except my parents. It’s going to be weird, him spending money on me. It’s sweet, I know he means well, but I don’t want to take advantage of him.”

Dani swung her feet. “He thinks he’s taking advantage of you. Like he’s asked you to leave your whole life to be with him, which you can do because you’re normal. He’s not. He couldn’t leave the game, the team… he has no control. They have to do what they’re told. If you didn’t want to go, there would be nothing he could do about it. So really, Ginger, you have all the power.”

Ginger sat next to her. The guys were getting closer. “Did Kris tell you that?”

“Sid told me. He’s very… romantic. He likes the idea of something like that happening to him, but he’s too guarded.”

“What about you two?”

Dani shook her head. “Nah, not me. I mean, he’s great and gorgeous and we definitely have chemistry, but this is not a long-term thing. We talked about it last night. He called it a ‘game changer’ – that thing he’s looking for. When I didn’t beg and cry to be taken with him, I think he liked me even more.”

Ginger put her arm around her friends’ shoulders. “Your crazy summer with Sidney Crosby.”

“I prefer to think of it as his crazy summer with me,” Dani said.

The guys hit the lawn, walking around the cool off. Ginger tossed out a couple of water bottles. Sid came close, poured the bottle over his face so it drenched his already wet shirt, showing off his perfectly sculpted physique. Even Ginger couldn’t help but give a small gulp.

“Whatcha doing up so early?” he asked.

“Talking about how we missed our chance to have a threesome with you,” Ginger said.

Crosby spurted out a mouthful of water, so Max slapped him on the back. He came up sputtering. “You could always visit,” he told Dani.

“Eh,” she shrugged. “I’ll wait till Kris and Ginger come home for Christmas.”

“I’m coming home for Christmas!” Jordan volunteered.
____

Ginger shut the back of the Jeep. They hadn’t brought much stuff and were on the same plane as Max, Marc and Vero, so they piled everyone’s bags into one trunk. Dani was going home with Jordan. She did a final check around their room, then grabbed a soda from the kitchen. She couldn’t resist putting the few dirty glasses into the dishwasher when Sid came in from the garage.

“So, see you in the ‘Burgh?”

Ginger smiled and gave him a little nod. She didn’t want to leave, didn’t want summer to end. She didn’t want to rock a boat that had been sailing so perfectly. Sid reached out and wrapped her into a big hug. He was so strong, she suddenly felt like crying.

“You’re going to love it, I promise,” he said into her hair. “It’s not just you and Kris, it’s all of us. We won’t let anything bad happen.” He pulled back and held her face in his hands. She nodded, her eyes wet.

“I still kinda wish you were coming with me,” he said, with a big smile. That made Ginger laugh. She gave him a quick hug.

“Thanks Sid. You perv.”

Jordan leaned into the Jeep and honked the horn. Max and Vero were in the back, seat tilted forward to let her in. Marc and Kris would ride up front. Ginger hugged Dani goodbye, then Jordan.

“See you at home,” he called as she climbed into the car.
____

Kris pulled up to Ginger’s apartment building right from the airport. It was early and they wanted to get a feel for how much stuff they’d need to move. He followed her up to the third floor and into her life before him.

The living room was neat – three separate DVD collections on three separate bookshelves, slightly worn couches with soft throw blankets. Pictures hung in frames showing scenes of Montreal, New York and countless smiling faces. Her room was small but bright; she’d painted the walls yellow and strung flowers around her mirror. It looked like she’d left it just this morning: hairbrush on the dresser, one shoe sticking out from under the bed. Kris sat down on her red comforter.

“Not too much stuff,” she said, looking around. Her voice caught. Kris didn’t have to get up to reach out and pull her down. He pressed his face to her neck.

“We can take photos and put it back together exactly like this in Pittsburgh,” he said. Her laugh was a little gurgly with unspilled tears.

“It’s okay, Kris. I’m okay.”

“Whatever I can do to make this easy for you, please just tell me.”

Ginger brushed his hair back and kissed him lightly. “So far, you’re doing great.”
____

Over the next week, Kris helped Ginger sort books, movies and clothes. She packed her photos and shoes, left her ironing board and clothing rack. Every day they took a few boxes to Kris’ house, but most of what was in the house wouldn’t make the trip.

“Colleen!” Ginger called down the hall. One of her roommates stuck her head around the door. All the personal touches were gone, but the room still seemed full of furniture. “Whatever you want, it’s yours.”

Ginger had thought about putting her stuff in storage – furniture, etc. But that implied that she’d be back to living on her own someday. Neither of them liked that idea, and Kris had promised that if anything ever, ever happened and she wanted to leave, he would set her up again. She wanted to joke about moving in with Jordan, but instead she just kissed him.

When the last bag was stowed and her roommates had picked the place clean, Kris and Ginger dragged the leftovers to the sidewalk and had a little yard sale. They made $42 and at the end of the day the Salvation Army came for whatever remained. They locked the door for the last time and drove to Kris’ house. Inside, a huge bouquet of flowers was on the table. They were all shapes and sizes, bursting with color, contrasting with the dark, modern tones of Kris’ dining room.

“Welcome home!” he said after she was done squealing about their beauty. “Now this is officially your home, until we go. And when we come back.”

Ginger selected a rose from the vase and smelled it. “Thank you, Kris.” She leaned in to kiss him, but stuck the rose between his teeth. Then she took his hand and pulled him upstairs.
_____

They went to Ginger’s favorite restaurant, a Thai place near her old apartment, for their last meal in Montreal. At a small table near the window they ate from each other’s plates. Outside, a light rain peppered the sidewalk as people dodged the drops. Ginger speared the last pot sticker and offered it to Kris.

She’d quizzed him about everything in Pittsburgh: favorite restaurants, bars, clubs, the library. He said she could buy books, but she insisted she liked the ultimate non-commitment of the library. They discussed where they’d eat, where Ginger could study, everything. When the waitress cleared their dishes, Kris put an envelope on the table.

“This is for you. Starting tomorrow, okay?”

Ginger looked at him sideways as she lifted the flap. Inside was a card with a little heart on the front and inside that was a credit card. In her name. She didn’t know what she’d been expecting. He’d told her she could under no circumstances pay rent or for anything in the house.

Kris held his breath. Please go okay, please go okay, he chanted in his head. He needed this because he had one more surprise for her. She looked at him evenly.

“Ginger, I want to take care of you,” he said, slipping his hand into her empty one. “This is just a little part of it.”

She exhaled. “Okay. But I’m buying my own clothes and stuff.” Kris knew better than to argue, he’d just have to find a way around that. So he smiled and leaned in for a kiss.

Whew, he thought.
_____

It was 3 PM when they landed in Pittsburgh. Ginger held Kris’ hand and he kept his head down – he could get recognized here and was not equipped to handle it on such an important day. Sidney picked them up at the airport.

“You made it,” he said over his shoulder to Ginger.

“Almost home,” she smiled.

Sid drove thirty minutes as Ginger peered out the window at every house they passed. Big, small, dark, light – she couldn’t picture what Kris’ house would look like. She’d refused to see a photo, preferring instead to be surprised. They turned onto a side street, then into a driveway.

The house had a flagstone walkway to an arched front door. Pale brown brick covered the front of the building up to its gabled second floor and dark shingle roof. Windows lined the front, looking out onto a medium sized yard with a neat hedgerow. It was adorable in the East Coast style. Kris and Sid both looked at Ginger expectantly.

“I love it!” she squealed.

Sidney helped them dump their bags inside the front door, but declined their invitation to stay. When he was gone, Ginger raced around like she had at the lake house. She shouted from every room that she loved it. Kris just stood there and laughed, relieved by her enthusiasm. When she finally made it back to the entry way, Kris held out his hand. A Penguins keyring dangled from his finger.

“Thank you!” she tackled him in a hug.

“This one is the front door deadbolt, front doorknob, back door top and bottom,” he showed her each. There was a fifth key on the ring.

“What’s this?”

“Garage.”

“Okay,” she nodded, trying to memorize the order.

“No,” he said. “Go in the garage.”

He followed her through the kitchen, happy to see the granite counters were clean and silver fixtures polished to a gleam. He’d been sure to have it cleaned before they arrived. Ginger unlocked the garage door and Kris covered her eyes from behind.

“One more surprise,” he said, then dropped his hands.

“Oh my God,” she gasped. A brand new, champagne colored Volkswagen Touareg sat in the first spot. The red bow on its windshield was courtesy of Crosby.

“Welcome to your real home,” Kris took her into his arms and kissed her mouth before she could protest.

Oh my God repeated in her head. She knew he didn’t want to hear her argue, and she couldn’t win anyway. Instead of that, she kissed him deeply. It worked – he was fooled to distraction. When he finally broke away, she started.

“You can’t give me a car!”

“Shhhh!” he kissed her again. “You have to get to school somehow! And it’s super safe – Jordan test drove it and Sidney went over all the specs. It’s like a team car, really. From all of us.”

“Except it’s from you,” she gave him a sarcastic look.

“Then I think you should start really thanking me,” he said.
____

Ginger wandered slowly around his bedroom. It was a lot like his room in Montreal, probably everything from a single catalog page. But this one was lived-in – two hockey sticks were propped in a corner, someone had carefully wound the cords on the Playstation controllers. The novel on the bedside table had a bookmark in the middle and a charging station on the desk had empty cords waiting. She ran her hands over the leather chair before sitting down on the navy blue duvet.

Kris watched as she took it all in. Ginger was here, finally, in the place he really thought of as home. The place he retreated to during the long, hard slog of the season; his sanctuary. Now she was here and she would be staying. Finally, he thought as he sat down next to her.

She flopped back on the bed then turned in as Kris did the same. They looked at each other in their new bedroom.

“Since the first moment I saw you, I’ve been trying to get you right here,” he said. “Since you handed me a bowl of chips and ran away.”

Her hand moved up his tattooed bicep. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to be here now.”

Kris tipped up onto his elbow, leaning over. Ginger tucked his hair behind his ear. He brushed his fingers over her throat and collarbone, her skin seeming to glow against the dark bedspread. When he met her eyes, they were smiling.

“I love you, Ginger,” he said.

“I love you, Kris,” she answered.

Instantly his heart felt a hundred times lighter, like she had filled it with helium and let go of the string. His mouth crashed down onto hers. The summer had been incredible, but it was always ending. Now it was over and she was still here. She was still his.

Ginger pulled him on top of her. She could have laughed, or cried, or screamed. This was her life now and she refused to be scared about it, refused to think of anything but how much had changed in one summer. She pulled his shirt over his head as he worked at her shorts. The same smooth skin, darker from the sun, ran beneath her fingertips. The same muscles flexed in response to her touch. His belt came undone easily, as if eager not to get in their way.

Kris felt suddenly impatient. He loved her, he’d told her, and now he wanted to show her. He kicked his shorts away as she struggled out of her top. When Ginger’s knees bent over the back of his and her hands met his shaft, wanting to guide him inside her, he had the same thought again. Finally.

Ginger marveled that Kris could feel new to her after the summer they’d had. Maybe it was that everything else was new now, and Kris was the foundation instead of the question. Whatever the reason, she gasped as he moved into her, felt her own wetness coat them. Her fingers raked his silky hair, bringing his lips to her neck. He thrust hard and she cried out, almost a sob, as her back arched. Everything was speeding – he was extremely hard and she was already trembling. Kris caught her nipple between his teeth, nipping softly as she pawed at the back of his thighs. He wanted this to be slow and sweet, to christen their new home, but he should have known better. They wanted each other, wanted this, too much.

“Ginger,” he panted. He was already so close, lifting his hips as he thrust, bringing her ass clear off the bed. On his upswing, she moaned half a scream. Before he could stroke fully again, she folded her head into his chest and growled as her body tried to break itself apart on the end of his cock. She gripped the blanket, grinding against him, until it broke and rolled across her body like thunder. He lay close, moving steadily and felt the orgasm flood her system. Her momentum released him and he plunged deep as he spilled inside her, burrowing his energy, his desire into her hot core. He breathed her name.

Ginger kissed Kris’ exhausted lips. A sigh escaped her, helped by the weight of Kris’ body lying across her, as she thought that so long as they had each other, they’d always be okay. She could do the rest, she would do it. She’d even welcome to tough times, if it meant she got to be with him always.

“I love you,” she whispered again.

Kris watched the light catch her hair, deepening until it was the color of fallen, russet leaves. If she were the last woman who ever came here, who ever held him, he would be happy. He would be lucky.

“I love you too, Ginger.”
____

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Chapter 10 - Let's Just Fall

Soundtrack: I know we could both fall flat, let’s just fall and leave it at that. – Reckless Kelly, “Let’s Just Fall”
____

“I don’t want to leave yet,” Ginger whined like a little girl. Her arms and legs were wrapped around the armrest of the porch swing. Kris sat down next to her. Everything was packed and stowed, much of it back at Ginger’s parents’ house.

“We can come back next summer,” Kris put his chin on her shoulder. She stuck her lip out and shook her head, doing her best impression of a temper tantrum. Kris put him arm around her waist and let her stay put. “A week at Sid’s, two in Montreal, then we move.”

Ginger let him kiss her neck. “At least Sid has a lake.”
____

Ginger hit the ground running. It was unseasonably hot in Nova Scotia and she’d sweated all the way from Halifax even with the windows open. Sid’s house was right on the lake with a long dock extending out over the water. Sid was at the end, rod in hand and hook in the water – they were early. He looked over at the sound of pounding feet. Ginger pulled her top off and dropped it, leapt out of her shorts and hauled right on past him. SPLASH!

“Wooohooo!” she shouted as she surfaced. Max appeared on the porch, followed by Jordan. Kris was right behind her, still in his regular shorts, dropping his phone and wallet on Sid’s tackle box and launching into a cannonball.

“Hi Sid!” she waved from the water. Kris yanked her under, then they both bobbed to the surface.

“You scared away my fish,” he said drily.

Ginger smiled. “I brought you something better.” She pointed toward the house – Dani was leaning against the railing, waving. Sid dropped the fishing gear in an untidy heap.

“Are you wearing a swimsuit?” he called.

“No.”

“Then you’d better run!” He accelerated from a jog as she dashed around the front of the house.

Marc-Andre came onto the porch and stood next to Jordan. Kris and Ginger were in the water, wrapped up together, kissing. “So that’s her?”

“She’s the one,” Jordan said.
____

“Jordan!” Ginger sat down, soaking wet, right in his lap. He held her in an iron grip and pressed a cold can to her skin till she shrieked. She managed to wriggle away, only to drop into Marc’s lap in the next chair.

“Hi!” she said. “I’m Ginger.”

Marc was already laughing. “You are exactly as I expected, Ginger. It is a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Oh, if I’d known you were so nice I wouldn’t have dripped all over you!” She jerked her thumb toward Jordan. “I thought you’d be like the rest of these fools.” She got her own chair and drink and settled down in the sunlight. Her skin was dry in less than ten minutes.

“So you are moving to Pittsburgh?” Marc asked. “My girlfriend will be here later, she’ll love to meet you. And she’ll make sure you love Pittsburgh.”

Sid reappeared just before dinner time, his hair a mess and a huge smile on his face. Twenty minutes later, Dani emerged showered and dressed in fresh clothes. She gave Ginger a wide-eyed look and mouthed ‘WOW.’ Sid whistled his way into the fridge and out to the grill where Jordan and Max were already getting things started. The heat of the day had not broken, and Ginger fanned herself with a menu from the local Chinese place. Kris lifted her hair from her neck and blew in her ear.

“Having fun?” he asked.

She turned toward him and kissed his lips. “Not better than our lake house, but pretty damned good.”

The boys grilled up steaks and chicken kabobs, Dani made an avocado salad. They pushed two patio tables together and ate family-style. Once or twice, Dani almost lost an appendage by not moving quickly enough for a dish. Sidney took to serving her before himself. As they ate, Ginger felt this tight knit group of guys could be her new family. Of course Jordan had always been family, but she would need more people in Pittsburgh. And girls, she would need people who didn’t travel. Ginger didn’t pretend to understand the life she was signing up for and she’d be grateful to have someone to show her the ropes.

“Marc, when does your girlfriend get here?”

She finally arrived when they were clearing ice cream dishes from the table. Marc’s phone chirped as a car rolled to a stop and the sound of a door shutting echoed through the night. Two minutes later, a tall brunette with a warm smile emerged onto the porch. The guys all greeted her enthusiastically – no fake politeness for the sake of someone else’s date. Ginger liked her immediately.

“So you are Ginger,” she said, opening her arms for a hug. She said something in French to Kris that made him blush. Then she translated to Ginger. “Kris said you were beautiful but I think he was underestimating. I’m very happy you’re coming to Pittsburgh!”

Vero took Ginger on a walk down to the dock while Kris settled down to a beer at the newly clean table. Marc took the seat next to him, and spoke in French.

“Have you told her yet?”

Kris’ heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t said anything to Marc. “Told her what?”

“You obviously love her,” Marc said without taking his eyes of the silhouette of the two girls. “Have you told her?”

Kris admired the outline of their bodies against the dark night, moonlight flickering on the surface of the lake. “Not yet. I think it’s still too soon.”

Marc shook his head. “She’s already moving with you.”

Kris knew he loved her. He was pretty sure she felt the same. But he still felt fragile, like everything could come apart between now and then. He wouldn’t feel sure until she was in Pittsburgh, in their house, making a life for herself that included him. Not just a summer, a life.

“Soon, I’ll tell her soon.”
____

Vero didn’t need to be asked, she just spoke to all of Ginger’s questions. She was frank and open, even candid about her own relationship with Marc. She obviously felt a kinship with Ginger. When Vero explained how close Kris and Marc were, how alike in a lot of ways, Ginger realized she’d been harboring a fear of being lonely in Pittsburgh. Now she knew that wouldn’t be.

“Many of the guys, they cheat on their girlfriends,” Vero was saying. “I don’t think Kris is like this, I have never known him to cheat before. And the girls before… they were not like you. But many of the guys do, so you will always worry.” She paused, like she was debating, then continued. “Marc cheated once. He says it was the only time. And he told me himself, instead of letting me find out. It was his first year in the League and it was hard, because like you I moved there for him. But I forgave him and we are stronger now.”

Ginger gave her a small, tight smile. Her heart felt squeezed listening to someone tell such truth. She saw herself through a telescope, in Vero’s position.

“Do you remember, when you were young, what Jordan was like after a bad game?” Vero asked.

“Impossible,” Ginger admitted.

“They are all like that. You’ll learn his quirks. Some want to fight, others to fuck, some to be left alone to wallow. Sidney wallows. Kris, I think Kris will let you stay close until he gets through it himself. Marc gets very quiet, sometimes for a few days, but I just move around him until he’s ready to come back.” Vero stopped. “I feel like I’m telling you all the bad things! Mostly it’s wonderful. The wives and girlfriends do charity work, which you’ll be expected to help with. It’s fun, mostly, and will be more fun with you there. And you’ll have school, so you’ll have your own life.”

They moved to the side of the dock and sat down, swinging their legs over the water.

“You love him,” Vero said.

Ginger looked at her toes. “I do.”

Vero rocked against Ginger’s shoulder giving her a little bump. “You’re very lucky. And so is Kris.”
____


Everyone was beat from traveling and the heat. Ginger lay on top of the blankets in just her underwear, like a dog splayed out in front of a fan. Kris lay next to her, just breathing in sync. He reached for her fingers. Just like that, they fell asleep.
____

Dani was making breakfast in one of Sidney’s shirts when Ginger came into the kitchen. She handed down a coffee mug and passed it to her friend.

“Late night?” Ginger asked, not hiding her shit-eating grin.

“He’s like a puppy - if you don’t walk him every few hours, he’ll chew up the furniture and wreck the place.” She laughed, one hand on the counter to steady herself. “This is crazy, but it’s really fun. Thanks for bringing me, Ginger.”

Ginger put an arm around Dani’s neck. “Hey, he asked me to bring you. Seems like he got a taste of something he likes!” She swatted Dani’s butt and skipped out of the kitchen.

Jordan came through the living room in just shorts. It always gave Ginger a little twinge – he was really, truly beautiful. Sure, when he looked at him she saw twenty years of slap fights and sticking gum in each other’s hair. But she also saw her best friend and a really excellent guy.

“Jordan, I’m going to make it my mission in Pittsburgh to find you a girlfriend. Someone who deserves you.”

Jordan sat down and pulled her into a sleepy hug. “Are you getting all sappy? Do you have your period?” She slapped him, but he held tight. “Don’t worry, Ginger. I won’t replace you with some other girl if you promise not to forget about me when you’re all loved up with Tanger.”

Ginger hugged him back. “I won’t. You’ll always be welcome.”

“Can I come over every day? And you’ll make me peanut butter and jelly, no crust? I could use some help with my laundry too – how does my mom make it smell so good?”

Ginger rolled her eyes. “I’m almost scared to see how you live without us.”
____

The heat was unbearable. Even the lake water seemed warm. By 3 PM everyone was a zombie, all the ice cream was gone and Vero lay on the floor, holding an ice tray to her head. “Sidney, you make 10 million a year why don’t you have air conditioning?”

On the couch, Sid didn’t lift his head from Dani’s lap. “We never need it up here. Let’s go somewhere that has it. The movies?”

As they dragged themselves into a few cars, Ginger dawdled upstairs changing her clothes. When she finally came down, just Kris was waiting. They turned up the A/C in the Jeep and pulled onto the road. About a mile down, Ginger had previously spotted a small lane that veered off to the left. When they were almost there, she cranked the AC to full blast, unbuckled her seat belt and pulled off her shirt.

“What are you doing?” Kris was looking at her, not the road.

“Pull down there,” she said, unbuttoning her shorts. “We are not going to the movies.”

With a laugh, Kris wrenched the wheel in a dramatic turn and bounced Ginger around. By now, she was down to her bra and underwear. Kris went a few hundred yards, drove into a semi-clearing under some trees and was barely out of his seatbelt before he climbed right into the passenger on top of her. The gearshift got kneed, the glove box was stamped with a dirty shoeprint. Ginger reclined her seat and scooted out from underneath, into the backseat.

“Viens ici,” she crooked a finger at him.

Last night was the first night they’d spent together without having sex. Kris woke to the realization that he’d been holding her hand for nearly nine hours and he still felt satisfied. Sure she was sprawled out in her panties and he could think of a million things he wanted to do, but he didn’t need them. He only needed this.

Now she was naked in the backseat of his car and he couldn’t get there fast enough.

Kris tumbled over the headrest, his shirt partway off as he tried to do everything at once. One sandal obligingly fell by itself, the other he kicked away. Ginger already had his shorts open. He untangled his head from the fabric but not from his hair when she was already kissing him.

Ginger had also realized they’d gone the night just being together, without being together. She thought it was the kind of thing Vero had been talking about – “you’re lucky.” She was, and she knew it. But there would be plenty of lonely nights during the season and now she had a mind to stockpile some quality memories.

Before Kris was even out of his shorts, Ginger was inside them. His skin was hot to the touch and his erection grew in her hands. She spit into her palm and worked it over his hard-on, the slippery substance giving her the freedom to stroke his full length. He finally got his shorts off and put his mouth back on hers. They were half-sitting, half-kneeling in the back of the Jeep. Kris was hunched over and still his head brushed the ceiling. She glided her hand up, down and over the head of his penis. He moved his hips, pressing himself firmly into her grip as she spit in her other hand and added it to party. Kris’ hands kneaded at her breasts then he slid one up the inside of her thigh and spread his fingers into the lips of her pussy.

It’s only been 16 hours, maybe 20, Ginger thought as she wondered how it was possible to be so hot for someone all of the time. He might need road trips just to recover from me. She reached under his cock and cupped his balls, running her nails gently along where the sac met his body. He moaned encouragement.

Kris’ brain was blank. His entire sentient being was currently occupied by Ginger’s hands. He dragged one finger along her slit, felt her hot and wet and waiting, and knew he wouldn’t going to last long.

There wasn’t much room in the car. He pulled her up and bent her over the back of the seat she was kneeling on. Kris took a moment he really couldn’t spare to imprint the sight of her perfect bottom lifted into the air. He kissed the folds at the very top of the back of her thighs then ran his tongue once, slowly, along her glistening lips. She purred. He set the length of his erection against the crack of her ass and leaned forward to fondle her breasts. She arched her back, turning her face to his, and kissed him.

He tapped the head of his dick twice against her and then slid himself into her juicy core. Almost instantly she moaned. He held onto the seat and rocked deep into the heat of her body at a steady rhythm. Ginger bounced back against him until soon they were slamming themselves together. Kris moved his hands to the windows, the ceiling, but he couldn’t get the grip he wanted.

“Kris,” she panted, raising her head. Without thinking, he grabbed a handful of her thick, dark red hair and pulled himself in up to the hilt. She cried out, but it was the kind of pain that increased pleasure. By the second pull, she was begging for it. “Harder, Kris.”

His other hand traced the curve of her hip over the rise of her ass. She reached for it, pulled it under and pressed his fingers to her clit. She was so wet he could barely tweak it, so he settled the putting two fingers out straight and pushing down along her front. She shifted from side to side to do the rest.

Kris was rock hard, still with a handful of Ginger’s hair. She moved faster, like a pot of water coming to a boil. His hand from her lap circled around her stomach and pulled her back. He bent his knees under him, now kneeling with Ginger practically sitting in his lap. He didn’t need to push her against the seat. The weight of Ginger’s body dropped her down fully onto his cock. She sobbed out a breath as he reached as deep as she could take. With his arm at her waist, he held her down and ground his dick into her so she couldn’t catch her breath. Then he pumped his thighs and she bounced, bottoming out onto him again. The third time, she had tears in her eyes. He moved his hand from her hair and pressed two other fingers down over her clit.

Kris was all the way in, there was no more of Ginger to be had. As he bounced her like a rag doll on his cock, feeling her liquid coat him, her and probably the whole car seat, he massaged her hot button until she started to pant. Every muscle in her body grew taut, from her calves to her ass, and he knew she was very close. He needed her to be close.

Ginger tossed her head back onto Kris’ shoulder as he refused to let up his assault on her body. His fingers and dick were so deep in her they could almost touch each other. The edges of her vision were darkening and the pit of her stomach rippled like a pulse of light. She reached one arm over her shoulder, grabbed a hold of his hair, and pulled his face to her shoulder.

“Harder,” she barked, not even sure if she meant it.

He obliged, slamming up into her. She put her hands on the ceiling and held herself down into his lap. When she finally got enough traction to flick her hips, once was all it took.

Ginger moved suddenly, her body twisting and taking Kris’ throbbing erection with it. She swiveled, catching him by surprise, breaking his concentration. He came like a bomb detonating and cursed out loud. His body poured itself into Ginger’s hot little hole, pulsing hard a few times before he felt her go too, back arching, abs trembling, mouth open in a small, grateful noise. Ginger ground herself into him, riding out the last few pulses of her orgasm. Kris was holding her hair again.

“Wow,” her head flopped forward onto the seat.

Kris drew himself gently out, already feeling tender and sore. He laid his face against her back. “Oui. Better than a movie.”
____

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Chapter 9 - On the Brink

Soundtrack: A larger chance happened, all them they lie on the rise, on the brink of our lives. – Jason Mraz, “Bella Luna”
____

Kris leaned over the back of the couch. He wore shorts but no shirt, making it hard for Ginger to remember what it was she should have been doing. He smelled like deodorant and sunshine – he’d been mowing the lawn.

“Do I have to do yard work at your house?” she asked as he nuzzled her neck.

“It’s that or shovel snow,” he bit her playfully. Ginger took a deep breath. She’s completed all the transfer paperwork and now only had to hit send. Kris lifted his head from her hair.

“Sure you want to do this?” he asked, his voice soft. He was concerned that he was asking too much. That Ginger would come out of her infatuation having made an irreparable change. All for him. Kris wanted desperately to be with Ginger. But he’d found himself even more nervous since she’d said yes.

“Are you sure?” she countered. Ginger was sure. Well, pretty sure and that was the best she could do. Moving and transferring were scary thoughts, but she knew she’d be miserable without Kris.

“I’m sure, sweet, but you’re the one making the big change. Please do what is right for you. I will still be here either way.”

She tilted her head back and got a kiss to her lips. “This is what’s right for me.” She hit SEND.
____

Kris paced the kitchen. His pockets were damp where he kept wiping his sweaty palms. The sunshine was too bright, the washing machine too loud. He sipped a glass of water.

“Okay?” Ginger asked. She wore a sundress and flip flops, like any other day. A can of Coke hissed as she popped the top. “Don’t worry, this will be fine.”

“Right. Hi, we just met but I’m stealing your daughter and making her change her whole life.”

“You’re not making me do anything, Kris. They will be surprised, but they’ll be happy for us! My parents were pretty nuts back in the day. I’ve got some stories in case they decide to give us a hard time.”

The front door opened. “Your dad kill Tanger yet?” Jordan called. He tromped in, followed by Marc.

Marc gave Ginger a squeeze and took her soda. “So, you’re going to be living in sin with Ginger, eh? Any idea how you plan to explain that to her dad? Who you’ve never even met?”

Kris closed his eyes, and Ginger slid her hand inside his. “My parents had my brother before they were married. Talk about living in sin!”

Kris exhaled a little, still had a nagging feeling that she was giving up everything and he was sacrificing nothing. He would have, probably, but it hadn’t even been an option. He wished there was something he could give her to show that he was in this as much as she was. Tires crunched on the gravel driveway.

“Game time!” Jordan yelled.

A green SUV was parked with the back door open. Marc called a hello and went around. Seconds later, he returned with a suitcase and followed by a strawberry blonde woman. She looked so much like Ginger that Kris took a step back. In thirty years, Ginger would look like this. His heart leapt at the idea of still being with her when she did.

“Hi Mom!” Ginger threw her arms around the woman. Jordan squealed fakely and did the same thing. The woman laughed.

“Get offa me, Staal! You’re like an octopus.”

Ginger pulled Kris in by the hand. “Mom, this is Kris. Jordan’s teammate.” Kris reached out to shake her mom’s hand, but she dodged it and went in for a hug.

“Welcome, Kris! Might as well just hug us now.” When he released her, he instinctively reached for Ginger’s hand and found it right where he’d left it. Her mom’s gaze followed his hand into hers.

“Not just Jordan’s teammate, eh?”

“Kris is also my boyfriend,” Ginger said rather proudly, squeezing Kris’ fingers.

Her mom paused a second, tilting her head to look at Kris. “He’s awfully cute, Ginger.”

Kris blushed and everyone laughed. Ginger swung their clasped hands a little and stepped into Kris’ side. She had figured her parents would be cool, but there was always a chance she was wrong.

“Boyfriend?” her dad came around the far side of the car. He was less than Staal height, but still tall and barrel-chested. His short hair was salt and paper and he wore glasses, a t-shirt and shorts.

Kris extended his hand, feeling awkwardly stiff. “Mr. Harris,” he said. Jordan nearly burst his spleen laughing. Ginger’s father shook Kris’ hand politely before taking a swat at Jordan.

“Jordan was, quite literally, raised in a barn. Don’t mind his lack of manners,” her dad said. “I’m Dave, my wife is Kathy. It’s nice to meet you. You sound like you’re from Montreal.” Kris nodded. “Welcome to Thunder Bay. Any friend of Ginger’s is a friend of ours, even if he hangs out with the wildlife.”

Jordan and Marc pretended to look hurt. Then Jordan screeched like a monkey and took Marc down in a pile of arms and legs. Ginger stepped around them and took a suitcase inside.

Whew, Kris thought as Ginger poured lemonades and carried them to the back porch. Her parents gratefully dropped into some chairs. Kris chose the wicker bench and Ginger came back with chips, sat next to him and tossed her legs across his lap. Okay, he said to himself as he actually began to relax. Ginger’s parents talked about their trip, where her dad fished and her mom did crossword puzzles all day. Ginger waited for a lull in the conversation.

“I… we… have some news,” she said then quickly added, “I am NOT pregnant. So don’t panic.”

Her father put a hand to his heart. “Not funny!”

Ginger looked at Kris, smiling the small, private smile that he now knew so well. “I’m transferring to University of Pittsburgh,” she announced.

For a moment, everyone was quiet. Then Kathy asked about the transfer, about the program, about the dates. Ginger had it all memorized. Finally her dad spoke. “Where will you be living?”

“… and moving in with Kris,” Ginger asked with a questioning look on her face. Another silent minute passed.

“I suppose Jordan’s there if you get into any trouble,” her dad said a little warily.

Ginger scoffed. “Jordan is the trouble. He can’t wait for me to get there.”

Her mom stood, making Ginger stand and hug. Then Kathy hugged Kris again. “Guess you must be pretty great,” she said. Kris turned pink as Ginger followed her mom into the house.

Man up, Kris told himself. He took Kathy’s seat.

“Monsieur, I know this is quick and no one is more surprised than I am,” he started. “I want you to know that I plan to take very good care of Ginger. For as long as she’ll let me.”

Her dad smiled. “I trust Ginger’s judgment – if she likes you, you must be worth liking. And it’s not me you have to worry about anyway.” Somewhere in the front yard, Jordan or Marc howled in pain. The other voice cheered. “Be careful with my baby, Kris,” Dave said, patting Kris on the shoulder.
____

“Ready?” Kris asked as he started Ginger’s car.

“As I’ll ever be,” she said.

He’d packed his stuff and some of hers, loaded it into car and bid her parents goodbye. He hadn’t told her a thing except to insist on driving. Map in hand, he made a left somewhere near Jordan’s house and followed the road for 20 minutes. He made a left into the driveway at 17 Sparrow Street.

“Ta da!”

The house was weathered wood, almost gray like driftwood on the beach it bordered. White shutters were tied open on the second floor. It was small, cozy and one of only a few houses luckily unrented in the middle of summer.

“Welcome home,” he said and tossed her a set of keys.

Ginger ran around the front. A wide porch fronted the house, its wooden staircase descending right into the grass. There was a fire pit to one side and the lake lapped the shore a few hundred feet away. The living room was stuffed with comfy couches and an old easy chair. An open kitchen with a big island had copper pans hanging from the ceiling. Upstairs she found a small guest room and a large master bedroom.

“Are those yours?” she pointed to the charcoal gray sheets and duvet that looked just like the ones from Kris’ apartment.

“What did you think was in that huge bag I brought?”

She threw her arms around him with a squeal. “You are,” she kissed him, “the most amazing,” another kiss, “guy I’ve ever met.”

He kissed her back. “I know. So you wanna…” he kicked his foot toward the bed.

She blew a raspberry at him and skipped away. “We live in our own house…” she sang loudly.

Kris breathed a small sigh of relief. He wanted her to love this house, to love living with him. She was doing everything for him and he planned to return the favor anyway he could. Downstairs, she sang as she dragged a suitcase inside. “Our house, is a very, very, very fine house…”

An hour later, Ginger was in shorts with a t-shirt tied around her midriff on the front porch. The sun waned as she husked corn into a compost bucket. Jordan came around the side. “Nice place, Tanger,” he called to Kris who was down at the water’s edge.

“Jordan!” Ginger shouted, though he was barely twenty feet away. “Welcome to our house! Did you bring us a housewarming present?”

Jordan held up a six pack of beer and a packet of hot dog buns. “Armed and dangerous.”
____

Ginger carried empty plates into the kitchen. She smiled at the official sound of summer as the screen door swung shut behind her. Jordan held his beer out toward Kris.

“She really likes it. Well done, man.”

Kris made the toast and leaned back in his chair. Ginger had taken to the house like a duck to water – putting things away, declaring the quirks “charming” and pointing out a few places she’d like to christen as soon as they could get rid of Jordan.

“Is it always going to be this good?” Kris looked out at the water.

“Nope. Shitty losses, slumps, endless road trips… the season is always hard. But Ginger knows and she’ll make it better. For all of us.”
____

It was dark when Jordan left. Star shone over the lake and Ginger shouted that she could see fireflies in the yard. Kris padded out onto the porch and gasped. Ginger stood on a pile of chair cushions and towels, roughly arranged into a rectangle. She wore one of Kris’s big button down shirts open over her naked body. Strands of that red hair he’d come to love to much drifted around her face in the breeze.

“Welcome home,” she said.

Kris slid his hands inside the shirt, wrapping a hug around her middle. Their lips met softly. Ginger felt that this celebration would be sweet and slow. They lay down on the lumpy heap of whatever she padding she could find and Kris ran his thumb across her lip.

“Ginger,” he whispered, “thank you.”

“I haven’t done anything yet,” she nipped at his finger.

He pressed it over her mouth. “I mean thank you for being with me. For being here.”

She kissed the palm of his hand. “I could not be anywhere else, Kris. But don’t worry, I’m scared too.”

Kris closed his eyes and tightened his arm around her. She still fit against him the way she had the first day, the day that seemed so long ago. Ginger had taken over and Kris found the memory of days before he met her getting fuzzy. Here, in her arms, at their house, he wondered how he’d ever wanted anything else.

“I’m scared that you’re giving everything and I’m giving nothing,” he finally admitted. He hooked her hair behind on ear. “That you’ll change your mind and I will have taken so much from you.”

Ginger ran her hand up behind his neck. “I’m just making a change. I still get to study what I want, I have you guys to hang out with, Jordan says Pittsburgh is a great place. I’m going to love it Kris. You’re not taking anything, I am giving it to you.” She kissed his lips, thinking the matter settled. But Kris wanted to get through this one last thing so he could stop worrying.

“What am I giving you, Ginger?”

“Smile, Kris,” she said. He did, tentatively. “No, mon beau mec, I want the real one.” Kris laughed at her French, like she’d known he would. “That’s all I want. Give me happy and I’ll be happy.”

Kris kissed her through his smile, wishing he could concentrate all the happiness he felt into something he could pass to her lips. She responded with a request, from her body, that there might be one other thing he could give her after all. He let Ginger remove his shirt and he kicked off his shorts. Her legs circled his back, holding him close, and he found that she was already ready for him. She wanted him, not just like this but in the real way that might be hard later, might get rough. Thank god, he thought as he guided himself between her legs and took her breath away.

Ginger looked at the roof of the porch over Kris’ shoulder, thinking that she’d grown up a lot in just a few weeks. She’d never even wanted a house before but now wherever Kris was felt like home. She’d assumed she’d stay in Canada, but now the prospect of the US thrilled her. New places, new people, a new life. That’s how Kris made her feel: new.

A single tear slipped down her cheek. That’s new too, she almost smiled.

“Are you okay?” he paused.

She grabbed his cheeks and kissed his mouth. “Perfect.”

Kris moved inside her. The smooth skin of her legs was like satin and he felt her muscles contract as she met him thrust for thrust. She pressed her calf down along his side and over his thigh, the motion creating an exquisite space inside her. Kris explored it with an extra twist. Ginger moaned encouragement. He put his head into her hair, took a deep breath and rolled his body down into hers. Fingernails to his back to him he’d done it right.

Ginger saw everything – the sky, the branches of the tree black against the darkest blue. Kris’ hair caressed her face as he planted his hands on her hips. She pulled away when he did, giving herself the full, long glide of his cock every time he went back inside. It was flawless and hard, turning her like he was winding clock. His soft lips grazed her neck, biting the soft flesh barely enough to keep from leaving a mark. He breathed rhythmically, pacing himself like athletes do, measuring his exertion for maximum endurance. Her hands moved over his perfect, sculpted body, another finely honed tool of his trade. As the ridge at the head of his dick popped out of her then quickly drove back in, her body contracted against itself.

“Kris,” she breathed.

Tell her, tell her now, his brain said. No, it’s more than this. Don’t tie it to this single incredible thing she can do for you. It’s everything.

Ginger’s body quivered again, rippling against Kris’ cock like waves in the lake. He uncorked himself again, heard her gasp and then dug deep, lifting her off the pile of towels that smelled like sunshine. She put her head into his neck and stayed close as he held her, plumbing his throbbing erection into the hot core of her body, feeling her sweet juice coat them as her pussy begged for more. He couldn’t get close enough to her, couldn’t hold tight enough, go deep enough. His body trembled like water when you’ve filled a glass just over the rim. He was all surface tension now.

Ginger moaned into his shoulder, unselfconscious that they were outside where anyone could hear. His flesh was hot to the touch as energy broiled off his body. When he squeezed his dick all the way into her, pushing the last inch out of sheer insistence that it be the best sex she’d ever had, she bit her lip to keep from crying out louder.

“I can’t,” Kris gulped. He’d almost lost it twice already. His cock was twitching as he drove it into Ginger’s slick pussy, feeling her body snatch greedily at his.

“Kris,” she squeaked, as he cupped her ass, lifted her slightly and swung for the fences. Like she’d heard the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd, the cord in Ginger’s body snapped and bounced. She cried out, an orgasm hitting her body like a line drive. A second later, Kris bucked and burst so far inside her he thought he might be lost forever.
____

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Chapter 8 - If Only

Soundtrack: If only I had the guts to feel this way.  If only she'd look at me and want to stay. - Hanson, "If Only"
____

Jordan drove them to the airport. Sidney was on a flight within an hour of theirs. “Please bring her back,” Jordan said to Kris. “It’s very boring around here without Ginger.”

They passed through security, Max making a scene as Sid pulled his ball cap down low and tried to hide his face. There was no line for the first class screener and no one noticed the famous Mr. Crosby.

“One month, at my place,” he said, shaking the guys’ hands. Then he gave Ginger a hug. “Bring Dani, eh?”

Kris took the window seat and immediately lifted the armrest so Ginger could sit close to him. Max rolled his eyes and ordered a drink. They’d barely gotten into a television show before they were touching down in Montreal. They loaded into Max’s car and half an hour later pulled up in front of Kris’ house.

“If you two can stop humping for an hour, give me a call,” Max smiled lewdly.

Ginger stopped in Kris’ entryway. Kris turned to see her looking around the place.

“It’s weird to be here and not be at my house,” she said. Then she smiled. “It’s not half as nice as this!”

“Show me your place later. But first…,” Kris let go of his bag and took her hand. They passed through the house. “Living room, kitchen, bathroom,” he tossed his head toward each room on the list without slowing a step. Until he got upstairs.

“This is your room,” he said.

The master bedroom was the entire second floor of the house. The walls on either side had large windows, bathing the space in natural light. The far wall was covered by an entertainment center – large flat screen TV, low dark dresser flanked by two bookcases. A few framed photos were scattered among the books and DVDs. The bulk of the room was dedicated to a low king size platform bed with a dark cherry wood headboard. The walls were light gray, the carpet charcoal. A deep red down comforter was tossed haphazardly across the bed. For a bachelor pad it was pretty neat.

“I bought everything in the picture in the catalog,” Kris admitted as she took in the spread. “I just said, ‘Page 27’, please.”

Ginger turned into his arms. “Somehow it’s still you. I like it.”

She touched a kiss to his lips and drew him toward the bed. As their mouths touched, Kris began unbuttoning her blouse. She whipped his t-shirt off with a laugh. He went for her bra. Seconds later, they were naked and rolling around on that crimson duvet.

“We are developing a new training regimen for hockey players,” she said, rolling on top of him. She leaned down and Kris pushed her up by the shoulder like he was bench pressing. He brought her in close, kissed her quickly then lifted again. She watched the muscles in his arms coil and spring.

“We’ll make a detailed plan and send your friend over to Crosby’s with it,” Kris said, attempting to lift her with one arm and failing. She dropped onto the bed next to him. “He needs to get laid a lot more often.”

Ginger put her palm up and Kris pushed against it. She tried to counter the weight, but he was at least a hundred times stronger. He kept pushing until she was flat on her back. He wedged one knee between hers and swept her thighs open. Ginger licked her palm and ran it over the head of his penis.

“He’ll have to figure this part out on his own though,” Kris said, his mouth close to her ear as he slid into her folds. She gasped slightly, like it was better than she remembered. Like she’d been waiting all day just to feel him. Kris hid his smile in her hair.

“Kris,” she said softly, grabbing onto his back and aligning herself beneath him. He dipped all the way in, unlocking the space inside her body. She breathed his name a second time.

This is my house, he thought. Well, my second house. I’m halfway there. Kris pictured Ginger tossed out on his bed in Pittsburgh, heard her squeaks and sighs of pleasures in the place where he’d always felt like something was missing. He spent 8 months of the year coming and going from that house, but it never really felt like home. He thought of Ginger in the kitchen, making breakfast like she had at Jordan’s. Ginger asleep with a book on her chest when she tried to wait up for his late night return flight. Ginger waiting for him outside the locker room after a tough loss. Halfway there.

Kris’ mind wandered, but his body still held full attention. He moved Ginger’s ankles from where they were pressed into his sides and he pushed her legs down flat. He shifted so his legs were aligned atop the length of hers. With his hands at her sides, he started moving up and down her body. Ginger felt it immediately. Not only was he reaching great lengths inside her, but the motion of his body rolled her clit up and down. She grabbed on, moving him more steadily. Stimulation on two fronts was making her world wobble. She tilted her hips to bring more of his body against her hot button. Kris responded by strengthening his movements, pressing into her until she sobbed out a breath. Her hands were in his hair.

“Plus fort,” she whispered.

“Oui,” he almost laughed at the times she decided to use French. He made a mental note to teach her some really dirty things when her fingernails bit into his soft skin.

“Ahhhh,” she twisted against the sheet. Kris went deep, then still, and stayed there as she ground her orgasm out on him. He sank into the feeling of her body growing warmer around his thick cock, kicking himself for letting his mind wander when all he wanted was right here begging for him. She sighed and brushed hair from his face. Now he was back in the game.

“I want to hear that noise from you every day,” he said as she tucked a shaggy lock behind his ear.

“What, no more screaming?” she pulled his face in for a kiss. Kris smiled against her lips.

His hands fit easily around her calves as he bent her knees until they were almost touching her chest. He kneeled before her and looked down at himself, disappearing inside her glistening pussy. His cock was twitching with fullness, his body asking for release he didn’t want to give. He wanted to stay like this forever, Ginger satisfied and at his mercy while he took his pleasure from her gorgeous body.

Ginger sensed that Kris was appreciating her in a new way. When all you’ve had is sex for four days, I guess you can learn a lot about someone. He bit his lip in concentration, like he was trying to memorize the way she felt. Now that she was here, in his house, she wondered how it was possible to have moved in orbit so close to Kris for years and never know him. They never met in a bar or bookstore in Montreal, though she’d spent plenty of the off-seasons here. She’d never visited Jordan, Kris hadn’t come to Jordan’s day with the Cup. So many circumstances could have changed to bring Kris into her life sooner. Or to keep him out of it forever.

A single bead of sweat dripped from Kris’ chin onto her cheek. She met his eyes and saw lust mixed with gratitude and fear. It was how she felt. He kissed her, hard, as he came.
____

“Aagghh!” she screamed and rolled off the pool chair, out from under Max’s very sweaty body.

“Bonjour!” Max shouted, stretching out in the space she had just vacated by falling into the grass.

Ginger sat up. “Do you wax? How is it possible you have that little chest hair?”

Kris stepped over Max’s discarded t-shirt in the doorway and came into the yard. Ginger took one look at him and jumped to her feet. His shirt was plastered to his body with sweat, his hair wet enough to stay out of his face for once. She glued her body to his and tasted the salt on his lips as they kissed.

Max shielded his eyes with one hand. “That’s what I was after!”

Kris ditched his top and kicked off his sneakers, then jumped into the pool. Max joined him and Ginger reclaimed her chair.

“So, what have you two been doing all week?” Max asked. “Oh wait, I could hear you from my house half an hour away.”

That was, in fact, what they’d been doing all week.

“I’m surprised Kris can run,” Ginger said honestly.

“It was not pretty,” Kris laughed.
____

“I wonder which one is yours,” Ginger said as Kris’ huge Penguins duffel bag rolled off the conveyor. It had been ten days and they were back in Ontario. This time Kris had all his training gear.

Jordan picked them up at the curb. “Okay slacker, I’m going to kick your ass into shape!”

They drove to Ginger’s house – her parents were away for the week. Kris left his duffel in the living room and brought just his suitcase upstairs. As he stood in her room, there seemed to be even more mirror than he remembered. The entire way along one side of the room, parallel to the bed. He blushed involuntarily and wondered if a week would be enough for even half of the things he was thinking about.

“You’re going to look very good naked in front of all that mirror,” she said, coming up behind him. Her instinct was to slam the door and start on page one of the Kama Sutra right then. Jordan must have been psychic.

“Keep your pants on for ten minutes,” he barged in, interrupting both of their x-rated inner monologues. “Come on Tanger, Ginger is not the kind of workout you need right now.”
____

Ginger kicked her heels against the crate she was sitting on in the Staal’s barn. Kris and Jordan wore hockey gloves and took turns shooting pucks at a series of targets painted on a plywood board. Whenever they hit one, they tallied another beer the other person had to buy after dinner. She’s been in here a million times, since they were little and Jordan said, “Watch this!” before every single shot. It wasn’t till he was almost 10 that he could even hit the target board from the line. By the time he was 13, he could almost knock it over.

When they were 16, Ginger and Jordan had broken the rules and hidden in the barn during a particularly hardcore snowball fight. Marc and Jared stalked around outside, hurling missiles at each other. Ginger ducked into their favorite hiding spot, between a tractor and the far wall, where it was almost dark. Jordan, already a giant, had contorted himself in alongside her. He took up 90% of the space. The barn smelled of sawdust from the new boards cut to ring the homemade hockey rink outside.

Ginger took off her gloves and blew warm air onto her frozen fingers. Jordan did the same then wrapped his hands around Ginger’s. He was still gangly, almost new to his oversized body, and one of his hands could have fit both of hers. As he worked to restore the feeling in her fingertips, he leaned down and breathed into their cupped hands. The space was suddenly much too small. Their faces were inches apart. Without realizing he was squeezing her hand, Jordan leaned in and kissed Ginger on the lips.

They lingered. Just for a few seconds, maybe ten, mouths touching gently. Then it struck them both at the same time. They gasped and tried to step away from each other. Ginger hit the wall, Jordan hit the tractor and they bounced back into each other.

“Jordan!” she whispered sharply.

“Sorry,” he said, still looking stunned. “I…”

“It’s okay,” she said when she saw the look on his face. He hadn’t planned that. “You just surprised me.”

He slowly smiled. “You kinda kissed me back.”

“I did not.”

“Oh yeah, you kissed me.” The grin was huge now and Ginger knew, somehow, things had changed.

Ginger snapped out of her memory as a loud crack split the air. Jordan had knocked the corner clean off the target board. He did a little victory dance.

“Did you see that?!” he demanded.

“Uhhhh…” she actually blushed.

Jordan put his hand on the end of his stick and rested his chin on his glove. “You’re thinking about the time you kissed me in here, aren’t you?”

Kris spun around, his eyes wide.

“You kissed me!” she shouted.

“That’s still your story?” Jordan laughed. “Okay Ginger, I kissed you. But you didn’t punch me. When I used to pull your hair, or give you wet willies, you always punched me. So you must have liked it.”

Kris was smiling too now, at the embarrassed look on Ginger’s face. Jordan turned to his friend.

“The first, last and only kiss I ever stole from Ginger was right over there. Spent the next five years trying to get another. Guess I have to give up now.” Jordan looked wistfully around the barn. “I should bring another girl here. They go for this nostalgia stuff, right?”
____

Ginger barely touched her empty pint glass to the table before another materialized, filled to the brim. Jordan put down a pitcher between them, almost sloshing out a wave of beer. Kris let go of Ginger’s hand under the table and started on his drink.

“Round three,” Jordan announced. Three pitchers, three people. Ginger knew she was going to lose this fight.

“Not fair, you can drink like ten times more than I can,” she protested, licking her lips. She was pretty fuzzy already and trying to concentrate on not having to pee.

“No matter how drunk you get me, I am not having a threesome with you,” Jordan said.

Okay, I am drunk, Ginger was sure the smile in her mind was all over her face. Because that sounds pretty awesome right now.

Kris was giving her a look that said You are unbelievable. But he was kidding. She leaned over close to him and stage-whispered:

“Mirrors.”
____

Her hand squeaked against the glass, giving her nothing to hold onto. Ginger wondered how soundly these mirrored doors were anchored to the track on the ceiling. They were rocking pretty good now.

They’d taken a cab home, only Jordan’s presence keeping them from being caught on transit camera in a compromising backseat position. They ran up the drive and dove through the front door.

Kris grabbed Ginger, in his drunkenness forgetting to be careful. He hauled her in close. With surprising gentleness, he moved his hands up her sides and rubbed the pads of his thumbs against her nipples, through her shirt. It took thirty seconds, but he didn’t stop until they were fully hard and poking through the fabric. As he traced around them, he felt Ginger’s body humming with anticipation.

Mirrors, he reminded himself. It was the only reason not to go to town on her right here inside the front door. She threw the lock and led him upstairs. There was no question what he wanted. Ginger stood between the mirror and the bed. Kris surprised himself by taking the chair at her desk. She got the idea.

Slowly, she lifted the hem of her tank top, drawing it up the taut skin of her stomach. He saw the curve of her waist, the definition along her abs. The shirt crossed her chest, revealing a bright blue bra with light blue trim. One long arm extended over her head and she made sure to stretch high as she pulled the shirt over her hand. She spun it around one finger and tossed it at him. Then she hooked her fingers in the waistband of her black shorts and ran them along the inside, brushing her own skin. With a flick, the button was open. The zipper came down with exquisite slowness. She folded them open to reveal a sliver of matching panty, but then she quickly spun around. Looking at Kris’s reflection over her shoulder, Ginger gently tugged her shorts down over her ass, revealing her underwear inch by inch. The bikini bottoms had cut-out portions at the hips, webbed with lace. The shorts hit the floor.

Mon dieu, he wouldn’t remember thinking later.

Ginger turned back toward Kris, wearing only lingerie. He made to stand, but she held out a single, flat hand. He sat back down. Ginger reached behind her back and unsnapped the clasp. She held the cups to herself and shook the straps loose from her shoulders, then peeled the bra off and tossed it at Kris. He caught it one-handed without moving his gaze. She slid her hands down her stomach, catching just under her panties. Slowly shifting from side-to-side, she slid them down over her hips. When they were just north of the main attraction, she turned again toward the mirror. Kris could clearly see her front and back as she dragged the thin fabric over the rise of her ass. His eyes were elsewhere as the satin fluttered to the ground.

Ginger met his eyes in the mirror. Gotcha, she knew.

Kris practically ripped his clothes off, almost tripping on his shorts in his haste to get to Ginger. As quickly as he got there, he leaned her against the dresser and then took his time running his hands from her breasts to her bare thighs. His fingers moved as slowly as honey pours. Ginger’s breath caught in anticipation.

With a hand on either hip and barely an inch between them, Kris put his lips to hers. Like a circuit being completed, the current caught fire. Her hands grabbed at his hair, his flesh, his muscles. Kris felt lightheaded. He managed to gasp before taking his mouth to her neck. Ginger’s hands were stroking his already hard length as she whispered his name.

Pressed against the side of the wooden dresser, Kris moved Ginger’s feel apart. He swiped a finger through her wetness as she used a hand to spread her lips for her. When he pushed into her, almost lifting her from her feet, Ginger let out a throaty giggle.

Kris looked to his left and caught his breath. The dresser started where the glass ended and they were fully visible in the mirror. He saw the flex of her feet as she tried to balance on tip toes. She saw the small, half moon-shaped scar on at the side of his knee. Ginger used one hand to brush the hair from his face, ensuring him a full view. Then she lifted a leg over his hip and dropped down onto his cock.

Kris moaned. Ginger rose again and drew him up inside her. Then down, bringing her foot to the floor. He watched the curve of her calf muscle as she supported herself on one foot, rocking into his lap with all her weight. She pulled him in for a kiss and he forgot everything.

He bent his knees, forcing his dick father into her pussy. She felt his thighs contracting between hers, his strength impressive even when she could barely remember her name. Her soft skin glided against his like silk. She caught a glimpse of his flexed ass in the mirror and nearly fainted. Kris caught her around the middle and moved them to the floor.

He laid her down, then settled himself between her legs. She was dripping wet and his cock throbbed with the ache of being outside her body. He eased himself back in, watching in the mirror as his erection disappeared inside her hot core. Ginger turned her face toward him and smiled.

“Do that again,” she purred.

Kris did it again a hundred times. Ginger lifted her legs up straight and settled her ass on Kris’ knees. He held her ankles near his head as he slid in and out of her, one hand tracing along her outer thigh. Then she moved her head closer to the mirror, spread her legs in a V and Kris watched like they were starring in their own private movie. He was so hard it hurt and he wanted so badly to come, but he didn’t want this to end. Ginger sobbed out a breath as he pushed himself in balls deep and held.

She caught his eye in the mirror and smiled devilishly. “Tell me what you want,” she breathed. “I know you’ve been thinking about these mirrors for weeks.”

Kris laughed and it almost broke his concentration, almost made him orgasm. He had been thinking about these mirrors. Now he was embarrassed.

Ginger twisted her hips, her hot walls lapping at him. “Do I need to remind you that I propositioned you while you were jerking off? Whatever you thought of, I guarantee I thought of it first.” She shifted again, almost squeezing him off.

“Show me,” she said.

Kris dropped onto her like he was doing a pushup. He lifted his chest and hips at the same time, putting all the weight of his body behind his thrust. Ginger moaned, hitched as he bottomed out and then moaned again. She pinched and rolled her nipple between two fingers. Kris became overwhelmed with the desire to bite her.

She was panting by the time she told him, “Yes Kris, yes.”

He pounded home a few more hard shots, each time earning a squeal of pleasure from Ginger. By now his body was moving on it’s own, all the energy contained inside him was rocketing into his lap. Without another thought of inhibition, he did what he’d wanted to do for days. He sat up and in full view of himself and Ginger, pulled out and came on her body. His load arced up slightly and splashed down between her breasts. A trail dropped across her stomach, milky against her tan, warm and musky.

“Touch me,” she begged. She wasn’t done quite yet. Kris stroked two fingers around the length of her slit then slid them inside. With his thumb, he tweaked her swollen clit. Instantly her back arched. As her pussy pulled at him, she squealed out an long, involuntary sob. He bent and curled, milking her right through climax. When she finally sank to the rug, his hand was soaked.

“Holyshit,” she gasped like it was one word. Kris picked up his t-shirt and wiped his contribution from her skin. She was trembling. “Dear God, I’ve been sleeping in this room for 20 years and never even had a dream that good.”

“Porn star,” he laughed as he lay next to her, arm across her sticky stomach, face in her hair.
____

Ginger sat on the couch, Jordan’s laptop balanced on her knees. It was a rare rainy day for the summer and Kris and Marc had been working out in Marc’s gym.

“Whatcha doin?” Jordan asked, taking a chair and a bite of an apple.

Ginger’s reflex was to closer her browser, but she stopped just short. “I am looking at schools in Pittsburgh.” She raised her eyes to him, a concerned look on her face. “Should I be?”

“So Tanger’s got you coming to the ‘Burgh,” Jordan chewed slowly. “It’s nice there, G. You’d like it.”

“Yeah, but…”

“But what? Are you going to be happy in Montreal alone? Knowing you could have been with him instead?” He shook his head. “Give in, Ginger.”

Ginger shook her head. That much was obvious and not the problem. “But I have to decide now. Transfer deadline for Pitt is in 6 days. Once it’s past, I’m stuck. What if I do the transfer and we fall apart? I have to make this decision and I’ve still only known him for like two weeks.”

“Talk to him about it. Everything will be fine. And if not, I’ll still be there. It would be nice to have you around all the time, a little piece of home.” Jordan palmed the apple core. “And a nice piece of ass, if I haven’t been clear. I will take Kris’ sloppy seconds, don’t you worry.”

Ginger threw a couch pillow at him and laughed. “Jordan, I could do a lot worse than you.”

He smiled. “And my brothers don’t live in Pittsburgh.”
____

Ginger was still on the couch when Kris came in. He’d showered and changed at Marc’s. Raindrops glistened on the shoulders of his jacket.

“Want to go out for dinner?” he asked.

Now or never, she thought. Ginger changed into a cute beaded top and Capri pants, slipped on flats and some makeup. It’s fine. He wants me there. I want to be there. It’ll be great. They picked a nearby vegetarian place and ordered noodles. Ginger’s nerves made her stomach flutter, so she had a ginger ale. Kris laughed when she ordered it, his nose crinkling. Oh God.

“I wanted to talk to you about…” she started.

“About moving to Pittsburgh?” he finished her thought. She was momentarily speechless. He smiled.

“Do you want to move?” he asked.

She looked at her plate. “I want to be with you.”

“And I want to be with you.” His hand was on her arm. “I will wait for you, if you don’t want to move. You can finish school then maybe come to Pittsburgh after. If you want.”

She met his eyes and saw a little fear. He couldn’t wait, didn’t want to wait. He was offering because he knew she was scared too. But not being together would be the worst possible thing.

“I don’t want to wait. I don’t want to be away.”

That smile was back. “Me neither,” he said, relieved. “Can you transfer schools?”

She nodded. Five days left.

Kris knew this was his chance. He ignored the turning in his gut. “Is it too much if I ask you to live with me? Then you won’t have to worry about a place and mine is really nice, it just doesn’t feel like home yet and you know we’re away a lot, so you’d have plenty of time to study and it’s near Pitt so you wouldn’t have to go far and…”

“Kris,” she interrupted. “I would love to live with you.”

He forgot his manners and kissed her across the table. Dishes clanked together and Ginger held her glass upright as she met his lips and sealed their deal. Then she laughed.

“You know this is crazy, right? Who moves in together after two weeks?!”

Kris shook his head. “Who follows someone upstairs at a party?”
_____

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Chapter 7 - Get Gotten

Soundtrack: I want to get you, so get gotten. I won’t stop till I get to the bottom. – Ben Lee
____

Ginger put her swimsuit on under a dress. Jordan, TK and Max were already in the pool. She looked in the kitchen and garage, but didn’t see Kris. She wanted to kiss him. He must know that Jordan would tell her, as she knew Jordan would tell him what she’d said. Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match…

“Go for a walk?” he said, coming up behind her. He held his hand out.

She took them in the opposite direction of her parents’ house, toward the park a few blocks away. They walked hand-in-hand, not really speaking. When they reached the big lawn, Ginger led him under a big leafy tree and sat down in the shade against the trunk. Kris sat next to her. They still held hands.

Awkward, she smiled. I like you, you like me, let’s like each other and then what?

Kris looked at their fingers laced together. What the hell am I supposed to say? I have known you for two days, can I move in with you?

Ginger broke the dramatic silence. “I hear the mayor gave you the key to the city.”

“Would you like for me to stay?” he asked quietly. Jordan was sure of the answer, but Kris still felt nervous.

“I would. I like you, Kris. I’d like it if you stayed,” she squeezed his hand. “I could come to Montreal, too, if you want. I have my apartment there, I could just go back to school early.”

Kris looked at her. He hadn’t even considered that. He hadn’t imagined she would want to give something up to be near him. He was so busy liking her and worrying if she liked him. It was a wonderful feeling, knowing she had been thinking about ways to be together too.

He leaned in and kissed her. “I like you too, Sam. Not just the sex. But the sex….”

“Like WOAH,” she agreed.

Back at the house, everyone was in the pool. Max didn’t look too sad without his date, but TK was pouting a little. It was a beautifully sunny day, perfect for the pool. Upstairs, Ginger waited until Kris was out of his clothes.

She appeared right in front of him, stripped. Taking the swim shorts from his hand, she threw them away and pressed her naked body to his. She reached an arm around, spun the office chair at the desk and used her chest to push Kris into it. The she straddled him and sat in his lap.

“Always wanted to do this,” she said.

Ginger wrapped her legs around Kris and the back of the chair. He lifted her ass clean off his lap, adjusted his hips and laid her weight back down. His cock was angled up, the underside pressing against her pussy, just as it had the first time they’d been in this room together. Except this time, no clothes separated them.

Balancing on the balls of her feet, Ginger rose up and down. The leverage from this position was incredible – she could completely control her movements. Kris’s hands were under her ass, establishing their rhythm.

She loved being face to face with him. It revealed so much. His pupils dilated as his dark eyes swam with lust. That silky hair between their skin. Her lips found his hungrily while still her hips moved. Feeling him grow to fully hard against her body had her fighting to remain conscious. Kris used one hand to position his cock beneath her. One a downward stroke, she made them both gasp by swallowing it wholly into her body. He spread his knees, allowing her ass to drop between his thighs on the down-stroke and get to the very bottom of his case. She titled back slightly, using his biceps to hold herself up.

His gaze traveled the length of her torso. From her sparkling eyes to her freckles she was beautiful. From her soft breasts to her solid abs, she was perfect. Even the pull of her fingers on his arms made him feel wanted. He titled his hips, loving the velvety smooth sheath sliding over his cock. Ginger gripped Kris’ arms harder than she needed. The muscles beneath his skin, beneath his tattoo, were solid in an impossibly svelte way – he was ropy like an animal, with muscles honed from actual use instead of vanity. She admired the slight flex of his abs as he rocked his thick cock into her body. She arched her back slightly to touch her stomach to his as she leaned over and kissed his shoulder.

The curve of her back drew Kris’ hand. He slid fingers along her flesh, all the way over her shoulder and down the front of her body. He tweaked her clit and earned a little moan. It made him smile to know he was learning how she liked to be touched. He planned to learn all her secrets. He took the bouncing breast between his lips and nibbled along the rounded side.

Ginger rewarded him with a harder thrust. She hauled her body up and down his shaft with increasing pressure. Knowing that he liked friction, she began to twist her hips slightly as she fell. It was easy to grip all the way around him – there was no part of her not being loved from the inside. The friction made Kris’ pulse climb a measure. She was moving harder. That made Kris want harder too. With his hands on her hips, he began lifting her slightly and then pulling her in. He slid a little down in the chair and his pelvic bone met her clit on the next stroke. A satisfied whoosh of air was forced from her body.

She kept twisting, rocking hard now, hitting the end of his bone against her hot spot every time. On the third stroke, she stayed down, breaking the pace, and ground her hips forward. Her clit stroked across his ridge, back and forth, and she squeezed hard onto his dick every time a pulse of pleasure traveled up through her core.

Kris gave up on lifting her. He put his hands on her thighs and pushed down, as hard as he could, while he pushed up the same way. She wailed from the back of her throat as he reached her deepest point. Catching her hips, Kris ground his cock into her juicy, dripping pussy.

Suddenly he needed to be on top of her. He needed more force, more urgency, more pressure. He needed to be back there, as far back as there went, and he needed to do it hard. His forearms crossed under her ass and he lifted as he stood. She squealed as he tipped them both onto the bed.  As they hit the mattress, Kris hit the spot again. The head of his penis pressed like a buzzer inside her. It was like being at the back of her throat times a hundred. And it made Kris’ vision blur.

She bent her knees as far as they would go. Kris put his hands on her shins and drove himself inside her. Her head was back, thrashing against the blanket. One of her hand came down her stomach. Kris caught his breath and stared, even as he pounded at her body, as she touched herself, pressing quick and hard across her clit.

Ginger had known that would work. Kris got even harder, feeling fit to burst as he wedged himself through her again and against. She pumped at his dick with the walls of her pussy, pulsing tension through her muscles as if urging him on. He hung his head, grunting with the force of his thrusts, and she ran her fingers through his hair. He raised his face into her palm and kissed it. Then he took her finger into his mouth and sucked, rolling his tongue over her nail at the same pace he was rolling his cock into her body.

Her breath started to catch. He was over her, his chest bare in the sunlight and those shoulders making her dizzy. Her eyes took in the curves and planes of his body as hers began rolling contractions through itself without help.

“Oh God,” she whispered. It was building, seeming to collect behind her eyes and in the pit of her stomach at the same time. Kris was a jackhammer, giving her body not a second to catch it’s breath before he was in her again up to the hilt. She whimpered. Squeezing the breath from her body heightened the sensation.

Kris was desperate to make her come. Any second now, he would explode like the fucking atomic bomb and if she wasn’t done by then she’d be on her own. He wouldn’t even be able to touch her. He silently thanked God and hockey for giving him a career that required endurance and conditioning, because the last few days with Ginger had been testing his limits.

“Fuck,” she muttered, lifting her hips toward him. She purred quietly, then cursed again. “Fucking hell you feel so good. Oh God, Kris…”

Her head twisted to the side and her back arched, ass still lifting into his lap. She gripped the blanket so hard they both heard a tearing sound. Then it was drowned out by her moan. Long, low and very loud, Kris knew everyone in the yard was looking up at their window. She shuddered, whole body writhing on his staff as he hammered home an orgasm that made her swear like a sailor.

She was still twitching when Kris pounded out his last thrust. He heard a sound like the crack of a bat as it sent a baseball out of the park. His head went back as he nailed her hips to the mattress, cock throbbing loads of pure bliss. She moaned as she felt the warmth spread deep inside her. He landed next to her so hard the both bounced. She put a hand to his sweaty face and brushed his hair away. Then she kissed him with her very last ounce of energy and her eyelids drifted closed.
____

Bang bang bang.

“I know you’re naked so don’t make me come in there. You can’t sleep all day!” Jordan hollered from the hall.

Kris stirred. His body was sore, like he’d taken a big hit to the boards. Then he felt soft skin across his stomach and remembered this was the best game he’d ever played. Ginger was asleep against him, her head on his arm. He rolled up onto his shoulder. Her body glowed in the light of the sun. With the deftest touch, he circled the curve of her breast and the rim of her nipple, then down her side. She was the color of a peach and just as soft. He nuzzled her neck and she came around groggily.

“Stop making me pass out, I’m gonna miss the whole summer,” she pretended to complain.

“Stop making me come so hard, I’m gonna miss next season,” he countered.

“Psshhhttt. You need to train, keep your stamina up.” Her palm was flat against his thigh, forming the outline of his quad muscle. She sighed. “You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”

She sounded so sincere that Kris blushed. Sure women had called him hot before. But Ginger’s tone was more respectful, more awed. Like she’s really considered all the options and judged him to be number one.

“Et pour moi tu es la plus belle,” he whispered. She smiled like she understood.

Ginger wanted to stay there all summer. She didn’t want to think or share or even breathe. When he went home, even for a few days, she knew should would go with him. She couldn’t do anything else. He was thinking about it too.

“We are supposed to go back tomorrow. Would you like to come with us? Or I can come right back. Or both,” he smiled. “Don’t think about the money, I will buy the tickets.”

She looked up at him. This was a little sticky. He shut it down.

“If you argue, I will stay here and wear the same four shirts all summer. I don’t care. I can wear Jordan’s.”

Ginger laughed at the thought of Kris in Jordan’s t-shirt, it would hang down to his butt. They were like dresses on her too. With another sigh she curled in as close to him as she could.

“I don’t want to be apart from you,” she said hesitantly. It sounded silly, it had only been a couple of days. “I will come to Montreal if that’s okay.”

Kris kissed her, hard. “Thank God.”
____

Jordan grilled steaks for dinner. Clearly his Cro-Magnan Man phrase would last all summer. Ginger did baked potatoes inside. When everyone opened theirs, Sidney protested.

“Yours’ is a sweet potato! Not fair!”

“My favorite. Want half?” She cut him a piece and he swapped for his regular potato.

They discussed summer plans. Max had some strengthening to do on his shoulder and Jordan had his foot to work on. Sidney was going back to Nova Scotia to fish and tool around on his jet ski. He invited them all up in a month for a spell at the lake.

“What about you two? Kris, are you moving in?” Jordan asked.

“Ginger’s coming to Montreal with us tomorrow. Then we’ll come back, maybe next week,” Kris answered.

Max gave Kris a slap on the back. Sidney swallowed a scathing remark, reminding himself that he was just sexually frustrated and feeling jealous. It wasn’t fair to hate Kris because he was so goddamned lucky. But the prospect of returning to Cole Harbor like this was too much. That town had been dry of girls before he was the fucking Face of Canada. Now it was a minefield and completely out of the question.

“Ginger,” Sid asked. “Do you perhaps have any friends who might want to come over? Or go out with us? Tonight?”

She laughed. “Sidney Crosby. Are you asking if I can get you laid?”

He laughed at himself. “I am simply saying now that you and Kris are together, what I’m thinking about you is inappropriate. It would be helpful if I could think it about someone else.” Kris held his steak knife out in a mock threat while Ginger rummaged through the bag at her feet.

She paged through her phone and beeped. “Caitlin. Quick question: 1 to 10 on Sidney Crosby.” She listened, looking at Sid. “Short hair.” She listened some more. “Really? I’d go 9 at least. Okay. Thanks.” She disconnected and dialed again.

“Rebecca. Yes or no, Sidney Crosby?” She nodded. “About half… yes. Double yes. Okay. Bye.”

Another call. “Dani, it’s Ginger. Real quick. Sidney Crosby – would you?” She waited. “Better than you think.” Again. “Hahaha, bigger than you think. Okay, hold on a sec.”

Ginger held her phone out to Sidney. The Caller ID showed a girl with short dark hair and a big smile in an enticingly v-neck tank top. Sidney nodded emphatically. “What are you doing tonight? I’m picking you up at 9.” They could hear Dani’s muffled voice on the other end of the phone. “Yes. And shave your legs.”

Ginger put the phone down. “Mission accomplished.”

Jordan beat the end of his fork against the table. “Ginger! Jesus Christ. What about me? Dani is fucking hot!” Sidney looked very excited.

“Jordan, she already knows you. If she wanted you she’d be here now.”

“Does she know I’m home? Did you tell her? UGH. By the way, it took you three tries to get someone for Crosby? Your friends are retarded. Canada should deport them. This,” he slapped Sid on the shoulder, “is the highest honor that Canada can bestow. A piece of Crosby’s legendary ass.”

Ginger stuck her tongue out at him then flipped her phone open again. “Hi Beth, how are you? Good… Listen, I know you leave next week. Want to come out tonight? I’ve got some friends in town. Yes. Yes. Oh boy, you have no idea. Okay. 9:30, meet us at Harrington’s Pub.”

Ginger gave Jordan the phone. He looked at the photo, leaned over and kissed Ginger on the cheek.

“I have to do everything around here!” she said. “Anyone else? Lake House girls coming out tonight or do you need a line change? No wait, don’t answer that. I’m out of friends.”
____

Ginger pulled up to Dani’s house at 9:02 PM. She turned in the seat. “Crosby, go get her.”

Sid looked deer-in-the-headlights. “What?”

“Well it’s going to be pretty fucking weird if she gets in the backseat next to you and passes out. At least give her the chance to lose consciousness in the comfort of her own home.” Ginger opened her own door. “Fine, come on.”

She rang the bell and the beautiful, dark-haired girl from the photo opened it. She had a messy pixie cut and a nice rack under a blue summer dress. She smiled and Ginger then her eyes fell on Sidney. They went wide, but she recovered nicely.

“Jeez, Ginger. I didn’t think you were serious,” she put a hand to her chest. “I’m Dani.”

Sidney shook her hand and barely remembered his own name. He wondered if it would be socially acceptable to take her upstairs right now. “Sidney, nice to meet you. Ginger didn’t tell me how beautiful you were.”

“No, but Jordan did. His word means more than mine,” Ginger said. “Don’t worry about him, by the way. I called in a date for Jordan. You’re on Crosby duty and no complaining!” She wheeled toward the car.

“I think I can handle that,” Dani said, giving Sid ‘The Look.’

Sid took her hand. “Consider me handled.”

He opened the door and helped her into the car. She leaned over the passenger seat. “You must be Kris. You were right, G. Well done.” Kris laughed as Ginger pulled out of the drive.

They used the front door of the bar. Jordan would likely make a scene but the time for careful was over. Tonight was a last hurrah for a week that had turned into more than expected for almost everyone involved. Half the heads in the place watched them come in, and the other half quickly heard the news. But no one approached. Sidney put a hand to Dani’s back and followed her through the crowd.

“Beth!” Ginger grabbed a girl with curly, dark blonde hair. Almost brown. Beth hugged her then looked around. Her face went from surprised to stunned. She managed to introduce herself to Kris, then Sidney and Dani. She gave Dani a conspiratorial little smile. At that moment Jordan burst through the door like it was the OK Corral with Max, TK and the Lake House contingent hot on his heels.

“Beth, this is Jordan,” Ginger started. Jordan interrupted her by grabbing Beth, dipping her almost to the floor and kissing her on the mouth. He flipped her to her feet and she shook her head.

“Thank you, Ginger!” she yelled and pulled him down to kiss her again. Without moving his face, Jordan gave Ginger a victory sign.

The night quickly got blurry. Beers and shots and drinks were poured and passed and spilled. Jordan consumed more of Beth than he did alcohol. Sidney found a semi-private corner where he could dance with Dani. Ginger snuck in and took a phone photo of them kissing. Sidney had his hand at the back of her neck and Dani clung to his flexed bicep. Ginger peeled them apart to show if off.

“Facebook tomorrow, bitches!” And she ran off.

At the bar, Kris watched her with a smile on his face. When she caught his eye from across the room, she actually blew him a kiss. In a tipsy haze, it felt like an arrow to his heart. I am never letting her out of my sight. She came back to the bar.

“What are you studying in school?” he was pretty sure he said it in English.

“Elementary education. I want to teach kids,” she said, probably not in French.

Kris breathed in from her hair. “Do they teach that in Pittsburgh? Because if you’re more than 5k away from me, I might die. I could request a trade to Montreal, I guess.” He looked almost serious.

“I have known you for three days! Wait till the honeymoon wears off then ask me that again.” He stuck his lower lip out in a pout. Ginger kissed it. “Yes, they have the program in Pittsburgh. My mom checked because she kinda always through I would end up with Jordan.”

They both looked at Jordan, who was sucking Beth’s face off like the Predator on the dance floor. Ginger shivered and Kris kissed her again. “End up with me instead. Please,” he laughed.

“I already checked the schools again. Hahaha. Does that make me a crazy stalker? I felt crazy looking,” she made a face.

“I’ve never had a stalker. It’s kinda sexy.” He proved it by kissing her into a pile of Jello.

By midnight, the place was emptying out but they were not finished. Beth and Jordan separated long enough to each drive a vehicle home – they’d done more kissing than drinking. Everyone poured into the house and onto the pool deck.

Kris sat behind Ginger, his legs around her, at the edge of the pool. Max and his date were back in the hammock. Sidney and Dani had been sitting on the lawn, but now all they could see was Sid’s ass above the grass where he lay on top of her. TK and his date were tossing the beer pong ball around. Jordan and Beth may never have made it in from the driveway.

“I love it when a plan comes together,” Ginger said, surveying the scene. Sidney heard her and raised a hand in the air, giving her a thumbs-up. She heard Dani giggle.

She leaned back against Kris. Silently, she lifted her ass off the concrete, unzipped her shorts and slid them off. Without standing, she pulled them over her feet, tossed her top, handed her bra to Kris and slipped into the pool completely naked. Kris sat there with his jaw on the ground. There could have been a unicorn in the pool and no one would have noticed. But Ginger was naked, presumably for him, in what amounted to a public place. Kris was already so hard he doubted he could get his shorts off. So he took out his wallet and phone, dumped his shirt and dropped into the water. He was struggling with his shorts when Ginger swam up to him around the 5 foot mark. She helped unzip and took him in her hand. They could both stand here.

“Everyone can see us,” Kris whispered.

“No, the pool lights are off. They won’t notice unless you make me scream,” she taunted him. “So try not to be so fucking incredible, okay?”

Kris gave up. He didn’t care who saw or heard. He’d barely noticed that it sounded like Sid and Dani were going for it in the grass. That’s because he’s sleeping on the couch, Kris smiled. Then he touched Ginger’s bare skin and forgot everything else. She hooked a leg over his hip, pressed her breasts against him and pushed a kiss to his mouth.

“Kris, thanks for coming to visit,” she said.

“Ginger… or Samantha… or whoever you are, thanks for waiting until I got here,” he replied.

She laughed. “Thanks for jerking off in the bathroom so I had an excuse to have sex with you.”

His turn to chuckle. “Thanks for being horny enough to follow me inside.”

Kris’ fingers brushed down her stomach onto her bare thighs. She sucked in a breath and forgot what she was going to thank him for next. They were drunk and both knew this would be a hard-and-fast encounter. Kris confirmed that by dragging one finger through her pussy. She pressed her head back, bending her neck over the edge of the pool. Kris kissed her exposed skin and slid that finger inside her. Then another. Just like in the lake, her warmth was completely different from that of the water.

Ginger stroked Kris’ cock. She made a mental note to do this again with the lights on so she could see his impeccable body this way. That alone could make her orgasm. Maybe better with the lights off, she thought. Before she could get too far along, she brought his head to the space between her thighs. With a single, graceful push, Kris was inside her warm folds. The water lifted her easily in his arms.

Kris pulled them away from the wall and slid them deeper, where he could maneuver using his hands on the edge of the pool. She held on to him as he lifted his body into hers, buoyancy giving him a range of motion more full that anything they’d tried. He pressed deeply enough to bring her chest clear out of the water. Ginger bit his shoulder hard to keep from crying out.

The cool water created an opposite sensation outside her body from the thermonuclear reaction Kris was stirring inside. His hard, smooth cock mined her body for heat and struck gold every time. She wrapped legs around him and angled her hips for an even deeper drilling. Holding onto his insanely broad shoulders proved the best choice for both leverage and completely delirious desire. As Kris drove his throbbing dick into her, Ginger held on for all she was worth. She did her best not to cry out as Kris’ pelvic bone pressed against her clit.

“Do that again,” she panted, “and I will wake up fucking Buffalo from here.”

He did it again and she squeaked. Again and she gasped. On the third time, she growled.

“I will black out and drown if you keep that up.”

But it was an invitation. Kris worked his body into hers. Every time he hit her hot spot, her pussy caught him like an impossible overtime glove-save and brought him right to the verge of a nervous breakdown. He rewarded her with another hard stroke to her clit. She cursed in French.

“Baise-moi.” Fuck me.

Kris granted her wish. He fucked her right to the edge of what she truly wanted. He stopped and started, went deep and shallow, pushed hard then soft until she was whimpering in his arms. The liquor and heat and water conspired for a particularly messy exchange.

“Ginger,” he panted. He was so close to coming that he couldn’t be sure what language he spoke. Forget the booze – any woman who made him feel this way deserved the truth.

“Ginger, I’m crazy about you.” he panted.

“That’s not my name,” she purred back.

He corrected himself. “Samantha. I lied when I said I like you. It’s more than that.”

“More for me too, Kris. We’ll be okay.”

She barely got that out. He drove extra hard into her and forced his pelvis hard against her clit. Swiveling his hips, and hoped it felt for her like his mouth had felt upstairs. Apparently, it worked. Ginger dug her fingers into his back and side. Her mouth was right near his ear as she gasped.

“Kris, Kris…,” she moaned softly, right into his ear. As another wave of orgasm crashed into her, she writhed in his arms. “Oh my God, Kris.” It sounded like a prayer, something full of wonder and gratitude.

He thrust two more times and, biting into the ripe flesh of her bare shoulder, strangled his own cry as he came. His body let loose on impact – it was like two cars colliding at high speeds. A long moan accompanied the hot gush of lust that exploded from his body into hears. It was muffled by his mouthful of her skin. He drew in and out three times, exhausting every ounce of himself inside the depths of her body.

They hung their, suspended in the water and completely spent against each other. Ginger was woozy, unsure she could walk. Kris pulled out of her body and reached onto the deck for his t-shirt. Pulling it right into the water, he dragged it over her head and covered her. He retrieved his shorts and pulled them on. Then they ran for it.

They were almost in the door when Max laughed. “You two should do phone sex. That was epic.” Sid and Dani cheered from across the yard. Ginger giggled and kept going into the house.
____