Monday, March 26, 2012

Nine

Nicole slipped away from her table, down the hallway toward the bathroom.  She and Viktor were seated with Seabrook and Kane, Abby and Patrick Sharp and Dave and Julia Bolland.  Duncan Keith had brought a date - he gave Nicole a little shrug as if to apologize for not inviting Monica.  Nicole waved it away.  Duncan and his date were at the table behind them, with Jonathan and Fiona and the Hossas.  From her seat, when Abby leaned toward her husband, Nicole had a full view of Jonathan.  Or was it the other way around?

Their brief encounter left her feeling anxious.  She chalked it up to him being with Fiona, and them being here, and the unease she felt in Viktor.  Stalberg did an admirable job of hiding it but still Nicole knew.  Under the table she slipped her hand into his and held.


The luncheon was really nice, the company even better.  Kane and Seabrook were a comedy duo, better suited to each other than any date they might have brought.  They told a few embarrassing stories about Viktor, but didn’t have as much ammunition against eh Swede as they had on each other.  Before the second course was cleared, Nicole was wiping tears from her eyes.  The waiters kept topping off their champagne, to Abby’s delight.

“I have nine months of this to make up for!” she leaned across to toast.  Her husband rolled his eyes handsomely.

It had been one too many glasses for Nicole, and she made her way along the bar and down the hallway.  The bathroom was empty, so she took a moment to check her hair and makeup.  Each of the women was more perfectly put together than the last - even Abby, who didn’t appear to try at all.  Nicole felt a little pressure to perform.

She stepped out to find a rather large, nearly Viktor-sized body leaning against the wall, effectively blocking the hallway.  But it wasn’t Viktor.

“Having fun, Nicole?” Jonathan asked.  He wore a dark grey button down shirt, open at the throat and rolled back over his forearms.  That legendary ass was giving pinstripe slacks a run for their money.

Nicole had been a Blackhawks fan approximately forever.  From the day he joined the team until the day she met Viktor, Jonathan Toews had been her favorite player.  It was startling to be near him, in private, to hear him say her name.  But the look in his eyes made her bristle.

“Uh, yeah.  Everyone’s so nice.”

He just leaned there.  “You and Viktor must be pretty serious.”

Serious, she almost laughed.  But the moment didn’t feel light.  Even from five feet away, there was something very intense about Jon.

“Well, we’re....” Nicole’s instinct was to defend herself.  If she cemented her relationship with Viktor, Jon would back off.  But maybe she was reading him wrong, and overreacting would make her look clingy or desperate.  She wanted to be cool.  It wasn’t every day an NHL superstar hit on her.  There was absolutely no way it was happening twice.  

Not with Jonathan Toews.

“We’re good,” she smiled confidently.

Jon righted himself, like he was going to walk back to the table.  Nicole moved to follow.  But Jon didn’t turn - he came toward her.  Before she could stop herself, he was there, chest to chest in the narrow width of the hallway, looking down at her with those bottomless brown eyes.  Up close, his intensity crackled and snapped like a cloud of static electricity.  Nicole blinked, stunned.

“I could tell he was lonely on the road trip,” Jon dropped his voice a notch, his breath warm on her cheek.  That predatory look played in his eyes - she was stung, frozen, helpless.  He could have kissed her without moving.  Instead his mouth curled with a hint of smile.

“Now I see what he was missing.”

Jon slipped past her and into the men’s room.  Whether he’d been waiting for her or a mere coincidence, she’d never know.  The door closed behind him with a slam that made her jump.

Go. Go go go.

No way could she be in that hallway when he came back.  Once was lucky, twice and she’d be dessert.

“Hey,” Viktor stood as she returned, pulling out her chair, then draping his arm around behind her shoulders.  It was like a cool compress on a burn and Nicole sighed.  “Okay?”

“Yeah.”  She leaned over and pressed a quick, sweet kiss to his mouth.  No one seemed to notice save Viktor, as a huge smile spread across his face.

Nicole kept her eyes on her tablemates for the rest of the meal.  Her steak entree was fantastic and the spread of desserts seemed to have doubled since she helped unpack them.  Viktor begged off after half a cupcake, so Nicole at hers and the rest of his.

When it was finally time to go, she gave and received a lot of enthusiastic hugs.  It was still unfathomably weird to be hanging out with the Blackhawks, but take them out of the game and they were just cool, friendly people.  Nicole grinned until her face hurt.

“Did you have fun?” Viktor asked once they were in the car.  “I know it’s a lot, everyone knows each other already.”

She pushed a hand into the thick hair at the back of his head.  “I loved it.  Thank you.”

He didn’t need to be guided to her lips, and they shared a frosting-flavored kiss perfect for the holidays.  Nicole directed him to drive to the shop.

“I have a present for you.”

She made him stop half a block early, got out of the car and offered her hand.  He obliged, even closing his eyes for the last twenty yards.  Finally they stopped out front.  

“Happy Valentine’s Day!”

Viktor saw the logo, then moved closer and saw the hundreds of hand-cut pieces of paper that were layered into the design.  And noticed that each was cut in a heart-shape, with scalloped edges  Scattered amongst the front layer were numbered pieces - one for each jersey worn my a member of the team.  Right at the bottom point of the red feather  was a number 25.

“This is awesome!” he yanked her hard into his side and squeezed.  “It must have taken forever!”

She shrugged.  “You were gone forever.”

He studied it for another moment, admiring all her detailed hard work.  And all while they were losing, game after game, and he could barely muster the energy to talk when he called her on the phone.

“Thank you,” he turned and looked right down into her eyes. Her dimples flashed with an embarrassed smile.  “It makes what I got you look much less interesting.”

“You didn’t have to get me something!”

He shook his whole body side-to-side, shaking her too  “I wanted to.”

Viktor produced a small, flat square box from the pocked of his coat.  The black velvet cover screamed jewelry, and Nicole’s eyes flashed a little wide before narrowing.  He was silently glad to have reconsidered his first purchase - it had been beautiful, but too much.  If he got a lot of somedays to buy her gifts, he’d get it later.

Nicole held it between them and slowly opened the lid.  It was a thin silver chain with a small diamond solitaire pendant.

“Oh my gosh!”

It was simple and classic, nothing fancy, but Viktor swore it had sparkled more than anything else in the shop.  He passed it over twice, but kept going back.  Something about it seemed right.

“It made me think of you,” he said.  She looked like she wanted to protest, so he kissed her lips before she could speak.  Five seconds later, the fight went out of her and she relaxed against him.

“It’s beautiful, thank you.”

Nicole was overwhelmed.  The necklace was stunning and definitely pricey, but not outrageous.  It was more the sentiment - that he’d thought of her, chosen it carefully, wanted to give her a gift.

“Thank you,” she said again, with another kiss.

Viktor blushed to see the happiness on her face, that beauty mark disappearing only with her biggest smile.  He grabbed her by the hand and turned toward the car.  “Now it’s my turn to lead.”
____

A best-of-three series became a best-of-five when Viktor could not beat Nicole at Skeeball.  She crowed as her roll landed in the center ring, notching another hundred points.  The numbers on her screen seemed to climb at will.

“Give it up, Stalberg,” she teased.  “I’ve got you beat.”

“Stop doing that. All that flicking your wrist,” he demonstrated her movement, which did look a little dirty, “is turning me on.”

Mid-swing, Nicole dropped the ball.  THUNK.  It rolled behind them, toward the arcade.  Viktor laughed madly as she made a shocked face.

They were at Dave & Busters.  It wasn’t the most romantic destination but Viktor knew they wouldn’t want to eat again after lunch.  Plus it was barely five in the afternoon and most nice restaurants weren’t even open yet.  If they got hungry later, they’d have to play it by ear.  Instead, Viktor had reserved two spots at D&B’s Date Night and challenged Nicole to a round of old-fashioned games.  Which she was winning.

The ringing bell signalled another loss for Viktor.  Nicole did a little touchdown dance, then threw her arms up for a hug.  That he could manage.  As she was wrapped in his embrace, he picked her up and moved toward the air hockey table.

“If you can’t win at this....” she teased.

It was closer, at least, and all luck really.  The plastic puck made a rattled around, accompanying her trash talk.

“Come on, just pretend I’m the Blue Jackets!”

“What is this, mites on ice?”

He had to grab the puck out of play because he was laughing so hard.

“Closing your hand on the puck in the crease!  Penalty shot!  That’s a penalty shot!”

Viktor carefully set it down at center ice and backed away.  Nicole circled away, singing ‘Rock You Like a Hurricane.’  She lined up and rather gracefully shot the puck right into the slot.  Then she jumped on Viktor in a goal-scoring celebration.

An hour later, Nicole had dropped some of her lead.  Basketball free throws were her downfall, and they opted not to wait for a bowling alley.  It was still early when they left, hand in hand, breathing a little hard from the exuberance of their games and more so, their celebrations.

“That was really fun,” she announced.  Nicole hadn’t expected to win anything, simply to enjoy the sight of Viktor doing simple physical tasks in a rather tight sweater.  Winning was a bonus.

“What do you want to do now?”  He gave her an innocent look - if a full, pouty mouth and long eyelashes could be innocent on a grown man.  Instead it fluttered against Nicole’s skin like a piece of silk.

“Home, I think.”
____

Viktor had planned ahead.  He rarely used the building’s concierge service, but today it had delivered two bottles of red wine and a few other key things.  Nicole settled herself gratefully onto the couch while Viktor collected long-stemmed glasses, a bottle, a corkscrew and a single red rose.

“Oh stop!” she said when she saw it.  But she was beaming.  “You’re too much.”

Viktor handed her the rose, but she took the wine and corkscrew again.  With a quick ring of the bottle she had the foil off and a few twists had the cork free.  It would have taken Viktor twice as long.

“Where’d you learn that?”

“I was a waitress in college,” she filled half of his glass.  “We had to open bottles table-side and I was always afraid of dropping one.  So I learned to do it fast.”

He lifted his glass and clinked it gently against hers, leaning in for a kiss.  Nicole had to slide closer, till their knees were touching, then gave in and settled against his side with her own glass in hand.

“What other jobs have you had?”

“Ski instructor, day camp counselor, grocery store check out... worked at a store in the mall for a while.  That kinda stuff.”

Viktor thought about all the different things she’d done while he played hockey.  That’s all he’d ever done.  Summers were spent at camps and trainings, weekends and holidays at games and tournaments.  He’d loved every minute of it, but it was definitely unique.

“How’d you come to work at the shop?”

“It’s a chain, there are stores in ten cities. I have a friend who manages one, she told me they were opening a Chicago location.  So I interviewed early and got the manager position, then helped open the store.  It’s only been there six months, but I’ve been working with them a year.  I own a tiny piece of the store, in equity.”

“Oh, wow.”  Viktor had assumed she worked there, as a regular employee.

“And I make the schedules, so I can take time off when gorgeous, mysterious foreign men ask me out.”

“Hmm, does that happen a lot?”

Nicole shrugged.  “It’s only been six months.”

Valentine’s Day meant a plethora of sappy movies on TV, but Viktor scrolled past “Easy A” and Nicole squeaked for him to stop.  Soon they were both laughing and refilling their wine glasses.  Nicole set her down half full and curled up against Viktor’s side.  Between the warmth of the wine and the heat from his body, she was getting very sleeping.

Viktor shifted to gather Nicole into his arms, turning so she could hitch her knees over his legs.  When they were sufficiently tangled up, he kissed her forehead.  

“I had a really good time today.”

She smiled without looking up, instead cheating one of her hands underneath the hem of his shirt and onto his bare stomach.  “Me too.”

“I thought you might get a little excited at lunch.”

“Oh I was!”  She giggled at being caught out as a fangirl.  She thought she’d handled it pretty well, considering.  Well, not the Toews part.  “I just want them to like me.”

Viktor was thinking about Jon too, the way he’d loked back at Nicole that first time they were introduced.  Like he was sizing up an opponent.  Nicole was Viktor’s weakness, no doubt.  But he was also prepared to go another round with his captain, if need be - just because it hadn’t worked the first time didn’t mean it wasn’t worth it.

“They like you.  Almost as much as I do.”
____

It was still exploration as they moved together in the soft sheets of Viktor’s bed.  They’d finished the movie but not the wine and Viktor let Nicole lead him toward the bedroom as if it were her idea.  Deep, drowsy kisses passed as they removed each others’ clothes once piece at a time.  By the time she was in her bra and panties, Viktor was laying her back into the blankets.  

She lay on her back and scooted beneath him, giving him to top position he craved.  There was nothing ordinary about the sound she made when he brushed her slit, or when he pushed between her folds and felt her desire coat him.  They fit together snugly, a perfect match, and the heady rush of it only pushed them closer toward sleep.  With slow and languid movements, the nerves of their first time, their first night erased, Viktor and Nicole made love in the way of people who have all the time in the world.

Viktor kept his mouth closed except for when it was on hers, or her body.  Otherwise he might say something crazy.

Nicole lost the air in her lungs on every steady, blissful stroke of his cock.  There were no words for it anyway.

When she came with a gasp, Viktor spent the last of his energy to push himself home.  Nicole was out before her body stopped trembling, Viktor like the next light switched off.
____

Nicole woke first, freed herself from the web of limbs and blankets, and slid aside.  Stray beams of sunlight filtered into the room, casting a warm glow over the bed.  That’s how she felt, anyway. Viktor lay on his back, chest bare where the blanket had been pushed down to his elbow.  His face was turned away from the light, dark blond hair flopping over his forehead and those perfect, curvy lips parted slightly as his breathing rose and fell in a gently rhythm.  It was impossible to her that someone could look so perfect.  There was nothing to compare him to but a prince in a storybook, which made her feel both foolish and in love at the same time.  He shifted, murmuring, and turned his head.

Just as good from this side, she decided.  Then she snuggled back into his embrace and figured laying awake here was better than being anywhere else.

When Viktor woke, he stretched like a bear and flattened Nicole to the mattress, intending to keep her there all day.  Her weak protests about needing to work were ignored.  Then his stomach growled loudly.

“We haven’t eaten since lunch.”

“You can buy me breakfast on the way to my place.”

He lifted a shoulder to see her face. “I can do better than that!”

Viktor climbed out of the bed and walked to the dresser stark naked.  Nicole whimpered like a puppy until he flexed his back and shoulders for her.  She whistled and loud cat call.  So he turned around and flexed his chest and arms.  The smile died on her face.

“My God,” was the best she could do.

When she finally collected her clothing, Viktor was already sliding eggs onto a plate.  Two glasses of orange juice were poured, silverware on the counter and the red rose from the night before in a water glass next to her plate.

Viktor watched her approach, thinking that she looked as beautiful after ten hours of sleep as when she had walked into that restaurant yesterday.  Maybe more so  because she was coming from his bed. He scooped half an avocado for her and promised himself to see that sight upon waking as often as possible.

He was going to try something new.

They ate, gathered their things and Viktor drove her home on his way to practice.  She leaned across the console for a big kiss.  

Viktor simply said, “See you tonight?”

That was it.  No specific plans, no times or instructions.  Just the obvious fact that he would see her later, with a question mark for good measure.  It might have earned him the biggest smile yet.

“See you tonight.”
____

Just after lunch time, Nicole was packing up an order of wedding invitations when the bell chimed and Abby Sharp arrived, pushing Maddy’s stroller.

“Hey Nicole!”

“Hi Abby, how are you?”

“Good.  Did you have fun at the lunch yesterday?”

Nicole assured her that she had fun, that everyone was nice and she even remembered most of their names.  Abby seemed keen to look out for Nicole and she was grateful, even if she hadn’t quite figured out what she needed to look out for.

Of course she noted Fiona was not accompanying her friend today.  Maybe something there....

Abby explained that she wanted to make new St. Patrick’s Day cards with a family photo on them - apparently it was a running joke because of her husband’s first name.  Nicole showed her the design binders and helped her choose a layout, fonts and sizes.  Abby plugged her memory card into the shop computer and they cropped the photo to fit the template.  Nicole made an online proof, and Abby loved it.

“You’re really good at this,” Abby said.  “I’ll make sure all the wives with the team know - some of these women do a baby photo card every month.”

While Abby was finalizing the wording, Nicole’s phone rang.  Normally she wouldn’t answer with a customer in the shop, but it was Viktor.

“Hey,” she said.

“Hi babe.  Listen, I forgot that tonight’s Frolik’s birthday party.  His birthday’s not till Wednesday, but we have a game.”

“Oh, okay.”  Nicole had been so happy at the simple farewell that morning, like no plans needed to be made.  But apparently they already had.  The idea of not seeing Viktor that night after all made her more sad that it should.

“So you’ll come?  Pick you up at nine?”

Nicole gave herself a slap.  Of course he wasn’t ditching her.

“Yeah, sure.”  Then for good measure she added, “See you tonight.”

When she hung up, Abby wasn’t even pretending not to eavesdrop.  She just pinched her lips together and pretended not to smile, color rising in her face.

“Oh shut up!” Nicole said, letting go a girly giggle of her own.  The two woman dissolved into laughter that made Nicole feel a little bit closer to where she wanted to be.
____

Viktor had told Nicole not to worry about what she wore, then spent half an hour worrying himself.  For a guy, that’s a long time.  He’d gone with a short-sleeved gray v-neck, it was expensive so he convinced himself it was more than a t-shirt.  It was going to be very warm inside a packed club and he wanted to dance with Nicole if the chance presented itself.  A handful of gel pushed his hair back and he was ready.

But he wasn’t ready for her.  Nicole had looked the club up online just to be sure, and found a little more dressy than Viktor pitched.  So she left herself an hour to pour on the only appropriate dress she had, a sky blue number with runching around the waist and hips that made a poor excuse for the very short hemline.  She’d bought it a year ago for a bachelorette party in Vegas.  It hadn’t seen the light of day or a pair of male hands since.

Time to change that, I think.  She pulled it over her head, wiggled it down her hips and stepped into some sky high heels.  Viktor would still tower over her.  After the display at lunch, she knew most of the WAGs wore this kind of getup to the grocery store.  It was time for her to play with the big kids.  Her long straight hair took a few pins at the top of her head, then she flipped it over and prayed for volume.  Some extra eyeliner, mascara and a brush of silvery shadow across her lids - Nicole was ready five minutes before Viktor called her phone.  In those five minutes, she almost changed twice.

“Wow,” Viktor said as she dropped into the low seat of his sports car, jacket open to reveal a hint of the dress underneath.

Nicole stared openly at his completely effortless sex appeal.  Was that a t-shirt?  Were they going for a jog?  And God damn if it wasn’t the hottest thing she’d ever seen stretched over two hundred-plus pounds of muscle that knew how to work it.

“You’re killing me,” she told him honestly, then grabbed the front of his cotton tee and pulled him in for a searing kiss.  He nearly climbed across the console, seat belt be damned.  Nicole pulled away wondering if she had time to run upstairs and change her underwear.

The club was jumping.  Monday nights would be slow if every place in town was open, so they self-selected a few spots and let the partygoers pack them to the rafters.  This place was not the biggest, but well-heeled people spilled across the bar, filled the dance floor and even a few waited outside in the wintry cold.

“VIP’s at the back,” the bouncer told them as they approached.  He didn’t even ask for a name.  Inside the door, they offered their wrists for stamps.

“He just thought you were hot,” Viktor said down the back of Nicole’s neck.

“He just thought you were hot,” she shot back with a smirk.  Ten-to-one she was right.  

Viktor helped Nicole from her coat, all but pawing like a cat to see what lay underneath.  He’d been treated to a glimpse of light blue shine as she stepped into his car.  But as he took the coat from her shoulders and found them bare, then revealed a strapless sky blue dress that clung to her frame by the sheer desire to rub all over her, he nearly stumbled.

“Oh my.... wow. You look amazing.” he finally managed.

Nicole felt like a million bucks, be it the dress, the fact Viktor was ogling her or the way the girls behind were staring at him and whispering to each other.

All mine, she thought.

“All mine,” he said out loud.

They moved into the VIP area, greeting mostly people she’d met that afternoon or earlier.  Abby and Patrick were home with the baby, reminding Nicole that her closest ally would be absent sometimes.  But Julia Bolland was there, looking all hot and blonde and Dave too, reminded to thank God daily for his good fortune of a wife.  Julia scooped Nicole away from Viktor and steered her toward a few new faces.

“Only wives and girlfriends at the lunch today.  So if it’s not serious, they weren’t there.  Okay?  Keep it quiet,” she said as they walked.  Nicole filed away one more secret, then shook hands and made nice with a few new girls.  One was Andrew Shaw’s girlfriend, who looked as wide-eyed as her rookie boyfriend.  Nicole wondered if the girl was even old enough to be in a club.  Julie directed them toward a few others - Marcus Kruger’s date, the future Mrs. Nick Leddy.  Nicole was more interested in the fact that Julia was wearing a skin tight mini dress in white with bold navy panels at the waist, cutting in at an angle and giving the illusion of a seventeen-inch waist.  She filed it away for future reference.

When the rounds were made, Julia deposited her back at Viktor’s side.  He draped an arm around her shoulders and drew her into a conversation with Seabrook.

“Nicole will back me up,” Viktor was saying.  Then to her, “Brent likes this girl, thinks he came on too strong at the beginning to be serious.  I think if he tells her that, he can go back to the beginning and start again.”

Nicole considered Brent.  He was gorgeous - six-foot-three, two hundred and some pounds, big smile and hair like a shampoo ad.  There was no way anyone would say no to that.  

“Tell her she made your forget your manners, and you’d like to try again.  It’ll work, trust me,” she smiled.  “Now, let’s dance.”

The club was packed.  Viktor hadn’t seen the birthday boy and he didn’t really care.  He’d watched Nicole make a lap with Julia, who was blond beyond measure and easy to spot in a crowd.  After a few tense moments with a few of the other new-ish girlfriends, all of whom likely wondered why Nicole didn’t seem as awkward as they did, she was back at his side.  Songs from the Top Ten blared overhead and the crowd was singing and rocking along to every one.  Nicole knew the words, the beats and all Viktor had to do was hold on as she moved against him, people pressing in around them.

“You’re gorgeous,” he said out of nowhere.

She flashed that million dollar smile.  “Not half as hot as you are.”

Five songs or ten, Nicole couldn’t tell.  At some point, Patrick Kane appeared and placed a fresh cocktail into her hand.  He had a red head under the other arm.  Nicole toasted him and tossed the drink down her throat.  The combination of being close to Viktor, all the girls sneaking glances at his perfect physique, and the feeling of rocking a killer dress were already making her head spin.  He held her close, dancing in a way that promised a private show later, and Nicole felt the drink flash ice cold all the way into her stomach.

“Let’s take a break,” Viktor suggested.

Nicole should have learned already not to go to the bathroom alone.  She was just tipsy, buzzing and sparkling around the edges, but she really had to pee.  Viktor went one way and she promised to meet him, heading another.  Weaving through the mass of dancing bodies wasn’t easy, and when  she was finally free Nicole rested against the closest wall.

“You’re a  good dancer.”

She didn’t need to turn.  The voice was on her skin, flowing like ink, threading a tendril through her zipper and tugging it slowly down to reveal bare, pale skin.  Even in the heat of the club she felt his breath on her neck - overt, suggestive.  Something about that night made her challenge.

“I’m quite good at a lot of things,“ Nicole said as she turned.  Though she knew what she’d find, Jonathan Toews staring back at her was still like a zap to the heart.  His brown eyes searched hers as if reading all her secrets.  He’d know how to touch her, how to please her, without even trying.  It was as if Jonathan could see right though her.  Nicole’s system failed for a moment - blinked off, then restarted.

“I bet that’s true,” he moved a little closer, “and that it’s wasted on your boyfriend.”

“You wouldn’t know,” Nicole shot back.

Jon’s eyes narrowed at the corners and she knew she’d picked the wrong argument.  “Hasn’t he told you?  I would know.”

Nicole shivered to remember - Fiona had been with Viktor, and gone for Jon.

“I do know,” he continued, leaning closer.  “And I want to know you.”

Her head swam.  She felt a little drugged, but not from her drink.  This was estrogen and hormones flooding her system, threatening to swamp her as fully as a tidal wave.  In the dark anonymity of the club, Jonathan reached out and stroked one finger down her upper arm, raising goosebumps in its wake.

“I  want you,” he said so quietly she might have imagined it.  Then he melted into the crowd.  Nicole found herself grasping the wall for support, wondering if Jonathan had ever been there at all.
____

Jon didn’t have to go far to disappear, but he continued past the bar, circling away from the VIP area, and headed outside onto the patio.  A few smokers were standing around; mostly it was empty and cold.  The change in temperature felt nice.

He wasn’t entirely sure what he was doing, but it was done.  Something about Nicole caught his attention and held it.  That hadn’t happened since Fiona.  He also hadn’t been with another girl since Fiona either.  Before that, well Jon had never lacked for variety.  And he’d never turned away from a challenge.  Tell him he couldn’t have something and he’d damn well prove you wrong.

He should feel bad for Viktor.  But if their struggle over Fiona had proven anything, it was that Stalberg went down swinging.

Jon had no intention of giving up Fiona - ever.  He’d gone through hell to get her in the first place.  Still it’s never easy for a leopard to change his spots.  With an idea forming, Jon went back inside.
____

Nicole made her way to the restroom, took a few few deep breaths and her sweet time using the facilities.  Girls jockeyed for position in front of the mirrors and Nicole figured they were all primping in hopes of catching Viktor’s eye, or Jonathan’s.  She may have done both already and the night was still young.  After a few minutes of thinking with the music reduced to a background thump, Nicole felt ready to face the crowd again.

Outside the door, Jon was waiting.  Two girls bustled past her, fluttering like pigeons in her face, cawing nervously and looking back at where the Blackhawks captain stood against the wall, ignoring them.

Nicole’s knees buckled.  No woman was built to withstand this, even one who felt all rainbows and cupcakes about Viktor Stalberg.

Viktor fucking Stalberg! she tried to remind herself even as she stepped closer to Toews.  If there was only one way out, she was going to have to go through him.  Nicole had no illusions that Jon would make this easy.

“My car’s out back,” he said.  But he didn’t move, he wasn’t that presumptuous.

“And your girlfriend’s up front.”

He cast his eyes down, as if to cover the devious curl of his lip.  “I think you have me wrong, Nicole.  I don’t intend to leave Fiona behind.”

Nicole’s jaw dropped at the same moment a little bomb went off in her stomach.  She rocked unsteadily  on her heels.  That wasn’t her thing - she wasn’t into girls.  But she’d be a liar if she said the thought of something like that with someone like him... it kicked her right in the hotspot.  Jon sensed her hesitation and stepped closer.

“She and I, we both know what you like,” he purred, thick fingers brushing the blue silk at her hip.  “And we both know what you’re missing.”

Nicole felt suddenly drunk and the heat was suffocating her.  His touch had her rooted to the floor, hand trailing toward her hemline.  Those deep brown eyes were liquid.  

“The only question is, how would you ever go back to him?”

Nicole stepped back sharply, pushing Jon’s hand from her dress.  She sucked in a quick breath and straightened herself.

“I’m going back right now.  And you can go to hell.”

She caught Jon by surprise as she shouldered past, actually shoving him out of the way.  Her reflexes were on red alert, moving deftly through the crowd with a confidence she didn’t feel.  Straight to the VIP section and straight to Viktor.  He turned, still listening to Keith talk, and Nicole planted a hard kiss right on his mouth.  His face flashed surprise then a smile.

“Can we get out of here?”

Viktor's hand tight in hers, all Nicole heard were catcalls behind them.
____

4 comments:

  1. Oh, f*****g hell!! This story is so good! I will admit that I was hoping Jon would be interested in Nicole and maybe Fiona would get hurt...just a little bit. I know, that's awful, I just don't like her that much anymore. Viktor is perfect in this story and I absolutely love Nicole! Viktor has finally met the right woman for him. It takes an extremely strong woman to walk away from Jonathan Toews. Can't wait to see what you have in planned for these four!

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  2. Go Nicole! I do agree that it takes a strong woman to walk away from Toews! Great update, as usual! can't wait for more!

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  3. hoooolyy shit! great update! i never thought id be one to pry away from team toews....but stalberg is winning me over, i mean could he be any more perfect?? haha shoot that man could take me on a date anytime. cant wait for more!!

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  4. Toews is such a piece of shit in this story. My god, what an ass. So happy Nicole told him to go to hell; I hope he backs off.

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