The One Where They Kiss...

He almost told her, he wasn’t sure why he didn’t.  It’s not that James didn’t think she’d be ok with it—ok that’s exactly what James thought.  He knew her well enough to know that she wouldn’t react like a puck bunny, but what he didn’t know is whether or not she’d want to put up with it.

Late nights, wins, losses, traveling, the media.  Puck bunnies even.  It’s a lot for someone to take on, a lot for James to throw at a girl.

“I, uh, I play hockey.  In a social league, type thing.” James stuttered

Real smooth, dumbass.

“Oh really?” she turned around, smiling.  “My best friend Tori, remember her?”

James nodded.

“Her boyfriend—well fiancé, he plays in a social league too!  Maybe you two play each other,”

“Maybe” James laughed nervously, downing the rest of his glass before pouring another.

--

It wasn’t long before dinner was ready.  They sat at the dining room table catty cornered to each other, the conversation flowing.

To say the lies stopped there would be, well, a lie.

James’ nose must have grown two feet in one hour alone.  He told Charlie that he was in the sports industry.

Not technically a lie.

When she asked if he was going to elaborate, he just laughed nervously.  He worked in marketing and brand management.

Could I get by saying I marketed the Penguins… by playing for them?

James quickly but smoothly (he thought) turned the tables on Charlie and asked about her job.  She was happy to oblige.

From the way she described her position as an assistant at a local, well-known event planning company, James knew that she loved her job.  She didn’t stop smiling as she spoke, her hands animated.

He just watched and listened.

Charlie was mid sentence when she looked at James just watching her, “Oh.  Oh, sorry.  I didn’t mean to ramble on and bore you,” she said shyly as she picked up her fork and took a bite of the chicken.

“Not at all,” James corrected her.  “Ever thought about going solo?  Creating your own company?”

She paused to think about his question, sipping her wine.  “I love the idea.  But I don’t think it’s something I’d actually do.”  James motioned for her to continue.  “I don’t think I have the skill to create something from nothing.  My boss always talks about how hard it was for her to get going, I don’t know how she kept up with it,”

Charlie was silent for a moment staring off, lost in her own thoughts.  “And honestly, I’m quite happy at where I am,” she looked at James with a truthful smile.

--

Charlie watched as James cleaned up the kitchen, the tables turning from their first dinner.  The polo he wore put his arms on display—his huge, muscular arms.  And that ass, a cup could sit on that rear end.

Is it the hockey that gave him that?  God bless hockey!

As James finished up Charlie grabbed their wine and took a seat on the leather couch.  A few minutes later James joined her, picking up his glass she had put on the coffee table and taking a seat on her left.

And by next to her, he was practically on top of her. 

His arm lazily fell behind her head and across the back of the sofa.  His thick thigh was pressed flush with hers.  Charlie saw his lips moving as he talked enthusiastically but couldn’t hear a thing he said.  Her mind was focused on keeping herself from attacking him. 

She took a deep breath to relax her, but instead she inhaled the scent of his rugged, woodsy cologne.  Delicious, she thought.

“Charlie?”

Charlie snapped out of her hypnosis, caught red handed.

“You alright?” James asked.

She bobbed her head up and down.  Her eyes were unable to choose which to rest on, his lips or his eyes that peered down at her.

James smiled and his tongue slowly licked his bottom lip.

Charlie fought back a whimper.

--

Did she just whimper?  Well I mean if she’s going to whimper I might as well give her something to whimper about, right?

James took the wine glass from Charlie’s hand, her grip releasing it easily.  He placed them on the coffee table before leaning back.

He shifted his body towards her and brushed away the hair that had fallen from its place, a classic move.  He leaned in and their eyes met, making sure he wasn’t misreading any signals.

Apparently, it wasn’t that he was misreading signals, but that he wasn’t acting on them fast enough.

Before James knew it Charlie had closed the gap between them and her mouth slammed into his.

James pulled back.  His fingers against his lips, “Ow,”

Charlie looked mortified.  Her blue eyes were wide as her hands clamped over her mouth.  “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!” she mumbled beneath them.

“I didn’t mean to—I was just trying—I haven’t done this in a while,” she tried explaining, her words coming out incredibly fast.

James couldn’t help but laugh.  He pressed his hand over her mouth to silence her, but she continued talking.  His eyes bore into hers and she finally hushed.

“How about we try it again?” he whispered.

Charlie nodded slowly and James removed his hand, only for it to cup her cheek.

“I got this,” James laughed.  She groaned in embarrassment, but did as he told.

James took his sweet time lowering his mouth to hers.  He brushed his lips lightly across hers repeatedly before they came to a rest.

Gently, James kissed her full lips.

Finally.

--

Finally.

I could die right now.  This might be Heaven.

Charlie sat still while James tortured her, his lips brushing hers here and there.  When he finally kissed her full on, she about lost it. 

James’ hands wandered down her side and stroked her thigh, while her own snaked their way around his collared neck.  Afraid to disobey and make a move, Charlie parted her lips just so. 

James didn’t hesitate to take advantage and faintly traced her bottom lip with his tongue.  Charlie moaned in appreciation, and their tongues quickly entangled.  They took their time memorizing the feel of one another’s lips, the feel of their kiss. 

Charlie’s breath hitched in her throat when she felt his hand just under the hem of her skirt.

--

Too far.

“I’m sorry,” James pulled away and apologized, his breathing heavy.  He pressed his forehead against hers and whispered again, “Sorry,”

Charlie silenced him with a gently kiss.  “It’s ok,”

He enveloped her in a hug and nuzzled into her neck.  They sat like that for a few minutes, Charlie gently stroking his back.

“James?” she murmured.  He answered with a grunt.

“I should get going,”

James squeezed her tighter, but he knew she was right.  He pulled away and stole another kiss before helping her off the couch and into her jacket.

In the car James grabbed Charlie’s hand and held it between them, rubbing his thumb slowly against her soft skin.  He wanted to take the long way, or a wrong turn—whatever got him more time with her.  But his better judgment told him not to.

He parked outside her apartment and held her hand as he walked her up to her door.

“Thank you for dinner,”

Charlie smiled bashfully, “I had a great time tonight,”

James leaned down and kissed her once more.  “I want to see you soon,” he whispered against her lips.

“You better,” she smiled, kissing his cheek and sneaking into her apartment before they could do anything else.

The One Where He Slips Up...

“Can I help you?” Charlie asked without looking up.

James was hovering over her shoulder as she read her list for the tenth time.  He had been doing that down every isle, standing immensely close to her.  It wasn’t safe for either of them.  She turned around and pushed James gently towards the cart before wandering down the isle.

They had stopped off at a grocery store outside of downtown Pittsburgh after he finally decided on what he’d like for dinner.  Charlie had to hide the smile as she remembered meeting him in a store just like the one they were currently shopping at.

“All we need now is broccoli.  I’ve got wine at my place if you’re alright with that,” She looked back to James as he came to a stop next to her.

“I think we need to grab some more,” he suggested, already turning the cart towards the wine isle.

Charlie shook her head, “I’m sure I have a full bottle,” her words were ignored, as James was already halfway down the store.  Charlie had to jog to catch up with him, which in heels wasn’t a great idea.

James insisted on paying for the groceries.  The two took them out to the car and were quickly back on the road.

When he didn’t turn back to town, Charlie knew James had something up his sleeve.  She just eyed him as he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel to the beat of the radio.  His smile never faded, but only grew when he’d catch her staring.  They spent the rest of the drive in a comfortable silence, their arms resting on the center console brushed more than a few times.

--

James drove down through the neighborhood that was quickly becoming more and more familiar to him.  He pulled into a driveway of a nice size, two car garage, brick house.  He put the car in park and turned off the engine.  Silence quickly filled the car.

“Where are we?” Charlie asked, looking around at all the houses on the street.

He smiled proudly, “My house.”  James jumped out of the car and opened the door for Charlie.  She looked pensive as they grabbed the groceries from the trunk and made their way up the front walk.

“I thought you lived in an apartment downtown?”

“I do, well I did.  It was temporary, until I was finished with the house,” he explained, fiddling with the keys before the door clicked open.

Charlie followed James in to the small foyer.  Their steps echoed on the hardwood floor as they walked down the long hallway and into the kitchen.

James took the bags from her and began laying everything out.  “Please, make yourself at home,” he insisted.

Her fingers began work on the buttons of her long dark green coat.  Charlie walked through the modern and sleek kitchen.  The pale grey room was complimented with stainless steal appliances, and black, rustic cabinets.  White granite covered the countertops and massive island.  Open to the kitchen, the family room had a similar feel.  The cream walls balanced the kitchen well, and a dark brown leather L couch faced the dark wood framed fireplace.  A few pieces of art hung on the walls, but for the most part it was simple and uncluttered.

She made a full circle of the first floor, having shed her jacket in the hallway closet.  She met James at the counter.  “Time to get to work!”

Charlie was quick to begin cooking.  Salad, broccoli and chicken were on the menu.  She was mixing the dry ingredients for the chicken when she looked up and caught James staring.

“I don’t think I told you this yet, but you look beautiful tonight,” he said softly.  She watched as his eyes slowly admired her from head to toe.  Charlie could feel his stare burn through the purple sheer top she had tucked into a high wasted, tight fitted skirt.

“You need something to do,” she laughed nervously.  Her head shook at how silly she was being around him.  C’mon girl, it’s not like you’ve never liked a guy before!

She asked for him to get a cutting knife and handed James some vegetables to cut up.  They stood alongside each other at the counter, they arms and hips bumping gingerly.

--

With a bit of teamwork, the chicken was prepped and in the oven by 7:30.  Charlie poured them both a glass of wine while James turned on the fireplace in the family room.  They stayed away from the couch, knowing that it was too soon in the night to be that close to each other.

Leaning against counters opposite from one another, she took a sip of her wine.  “It’s beautifully done,” she complimented.

James looked at his home, and smiled proudly.  “I’d have to agree,” he also took a sip of wine.  “I’d like to take all the credit, but my mom and a designer did most of the work,”

Charlie put down her glass to check on the chicken while James continued.  “We’re close, but we still have some rooms to finish.  I just can’t wait until the basement is done, have the team over, it should be fun,”

Charlie glanced at him over her shoulder.

“Team?”

The One Where They Make Plans...

Charlie had just stepped out of the shower and was drying herself off when she heard her phone go off in the bedroom.

She secured the towel around her figure before she padded over to her bedside table.  She answered without looking at the caller ID, “Hello there!”

“Hello to you to!” she could hear him smile through the phone.

Though it felt like a moth, James had been gone for 9 days.  There wasn’t a day where he didn’t text or call Charlie back in Pittsburgh, The conversation was light as always—how their day had been, TV shows that they were watching… His work had taken him to Canada and California, and even with the time changes they still managed to talk.

“Our plane gets in late tonight, early morning for you,” he paused.  Charlie pictured him rubbing the back of his neck, “but uh, would you maybe want to have dinner with me tomorrow night?”

At that moment Charlie was quite happy she wasn’t with James in person.  She bit her bottom lip as she smiled and did a little hop, holding tight onto her towel.  She waved her hand over her face as a way to compose herself.

“Sure, I’d love—” she stopped herself.  “Wait, tomorrow’s Sunday?” she stated more than asked.

“Yea, it is,” James said over the line.

“Damn,” Charlie mumbled.  “I’m sorry, James I can’t.  I already had plans tomorrow night.” She didn’t bother to hide her disappointment.

“Oh,” James said, just as disappointed.  “A hot date?” he laughed.

Did he sound nervous?  Charlie thought.

“No!” she answered too quickly and rolled her eyes.  “A-hem.  I mean no, just a family dinner.”

Charlie swore she heard him sigh in relief, which only made her do the same.

“I’m free Monday,”

--

James must have glanced at the clock on the wall at least a hundred times, he was sure that time was fighting against him.  The minutes passed by so slowly James thought his clock might have been broken, he replaced its batteries twice already.

He would have been happier to see Charlie when he got home on Sunday, but she was already busy.  Can you just imagine how anxious I’d be if it were later in the week?!  He laughed at himself.

Instead they decided on dinner Monday night and Charlie insisted on repaying James for the Chinese by making dinner.  James was going he pick her up at her office at 6 and take them to the grocery store to pick up any ingredients she’d need for cooking.

After all the NHL Network he could take, James checked the clock once more.  He bolted from his couch when he saw it was 5 o’clock.  He took a quick shower, before shaving what little facial hair had grown in the past few days.

“I’ve never been more grateful to have no roommates,” James mumbled to himself as he stood in his closet trying on shirt after shirt.  He’d get it from them if they knew how much of girl he was being.

Settling on a pair of tailored khakis and an army green polo, he headed back into the bathroom for the final piece to the puzzle.

The hair.

He could have left it alone and just put some gel in it, but he washed it for tonight was a special occasion.  James lined up his comb and hair products in a line and got to work.

It began with running the towel over his head, getting it dry.  Next, James combed it before blow-drying it a bit, making sure it was stick straight.  Then he squeezed gel into his hands, and ran his hands through his hair.

Front to back.  Back to front.  Right side and up.  Left side and up.  Mess it up—run hands all over.  Scrunch.  Fluff.  Done.

James stepped into his bedroom and took a look at the time on his phone.  It was time to go, so he grabbed his keys and winter jacket and headed for the front door.  He made sure to stop and take a look at the finished product in the hallway mirror.

Damn, he grinned.

Go get ‘em tiger.

--

He pulled up to the address she had texted him earlier and parked out front.  As he got out of the car he saw Charlie come through the glass doors.

James pulled back the sleeve of his jacket and checked his watch, he wasn’t late—right on time actually.

“Well aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” she beamed as she walked down the stone steps.

“I would’ve come up to your office and got you.  I hope you weren’t waiting long,” he said.

She came to a stop just a foot from him, “Which is exactly why I came down.  My boss is also my friend, so you’d get the third degree.  And probably her phone number,” Charlie giggled.

“Ah, so you’re actually saving me,” James joked.

For just a minute they stood there smiling at each other before Charlie shook her head.  “Fine, fine.  I’ll give,” she closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around James’ neck.  He reveled in the feeling of her so close to him, but he wished her thick jacket wasn’t in the way of his hands holding her waist.

Charlie was the first to pull away.  “Shall we?”

James held the passenger door open for her, before he ran around to his side.  He eased his way into the afternoon traffic, the roar of his Mercedes' engine masking the revving of their own engines inside.