25- Children, 26- Secret

OOOH LA LA, SOME ROMANCE IN THIS CHAPTER!!!
- A


25. Children

Anna was nervous for her first shift at the HSBC Arena. Ryan continued to tell her it was a simple, easy-going place. But it was game night, and they were playing the Boston Bruins, a pretty damn good NHL team. So the place was bustling like crazy.

After a few quick introductions to the players, Anna, wearing her new team coloured scrubs, was taken to the medical room where she met the two other medics: Jake, an older veteran, and Tom, a younger one. On her way to the sink she walked into a tall blonde.

"Watch it," she snapped, "Oh wait...aren't you the new medic who replaced Chelsea?"

"Yeah," Anna replied, "I'm Anna Evans."

"Mercedes Johnson," the girl replied, "Massage therapist. I've been here for a year or two, so, I have more seniority than you do. That pretty much means that this room is mine, and you can't just expect to take it over just because you worked with that Crosby kid, got it?"

Anna wanted to say 'that Crosby kid' was her brother-in-law, but she decided not to, "Alright, that's fine with me."

"Hey Mercedes, Connelly needs some work before the skate," Jake called out.

"Ugh," Mercedes rolled her eyes, "Again?"

Anna realized this was nothing like the Pens medic team. They were at least friendly with one another. Mercedes clearly had a power struggle going on.

Within ten minutes it was time for warm-up. Anna stood by and watched the boys make their way onto the rink, watching for anything of importance health-wise. Everyone seemed ok, so she made her way back to the team dressing room.

Like in Pittsburgh, everything was set a certain way. All the guys had superstitions. She smiled, seeing Ryan's iPod set just so above his bag. It was kind of funny, considering Max did the same.

Max Talbot. She hadn't spoken to him since moving to Buffalo. And why should she? He wasn't exactly happy with her pregnancy if he sent her here. Well, Kris and TK could truly be blamed for that, but really, why would Max be any different?

"Evans!" Jake called out, "Take it for the remainder of the first, ok kid?"

"Yeah ok!" Anna replied, making her way out to the bench.

The first period went by swiftly, finishing with 0-0. Tom eventually decided Anna would be ok to keep on and let her stand beside him as Mercedes stomped off haughtily. After the second period it was tied 1-1. It finished with a 2-1 victory for Boston. As the whistle blew for what would be the last puck drop, Ryan did something that caught Anna by surprise.

She hadn't been particularly watching him, but this time when she happened to see him, her jaw hit the floor. Ryan took off his mask and squirted some water on his face, followed by running a hand through his hair. He then flipped it around, put his mask back on, and readied himself for the puck drop.

It was by far the sexiest thing she had ever seen.

And, for the first time since the night months ago in Diesel... she wanted him.

Badly.

After the game and post-game interviews, Anna stood waiting by the exit for Ryan, since he was the one with the car. She asked Pat Kaleta what was taking so long.

"Oh, he's in the hall signing for some kids," Pat replied non-chalently, "He always does."

Anna frowned and ventured to the hallway, and Pat was right. There was Ryan, dapper in his suit, surrounded by a dozen little Miller fans. It was an adorable sight. He signed jerseys, hats, sticks and shirts. He was taking pictures with them and having conversations with their parents. One little boy started to cry because he was so excited. Anna leaned on the frame of the door. This was a side of him she hadn't seen. She watched as he signed for every child until they had all left.

"Ok, you ready?" Ryan asked, handing the marker to the last parent and child.

"Uh, yeah...let's go." Anna replied, a bit at a loss for words.

Ryan walked Anna to the car in the dark. She was tired and so was he. It was a tough night against the Bruins. As Ryan started to drive out of the arena parking lot, Anna became lost in her thoughts. The Ryan she'd seen wasn't the Ryan she'd known (to say she even knew him was quite a funny thought). He was sweet and caring. He was smiling from ear to ear. He loved kids.

After wishing each other good night, Anna closed the door to her room and closed her eyes. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all. In fact, maybe he was good.


26. Secret

Lying in bed, Anna had a hard time sleeping. She felt tired, but her body was wanting something else. Someone else.

It didn't help that there was a storm beginning to brew outside. Anna loved stormy nights, but tonight she wasn't interested in the pitter-patter of rain on the window. Instead, she felt like leaving her room.

So she did.

Quietly venturing down the hallway, Anna grasped the doorknob and opened it, peering into the darkness of Ryan's room. Slowly closing it behind her, Anna crawled into Ryan's bed and laid down next to him. There was a bit of light from the window in the room, so she could see him sleeping soundly. He didn't sleep for long after feeling her movement in the bed.

As soon as Ryan opened his eyes, Anna pressed her lips to his and kissed him. Ryan, shocked and taken aback, hesitated. Anna broke away and looked at him.

“What are you doing?” he whispered.

Anna replied by kissing him again and holding his face in her hands. Her fingertips grazed through his dark hair, making him shiver. It felt...good. He decided not to care if it was wrong or right.

Ryan started to sit up, kissing Anna back. She pushed him back down and crawled atop of him, taking the bottom of his t-shirt and lifting it over his head. The lightning flashed outside, illuminating his muscular body for a moment. That made her only want him more.

Anna touched his shoulders and explored his body. A deep scar across his neck scared her; Ryan took her away from it with a soft kiss. Anna raised her arms so he could pull off her shirt, exposing her femininity. Ryan stared.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered into her neck, planting kisses down to her collarbone. Shyly, he touched her breasts and arms, causing Anna to sigh. It felt like heaven. She ran her hands through the back of his head lustfully, loving as his shyness lifted with the more skin she showed. She thought of how she wanted to join with him again; not caring what would happen.

They changed positions so Anna was lying on her back. Ryan hovered above her, letting Anna remove his boxers. She stared at his length, something she had seen before, and was surprised by how much it did not bother her- in fact, Anna wanted him more. Painstakingly she removed her sleep shorts, and her underwear. Ryan gently held himself so their noses touched, the thunder roaring outside.

Anna closed her eyes, “I need you, now...Ryan, please...”

Fearfully, Ryan struggled with his weight to accommodate where their unborn child might be. Gently, he found Anna’s sacred place, and slowly he slipped inside of his temporary lover; quietly and carefully. Anna reacted with a sudden gasp.

“Ryan,” she shuddered, “Oh my god, Ryan...”

The fear began to fade as they moved their bodies together. Ryan felt himself seething with pleasure within her, moaning into her mouth with every kiss. Anna grasped his shoulders tightly, begging him to move faster and deeper, pulling his hips closer to hers so he would penetrate her further. He followed every request, ecstasy building up in his body with every thrust of his hips. It was like their first time, only ten times better.

Anna’s climax hit her at the same time Ryan’s did, and they held each other so tightly they thought they might burst. The thunder crashed outside and the lightning flashed; the movie they were in had a soundtrack that sealed their passion. Anna’s nails dug into Ryan’s back painfully, but he swore he didn’t care. He could feel her body tensed up all over him as she writhed in pleasure, pleasure that he alone was giving her. Ryan knew that all he wanted was this moment, and he had it. Every savory minute of it.

As they rode out their orgasm, the two collapsed into the bed, exhausted and breathing heavily. Ryan glanced at Anna, her naked body visible in the cluttered moonlight. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen...and he’d just made love to her. For the second time.

“Ryan,” Anna whispered tiredly, turning to look at him, “That was amazing.”

“It was,” he whispered back, closing his eyes, “It was.”

That night, it didn’t matter what they were. Lovers or friends, friends or enemies. That was for the morning.