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Melting the Ice Ch. 01

By: MugsyB



Hello all,

Here's my latest and possibly the last one for a while. You can check out my profile for more info on the reason why, if you care enough. :)

This story isn't for anyone specifically - except maybe sprezzatura, since she seems to now be obsessed with this player. Don't lie, you!

There were, however, a few people who requested either a goalie story or a story about this goalie. Some requests were anonymous, but I suppose I can say that this story is for pepperpsu, bignsassy818 and evilpoptart.

For the rest of you, I hope you enjoy.

**Warning: here follows a story of romance, involving elements of HOCKEY. If you don't like the sport, or the combination, please don't bother going any further.**

Happy Reading!

MugsyB ;)

***

Clang!

Hayden jerked upright when the puck nailed the crossbar and flew off into the corner of the ice. His teammates shot after the puck and Hayden crouched in his ready position. He only relaxed when his teammates cleared the zone and took off for the bench to change lines. Turning, Hayden bumped his gloved hand once against the crossbar, thanking the metal rod for making a save when he couldn't.

Less than a minute later, there was a stop in play and Hayden lifted his helmet. He turned and picked up the water bottle on the net, squirting a stream of cool water into his mouth and over his face. So far, this had been an energetic game and he was blocking more shots than should be possible.

It's only Carolina for crying out loud. He gave a wry smile as he watched the black and red jerseys circle the ice in front of him. He'd played enough games to know that a team's standings in the league didn't make them pushovers. Sometimes the underdogs could surprise you.

His team, the New York Rangers, were facing the Hurricanes and the 'Canes had come out of the gate firing on all cylinders. Lucky for his team, Hayden Lindgren was in the right frame of mind. He was backstopping for a team that just couldn't seem to get it together.

A quick glance at the large screen overhead told Hayden they had exactly ten minutes to figure it out.

Come on, guys. He slid his mask down into place again. One more goal, that's all you need.

The game was harried for the last ten minutes. There were scrambles at both ends and Hayden took the puck to the pads several times. At long last, the buzzer sounded and it was over. Unfortunately for the Rangers, it wasn't their victory.

With a heavy sigh, Hayden skated off the ice with his team. In the locker room, the atmosphere was hushed. The guys on the team quietly went through the motions of changing, showering and packing their stuff up. They were back on the road that night and heading to D.C. next to face the Capitals.

"Sorry we couldn't get it together in the end, Lindy." Craig Darrow, captain of the Rangers, sat down next to Hayden on the bus.

"Don't worry about it." Hayden didn't meet his teammate's eyes.

As a goalie, he often felt responsible for the losses. His teammates, especially Craig, did their best to get him to shake the disappointment following a loss. Deep down, Hayden knew he wasn't the only guy losing the game but when it came down to it, all he knew was that he'd been the one to let in that last goal.

"Come on, don't beat yourself up," Craig went on when he saw the frown on Hayden's face. "It wasn't your fault."

Hayden shrugged and offered Craig a half-hearted smile. "It sure felt like it when the puck went over my shoulder."

Craig shook his head. "No, Hayden. Defense wasn't doing enough for you."

Again, Hayden merely shrugged. He knew he'd shake it off in time for the game in D.C. but for now, he wanted to wallow in his mistake.

I should be better, he thought with an inward sigh. I can be better, damn it.

It didn't take long for his teammates to pull him out of his funk. The bus ride to the airport was short and no one would let him just sit and rehash that last goal. Hayden was smiling as he boarded the plane with his teammates and laughing by the time he was buckled in.

He never could stay serious and miserable over a loss for long. As Craig reminded him, it was the end of October. They had months before they needed to start panicking about a playoff spot. Hayden shook off the last of his disappointment as the plane took off and he was in a better frame of mind in no time.

***

Natalie was frantic. Her exam was in less than an hour and she couldn't find her calculator. She was in the midst of tossing her dorm room around when her roommate, Madison, walked in.

"Natalie Johnson!" Madison exclaimed, startling Natalie. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Hey, Madison. Have you seen my calculator?"

"Is that why you're turning our room into a disaster area?"

Natalie shrugged as she glanced around. She didn't think it looked any different from normal. She and Madison were not terribly rigid about their cleaning habits. She bent over to continue searching under her desk. "I need my calculator." 

Madison made an annoyed sound and stalked over to her own desk. "Here, take mine," she said and tossed her calculator at Natalie.

Natalie squeaked in surprise when the device connected with her backside. "Thanks, Madison. Won't you need it today?"

"Nope." Madison flopped down on her messy bed. "You go ahead and ace that test. I want full credit when you do."

Natalie laughed. "Yeah, right. No one would believe that you helped me pass my exam."

Madison was an art history student and was notoriously terrible with math. If it wasn't for keeping track of her shopping expenses, Madison wouldn't even own a calculator.

"When is your test anyway?" Madison asked as she picked up a magazine and flipped through it.

"Soon."

"Did you do your thing last night to make sure you pass?" Madison asked with a suggestive eyebrow wiggle.

Natalie blushed and shook her head. She berated herself yet again for admitting to her roommate that she'd always passed an exam when she got lucky the night before. Last fall she'd been failing a course and had gone out for drinks with her friends the week of her twenty-first birthday. She'd been so depressed about school that she'd gone home with some random guy. The next day, she'd aced the exam and went on to pass the course.

It had happened twice more; once unintentionally and once on purpose, just so Natalie could see if it truly worked. Majoring in math meant she didn't go for the superstitious stuff, or the romantic, but she couldn't deny the fact that she'd passed three tests with flying colors after one night stands. She also passed tests without sleeping with random guys, so it wasn't a complete theory.

Madison laughed when she saw Natalie's expression. "Don't worry, Nat. I haven't said anything to anyone else."

"That's good," Natalie replied with a wry smile. "I'd have to let some of your secrets slip if you had."

Madison's eyes grew wide at the threat. They'd been roommates for three years now and knew far more about each other than they should. Madison wasn't a party girl or devious by any means, but she had some juicy secrets that only Natalie was privy too.

"And besides," Natalie went on as she rifled through the mess on her desk. "I didn't mean it when I said it was my good luck habit."

"I know, Nat. You were drunk when you told me about it. I just hope you don't let that mess with your mind."

Natalie tossed a narrow glance at Madison over her shoulder. "It won't. I'm so ready for this exam, it's not even funny."

"Good. We should go out for drinks after."

"Should we?" Natalie asked as she picked up a notebook and squinted at her nearly illegible handwriting. What the hell is this supposed to be?

"Well, it's Louisa's birthday this week and you don't have any more midterms after today. It'll be a double celebration." Madison paused and gave her a broad grin. "Maybe you can even change your good luck habit around."

"What are you talking about?" She was half-listening to her roommate as she moved to her closet to find something comfortable to wear. This exam would last about three hours for her at least, even though the class was given four and a half to complete it.

Madison giggled. "Your good luck habit. Instead of getting laid the night before, you can go out and celebrate after."

Natalie paused as she removed her ratty NYU sweatshirt to pull on a soft blue sweater instead. "You're kidding me. You're actually suggesting that I have a one-night stand?"

Madison shrugged and settled back with her magazine. "Just because it's not my thing, doesn't mean you have to deprive yourself. Just remember our agreement."

"Yeah, yeah. Have I ever brought a guy back here?"

Natalie and Madison had agreed years ago to never bring guys back to their room. In spite of the fact that dorm rules didn't allow guys into the women's rooms, several girls on their floor did it anyway.

"No, you haven't, and for that, I thank you." Madison grinned as Natalie straightened her sweater and double-checked that her jeans zipper was done up. "Now get out of here. You know you want to get there early to pick your usual spot."

Natalie tossed her friend a grin as she raced from the room. She returned a second later to snatch the calculator out of Madison's hand, muttering her thanks as she bolted again.

***

"Oh my gawd, am I exhausted," Louisa Mayberry groaned as she walked arm-in-arm with Madison and Natalie.

"Why? Did you work today?" Madison asked.

Louisa snorted and shook her head, tossing her strawberry blond locks over her shoulder. "Hardly."

Her father paid the bills. Madison and Natalie exchanged a look before Louisa spoke again.

"I was up so late last night trying to finish a piece." Louisa was in the media program at NYU and her dream was to be an international correspondent.

"Did you get it done?" Madison asked.

"No, but I only have a couple edits to do." Louisa turned to the women on each of her arms and grinned. "And since tomorrow is Saturday, I'm so ready to cut loose tonight!"

Madison and Natalie laughed along with her as they made their way to a nearby bar. It wasn't far from their dorm and they soon escaped the autumn chill.

"There's a table there." Louisa pointed it out, standing taller than her two companions by a good three inches.

Madison nodded and followed, holding Natalie's hand. The bar wasn't too crowded but it was still early. Louisa slid into the narrow booth first and the other two women moved in. As they were taking their coats off and stuffing them out of the way, a waitress stopped by their table. They ordered a round of drinks and toasted Louisa turning twenty-one.

"Thanks you guys!" she said as they clinked glasses. Louisa took a big sip of hers and closed her eyes as she sighed in satisfaction. "Mmm, that's the best drink I've ever tasted."

Natalie raised her eyebrows. "You mean, this isn't your first drink?"

Louisa laughed and waved a hand. "OK, OK. It's the best legal drink I've ever tasted."

"That's better."

They chattered together for several minutes as they drank their first two rounds. The bar slowly filled up and Louisa's eyes started to wander over the people gathered around them.

"See anything you like, Louisa?" Madison asked as she rolled her eyes at Natalie.

Natalie covered her giggle with one hand and looked down. She was spinning a napkin around in place, seeing numbers and symbols from her exam in her mind's eye. There had been a couple of questions that had stumped her. She'd worked through them, of course, but they were still bothering her. All she did after any exam was doubt half her answers, thinking she'd missed an integer or exponent somewhere.

"Hmm," Louisa murmured in consideration. "There's some hot guys at that table over there."

Natalie had her head down, not looking up as Madison commented.

"Oh my. They're cute. Oh dear, except for that one with the crooked nose."

Louisa grinned. "I think they might be athletes or something."

"Why would you say that?"

"Athletes always have broken noses," Louisa told her, as if she were the authority.

Natalie did glance up then, offering her friends a wry smile. Out of the three of them, Louisa was the authority. Natalie had her few one-night stands along with a couple longer relationships and Madison was terrificly shy when it came to dating. Louisa on the other hand, she was a player, had been ever since they'd met. Natalie suspected it had something to do with being let loose in New York for university. Louisa's family lived in Cleveland, far from keeping an eye on Louisa.

"Athletes or not, they are cute, I'll give you that," Madison replied. "What do you think, Nat?"

Natalie shrugged, already turning her attention back to her napkin. She'd pulled a pen out of her purse and was scribbling numbers on the small slip of paper.

"Oh, for the love of Pete. Can't you stop doing math for one night?"

Natalie ignored her. The numbers started to make sense as she reworked the first problem that had given her issues during the exam. Dimly, she heard Louisa say something about leaving her alone. Madison replied with a comment about Natalie's sorry state of mind but Natalie wasn't paying close enough attention.

"Nat, do you think you can tear yourself away for two minutes?" Louisa broke through her thoughts a few minutes later.

Natalie looked up from her napkin, which was now covered in scribbles, and blinked at Louisa. "Why? Are we leaving?"

Louisa rolled her eyes as she reached into her purse for her ever present lipgloss. "No. Madison and I are going to go talk to those guys." She gestured casually towards the table of 'athletes' that she'd spotted before.

Natalie allowed herself a glance towards the table of guys and gaped in surprise. She hadn't noticed them before but now that she was looking, she realized they were hot, just as Louisa had stated earlier.

"Why do you need me for that?" Natalie asked, not looking away from the table of guys. There were five of them altogether and as Natalie studied them each in turn, they turned to look at the girls' table. "Oh jeez." She dropped her head and flushed in embarrassment. "I think they saw me looking."

"Good," Louisa replied and surreptitiously ran her fingers through her silky hair.

"What are you doing?" Natalie demanded as Louisa and Madison slid from their side of the booth. She'd heard Louisa's words a minute ago but they hadn't sunk in.

"We're going to the ladies room," Madison replied but she looked extremely apprehensive about it.

Natalie giggled and shook her head. "And after that?"

"We might take a little detour on the way back," Louisa replied, keeping her eyes on the table of men.

Sighing, Natalie straightened in her seat. "So I suppose you need me to keep this table for us?"

"Exactly." Louisa turned her face to give her friend a wink. "We might bring some company back."

"God help us," Natalie muttered but her friends were already gone.

She watched for a minute or two as Louisa pulled Madison through the thick crowd. The waitress appeared in another minute and Natalie ordered another drink.

Might as well, she thought. She suspected that if her friend Louisa got her way, she wouldn't return to the table at all.

***

Hayden had been reluctant to go out with his teammates. In the end, Craig convinced him that they needed a little stress relief after their loss to the Capitals the night before. They were back in New York for a two week home stretch and Hayden was glad for that at least. They didn't have another game until Sunday afternoon, so he had plenty of time to get over his disappointing showing in D.C.

"This place looks good," Brad Preston suggested as they walked outside a stretch of restaurants and shops.

Hayden nodded and followed his teammates inside the bar. It was busy inside and most of the tables were taken. Luckily, as they walked further into the main room, a group of people were just leaving a table. Craig and Brad headed right for it, claiming it before anyone else did. The other three followed close behind.

As Hayden took his coat off, he glanced around the busy bar. "I've never been here before."

The teammate on his left, Sidney Abbot, grinned. "It's a great place to meet chicks." He was a notorious hound dog.

Hayden rolled his eyes as the other guys with them laughed. Along with Sidney, Cam and Brad, Dave Gagliardi had come out. Craig was the oldest out of the five of them, and married, but Hayden knew he liked to spend time with the team whenever he could. It's what made him a good captain. As for the rest of them, they were single.

A waitress appeared at their table to take their drink orders. "What can I get for you guys?"

After she was gone again, the guys resumed their perusal of the bar.

"Busy tonight," Craig commented as he relaxed back in his chair.

Hayden met his eyes with a smirk. Craig wasn't on the lookout for a woman and took far too much enjoyment in watching the other guys scramble. Not that Hayden was the most active womanizer. He dated occasionally but it was difficult to hold down a relationship while playing in the NHL.

The waitress returned to their table with their drinks and they clinked their bottles and glasses together in a salute. They fell into easy conversation, discussing the road games and their upcoming match-up against the Islanders on Sunday.

"There's a smokin' hot chick over in that booth," Sidney said.

Brad turned his head to see where Sidney was looking. "Where?"

Rolling his eyes, Sidney shoved Brad's shoulder. "Don't look so obvious, man. Jeez, no wonder you don't have a woman."

Hayden chuckled as he lifted his bottle of beer to his lips. He liked his teammates and enjoyed spending time with them. He just didn't understand their desire to date. Their careers didn't leave much time to woo a woman and if they did date, more often than not, the woman ended up feeling neglected by the players' constant absence. It was the few and the strong that stuck around long enough to marry a hockey player.

"She is cute," Craig added.

Hayden flicked his eyes to the captain's face with a surprised glance. Craig met his gaze and shrugged. "What? She is. I've always liked redheads."

"Lindy, come on," Sidney scoffed, using the goalie's nickname. "Have a look. There, she's just standing up with one of her friends."

Hayden sighed but turned his head to look. He saw a tall, slender woman with long, light red hair and a shorter woman with shorter, dark blond hair, just sliding out of a booth. Seated was a third woman, with long, dark hair tied back in a ponytail, her face turned towards the table of hockey players. Her eyes widened for a moment and she looked down, her lips moving as she spoke to her companions. Then her friends disappeared into the crowd and Hayden listened as his teammates started talking again.

Except Hayden couldn't take his eyes off the woman left alone at the table. He was curious about why she'd remained at the table while her two companions left. She had her head bent over the table, barely looking up when the waitress stopped by to set a fresh drink down. Hayden could see her scribbling something and he smiled, wondering if she was writing on the table.

"Lindy? You with us, man?" Dave drew Hayden's attention away from the lone woman in the booth.

Hayden looked back at his four companions. "What? Did I miss something?"

"Sidney was suggesting a bet," Craig replied with an eye roll.

Hayden laughed and downed the last of his beer. "A bet? Do I even want to know?"

It was Sidney who answered. "Yes, because you're going to be in on it."

Hayden glanced again at the lonely brunette in the booth before turning his focus to his teammates. "What's the bet?"


Melting the Ice Ch. 01



"That's the spirit!" Dave exclaimed and clapped Hayden on the shoulder.

"Those two chicks went to the ladies room," Sidney said, jerking his chin in the direction of the booth.

"How do you know?" Hayden asked.

"I just know about these things. When they come back, they're going to come by our table."

Hayden shook his head and smiled. "I'm almost afraid to ask how you know that."

"I just do." Sidney gave him a wide grin. "When they do, we're going to talk to them and one of us is going to go home with one of them."

Hayden's eyebrows shot up almost to his hairline. "Are you serious? You want to make a bet on taking a woman home?"

"Why not? It's why we're here, isn't it?"

Craig held his hand up. "Uh, it's not why I'm here."

"Me, either," Brad added with a smirk.

Sidney shook his head at them. "You guys are so boring."

"Aren't you getting a little old for games like this, Sid?" Hayden asked as the waitress stopped by their table. They ordered another round of drinks.

"You're never too old," Sidney replied when the waitress was gone.

"Some of us are," Brad said.

Sidney shot him a narrow look. "Please. You're younger than me."

"And yet, I'm still old enough to know better," Brad shot back.

Hayden and Craig laughed. Sidney was older than Hayden and the goalie had to agree with Brad. He hadn't come out tonight with the intention of hooking up. That's not to say he wasn't willing if the opportunity presented itself. However, he wasn't about to make a bet with Sidney just to create an opportunity.

Unless it was the cute brunette stopping by their table.

Hayden turned back around to look towards the booth. The dark-haired woman was still there, still alone. She was no longer scribbling on her table but she was frowning at something. Hayden made a decision.

"Well, if you guys are going to be making bets and keeping those women busy..." he said as he slid off his chair.

The waitress appeared just then with a tray of drinks. Hayden thanked her and grabbed his beer. "I'm going to keep their friend company." With that, he turned and walked towards the booth. Someone at his table whistled at him as he walked away and he grinned as he approached the lone brunette.

"Excuse me?"

She looked over, distracted, and blinked in surprise to see someone standing there. "Yeah?"

"Do you mind if I sit down?" he asked.

The woman's eyes flicked over the thick crowd before coming back to his face. "Uh, my friends are supposed to be back in a minute." Her tone was apologetic, which gave Hayden hope.

At least she's not turning me down flat. He glanced over his shoulder. "Are those your friends?" he asked, gesturing with one hand at the tall redhead and shorter blond standing with his four teammates.

The woman's eyes followed his hand and widened when she saw them. She laughed and shook her head. "Yeah. Those are my friends."

Hayden looked back at her and grinned when he saw how her pretty smile changed her entire look. He'd thought she was cute before but now she was even more attractive. She blinked as she met his gaze and Hayden saw two pinpoints of color bloom in her cheeks. She had the cutest freckles all across her nose and cheekbones.

"I think they might be a while," he said. "My friend Sidney can be very persuasive."

"Oh yeah?" She lifted her eyebrows. "Should I go over there and warn my friends?"

Hayden shook his head. "No. My friend Craig, the older one there? He'll keep Sidney in line."

"Good to know."

Hayden met her eyes again, still grinning. "So... do you mind if I sit down?"

"Not at all. Looks like I have no one rushing to join me."

Hayden slid into the bench across from her. "I can't imagine why not."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, an attractive woman like you wouldn't be sitting alone for long."

She laughed. "As you've just shown me, I suppose."

"I suppose I have." He leaned forward conspiratorially. "Can I tell you a secret?"

Her eyes widened and Hayden took a moment to appreciate the way they sparkled. They were a soft blue-grey color and she had the thickest, darkest lashes he'd ever seen on a woman.

"I love secrets," she murmured as she leaned forward as well.

"I just didn't want to listen to Sidney trip over himself to impress another woman," he said, nodding his head in the direction of his table.

Together, he and the woman looked over at his table. They both grinned when they saw the four hockey players and two women looking back at them. They all lifted their drinks in a silent salute before Hayden and his new companion started laughing.

"I'm Hayden," he said, stretching a hand towards her.

"Natalie." She shook his hand.

"What brings you and your friends here tonight?"

"It's sort of my friend's birthday celebration," she replied. "The taller one. She turned twenty-one this week."

Hayden lifted his eyebrows and sipped his beer. In Sweden, the legal drinking age in most places was eighteen, so that had been more of a celebration than turning twenty-one. Still, it had been a bigger deal than just going out with two friends on a Friday night. "No big party to celebrate?"

"No. We all go to NYU and this was midterm week. Even if she'd wanted a big party, there would have been no one who would have come."

Hayden nodded as he glanced at the tall redhead again. She was leaning close to Sidney and Sidney had a big smile on his face as they talked. The shorter blond woman appeared to be chatting with Craig while Brad and Dave held their own conversation. Shaking his head, Hayden turned back to Natalie.

"You go to NYU? What's your major?"

She grinned. "Math."

"Really? Wow, I don't think I've ever met someone whose admitted to that."

She laughed, the sound light and sexy as hell. Hayden shifted on his seat, surprised by his physical reaction.

"I'm not surprised."

"What will you do when you're done? Become a government code breaker or something?" Hayden asked, genuinely curious. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table between them.

"I think I'll become a teacher," Natalie told him with a shrug.

Her fingers moved on the table and Hayden glanced down to see a napkin covered with writing. No, not just writing but numbers and symbols.

"There are a few other options out there for a math major but I don't think I'd want to join NASA or become an engineer or anything like that."

"Would you be happy teaching math?" He shuddered inwardly at the thought. He'd barely made it through his math courses when he was in school. The thought of dealing with trigonometry and calculus for the rest of his life would be as horrible to him as blowing out a knee.

"I think so." She gave him a relaxed smile. "I love math. It sounds dorky, I know, but I like that math is the same no matter where you are. And I love that every problem has a solution."

Hayden grinned at her description. She made mathematics sounds positively romantic. He liked her already. Maybe she could come home with me and teach me about fractions, he thought with a wicked grin. Her smile faltered for a moment and she looked down, her dark lashes fanning against her cheek. Jesus. Hayden shifted again as his pants grew too tight all of a sudden.

"So what do you do, Hayden?" she asked, looking up again. Her fingers were still nervously working the scribbled-on napkin.

"I'm a hockey player."

She smiled and her eyes widened. "Get out! Who do you play for?"

He chuckled. It wasn't often that he wasn't recognized right away. That article in People magazine had given him a certain level of notoriety. "The New York Rangers."

"Really? That's so cool. I've never been to a game. I grew up in Buffalo and I didn't even go to a game there when I was a kid."

"So you don't know any of the major players then?"

She chewed her lip as she considered. "I've heard some names. Oborotenski? Is he on your team?"

Hayden laughed and shook his head. "No. Obie is usually doing his best to kill me."

Her eyes widened at his words. "Are you kidding?"

Shrugging, Hayden eyed her as he lifted his beer bottle to his lips. "Not really. I'm a goalie."

"And the players on other teams try to kill you?"

"Figuratively speaking."

"Sounds intense." She sounded like she was perhaps teasing him a little bit but he didn't mind.

"It is," he agreed, no small note of pride in his voice.

She smiled. "I'd love to see a game one day. My friend Louisa follows some teams and talks about it sometimes."

"Maybe you should come to the Garden for a game sometime."

"Yeah, right." Natalie settled back in her seat with a laugh. "In between school and all?"

"Sure."

Natalie narrowed her eyes at him but her full lips were still curved upward at the corners in a playful smile. Hayden couldn't believe how she was turning him on with just a look. He was going to have a difficult time getting up without embarrassing himself; and by difficult, he meant hard.

"If I got you tickets to a game, would you come?" he blurted, before she said anything else.

Her eyes widened a fraction and her smile changed. "There's a loaded question if I've ever heard one." She paused while Hayden tried to think of something clever to say in response. She leaned forward and rested her forearms on the table. "What exactly are you offering?"

Holy crap! His mind was reeling. From what she'd said, and from the look of her, she couldn't have been older than twenty-one, twenty-two at the most. Hayden had never, never, been turned on like this by a such a young woman. Not that he was terribly old, but there had to be a good seven years separating them. Yet, here she was, smiling at him and speaking like she knew all about the game.

Should I go ahead and offer? he wondered as he stared at her. I'd better say something soon or she's going to think I'm an idiot.

"Are you going to make me say it out loud?" he managed to ask, not surprised when his voice came out sounding a little rougher than usual.

She grinned and Hayden slipped out of the booth before he could over-think it. He moved to her side and held one hand out towards her. "You want to get out of here?"

She looked surprised as he moved but the smile never left her face. Reaching out, she laid her smaller hand in his and he was about to help her to her feet when someone appeared at his elbow. Several someones, in fact.

"Hayden!" Sidney exclaimed. "Are you harassing this woman?"

Hayden stiffened and offered an apologetic look to Natalie before letting her hand go and turning around. Sidney stood there with Brad, Dave and Craig, as well as the two women, Natalie's friends.

"Hey, Sidney." Hayden struggled to keep his voice even.

"Nat, move over so we can all sit," the redhead said, waving a hand in Natalie's direction.

Hayden took note of the look on Natalie's face and before anyone else could make things worse, he slipped into the seat beside her. Her eyes widened and she smiled weakly at him as they slid all the way over. Then Sidney sat down, somehow managing to turn and hold the redheaded woman practically in his lap. Across from them, Craig offered the inside seat to Madison before sitting down and leaving Brad and Dave to decide who got to sit and who had to stand at the end of the table.

Introductions were made all around and Hayden learned that the redhead was Louisa - the birthday girl - and the quiet blond was Madison, Natalie's roommate. Conversation was awkward for a moment and then Sidney said something that made everyone laugh. As everyone relaxed, Hayden turned his face to Natalie, squished against the wall.

"Are you all right there?" he asked, feeling terrible for all but pinning her beside him.

She looked flustered but nodded 'yes' to his question. Hayden didn't quite believe her. Their legs were pressed together from hip to knee and, even though Natalie was half-turned to face the table, she looked uncomfortable.

"Can I suggest a way to make us both more comfortable?" he asked quietly.

Natalie offered him a smile and he grinned back. Shifting, he slid an arm behind her shoulders and reached for her leg with his other hand. Carefully, keeping his eyes on her face the entire time, he curled his fingers under her thigh and lifted her leg until it rested over the end of his knee. She sucked in a surprised breath and Hayden choked back an appreciative sound when her full pink lips parted.

"Better?" he asked in a low voice. As he spoke, he trailed his hand over her denim-clad thigh and winked when she started at the touch.

"Oh yes," she murmured, not looking away from his eyes.

Hayden wasn't sure how long they sat there, staring silently at each other, but Sidney's harsh voice broke into their moment.

"Lindy." Sidney leaned forward until Hayden turned away from Natalie.

"Yeah?"

"You guys want a drink?"

Hayden glanced back down at Natalie. "What are you drinking?"

She gave a breathless little laugh and shook her head. "I think I'm done drinking for tonight."

"Nothing for us, Sid," Hayden told his teammate. "Why aren't you drinking anymore?" he asked Natalie as conversation rose around them again.

She lifted one shoulder and her eyes widened in surprise when she felt the warmth of his touch there as well. "I... I like to be... sober when I go home at the end of the night."

Her hesitant words made Hayden wonder if she'd had some bad drinking experiences already. "Have there been times when you haven't gone home sober?"

"Plenty of times!" she replied with a laugh. "And don't tell me the same thing hasn't happened to you!"

"Sure, when I was younger and before I reached the NHL," he confessed with a grin. "I'm like you now; I like to know who I'm going home with."

Her jaw dropped as his implication sunk in. Her mouth worked soundlessly for a moment, as if she was trying to speak but couldn't find the words. Hayden flexed his fingers where they were resting on her thigh and was rewarded with a shiver from her.

"I-I d-didn't... say that!" she managed at last.

"I know, but I did."

For another long moment, they stared at each other. Hayden was dimly aware of his hand stroking her thigh, going down to her knee and back up again, stopping just short of being vulgar. Her body was warm tucked up against him like she was and he shifted, wanting to feel more.

The rest of the bar faded into the background as they continued to look at each other, just look. Hayden watched her blue-grey eyes flicker back and forth across his face and he watched the way she nervously chewed on her lip or ran her tongue along the corners of her mouth. The way he was feeling at the moment, he'd embarrass them both by kissing her.

"How much longer do we have to stay here?" he asked, no longer caring if he sounded too forward or eager.

"How long will it take you to get us out of this booth?" she replied and Hayden laughed.

***

Natalie didn't consider herself the type of woman to go home with a man she'd just met. She'd done it a few times in her past, she couldn't deny that; three times, in fact. Now she was about to do it for the fourth time.

Louisa and Madison gave her equal looks of amazement and, before Hayden pulled her away from the table, Natalie stopped long enough to ensure both women would be able to get back to the dorm. Then she had no excuses as Hayden closed his hand around hers and tugged her away from the table.

They paused near the door so they could both pull on their jackets. Then Hayden held the door open for her and hailed a cab on the street outside. Once in the back of the cab, the driver turned to glance at them over his shoulder.

"Where to?"

Hayden glanced down at Natalie, who just stared back at him. He smiled and she was dazzled by his handsome face, yet again. "Would you like to go to your place?"

Natalie blinked, taking a moment to absorb his words. "Uh, I'm not allowed to have guys in my dorm room." She looked away in embarrassment. She was painfully aware of how young she must sound and hated that. "And I wouldn't do that to my roommate. We promised each other a long time ago to never bring guys back to our room." She risked a glance up at Hayden and was surprised to see his understanding nod.

He turned to the driver and gave him directions to another address. "Then I hope you don't mind coming with me to my place."

"Not at all," Natalie murmured and watched him from the corner of her eye as Hayden settled against the back seat.

She was still reeling from meeting this man. He'd appeared at her table in that crowded bar as if from thin air. She didn't even remember seeing him at the table with the other guys when Louisa and Madison had pointed it out to her. It was amazing to her that he'd chosen to join her over the chance to chat up Louisa. Louisa was the favorite among men, not Natalie. Natalie knew she had some appeal, otherwise she'd never have had those one-night stands, or her other relationships. She just didn't date a whole lot.

Now she was going home with some strange man for yet another one-night stand and she didn't even have the exam-in-the-morning excuse.

Not that I care, she thought, glancing up at him from under her lashes.

He was looking at her as well, a sexy, lop-sided smile curving his wide mouth. Her attraction to him had been immediate. He was tall, over six feet, with broad shoulders. His hair was dark and looked sinfully thick. She itched to run her fingers through the dark locks and push it back from where it fell across his forehead. His eyes, now shadowed by the dark interior of the cab, were a brilliant ice blue color and they absolutely sparkled when he smiled at her. He had several days growth of beard on his face and it was sexy as hell. He spoke with a faint accent but as he was a hockey player, Natalie guessed he was from another country.

"Where are you from?" The thought sprang to her lips before she could stop it.

His dark eyebrows lifted. "You really don't know who I am?"

Natalie shook her head. "I already told you I don't follow the NHL. I have some memories of watching with my dad when I was a kid but nothing since I was eight."

Hayden chuckled. "Well, I've only been in the NHL for four years. I was born in Are, Sweden."

"How old are you?" She was unable to keep her curiosity in check.

He looked older than her, that much was obvious, but he had one of those faces that looked mature. She guessed he might be about twenty-four or twenty-five.

"I'm twenty-eight. How old are you?"

Natalie flushed and looked away. She felt even younger and more inexperienced. What are a couple one-night stands to a guy like this?

His deep chuckle brought her gaze back around to his. "Don't leave me in suspense, Natalie. I told you, now you have to."

She exhaled and nodded, figuring it was fair. "I'm twenty-one. I'll be twenty-two in a couple months."

Hayden didn't say anything, just nodded and kept smiling at her. His focus on her was disconcerting and she tried to dismiss it as his nature; he was a goalie; after all. As he continued to study her, he leaned forward and slipped an arm behind her shoulders. Natalie told herself not to tense up and relaxed against his side when he gave her a gentle tug. He brushed his fingers along the line of her jaw. Natalie shivered, entranced by his bluer-than-blue eyes.

"I want to kiss you," he whispered in a husky voice.

His unabashed confession made Natalie smile and she tipped her chin up in silent invitation.

"You would let me? Here?"

Blushing, Natalie lowered her eyes and glanced towards the driver. He was oblivious, humming along with the radio and tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. "I don't think he'd mind," she replied, surprising herself with her words.

Hayden grinned and his face lowered. Natalie held her breath in anticipation, her body warming with each passing second. Then his lips were on hers and she let her eyes slide shut. For a long moment, Hayden just held his lips against her mouth, not pressing for more.




Melting the Ice Ch. 01



They parted for a second and Natalie blinked her eyes open as she drew in a breath. Hayden muttered something she didn't quite catch and moved his hand to cup the back of her head. He kissed her again, harder this time, his tongue pressing against the seam of her lips, asking for entrance.

Natalie didn't protest. She parted her lips as she lifted her hands to clutch his arms. Hayden tilted her head back and thrust his tongue into her mouth. He tasted faintly of beer and his masculine scent flooded her senses. His kiss was skilled and she made a small sound that didn't register in her brain until later, when he was easing away from her.

Hayden grinned as he stroked his thumb down her cheek and she managed a weak smile in response.

"I'd like to kiss you again."

She let out a breathless laugh and nodded. "I won't fight you."

So he leaned in and kissed her again. She sagged against him this time, clenching her hands into fists where she clutched his jacket. His hand moved around to hold her waist as he plunged his tongue into her mouth.

Holy cow, Natalie thought as she kissed him back. I've never met a guy who could kiss like this.

She wasn't sure how long they made out in that cab but at some point, the cab driver gave a discreet cough and Hayden pulled back. They were both breathing hard and Natalie could already feel the tenderness in her lips.

Good lord. She ran her tongue over her bottom lip. We haven't even made it inside his place yet.

"I think this is it," the driver said and gestured with one hand to their right.

There was a large apartment building and Hayden leaned forward to check. He agreed and released Natalie so he could pull his wallet out to pay the driver. Then he got out and held a hand down to help Natalie to her feet. She followed in silence as he led the way into the building and towards the elevators.

Alone in the small cube as it moved up several floors, Hayden took hold of her hand and pulled her close, bringing one hand up to cup her chin. She gazed back at him, feeling caught by the intense look in his blue eyes. He opened his mouth as if to speak but no words came out. Natalie felt oddly comforted by that. At least she wasn't the only one affected by this wild attraction between them. Hayden let out a little laugh and Natalie responded to his infectious smile with one of her own.

Then, before she could draw another breath, he kissed her. His lips were just as warm as they'd been in the cab. His tongue slid between her lips when she parted them. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and bowed against his body, reveling in the warmth she felt radiating from him. His rough beard scratched her face a little bit but she found that she liked it. When Hayden moved his lips to trail kisses down her throat, she turned her head to follow the coarse beard, loving the way it felt against her skin.

He laughed and lifted his head to look at her as he slid one hand up her back. "You're making this difficult."

Natalie blinked at him, not following his words at all. "I am?"
His eyes flicked to the numbers over the elevator doors as they parted. "This is my floor."

He said let her go so he could lead her out of the elevator. His hand was large and warm around hers and Natalie couldn't stop the shiver from coursing up and down her spine.

"This is a nice building," she said, feeling the need to speak, to say anything to dispel some of the tension flying between them.

Hayden tossed her a grin as he fumbled with his keys and unlocked his apartment door. "It's a great place. I like living here during the hockey season."

"Just the season? Don't you stay for spring and summer?"

He pushed his door open and gestured for her to go ahead of him. His eyes followed her with a curious gaze and Natalie flushed under his scrutiny.

"I go to Sweden in the summer," he told her and she nodded like that made perfect sense to her.

The apartment was dark and Natalie walked a few steps in before she stopped, unsure of where to go. She turned to face Hayden as he shut the door and a second later, his arms were around her. She gasped in surprise as he brought his mouth down on hers again, ruthlessly thrusting his tongue between her lips and teasing her.

"Can we discuss my vacation time later?" he asked a minute later. Natalie noticed that he was breathing hard. "I'd like to kiss you."

She laughed and shook her head. "You just kissed me."

There was dim light filtering into his entryway from somewhere in his apartment and Natalie's eyes gradually adjusted. She could see Hayden's handsome face hovering over hers but his eyes were shadowed. 

"I want to do it again," he retorted and kissed her. "And again," he added with another kiss, lingering longer this time. He teased her with his tongue, drawing the kiss out until she hung limp in his arms.

"OK," she agreed breathlessly when he moved his mouth away.

"OK?"

"Yeah. You can keep kissing me."

He grinned, his teeth flashing in the dim light and Natalie smiled back, barely staying upright in his arms. He kissed her again, and again. Natalie surrendered, helpless to do otherwise. She unaware that he was moving them until she felt her leg connect with a low table in his front hall. She yelped in surprise and Hayden lifted his head.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" He set her back on her own feet.

Natalie shook her head. "It's fine. I was just surprised." She smiled and moved one of her hands to slide tentative fingers through the hair at the back of his head. "Aren't you going to keep kissing me?"

He chuckled, the sound sliding deliciously through Natalie, making her feel even hotter. She realized then that they were both still wearing their jackets. Now that she was steady on her feet again, she let go of Hayden and unzipped her jacket, not looking away from his focused gaze. He watched her in silence for a moment before moving to take off his own jacket. They reached for each other at the same moment, their coats falling forgotten to the floor.

Natalie lifted her face, eager for another bone-melting kiss. He obliged, wrapping his long fingers around her jaw and tipping her chin up as he brought his mouth down on hers. She parted her lips and lapped at his, wanting nothing more than to taste him, his beer-flavored musk. His arms closed around her waist and hauled her right up against his body. He was solid and hard against her and Natalie shuddered at the sensation. A moan slipped out of her as Hayden left her lips to trail hot, moist kisses over her chin and down her throat.

He moved then, lifting her and pressing her back to the wall. When she felt the wall come up against her back, Natalie started and kicked one foot in reflex. It knocked the small table beside them, rattling whatever was resting on top of it. The noise jarred them both and they turned their heads to look at the wobbling shadow of the table. Then they looked into each other's eyes and laughed.

Hayden's lashes lowered and Natalie bit her lip nervously. In spite of their passionate moment being disturbed by her sudden motion, Hayden still held her pinned between his hard body and the wall. His eyes were drifting over her face, down to the V of her shirt and back up again. Natalie couldn't do anything to avoid it. She was, quite literally, helpless in his grasp and weak from his intoxicating kisses.

Dimly she thought that she shouldn't feel this stirred up by a man she'd just met. She shouldn't be letting him manhandle her against a wall in his dark apartment. Then Hayden shoved a hand into her ponytail, yanking her hair free of the elastic. She winced as it pulled and Hayden breathed an apology against her lips. Natalie shook her head and put her hand at the back of his head, savoring the feeling of his silky dark hair between her fingers.

"Kiss me," she whispered.

He covered her mouth with his, his beard scratching her. She grinned as he nibbled on her chin and sucked on her neck. All the while, his hands were moving down her sides, lifting her shirt. She wriggled against him, desperate to feel his hands on her skin. When his large hands clamped onto her bare waist, she jerked against him, pressing her head back on the wall.

His mouth moved lower as he stroked her. He lapped at her skin and kissed his way down to the curve of her collarbone. Natalie shivered again, clinging to his shoulders and she hooked one leg around his waist. That move seemed to startle him and he wrenched his head up. They stared into each other's eyes for a charged moment, both of them breathing hard. Then Hayden moved his hands down to the button at the waist of her jeans.

Natalie knew exactly what he was trying to do and she amazed herself by not freaking out. The extent of her wild sexual experiences included the family couch in her parents' basement and the foot of a hotel room bed. Being taken like this, against a wall, by a man she'd met less than two hours before, was not something she'd ever have imagined herself doing. Still, she just didn't care. Hayden's eyes were so dark and his hands were so sure on her body. She reached for him, going for his zipper, but he stopped her with a growled protest.

"Don't." He kissed her again, sucking on her bottom lip as he drew back. "You need to hold on to me."

Natalie shuddered as his meaning sank in and she felt herself nodding. He grinned as he slipped his hands inside her pants. Natalie sucked in a sharp breath and pressed her head back against the wall, arching towards him. His fingers cupped her deftly, sliding erotically over the crotch of her panties as he lowered his head to kiss her. His lips teased hers as he touched her below, inflaming her beyond reason.

She closed her eyes and rocked against him when he pushed his hand inside her panties, touching her intimately. He stroked her once, twice, and his tongue plunged deeper into her mouth as he did. Natalie moaned, clutching his shoulders and pushing her hips into his.

With an inarticulate sound, Hayden jerked his hand away and shoved her pants and underwear over her hips. Startled, Natalie dropped her leg and her eyes opened. Hayden pulled away from the kiss, just long enough to push her pants off all the way. They fell in a pool at her feet and then he was lifting her again. This time she wrapped both her legs around his waist and he growled as he sucked her lower lip into his mouth.

Natalie heard he sound of another zipper parting and was distantly aware that this was all happening very fast, even for a one-night stand. Then Hayden's fingers were between her legs again and one arm was sliding around her waist. She was anchored even more firmly against him and moaned when he parted her swollen and sensitive folds. She had the fleeting thought that she should be embarrassed by just how ready she was for him but it passed when she felt that utterly male part of him slide against her thigh.

"I want..." he gasped, his voice breaking on the words. He kissed her, sliding his tongue over and around hers, stealing her breath yet again. "God, Natalie, I want you so bad."

I know, she replied silently, too breathless to form words. She rocked her body against his, hoping her actions would speak for her, hoping it would be enough for him to...

Then he was sliding all his rigid length inside of her, his arm around her waist hauling her down as he rose up. Natalie dropped her head back, ignoring the dull thud of her head hitting the wall. Hayden closed his lips on her throat, sucking and lapping at her skin with his tongue. He pumped his hips and Natalie clung to him, her legs tightening around his waist.

Oh God! she thought as he pumped again, driving his body even deeper inside of hers.

"So good..." she moaned out loud, barely aware of speaking at all. "God... feels so... good..."

Hayden's answering chuckle was deep and vibrated through her entire body. He drove himself into her, pumping hard again and again and Natalie felt her orgasm sweep through her. She was caught by surprise and cried out before she could temper her response. She bucked wildly between Hayden and the wall, frantic as the sensations swamped her and he continued to pump himself into her.

She wasn't even coming down from that high when Hayden made a grunting noise and increased his pace. Natalie squeezed her legs around him and opened her mouth on the side of his neck. He groaned and his fingers dug almost painfully into her waist and hip where he held her. He moved faster, driving deeper and Natalie moaned as he took her, as he came apart with his own climax.

He slowed after a moment, easing the pace until they were still. They sagged against each other in the aftermath and Natalie felt him trembling around her. Realizing that he was still bearing all her weight against the wall, she touched his cheek and smiled when he lifted dazed eyes to her face.

"You can let me down." She wasn't surprised when her voice was barely a breathy whisper.

He shook his head in response and Natalie squeaked as they began to slide down the wall. They ended up on the floor, Hayden holding her in his lap as he knelt. Natalie smiled and leaned back against the wall. Hayden's eyes flicked over her face and down her throat, which she knew was flushed from their frantic coupling.

"I'm sorry," he said hoarsely.

Natalie lifted her eyebrows. Sorry? I can't wait to find out what 'you're welcome' is like, she thought and grinned as the wicked thought occurred to her. "Why are you sorry?"

"I didn't mean to..." he stopped and he shook his head ruefully.

"I thought we came here to do exactly that," Natalie offered with a giggle.

Hayden responded with a chuckle that felt delightfully wicked with him still deep inside of her.

"We did," he replied and leaned forward to kiss her. "But not here, not like this."

"Oh?" Natalie looped her arms around his neck, sliding her body against his. She watched his eyes narrow and bit her bottom lip at the answering tautness of his arms around her waist. "Where did you have in mind? And how?"

Hayden laughed and his muscles flexed beneath her arms as he somehow managed to get to his feet with Natalie still cradled against his body. He walked down the hall, finding the way through his dark apartment. Natalie laughed breathlessly when he tossed her backwards onto a plush bed. Before she could move, he crawled over her and took her mouth in another blistering kiss.

"Here," he growled as he lifted his head. "And all night long."

***

Natalie jerked awake at the sound of water running. She sat up in a strange bed and looked around, pushing her hair out of her eyes.

Where the hell am I? She gaped at her surroundings.

As she took in the sparse decorating and dark, masculine furniture, it all came back to her. Flushing crimson, she looked down at her naked body and groaned as she smacked a hand to her forehead. She didn't think she'd had that much to drink last night but here she was, in a stranger's bed.

She heard footsteps outside the room and looked towards the open doorway just as Hayden appeared, wearing sweats and no shirt. Her mouth went instantly dry and she stared slack-jawed at him.

"Good morning, beautiful Natalie," he said in a sweet, low voice that sank through her body to settle low in her abdomen.

As he crossed the room towards her, she remembered that she was stark naked and yanked the bed covers up over her chest. Hayden chuckled and sat down beside her, tugging on the sheets. She clung to them, giggling nervously when he pulled a little harder. Then he gave them a hard yank and she toppled towards him with an exclamation. She let go of the blanket to stop herself from landing face first in his lap.

Hayden's strong hands gripped her arms and he pulled her up against his bare chest. The fine layer of dark hair across his pecs tickled her bare nipples and turned them into hard little tips in an instant. She raised her eyes to his face and melted when she saw the dazzling smile on his handsome face. There was a dark glint in his sky-blue eyes and she forgot all about trying to struggle against him.

"Good morning," he repeated, his voice low and husky.

She sighed when his lips brushed across hers. "Good morning."

"Did you sleep well?"

Natalie didn't hear him at first. She was far too distracted by the strong hand sliding down her bare back. A shiver wracked her body when his long fingers found the curve of her bottom and she shifted without thinking so that he held more of her.

"Natalie?"

She dragged her eyes away from his wide smile and tantalizing lips.

"Mmm?"

She moved again when he gave her ass a firm squeeze. He chuckled and the sound loosened whatever had been left coiled inside of her. She sagged against him and circled his broad shoulders with her arms.

"I'll take that as a 'yes,'" he murmured just as he brought his mouth down on hers.

Lord, but the man knows how to kiss, she thought as he slanted his lips and drove his tongue inside her mouth.

She felt that she could stay here forever, just kissing him. Flashes of their night together crossed her mind and she shivered at the memories. It had been hot, from that first moment against the wall in his front hall to the second in his bed, and the third sometime in the middle of the night. It was morning now and she felt the hard evidence that he wanted her yet again. It made her feel wondrously desirable, a feeling she was not too familiar with.

Hayden lifted his head, breaking their kiss, and Natalie's eyes fluttered open to look up at his face. He smiled at her, his breath coming faster than before, and he swept a hand over her forehead, pushing some of her unruly hair off her face.

"Are you hungry?" His question threw cold water on her desire.

She lifted an eyebrow. "You want to talk about food now?"

He chuckled and bent his head to nip at her lips and her chin before answering. "I'd like to devour you, beautiful Natalie, but I have practice in a couple hours."

Her face fell and she looked away. She'd shocked herself by waking up in Hayden's bedroom - something she'd never done with her previous one-night stands - but she'd quickly responded to his kiss and touch. Now he wanted to get rid of her. He was being polite about it, but she was fooling herself if she'd had even a moment's thought of sticking around.

"Of course," she murmured and offered him a weak smile. She ignored the darkening of his eyes, telling herself it was still quite dark in his room, and tried to extricate herself from his arms.

He said something then, not in English. Natalie looked back at him in time to see his pupils explode and then he was tumbling her onto her back. She gasped in surprise as he laid his body over hers and claimed her lips in another delicious kiss. Her arms went back around his shoulders and she held on as he devoured her. He moved on from her mouth, trailing kisses across her face and down her throat.

"I thought..." she started and gasped when he grazed her collarbone with his teeth. "I thought you were hungry."

Lifting his head, he gave her a devilish grin and she felt moisture explode between her thighs. "I am," he replied in his husky, accented voice. "Do you want me to stop?" This he asked as he moved and nudged her legs apart with one powerful thigh. Natalie caught her breath when he stroked his hand over her hip and between her legs. She forgot everything, even her embarrassment over responding so easily to him.

"Natalie?"

He dropped his head to kiss her neck. His fingers slid through her damp curls and she bit her lip as a moan slipped out.

"I can stop if you like," he murmured, his breath raising goosebumps all over her skin.

"No." She shook her head as he stroked her, stirring her beyond reason. It should be impossible for him to get her this worked up so fast. "I want you to..." she trailed off as he pressed two fingers inside of her.




Melting the Ice Ch. 02



Hayden burst out of the restaurant, looking back and forth to either end of the street. He spotted Natalie not too far away to his right. He ran after her, unsure of what he was going to say but he imagined groveling on his knees might be involved.

"Natalie!"

She stopped and turned to face him, her entire body tense. "Hayden? What are you doing?"

"I couldn't just let you leave." He took a few deep breaths to calm himself. "I'm so sorry for what I said. It was stupid."

She shrugged and turned to keep walking. "It was true. It's fine."

Hayden put out a hand to stop her. "Please, I'm sorry. What can I do to make it up to you?"

Natalie looked at him. She wasn't pulling out of his grasp but she wasn't coming any closer either. Hayden hated that he'd put that wounded look on her face and he couldn't believe he'd let Sidney's words bother him. He couldn't believe he'd repeated them to her.

What man does that? He mentally smacked himself around. Gentlemen don't talk that way on dates.

He knew better and he felt like such a jerk for upsetting Natalie and possibly ruining any relationship they might have been able to develop.

She lowered her eyes. "You don't have to make it up to me, Hayden."

"Yes, I do. I was so stupid," he insisted and shook his head as an uncomfortable warmth spread over his face. He couldn't believe how embarrassed he felt. He wouldn't blame Natalie if she never spoke to him again.

"It was stupid." She lifted her eyes to his.

She was frowning at him and Hayden almost went limp with relief. If she was willing to talk to him, even to call him on his idiocy, then maybe he could still figure this out.

"Yes!"

The corner of her mouth twitched and Hayden grinned when he saw a dimple appear in her cheek. He thought she might be trying to hold back a smile.

"I was stupid and you're amazing," he went on when she said nothing.

She did smile then and looked down, a pretty blush creeping up her neck. "I don't know about that."

"I do. Natalie, please. Let me buy you dinner. We can talk and I promise not to say anything stupid, ever again."

Looking back up at him, he was rewarded with her full smile. It made his spine straighten and sent a tingle through his body that was not unpleasant.

"I don't know if any man could keep that promise," she said.

"I can damn sure try."

For a long moment, she just stared at him. Hayden waited patiently when all he wanted to do was unzip her jacket and slide his hands inside so he could feel her delicious curves again.

She sighed and shifted on her feet. "Honestly, I'm tired. Do you mind if we do this another night?"

Hayden felt his heart squeeze and his smile faded but he nodded. She wasn't saying she never wanted to see him again. Maybe they had been moving too fast. "Of course."

She offered him a shy smile and Hayden took the opportunity to step closer. He put his arms tentatively around her and she stiffened before relaxing and hugging him back. As much as Hayden wanted to keep her there in his arms, with her intoxicating scent filling his nose, he stepped back and held her at arm's length.

"Can I call you tomorrow?"

"Sure." Then she cocked her head to one side. "Don't you have a game?"

"Yeah, but I'll call you after. It's an afternoon game and we should be done around four."

She laughed and touched his arm. "Don't worry about calling me right away. I'm not going anywhere."

"No?" It was on the tip of his tongue to extract a promise from her but he wasn't going to embarrass himself further.

"No. Call me when you can. Or Monday night, if you end up going into overtime."

He groaned and shook his head. "Don't jinx me!"

She laughed. "I'll talk to you later, Hayden."

"Yes, you will, Natalie."

She gave him one more sweet smile before walking away. He watched her go until she'd crossed the street and disappeared into the evening crowd. With a heavy sigh, he shoved his hands in his pockets and walked the other way.

***

"Why do you want to watch the hockey game?" Madison asked as the two women got their jackets and shoes on.

"I want to see Hayden play."

It was the truth. In spite of how he'd made her feel the night before, she wanted to know more about him.

"Is Louisa going to come too?"

Natalie glanced at her roommate with a frown.

"Why not? What happened? Why were you guys fighting last night?"

Natalie blew out a frustrated sigh and zipped her jacket up. After her disastrous evening with Hayden at the restaurant, she'd come back to the dorm and confronted Louisa. It hadn't been pretty and she was still smarting over her supposed friend's betrayal of her confidence.

"Come on, Nat. You can tell me anything," Madison pleaded as they headed out of their shared room.

Natalie offered her friend a half-smile. "I know. Louisa and I... she just did something stupid and it hurt me."

"What did she do?"

Hesitantly, Natalie explained to Madison about what Hayden had said and his emphatic apology. She'd been hurt by his words and the fact that he'd even repeated them to her. Since his apology had been so sincere, she'd decided to give him another shot. She couldn't deny that she liked him and wanted to get to know him better.

Louisa on the other hand, had no business saying anything about Natalie to Sidney. Natalie had unleashed all her anger and hurt at her friend after changing out of her date outfit. Louisa had at first denied saying anything to Sidney but Natalie had pressed on. Eventually Louisa had admitted that she'd said something but it was supposedly because Sidney had been asking about Natalie.

"That shouldn't have made a difference!" Natalie had yelled at her. "You're supposed to be my friend."

"I am your friend!"

"Then why did you tell Sidney that I'm a slut?"

Louisa had gaped at her before giving an indignant reply. "I didn't say that. I only told him that that wasn't your first one-night stand."

At which point, Natalie had thrown her hands in the air. "You may as well have. That's how he took it, anyway."

"That's not my fault if he did. It's not my fault he said anything to Hayden either."

"You shouldn't have said anything about me at all!" Natalie had exploded.

"What was I supposed to do?"

"Anything but talk about me, Louisa."

Louisa had stared at her with a wounded expression, as if she were the wronged person. Natalie had been so upset that she'd stalked away without another word.

Although she and Louisa hadn't been the closest of friends, they'd known each other for long enough that Natalie would have thought she could trust Louisa. What hurt the most was that Louisa didn't think she'd done anything wrong. She hadn't even bothered to offer an apology.

"That's crazy, Nat," Madison said after Natalie finished recapping everything.

They were outside, walking to a nearby bar to watch the hockey game.

"I can't believe Louisa would do something like that."

"Neither can I," Natalie replied with a heavy sigh.

She shoved her hands into her jacket pocket. It was nearly Halloween and the air over the weekend had taken on a biting chill. "Whatever. When she's ready to apologize for what she did, I might listen."

"I hate to see you guys fighting."

"I don't like fighting either but she was being stupid."

They fell silent for a block and then Madison shook her head. "What was she thinking? That spilling some gossip about you might get that Sidney guy to like her, or something?"

Natalie confessed that she hadn't given much thought to Louisa's side of the story. She'd just been furious with Louisa for betraying her. Natalie had told Madison and Louisa about her one-night stands and no one else. Now Natalie felt like she couldn't confide anything to Louisa.

"Is this the place?" Madison asked as they crossed a busy intersection.

Natalie nodded and they went inside to find a place to sit. The bar wasn't busy, being a Sunday afternoon. There was a big screen TV on one wall and the two women sat across from it just as the first period was starting.

Natalie's knowledge of hockey was limited. She recalled the basics from her childhood of watching with her father, but most of the rules and nuances were lost on her. After their first round of drinks and some appetizers, Madison made an annoyed sound.

"I don't get it." She shoved a nacho heaped with salsa in her mouth.

Natalie laughed as she glanced at her friend. "I'm not up to speed on the rules either."

"Which one is Hayden?"

"He's the goalie for the Rangers."

They fell silent again as the commercial ended and the game returned. Hayden was in net for this game but there didn't seem to be much action on his end. That was good for the team as a whole, but Natalie had been hoping to see more of him.

Maybe I will have to go to a live game. She smiled and reached for her fresh drink.

"How much longer is this going to be?" Madison asked at the start of the third period.

"You're not having fun?" It had taken Natalie a little while to pick up some of the plays but now that she was staring to remember different things, she was enjoying it.

Madison shrugged and turned her glass around in her hands. "I don't mind staying if you want to."

"It's all right," Natalie said and downed the last of her drink. "We can go. I should get in some studying before classes resume tomorrow."

Madison nodded and they waved the waitress over so they could pay their tab. They chatted as they walked back to the university and up to their room. Madison left right away again, going to the library for some research. Natalie straightened out her desk and sat down to get some work done. She'd been at it for about half an hour when she realized she wasn't getting anything accomplished. So she moved to her bed and made herself comfortable with a book.

Dinnertime rolled around and she went down to the cafeteria with Madison. They ran into Louisa who gave them the cold shoulder. Miffed, Madison told Natalie she was on her side, no doubt about it. Natalie merely smiled and shrugged. She didn't want Madison choosing sides, but if Louisa was going to continue to be so immature, Natalie wasn't going to dissuade her.

While Natalie headed back to their room, Madison caught up with some of her other friends from one of her classes. As Natalie was settling on her bed again, her phone rang and her heart leapt in her chest.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Natalie." Hayden's smooth, accented voice came over the line and Natalie suppressed a shiver.

I guess I'm over what he said to me last night, she thought with an idiotic grin. "Hi, Hayden. How was your game?"

"Good. We won."

"That's great!"

Hayden chuckled. "It is great."

"Me and Madison went to a bar down the block to watch."

"Did you?" He sounded surprised. "What did you think?"

"I was kind of disappointed that you weren't on screen more," Natalie confessed.

Again, Hayden's deep laugh filled her ear. Natalie reclined on her pillows and squeezed her eyes shut. She was so attracted to this man and knew she should still be at least a little upset over what he'd said last night. Somehow, she just wanted to see him again, preferably naked.

"Well, the guys were having a good game and they kept the puck away from me for most of it."

"I understand. Maybe next time it'll be a tougher game and you'll have more work to do."

"Maybe. If you'd wanted to watch the game, why didn't you tell me? I could have got tickets for you."

"Really? Oh, I couldn't ask you for tickets, Hayden."

"Why not? It's the least I could do."

Natalie didn't reply at first. She knew he was referring to last night but she was reluctant to bring it up. She supposed that the mature thing to do would be to discuss it, not pretend it never happened.

"How about I get you tickets to the game on Tuesday night?"

"Tuesday?"

"Shoot, you have school this week, right?"

"Yeah but I don't have a class on Wednesday morning. I could go."

"Great! Check with your roommate and I'll get you two tickets."

"You'd do that?"

"Of course! I'd like to see you there."

"See me?" Natalie laughed. "Won't you be busy?"

"A little," he agreed with a chuckle. "But I'll look for you during timeouts."

"Why?" She bit her lip as soon as the word slipped out and she wondered what he'd say.

"I want to see you again, Natalie."

She was unbelievably pleased that he'd confessed that to her. "There are easier ways of doing that."

"True, but I don't want to rush you."

"Rush me?"

"Yeah. After last night, I thought you might not want to see me for a few days."

"Me too, but I'd be all right with seeing you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? Really?"

"Sure. Are you busy?"

"Uh, won't you be? It'll be Monday."

"Well, if you can come to the University, or somewhere close by, we could meet for lunch or coffee or something."

"I can do that. My practice is in the morning."

"Great! I'd like to talk to you."

"Oh yeah?" He gave a nervous laugh that Natalie found adorable.

Who was she kidding? Everything about him was adorable and impossibly sexy, from his thick hair to his wide, dimpled smile.

"Yeah. I think we need to talk about... about last night." Natalie started to sweat the second she said it but she was proud of herself for being the one to bring it up.

"I think so too."

"OK."

"OK."

They fell silent and Natalie stifled a giggle as she listened to Hayden sigh heavily on his end.

"So I'll see you tomorrow then?"

"Yes." She told him about a nearby cafe and they agreed on a time to meet.

"I'll have the tickets for you as well."

"Sounds great."

Natalie was still lying on her bed, cell phone cradled against her chest and a dreamy smile on her face when Madison walked into their room.

"What's up with you?"

"Nothing," Natalie replied without looking at her friend. She couldn't believe her mood had turned around so completely from last night. She'd gone from total embarrassment to excited giddiness in less than twenty-four hours. "Hey, you want to go to a hockey game on Tuesday night?"

Madison stopped and stared at her roommate. "Are you kidding?"

"Nope." Natalie sat up on her bed and tossed her phone on her nightstand. "Hayden said he can get me tickets."

"You talked to him? Oh, Nat, that's fantastic!"

Natalie grinned. It was fantastic.

***

Hayden told himself to concentrate on practice and not worry about his afternoon date with Natalie. Ever since he'd watched her walk away on Saturday, he hadn't been able to get her out of his mind. It was a lucky thing that his teammates had been so on the ball on Sunday afternoon, otherwise that game could have been a disaster for Hayden. He'd even had trouble lacing his damn skates.

"Lindy!"

Hayden looked up from his stretching to see Craig gliding across the ice towards him.

"What's up?"

"Have you talked to your lady friend lately?" Craig asked with a grin.

Hayden rolled his eyes. It had been almost a full day since someone had last teased him about Natalie. He knew Craig wasn't doing it to be mean. More than anything, the other man was curious and probably hoped that things would work out.

"I talked to her yesterday. We're meeting up later."

"That's good. You're not taking any more advice from Sidney, are you?"

After his terrible date with Natalie on Saturday, Hayden had confessed his gaffe to Craig the following day at practice. Craig had been good about it, not laughing outright. He had, however, berated Hayden for taking anything Sidney had to say seriously. 

"I didn't get the chance to talk to her myself, but Natalie seemed nice," Craig said. "Try not to be such a tool next time, all right?"

Hayden barked out a laugh and nodded. "I'll try."

Craig nodded and tapped his stick against Hayden's massive pads. They skated around the ice together before gathering with the other players around the head coach to begin the day's practice.

Several hours later, Hayden climbed out of a cab in front of the cafe where he was meeting Natalie. He thought that he'd be the first one there but when he walked inside, he spotted Natalie at a table near the window. She looked up as he entered and a shy smile touched her lips.

"Hi, Natalie," he greeted as he approached the table.

"Hi."

Hayden pulled his jacket off and sat down across from her. Neither of them said anything after he'd ordered a coffee and he wondered if they'd ever get that closeness back. He wanted to redo Saturday night and this time, he'd be damn sure to keep his mouth shut.

"I have your tickets." He broke the silence. He twisted to reach into his inside jacket pocket.

Natalie grinned as she accepted the tickets and Hayden's chest swelled. My God, she's so beautiful, he thought and nervously clenched his fists in his lap.

"Thank you so much, Hayden. Madison said she'd come to the game with me. I'm so excited!"

"That's great. Maybe after the game I can take you and Madison out for a drink."

Her eyebrows lifted as she tucked the tickets into her purse. "Both of us?"

"She's your best friend. Why wouldn't I take you both?"

"That's so..." her voice trailed off and she shook her head.

"So...?" he prompted and then grinned. "Sexy?"

She laughed.

"Sweet? Generous?" He tried again and leaned forward as she let out more of her bright laughter. He could drink that sound in for days.

"All of those things." Her laughter faded and she smiled at him before leaning her elbows on the table. "We need to talk."

Hayden winced. "I know. I can't apologize enough for what happened on Saturday."

"Stop. You already said you're sorry. I didn't meet you today just to get you to say it again."

"No?"

She shook her head, never taking her eyes from his.

"Then why did you want to meet?" He paused and studied her face before giving her a brief wink. "You just wanted the tickets, didn't you?"

She laughed at him. "No! I wanted to see you, Hayden."

Hayden didn't know what to say to that.

"I'm not going to lie," she said as the waitress brought his coffee over. "It bothered me when you said... what you did on Saturday night."

"Natalie-"

"No, let me finish." She held up a hand to stop him. "It hurt but I was more upset because my friend, Louisa, would say something like that about me." Natalie paused, her blue-grey eyes looking back and forth between Hayden's. "I'm not claiming to be... innocent or anything like that, but I don't... I don't sleep around. I don't... have sex with just any man who talks to me."

Hayden watched her as she spoke and followed the pink color as it rose in her round cheeks. She kept looking into his face while she explained, impressing Hayden with her courage. He wasn't sure if he could manage the same thing had their positions been reversed.

God help him, all his blood was steadily being diverted south of his brain.

"I don't want you to think of me that way."

"I don't." He reached for one of her hands without thinking about it.

"That's good." She let out a nervous laugh and allowed him to close his hand around her fingers. "I'd hate for that to be your first impression of me."

"Do you want to know what my first impression was?" he asked as he stroked his thumb across her soft knuckles.

"What?"

"I thought you were drawing on the table in that bar."

She burst out laughing and covered her face with her free hand. "How embarrassing!"

Laughing along with her, Hayden gently tugged her hand down from her face. "I thought it was intriguing. I wanted to talk to you."

"Well, you did. You did that, and more."

They fell silent as the memory of that night swept through both of them. Natalie was the first to drop her gaze, catching her bottom lip between her teeth. Hayden shifted in his seat, tightening his fingers around hers.




Melting the Ice Ch. 02



"I didn't want to talk to you just because you're beautiful, and you are, so beautiful."

Her lashes fluttered and she glanced up at him.

Hayden dropped his chin and smiled on the same level as her gaze. "I wanted to find out what you were doing alone at that table. I wanted to know your name and ask you out."

"All before you even walked over?" She sounded incredulous.

"Yeah. Don't you believe me?"

She shrugged, meeting his eyes. "I guess I do. If you didn't, why would you have come over?"

"Right."

She studied him, as if trying to decide if he was telling the truth or not. Hayden held his breath for several heartbeats until her face relaxed into a smile again.

"So in between our first meeting and when you took me home, what made you change your mind?"

Hayden blinked, taken aback by her question. "I don't understand."

She flushed and her eyes skittered away. "I mean, you said you wanted to ask me out. What made you decide to take me home instead?"

Now it was Hayden who felt the warmth creeping over his face. He chuckled and squeezed her hand before answering. "I don't know, Natalie. I just... we were talking and I was having a good time. Then we were sitting together and I... I..."

He tried to think of the right words. Nothing other than 'I wanted inside you so badly I couldn't see straight' came to mind.

Somehow, he didn't think that would impress her.

Hayden looked into her eyes and grinned when he saw the sparkle there.

She giggled and covered her mouth with her free hand. "I think I understand."

"Do you?" He was afraid he'd offended her again.

She nodded and squeezed his fingers in return. In response, all his blood fled his brain and gathered below his waist.

"I understand because it was the same for me, I think."

"Really? Thank God." Hayden's reaction was immediate and he felt embarrassed until Natalie laughed again.

"Well, now that we've got that straightened out, there was something else I wanted to talk about," she said as she patted his hand.

"Something else?" Hayden took a swig of his coffee, wincing when it burned his tongue. "I'll talk about anything you want, Natalie."

"You're so accommodating." There was a twinkle in her eye as she spoke and Hayden felt it like a punch to the solar plexus. "But I'm not sure if you'll like this."

Hayden lifted an eyebrow. "I'm sure I can handle it."

"I hope so." She paused and drew in a deep breath. "I want to date you, Hayden, and I want to start at the beginning. I want to forget about Saturday night and start over fresh."

When she stopped, Hayden studied her. He had a feeling he knew exactly what she was getting at and the tingling in his groin didn't like it. "OK," he replied tentatively.

The blush was back in her cheeks and her eyelashes fluttered as she tried to hold his gaze. "I hope you don't think this sounds too immature of me, but I don't want to rush into anything."

"I don't want to make you rush."

"So you don't mind if we... if we don't... that is, I really liked... what we did... on Friday," she stammered. "But I think... we rushed into that. I... I'd like to get to know you better before... before we... do... that again."

Her meaning sank in and Hayden nodded. Inside, his mind and body were screaming, No, no! Don't make me wait! But he was a gentleman. He hadn't been raised to push a woman into something she didn't want. "OK."

Natalie lifted a dark eyebrow at him and smirked. "OK? Really?"

Hayden gave a wry laugh and shook his head. He felt he needed to be truly honest with her. "No, not really, but I like you, Natalie. I'm willing to do whatever you want if it means I get to spend more time with you."

"I think that's the sweetest thing any guy has ever said to me." She looked flustered and Hayden felt her try to tug her hand away from his.

"I'm already sorry for when I have to go on another road trip." He ought to bring it up, to remind both of them of his career obligations.

"Oh yeah," she agreed with a nod. "Well, we can talk on the phone and see each other whenever you're in New York."

"You've given this some thought." Hayden felt ridiculously flattered by that and it took some of the ache out of desiring her so much.

"Of course I have. I told you, I want to keep seeing you."

For a long minute, they gazed into each other's eyes.

"So."

"So?" Her eyes were still twinkling at him and Hayden gave her hand another squeeze before releasing her. "Can I take you for that drink on Tuesday night?"

"You still want to?"

"If you and your friend can stay up that late, I'd like to."

Natalie nodded in agreement. "I'll have my cell phone with me. Should we wait in our seats or meet somewhere?"

"I'll try to be quick after the game is over and I'll call you when I'm done. Then we can figure something out."

"Sounds great."

Another silence fell and the ache eased out of Hayden's groin. It took some serious thinking about fungus and sea urchins to get his mind off of Natalie's naked body, but he managed it. They fell into casual conversation for a short while before Natalie said she had to get back to class.

"Thanks for the tickets, Hayden," she said as they walked outside the cafe.

"It's my pleasure." He turned to face her on the sidewalk. "So with this... starting over thing..."

"Yeah?"

"Can I still kiss you good-bye?" He shouldn't even be asking. His desire for her was so strong, especially since he'd already seen her rise and respond to his touch, if he kissed her now, it might be too much for him to deal with. Although, he thought with a glance at their surroundings. We're in the middle of the sidewalk in the middle of the day. Less risk.

"Uh, sure." Natalie sounded unsure but Hayden stepped close before she could change her mind.

He put one arm around her waist and drew her close, watching with satisfaction as her eyes widened a fraction as he lowered his head. Then her thick lashes swept low and Hayden brushed her mouth with his lips. She sucked in a breath as he touched her and he felt the gasp from his head to the soles of his feet. He slid a hand up to cup the back of her head as he kissed her.

Her lips parted and he swept inside, tasting the coffee she'd just had along with her own sexy flavor. It was intoxicating and Hayden tensed, wanting to drag her up against a building and do more than just kiss her. With great reluctance, he pulled away and smiled when she made a small sound of protest. Her eyes fluttered open and Hayden dropped a light kiss on the corner of her mouth before releasing her.

"I'll see you tomorrow?"

She blinked, as if surprised to hear him speaking. She straightened her jacket and touched her hair, still snug in its ponytail. "All right."

"Have a good afternoon." He turned away before he was tempted to take her back into his arms.

"You too," she called after him and when Hayden glanced back, she was walking away.

Hayden blew out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. This was going to be harder than he thought.

***

"These seats are unbelievable!" Madison gushed as they walked down the steps at Madison Square Garden.

Natalie nodded, impressed with the tickets that Hayden had given to her. They were on the lower level, on one of the straight sides, just to one side of the players benches. She looked back and forth over the ice and smiled as she took it all in. She'd figured Hayden would get her some decent seats, but she'd never expected to be close enough to practically smell the ice.

The two women reached their seats and sat down, removing their jackets. They'd carefully chosen jeans and blue tops, since neither of them owned Rangers jerseys. Natalie looked down at her tickets to see who they were playing. At the time, she hadn't bothered to ask and she hadn't cared. She'd just been thrilled at the opportunity to see Hayden play.

A few minutes later, the lights lowered and music starting blasting from the sound system. Natalie and Madison clapped with the crowd and cheered as the Rangers skated onto the ice. Natalie's eyes sought and located Hayden, wearing the number 30. He skated around the ice, in the zone that was closest to where Natalie and Madison were sitting.

Natalie's heart was pounding as she watched the players circle and skate towards the bench. She was so excited for this chance to see Hayden play. It had been years since Natalie had watched a game, other than hitting the bar with Madison the other day. She had vague memories of her father cheering or clapping or even swearing colorfully as different plays took shape. Now, she didn't recall the plays, or anything much about the games themselves. Still, there was nothing like a live hockey game.

Soon, the game was in full swing. Their seats were so close to the ice that every time the players skated past, Natalie could feel the draft. She tried to keep her eyes on Hayden during the play but found her attention drawn away by the action elsewhere. The play went back and forth between both zones, with some frantic scrambles in the middle. Madison yelped the first few times or hid her face when the men slammed into boards, making the spectators around them laugh and clap her on the shoulder.

By the second intermission, Madison was trembling and Natalie was vibrating with excitement.

"I can't believe I agreed to this." Madison clutched Natalie's arm.

With a laugh, Natalie pried her friends fingers away and patted her hand. "It's almost over. Try not to freak out too much."

Madison lifted her face and smiled tensely at her friend. "Would you hate me if I didn't come out for drinks after the game?"

That hadn't been what Natalie was expecting to hear. "You don't want to come out?"

"I'm already pretty beat, and I don't know how much more of this I can take."

Natalie giggled and put an arm around Madison's shoulder, drawing the other woman close for a squeeze. "I understand. It's not for everyone."

Madison narrowed her gaze. "I thought this was the first game you'd ever been to?"

"It is."

"Then why are you talking like you know what people are into hockey or not?"

Natalie shrugged and faced the ice as the players skated out for the third and final period. "I guess I've decided that I like it."

Madison rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right. I'm sure it has nothing to do with Hayden, either."

Natalie blushed but shook her head. "Not at all."

Even as she spoke, the big goalie circled close to their section and paused, turning his face towards them. Natalie bit her lip and lifted one hand in a feeble wave. She couldn't be sure, since his face was all but hidden behind his mask, but she thought he winked at her.

Maybe it's better that Madison wants to go home, she thought as Hayden continued on his way and took his place in front of the net. Then I'll have Hayden all to myself.

The thought brought a fresh blush to her cheeks. She'd been the one to suggest they take things slow from here on in, she'd been the one who wanted to start fresh. Hayden had been remarkably understanding and she had liked him all the more for it. So it wasn't smart to be thinking about having him to herself when it had been her idea to take things slow in the first place.

What kind of idiot suggests that when the guy is someone like Hayden?

The game started up again and Natalie soon found herself on the edge of her seat with the rest of the crowd. The score was tied and the final minutes were closing in. Natalie held her breath as a player from the Canadiens broke away from the rest. She was on her feet before she knew it, hand pressed over her mouth, as the forward flew towards Hayden.

Hayden came out of his net, crouched low, stick up and deflected the breakaway shot like it was nothing.

Natalie screamed, waving her arms in the air as the clock counted down and the players prepared for overtime.

"Holy crap," Madison exclaimed over the noise of the crowd. "What happens now?"

It was a man sitting behind them who answered and explained. "They play a five minute overtime period and if no one scores, they go to a shootout."

Natalie waited impatiently until she saw Hayden head back to his net. The players met in the middle of the ice, and overtime was underway. Natalie glanced at her friend at one point to find Madison covering her face and shaking her head.

"What are you doing?" Natalie laughed and tugged on Madison's arm. "You're missing it!"

"Just tell me when it's over. I can't take it."

Natalie laughed again and turned back to the ice in time to see Hayden make another unbelievable save. She didn't know much, and maybe she was a little biased, but Hayden was amazing tonight. He was making incredible saves and impressing the hell out of everyone.

As if he needed to. She glanced around at the enthusiastic crowd.

It was clear that he was a fan favorite, if the chants of 'Hay-den! Hay-den!' were any indication.

"Is it over yet?" Madison asked as the horn sounding the end of overtime went off.

"Uh, not quite," Natalie replied and watched the boards open at the end of the arena. An ice cleaner came rolling out and started down the center of the ice as workers moved the nets. "It's going to a shootout."

"What happens then?"

Again, it was the man behind them who explained. Natalie smiled and stifled a laugh as Madison listened, wincing as it was described. Three players from each team would have a chance to shoot. If they were still tied after three shots apiece, they kept going, taking shots until someone missed.

"You don't like the suspense?" Natalie asked when they faced forward again.

Madison shook her head. "How long do you think it'll last?"

"Not long. Hayden is King of the goalies," the man behind them replied and leapt to his feet to start chanting Hayden's name.

Natalie and Madison laughed and joined in the chant until the first shooter from the Canadiens started circling center ice. Unaware that she was doing it, Natalie leaned further towards the edge of her seat until she was on her feet.

The referee blew the whistle and the shooter took off with the puck towards Hayden. The Canadien deked left, swooped right, and shot the puck at Hayden's right side. Hayden moved with him, swatting the puck away. The crowd erupted in cheers.

The shooter for the Rangers took off down at the other end of the ice in another few seconds. Natalie held her breath until she saw the light go off behind the opponent's net. Again, the crowd cheered, nearly deafening her. She felt Madison clutching her arm but barely registered her friend's death grip.

Another shooter for the Canadiens took his place at center ice. Natalie swung her gaze to Hayden, resting his elbows on his knees as he eyed the shooter. The ref blew the whistle and Natalie held her breath as the shooter swung wide to the right side of the net. He darted in close and ice sprayed up as the puck snuck below Hayden's pads. The crowd groaned and Natalie covered her face with her hands.

The next shooter for the Rangers circled behind the logo at center ice and the ref blew the whistle. The crowd cheered as he approached, then held its breath as the puck left the shooter's stick. It found the back of the net and the crowd erupted.

"This is it!" The guy behind Natalie and Madison shouted as the third shooter for the Canadiens skated out to center ice. "If Lindgren stops this shot, the Rangers win it!"

Natalie stared at Hayden, watched him as he tapped either post of his net before crouching into his ready position. The referee blew the whistle and the shooter started towards him with the puck. Again, the crowd fell silent for a second as the player took his shot. Hayden braced his legs and swung his glove hand up, snatching the puck out of the air. The crowd went insane. Even Madison was swept up in the cheering and jumped up and down with Natalie. Hayden gave an excited fist pump and he skated towards his teammates who were pouring off the bench to celebrate the win.

"Oh my God." Natalie collapsed back in her seat as the crowd around them continued to cheer.

"Are you all right?" Madison peered down at her with a grin.

"I think I'm having palpitations," Natalie replied as she pressed a palm to her sternum.

Madison laughed and sat down next to her. Around them, the crowd began to quiet down and file out of the arena. Before leaving, Madison double checked that Natalie would be all right waiting alone for Hayden. Natalie assured her she'd be fine.

Almost the minute Madison walked away, Natalie's cell phone rang and she pulled it out of her pocket.

"That was a fantastic game, you!"

Hayden's laughter filled her ear.

"I can't believe how amazing you were!"

"What, you didn't think I was any good before?"

"No, that's not what I meant," she replied. "To be able to see you play like that in person... it was just great, Hayden. Thank you so much for the tickets."

"I'm just glad I managed to get the win for you, Natalie," he said and there were a few hoots and hollers in the background.

"Are you in the locker room?"

"Yeah, and the guys are giving me a hard time. Shut up! I'm on the phone here!" he yelled to his teammates. Laughter rose and faded in the background. "I'll just move to another spot," Hayden grumbled.

Natalie laughed. "How long will it take you to meet me?"

"I should be about a half an hour."

They agreed to meet at an entrance near Natalie's section and hung up.

Natalie stayed in her seat for a little bit, watching the Zamboni circle the ice. When she got up and climbed the steps, there were very few people left. She'd been standing at the entrance for a few minutes when Hayden hurried up to her.

"Hi!" He gave her with a broad, sexy grin that made Natalie weak in the knees.

"Hi! Congratulations." She stood on her toes to give him a kiss on the cheek.

He raised an eyebrow at her as she stepped back and put a hand on her back. "That's it?"

She laughed and nodded. "You were expecting flowers or a sash?"

"I guess not." He glanced around. "Where's Madison?"

"She wanted to go home," Natalie replied, aware of the color that crept up her cheeks as she spoke. "The game was too much for her."

Hayden laughed. "Too much? What do you mean?"

"The noise, the body checking, the suspense." Natalie shrugged and turned with Hayden as he led the way outside. "She's more low key, I guess."

"Well, hockey isn't for everyone."

Natalie glanced over at him with a smile. "Right."

Hayden looked down with a crooked grin that displayed his dimples perfectly. Natalie shivered as she met his gaze and didn't flinch when he put an arm around her shoulders.

"Did you have a good time?"

"Oh yes. I told you it was a fantastic game."

Hayden chuckled and gave her shoulders a squeeze. "I'm so glad. We haven't had that intense a game since the season started." He stopped and peered down into her face. "Maybe you're my good luck charm."

"Oh no," Natalie protested and shook her head. "Don't pin that on me. I don't want to end up being responsible if you lose!"

"Ouch! You think we might lose?"

Natalie laughed and poked her elbow into his ribs. "Statistically speaking, you'll lose at some point this season."

Hayden rolled his eyes and tugged her towards the sidewalk where he could hail a cab. "I should expect a comment like that from a math major."

Natalie just laughed. It took a minute for Hayden to get a cab and he directed the driver to a nearby bar.

"Have you ever been to Walden's?"

"No, I've never heard of it."

"It's a great sports bar. Me and the guys like to go there on our off days, or after practices."

"You like to go to a sports bar? No way!" Natalie gave him a wide-eyed innocent look then broke into laughter as he tickled her the ribs.





Melting the Ice Ch. 02



They fell into relaxed conversation during the cab ride and Natalie felt a little thrill chase up her spine as Hayden took her hand when they walked across to the bar. There wasn't a huge crowd inside, since it was a week day and already fairly late. There was a cute woman behind the bar who waved with a smile as Hayden walked in.

"Hey, Lindy. What can I get for you?"

Hayden glanced down at Natalie. Natalie ordered a beer and Hayden said he'd have the same.

The bartender gave Natalie a scrutinizing look and smiled. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to see your ID."

Hayden laughed as Natalie pulled her purse off her shoulder to dig out her wallet. "Come on, Tabby. You think I'd bring someone in here whose underage?"

Tabby shrugged and grinned at Hayden. "You've got a point, Lindy, but I'm just doing my job."

"It's no problem," Natalie assured her, more than used to showing her ID. She'd been legal for less than a year, after all.

Tabby checked her age and nodded. She grabbed their beers from the cooler and passed them across the bar. "I'm Tabitha. If you need anything, just give me a wave." She moved away.

Natalie slid onto a stool and lifted her eyebrows at Hayden. "You must come here a lot if the staff know you by name."

Hayden grinned as he pulled his coat off and sat beside her. "Tabby owns the place. She's great."

Natalie nodded as she sipped her beer. She should have known that beautiful women all over the place would know Hayden. Although she wasn't bothered by being carded, Natalie was a little curious over the exchange between Tabitha and Hayden.

Why would Tabby say that about Hayden bringing in someone underage? Was it because he's always dated women his own age?

"So you had a good time at the game?" Hayden broke into her thoughts.

"Of course! You were great." Natalie narrowed her eyes playfully at him. "You're not just fishing for compliments, are you?"

Hayden laughed and shook his head. "No, but I still think you were good luck for me tonight."

Natalie opened her mouth to reply but they were interrupted. A couple of young men stopped on Hayden's other side, asking for an autograph.

"Sure." Hayden took the felt pen from the first guy. They were both wearing Rangers jerseys and Natalie smiled at the look of amazement on their faces as Hayden signed each of them.

"Thanks, man."

"No problem."

The two men moved away and Hayden turned back to Natalie.

"That was very nice," Natalie commented.

Hayden shrugged nonchalantly but Natalie saw some color rise in his cheeks. "It only takes a minute to sign an autograph."

"Still, I think you made those guys' weeks."

Hayden changed the subject, clearly flustered with her praise. "Do you have plans this Friday night?"

"Friday? No, why?"

"Every year, the Rangers host this charity event. It's a casino night."

"That sounds like fun."

"It usually is," Hayden agreed and smiled shyly at her. "Would you go with me?"

"Me?"

"Yeah, you. Who else would I take?"

Natalie shrugged even though her mind was whirling. Hayden wanted to take her to an event where she would meet many of his teammates. They were likely to be photographed together as well, since Hayden was such a popular and recognizable member of the Rangers.

"It's a formal event," Hayden went on when Natalie didn't respond. "So I understand if you can't get something to wear, or even if you wouldn't be comfortable going."

Natalie looked up at him with a smile. He was speaking quickly, as if he was afraid she'd say 'no' outright. On the contrary, she wanted desperately to go with him. "I would love to go."

"Really?"

"Of course. Don't worry about me finding something to wear. There was a formal at school last spring and I think the dress I wore will still fit me."

"Will you be comfortable with all those people? Last year there were over seven hundred guests."

Natalie shuddered at the prospect but it didn't change her mind. "I think I'll be all right. As long as you don't leave me alone."

"I won't." His blue eyes twinkled at her and Natalie was transfixed. "I won't be able to leave your side."

Natalie laughed nervously. "I don't know about that."

"I do."

Well, Natalie had nothing to say to that. She lifted her bottle of beer to her lips and took a long pull. Hayden's mouth widened on a grin and Natalie felt a tug deep inside her belly. Oh, how she wanted him.

But you said you wanted to go slow, she reminded herself with a mental ass kicking. Don't embarrass yourself by jumping on him.

As if he sensed her inner turmoil, Hayden sat back. Natalie was disappointed all of a sudden. From what she'd seen in his eyes, she thought he'd been about to kiss her. She licked her lips and downed the rest of her beer. Hayden watched her, that crooked smile of his distracting her. Eventually she managed to speak, to ease the tension roaring through her body. They fell into easy conversation after that.

Natalie talked about her youth in Buffalo and laughed over stories Hayden told her about his childhood in Sweden. She learned that he had a sister and a twin brother. She asked him all kinds of questions about his twin. It was fascinating to her, having never met identical twins.

Before she realized it, an hour had passed.

"I should get you home," Hayden commented.

"You're probably right." She covered her mouth as a yawn surprised her.

Hayden chuckled and helped her with her jacket before pulling his own on. He said good night to Tabitha and the bartender waved in response. They walked back out to the cool night and Natalie stood awkwardly beside Hayden as he hailed a cab for her.

"I had a great time, Natalie," he said as the cab slowed at the curb.

Natalie turned her face up to smile at him. He moved closer and she tipped her head back further. He was so tall and Natalie loved how delicate he made her feel. He lifted his arms and put them around her waist, pulling her closer.

"Can I kiss you good night?"

She nodded wordlessly. Even if she'd had enough brain strength to speak, her mouth was suddenly dry. All she could do was stare into Hayden's sky blue eyes as his face came closer. Then he was kissing her and she sighed, putting her hands on his arms to hold on.

At first his kiss was soft, he didn't do anything more than brush his lips back and forth across hers. He drew back and they blinked dazedly into each other's eyes. Then his arms tightened and she squeaked in surprise as his mouth came down hard on hers. She parted her lips and his tongue slid inside. What remained of her mind dissolved at the first stroke of his tongue on hers.

Her arms slid up to his neck and she pressed her body into his. He felt so hard against her chest and stomach and she strained on her toes to lift up towards him. He squeezed his arms and lifted her right off her feet. Still, Natalie clung to him, sliding her fingers through his hair as he ruthlessly claimed her over and over with his kiss.

The driver of the cab honked his horn and Hayden released Natalie abruptly. She stumbled back to her feet and Hayden caught her, an apologetic look on his face. Flushed from his kiss, Natalie brushed the hair off her face.

"Uh, so..." she tried to speak only to find her voice too hoarse. She cleared her throat and smiled weakly up at Hayden. "I'll talk to you tomorrow?"

Hayden chuckled and because they were still pressed together, Natalie felt it all through her body. He bent his head and kissed her once more, softly, and then stepped away. He opened the door of the cab for her and held her hand as she climbed in. "Why don't you call me when your classes are done tomorrow."

She agreed and waved as the cab pulled away. With a sigh, Natalie rested her head on the seat and directed the driver towards NYU.

What was I thinking? No way am I going to be able to resist him this weekend. A silly smile spread across her face at the thought.

***

Friday rolled around before she knew it and Natalie was scrambling after her last class that afternoon to get ready. Madison tried to help but flipped her friend off when Natalie snapped at her. Natalie paused when she saw Madison's hurt expression and apologized.

"I'm so sorry, Madison." Natalie walked over to her bed and sat beside her. "I didn't mean to snap."

Madison rolled her eyes and smirked. "I was just trying to help."

"I know." Natalie glanced at her side of the room. She'd been in a panic looking for the accessories she knew would go with her formal dress.

The dress was a rich sapphire color with some gold detailing around the bodice area and along the bottom. The bodice fit snugly over her torso and flared gracefully just below her waist. It was floor length and had a wide neckline, with straps that just sat on the outside curves of her shoulders. It had been an incredibly extravagant purchase the year before but she figured it was elegant and simple enough that she could get more than one use out of it. The accessories she had matched perfectly and when she hadn't been able to locate the clutch purse and shoes in her closet, she'd started freaking out.

"Maybe you put the stuff into your bed drawer," Madison suggested.

Natalie looked at the three drawers built into the bed frame. "Maybe." She knelt down and pulled the drawers out, rifling through the interior before stifling a frustrated shriek.

"Is it such a big deal to have those shoes and that purse?"

Natalie looked over her shoulder at Madison. "No. I guess not. I just know those shoes give me the right height so I'm not stepping all over the dress."

"You have other shoes." Madison moved to Natalie's closet and started pulling out her black pumps. "Here, wear these ones. As for a purse, are you going to need one?"

Natalie considered that and realized Madison had a point. Hayden had said he'd arranged for a limo to pick her up and take her home and since she was merely going to the event as his guest, she didn't think she'd need to take wads of cash.

"All right. I don't need the purse. Now I just need to find a wrap or something."

Madison rolled her eyes and wandered over to her own closet. "Here. My grandmother sent this for my birthday but I've got nothing to wear it with." She pulled out a lovely black coat and tossed it at Natalie.

"Madison! This is gorgeous! Why haven't you worn it before?"

Madison shrugged as she moved back to her bed. "It's too fancy for every day use and I don't have hot hockey players lining up to take me to black-tie events."

Natalie laughed to cover up her embarrassment. She felt light-years better than she had when she'd left her last class. As usual, Madison had come through for her. "You're the best friend ever."

Madison ignored her, picking up her magazine.

"I'm going to go shave my legs," Natalie said as she gathered up her toiletries. "If Hayden calls, tell him I'm almost ready."

"Whoa! Shave your legs? What happened to taking things slow?"

Natalie blushed and hurried to the door before Madison could see it. "Come on, who wears a fancy dress without shaving her legs?"

"Hmm..." Madison didn't sound convinced so Natalie ducked out of the room before her friend could quiz her.

Natalie hadn't told Madison about her urges that week. She'd explained about taking things slow with Hayden, dating first before taking that next step again. Madison had been supportive, even as she assured Natalie that Hayden didn't seem like the kind of guy to take advantage of Louisa's gossip.

Since going out with Hayden on Tuesday, Natalie had been unable to shake her desire. Every time she heard his voice over the phone or watched him play, she felt the tug deep in her gut. All of that, she'd kept from Madison, knowing her friend wouldn't approve.

With a sigh, she hurried to the showers and tried to push it out of her mind. An hour later, she was sitting at her desk as Madison shoved a few more pins into her upswept hair. Leaning forward, Natalie smacked her lips together and made sure her lipstick was even. Then she sat back and waited until Madison announced she was done.

"There." Madison stepped back a minute later and scrutinized her work. "Not bad. I hate working with your hair, Nat, but I think I did all right."

Natalie grinned at her friend's words. Madison had indeed mentioned on several occasions that Natalie's thick hair was hell to work with. Somehow, she managed to wow Natalie every time. Natalie got up and went to the full length mirror on the back of their door to check her final appearance. Madison had pulled her hair up into an elegant twist, leaving a few tendrils hanging at her neck and just over her ears.

Natalie turned her head one way and the other. "Oh wow, thanks so much, Madison."

"No problem. When I manage to snag a hockey player of my own, you can return the favor."

Natalie spun around to grin at her friend. "I thought hockey wasn't your thing? You freaked out anytime something happened at the game."

Madison shrugged, looking nonchalant. "That doesn't make the players we saw any less cute."

With a laugh, Natalie walked back across the room to pull her shoes on. The phone rang just as she was doing the coat up. "Hello?"

"Hi, Natalie. I'm outside." It was Hayden and as always, his accented voice sent a zing right through her body.

"All right. I'll be right down." She hung up the phone and sucked in a deep breath before turning to go.

"Have fun, Nat," Madison called after her. "Remember, call me if you need anything."

"Yeah." Natalie looked back as she put her hand on the doorknob. "Don't stay in all night, Madison."

Madison snorted and waved her off.

Several people stared as Natalie made her way through the building. Some of her friends and classmates tried to stop her and ask what she was doing all dressed up. Natalie was tempted to tell them to check the paper in the morning but she wasn't quite ready to announce to the world.

I guess, in a way, going to this thing tonight might be doing just that, she thought as she waved in passing at someone else.

Outside, standing beside a glossy black limousine, Hayden was facing the other way when Natalie approached. She bit her lip, taking in the broad shoulders filling out the dark jacket to perfection. Her shoes clicked on the sidewalk and Hayden turned. For a moment, Natalie's steps faltered.

He looked amazing in a black tuxedo with glossy lapels. He had a crisp white shirt on underneath and an expertly knotted bow tie. Natalie approached at a slower pace, drinking in the sight of him so perfectly epitomizing tall, dark and handsome. Her heart pattered and her stomach flipped.

This is going to be a long night.

He held a hand out towards her when she got close enough and she laid her fingers in his. He pulled her close and reached for the buttons of her borrowed coat.

"What are you doing?" She laughed and tried to bat his fingers away.

Hayden grinned at her and continued to undo her coat until it hung open. Then he dropped her hand to pull either side of the jacket apart. His eyes dropped from her face to take in her entire appearance. His expression was so intent that Natalie felt heat creep up her neck in seconds.

At last, he brought his gaze back to her face. His smile was still there, lopsided with sexy dimples, but the look in his eyes was different, darker, almost... predatory. Natalie shivered.

"You look beautiful," he whispered.

He pulled on her coat until she took another step towards him. Bending low, he kissed her. It was just a brief touch of lips but it stole Natalie's breath. She was seconds away from suggesting they skip this event and go back to his place.

"You look pretty good yourself," she replied, her voice husky.

She froze as Hayden's hands moved and started to button her coat up. He paused several times, he gaze dropping over her body again, and it took all of Natalie's concentration to remain upright.

When she was all covered again, Hayden held the limo door open for her. She climbed in as gracefully as she could and smiled nervously when he got in beside her.

"Where is this event taking place?" Natalie was desperate to make conversation.

Hayden hadn't taken his eyes off of her since the limo started moving. His scrutiny was making her incredibly nervous. She wanted to believe that he was entranced by her but was almost afraid that he was disappointed, which she tried to tell herself was just ridiculous.

"Gotham Hall." He didn't elaborate and Natalie didn't know what else to say.

Reaching out, Hayden took hold of her hand and starting rubbing circles on her wrist with his thumb. Suppressing her shiver, Natalie looked out the window. The ride seemed to take forever and she hardly noticed the scenery passing by outside.

"Here we are," Hayden said and Natalie swung her head around to his side. He offered her a smile that Natalie thought looked strained.

Swallowing, Natalie nodded and climbed out after him. There were massive crowds in front of the building and photographers lining the stairs leading inside. Natalie was blinded by one flash and gasped in surprise. A moment later, she felt Hayden's strong arm circle her waist and he guided her towards the entrance. She let him lead her and was grateful when they escaped to the interior.

"I'm sorry about that," Hayden murmured as they joined the people milling around in front of the coat check area. "I should have warned you about the press."

Natalie laughed and shrugged, hiding her nervousness. "It's all right. I could have guessed on my own what it would be like. All you Rangers coming together, and the other movers and shakers who must be here tonight."

Hayden's eyebrows went up and he grinned. "Movers and shakers?"

Natalie nodded, caught in his blue gaze. Hayden chuckled as he reached for her coat, slowly unbuttoning her again. Natalie froze, unsure of what to do, which she knew was stupid. She could take her own coat off but found that she liked Hayden doing it for her, even though it felt terribly close to him undressing her in a room full of strangers.

He worked the buttons free and lifted his hands to her shoulders to pull the coat off. He stepped close as he removed it and Natalie caught a whiff of his sexy cologne. Underneath the manufactured scent was his own distinctive, masculine musk. She wanted nothing more than to bury her nose in his shirtfront and swallow him up.

She stiffened as the primal urge swept over her. Good lord. We're in a public place.

"Don't go anywhere," Hayden whispered, his mouth very close to her ear. He moved away with her coat before she could say anything.

She looked around, feeling self-conscious. She almost wished she'd brought a purse of some kind so she could at least make herself look busy. She was about to walk a few steps in one direction - just enough so that she didn't feel like such a bump on a log - when someone spoke from her left side.

"I didn't know they invited angels to these events."

Natalie turned and looked up into a vaguely familiar face. He was good-looking and from the half-grin, half-smirk on his face, he knew it too. He was wearing a black tuxedo with a skinny black tie and had one hand lifted towards her.

"I'm Sidney Abbott," he introduced himself.

Natalie could have burst out laughing. Here was the man who'd picked up Louisa at the bar a week ago and apparently passed on gossip about Natalie to Hayden. Obviously he didn't recognize her and Natalie didn't know whether to be insulted or pleased.

"Natalie Johnson," she replied, shaking his hand. Hey, I can be polite.

"I don't think I've ever seen you at one of these events before," he said, holding onto her hand just a little too long.

She extracted her fingers as well as she could without yanking her hand away. "That's because I've never been to one."




Melting the Ice Ch. 03



By now I hope you've all realized I had this story finished. I'm sorry for the panic I caused. I should have phrased my earlier disclaimer a little differently, as in: This is my last completed story for a while. :) Surely you know me well enough by now to know that I'd never start posting something that's incomplete. Ah well.

Here's the ending of Hayden and Natalie's story and I hope you'll enjoy it.

Happy Reading!

MugsyB ;)

***

"Hayden, there you are."

Hayden turned at the familiar feminine voice. He smiled down at Regan, Craig's lovely wife. "Yeah, here I am. What can I do for you?"

She arched an eyebrow at him and Hayden felt like he was being chastised. "What are you thinking, leaving that gorgeous creature alone for half the night?"

Yes, definitely chastised.

Hayden shuffled his feet as a flush crept up his neck. Regan moved closer and put her hand through his arm. They moved a few steps away from the roulette table and Hayden asked if he could get Regan a drink.

"I don't need a drink, Lindy." She still sounded miffed with him. "I came to tell you that your date decided she'd had enough of being ignored and decided to leave."

"What?" Hayden stopped in his tracks and stared down at her.

"You heard me. Craig took her outside to get a cab."

"Why didn't she tell me?" Hayden wanted to drop Regan's arm and run from the building.

Regan gave him a narrow look that made him uncomfortable. "She didn't know where you were."

So all of Hayden's efforts to keep his hands to himself had backfired. He'd been avoiding her because if he'd spent much more time close to her, smelling her, feeling her body warm under that stunning dress, he'd have hauled her into a closet hours ago. He'd have made love to her until they both couldn't see straight.

"Shit. I have to go get her."

Regan nodded. She dropped her arm from Hayden's and jerked her chin towards the main entrance. "They went that way."

Hayden wasn't listening. As soon as Regan released him, he took off across the ballroom, moving as fast as he could. He reached the front steps outside just as Craig was turning away from a cab.

"Craig!" Hayden bounded down the stairs.

His captain turned away from the street and the cab drove off.

"No! Natalie!" Hayden ran past Craig like an idiot onto the street.

Craig grabbed his arm. "Lindy! For Christ's sake, get off the road!"

"Was that Natalie?"

"Yeah. She wasn't feeling well so she asked me to get her a cab." Craig pulled on his arm until Hayden returned to the sidewalk with him. "Are you all right?"

"I can't believe she'd just leave." Hayden looked after the cab.

"Well, you weren't around when she said she was feeling sick."

Hayden stared at Craig. If Regan's words to him were any indication, Natalie wasn't feeling ill. She was most likely ticked that he'd practically ignored her all night. He felt even worse. "I have to go talk to her."

Craig studied him in silence before nodding. "Be careful."

Hayden wasn't sure if he meant be careful on the drive, or be careful with Natalie. He fully intended to do both.

He hurried away, looking for the limo he'd hired. On the way to the university, he wondered what he could say to make it up to Natalie. He couldn't believe he'd been so stupid. He should have tried harder to be with her.

I'm a grown man, for crying out loud, he thought and shook his head. I could have controlled my urges for a few hours.

He stewed over his mistake all the way to NYU and leapt out of the limo almost before it had stopped moving. He spotted Natalie right away. Her cab must have arrived only seconds ahead of his limo. He called her name as he jogged across the lawn after her.

"Natalie! Please, wait."

She stopped and turned, nervously backing up until she recognized him. "Hayden? What are you doing here?"

"Regan and Craig told me you'd left," he said as he came to a stop in front of her. He drew in a deep breath and clenched his hands into fists to keep from reaching for her. She had a guarded expression on her face and didn't look entirely pleased to see him there. "Why didn't you come find me? I would have brought you home."

She lifted her chin and met his gaze directly. "I didn't think I should have to search for my date."

Hayden winced. "I'm sorry, Natalie. I didn't mean to leave you alone."

She arched an eyebrow at him and the corner of her mouth curved up in a smile. "All night?"

"At all," he agreed. He noticed the chill in the air then and took note of the way Natalie had her hands shoved into her jacket pockets. "You're cold. Come on, sit in the limo with me for a bit."

"Why?" She sounded tired and that made Hayden feel even worse.

"I want to talk to you. I want to apologize."

"So apologize."

She met his gaze steadily and Hayden felt his body react to her expression. He'd always found her attractive, but with the color in her cheeks from the cold and the flash in her eyes, she was devastating.

"Aren't you cold?"

"A little."

Hayden didn't know what to say. All he wanted to do was pull Natalie close and kiss her. At the moment, he didn't think she'd be too receptive. He mimicked her pose, pushing his hands into his pockets.

"I'm sorry, Natalie." He looked up to see the same closed expression on her face. "I should have spent more time with you tonight."

"You should have."

They stared at each other. Hayden sighed and reached for her, deciding he wanted to risk it. She let him touch her and Hayden moved closer.

She peered up at him, her eyes shadowed. "Why were you avoiding me all night?"

Hayden cringed inwardly. "I wasn't avoiding you."

Her eyebrows went up and her lips curved into a smile. "What do you call it then?"

Encouraged that she wasn't pushing him away or scowling at him, Hayden smiled in return. "I don't know. Self-preservation?"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Hayden sighed and gave Natalie's shoulders a squeeze. "Do you mind if we sit in the limo? Just for a few minutes. I swear I won't take you anywhere."
Natalie didn't resist but she didn't say anything as they walked back across the lawn to the waiting limousine. Hayden undid the buttons of his tux and turned to face Natalie but she wasn't looking at him. He hadn't realized until then that he'd upset her so much.

With her face turned away from him, he took a moment to admire her. It made him smile. He couldn't not admire her. In spite of the distance between them this week, he wanted her even more than that first night.

Her dress was perfect, her hair tantalizingly lifted from her bare shoulders and her lips had looked enticingly kissable all night long. She turned her face towards his and he couldn't stop himself. He reached out, closed his hands on her shoulders, and drew her close for a kiss.

She stiffened in his arms at first, then melted against him. Hayden had enough presence of mind to raise the partition between them and the driver before he parted her lips with his tongue and took the kiss deeper.

***

Natalie was swept away by the heat of Hayden's kiss. She sagged against his hard body and gave a little sigh of pleasure as his lips moved on hers. All the hurt and her self-conscious doubts from the evening faded and all she knew was the stroke of his tongue.

His hands moved from her shoulders to slide down her back, hauling her closer. She went into his embrace, winding her arms around his neck. She tipped her chin up and gasped as Hayden moved his mouth down her throat, laving gentle circles on her skin. He reached the collar of her jacket and stopped. Natalie wanted to lean back to give him room to pull the buttons apart but Hayden cupped her cheek in one big hand, forcing her eyes to his.

"What?" She was confused and felt drugged from his kiss.

He grinned and pressed a brief kiss to her lips, keeping his gaze on hers. "I didn't bring you here to kiss you."

"You didn't?" Why the hell not?

"Well, I sure wanted to, believe me. But we need to talk."

Talk, right. She blinked at him and cleared her throat. Pulling her arms away, she shifted back from him and tried not to clench her fingers together. "OK. Right. You were going to tell me why you avoided me all night."

Hayden sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. The motion left several strands of hair hanging over his forehead and Natalie longed to brush them away. Everything about Hayden, even this state of frustration, drew her in. How is this even possible after such a short time?

"I didn't think I was avoiding you that much," he began. "The first couple times I just got pulled away by different people. Then every time I found you again, you... you looked... so amazing..."

His voice dropped several octaves and Natalie shivered. When she looked into his face, she saw his eyes narrow and heard the increase in his breathing. Her body reacted to his desire, flushing with heat, and it made her squirm in her seat.

"I had to stay away from you, Natalie. If I'd had my hands on you for too long tonight, I'd have taken you in a dark corner."

His unashamed admission gave Natalie a jolt. So did her own reaction. All she could think was, God, yes.

Her blood roared in her ears and she felt her body swaying towards Hayden. He opened his arms and she fitted herself against him. He was so warm, burning her through her jacket and his. His breath was warm on her forehead and somehow he managed to work his hands under the bottom of her coat. She felt the warmth of his palms through the satin of her dress and shivered.

"I didn't want to push you." Hayden's voice was husky, his accent more apparent. "I didn't think you'd like me trying to seduce you all night."

Natalie couldn't stop the giddy laugh from escaping. She clapped a hand over her mouth when Hayden gave her a wounded look. "Hayden, you don't need to seduce me. Me wanting you is not a problem."

All of sudden, he seemed to take up all the space in the limo. Natalie knew they'd been sitting close but he felt closer, larger somehow. He loomed over her, his sexy blue eyes darkening as he gave her a crooked smile.

"Then what's wrong?"

The question was different. She knew he was done apologizing and she'd accepted it. Now he wanted to hear her explanation.

Maybe a more mature woman wouldn't have reacted like I did tonight, she thought, taking her bottom lip between her teeth as she nervously looked away.

When she brought her eyes back to Hayden's, she was caught up in his intense gaze and couldn't speak for a moment. "I wanted us to get to know each other better before we take the next step." She blushed furiously as she heard her own words. "I know we've already... done that, but I just... oh, God. You must think I'm an idiot."

He chuckled and grasped her shoulders. He held her upright when she tried to bury her face in his chest. She wanted to disappear.

"So basically you're saying you don't think we know each other well enough yet?"

She shrugged, unsure herself if that was the whole problem. Another thought occurred to her and she looked into Hayden's face. "You... it didn't seem like you... had a hard time... resisting me."

Almost immediately, she regretted voicing the thought. It sounded terribly immature to her own ears and so contradictory to her other concerns. He must think I'm such a jerk.

"Are you serious?" His eyes bored into hers and Natalie wriggled in his grip, unsettled by his intent gaze. "Natalie, avoiding you tonight was the hardest thing I've ever had to do."

"What?"

He shook his head. "I told you. All I wanted to do was drag you into the coat closet and push your dress up. I wanted to feel your skin and feel your legs around me again. God, you know how close I came to doing it anyway?"

He jerked one hand back through his hair, leaving even more of it dangling over his forehead. His gaze dropped to her throat and the pulse fluttering just under her chin. He dragged his fingertip over her chin, down her throat and yanked at the first button on her coat. Natalie gasped as he moved swiftly on to the next one. Before she'd even registered what he was doing, he'd opened her jacket and shoved it back off her shoulders. Instead of allowing her to slide it off, he caught her arms behind her back with it, holding her captive.

"Do you know what I want to do to you now?" His voice was hoarse and his eyes were so dark.

Natalie felt moisture explode between her thighs and bit her lip to keep from moaning. It shouldn't be possible for a man to make her respond like this, so fast, so wantonly. But here she was, arching away and offering her bared throat to him. She felt his breath brush her skin and she shuddered, feeling the teasing caress like a sure stroke inside her body. Then his lips touched her and she held her breath. She wanted to feel more of that, more of him. Getting to know each other be damned.

"Do you know what you do to me?" As he spoke, his lips brushed her throat. She felt the rasp of his beard and her nipples hardened.

He moved one hand up to grasp her chin and pulled her face down so he could look into her eyes. Natalie was spellbound by the look on his face. She'd never seen him look so serious, so intent.

"Do you know I've never wanted another woman as badly as I want you right now?"

Natalie felt her chest constrict and had to close her eyes to hide the sudden sheen of tears. His words touched her, stirred something deep inside of her.

This can't be happening, she thought as she bit her lip. We've only known each other a week. How can he mean it?

As his mouth opened on her neck again, and she felt the pulse of his tongue against her skin, she decided she didn't care. For now, her desire was overwhelming and she wanted to give in to it. "Mmm, Hayden..."

Hayden froze with his mouth at her throat when she throatily spoke his name. Then he released her arms and moved his hands around her waist, hauling her body right up against his. Natalie clung to him, lowering her mouth to his. They dissolved into a passionate kiss, tongues stroking each other and bodies straining.

Natalie slid her hands from his shoulders to his chest and pushed them inside his jacket. She shoved his jacket off and he let go of her just long enough to shed it. Then his arms were back around her waist and he held her close as he expertly caressed her tongue with his. One hand slid up to hold the back of her head, to keep her trapped as he ruthlessly plunged his tongue over and over into her mouth.

She writhed against him, wanting to feel more. His heat was searing her through her clothes and she fumbled at his shirt buttons. She wanted to rip the shirt open and lay her palms flat on his smooth chest. Her fingers slipped on another button and she made a sound of protest. Hayden pulled away and looked down with a laugh.

"Here." He brushed her hands away and undid each button.

Natalie didn't wait for him to part the shirt. She yanked each side open and touched his hot skin, gratified by his responding shudder. Her eyes lifted to his as he reached for his tie. He loosened it and tossed it beside his jacket on the floor of the limo. She kept her eyes on his as she touched his bare skin and slid her hands over the contours of his muscles.

Something flickered in his eyes and she gasped when he grabbed her hips. He bore her down to the floor as he closed his lips on her throat again. His tongue caressed her skin and Natalie gasped for breath, her hands struggling with the catch on his pants. She worked the button free at last and scraped the zipper down far enough to get her hand inside. When she brushed her fingers against his straining erection, Hayden groaned, the rumble sending a delicious tingle through her body.

He lifted himself above her and narrowed his eyes as she smiled impishly up at him. As she gave his full length a stroke over the cotton of his underwear, he started to bunch her full skirt in his hands. Her eyes popped wide open when she felt the first hot touch of his fingers on her bare skin. Her hand froze on him as shifted, shoving more of her dress out of the way. He lifted an eyebrow at her and tugged her panties down. Natalie choked out a laugh, a small piece of reality sinking through the haze of her lust.

We're in the back of a limo!

Then Hayden was moving one hand between them, pushing his pants and underwear down. Natalie let her breath out in a slow moan and helped him until she felt his rigid member brush her hand. With a swiftness that left her breathless, Hayden scooped her up in his arms and knelt on the floor. Natalie found herself in his lap and felt the urgent pulse of his cock between her thighs.

Hayden's hands closed on her thighs, lifting her, and she reached down to circle his erection. The first touch of him at her damp opening stopped them both for a moment. Natalie stared into Hayden's eyes and struggled to catch her breath. This was all happening so fast. Then Hayden pushed up as he jerked her down and they both let out startled moans.

For a second, neither of them moved. Their faces were so close together and Natalie could smell the tang of alcohol on his breath. His heady masculine musk overpowered that and Natalie inhaled deeply, intoxicated with all of Hayden. His body moved against her and he sank deeper inside.

"Hayden..." she gasped his name, breaking their gaze as her eyes fluttered shut.

He moved again, lifting up as he pulled down on her legs. One arm lifted to wrap around her back. Natalie felt his lips brush hers and parted her own, welcoming his wet, demanding kiss. They rocked together, finding a slow, steady rhythm that left Natalie trembling in minutes. She writhed against him, thrusting her pelvis forward, desperate to feel more. Hayden's fingers dug into her thigh and she broke from their kiss. She threw her head back and arched away from him as he pushed up. He thrust hard into her for several strokes, taking her right over the edge.

As she was moaning and pulsing with her orgasm, she felt herself being lifted and she clung to Hayden, not wanting to let their bodies part. He chuckled darkly and Natalie opened her eyes just as he set her down on the limo floor. He touched her cheek with one hand as she was still thrumming from her sudden climax. Then he kissed her, keeping his eyes on hers. She lifted her hips in silent plea for more. He obliged, maintaining his grip on her thigh.

He angled her body up and pushed deep into her. Natalie moaned, beyond caring about how she sounded, how she looked. Hayden's body over and inside of hers made her feel so good. She felt like she was burning up and didn't care. If Hayden was the one taking her there, she would go without a fight.

He tilted his head and thrust his tongue into her mouth as he pushed into her again. His pumping hips increased in speed and his grip on her thigh started to slip. Natalie hooked her foot behind his leg and lifted her hips, meeting his rapid thrusts as much as she could. Her breath whooshed out of her with each pump of his body into hers, so forceful was his movement. She wound her arms around his neck and kissed him back, sliding her tongue around his as she met him stroke for stroke.

Hayden made a strangled sound low in his throat and slapped both hands down to the floor on either side of her head. He pushed hard, his thrusting erratic, frantic, as he rushed them both towards a stunning end. They came together and Natalie felt his teeth close on her bottom lip as he came apart in her arms. She had the dim thought that it might hurt in the morning but with him pulsing deep inside of her, it was very hard to care about any consequences.

After a minute, Hayden eased out of her and sat back against one of the side seats with a dazed expression on his face. Natalie propped herself up on her elbows and smiled at him. She couldn't even fathom what she looked like - with her skirt rucked up around her body and her face raw from his beard - but Hayden looked like she felt.




Melting the Ice Ch. 03



He met her gaze and smiled. He reached a hand out towards her and helped her up to sit next to him. She went into his embrace with a sigh, gladly settling against his chest. She felt his lips brush over her hair and turned her face to nuzzle her nose into the open collar of his shirt.

"I'm...I can't believe we just..."

Natalie giggled and lifted her head to kiss his cheek. "Me either." She savored his deep chuckle and let out a contented sigh.

"I swear I didn't bring you back to the limo for that, Natalie."

"I know. It's OK. I wanted to."

"Good." Again his chuckle rumbled in his chest and against her cheek. "So you're not upset that we broke your rule?"

"My rule?" She sat back and looked into his face. He looked concerned and there was a pink tinge to his cheeks that made Natalie think he was maybe even a little embarrassed. "Oh, Hayden. I think I should never have suggested it."

"Really?"

She shrugged. It was her turn to feel embarrassed. "Well, I think it's obvious that we... that we're... attracted to each other."

"I'd say so."

Natalie met his eyes and couldn't help but smile at his playful grin. "I think I suggested that we wait to... I thought you only wanted me because of what Sidney said."

Hayden's eyes widened and his eyebrows shot up. "What?"

"That night at the restaurant. When you told me what Sidney said, my first thought was that was why you wanted to see me again."

"What, because I thought you were easy?"

Natalie flinched at his words and tone. He sounded upset and she couldn't blame him. She realized now that it had been a terrible assumption to make. He'd been funny and nice to her the night they met and he'd given her no reason to think he was that much of a cad. Her thinking that about him was as bad as him repeating the gossip about her.

"I'm sorry, Hayden." She pressed her hands to his chest and met his eyes as heat warmed her cheeks. "I shouldn't have and it was wrong."

He still looked a little hurt but he offered her a crooked smile as she apologized. "I guess we both handled things badly from the start."

Natalie let out a nervous laugh and nodded. "I guess we did. That's why I wanted to start over, with no assumptions, no mistakes."

"Natalie, no relationship is ever that easy." He rubbed his palm against her bare back above her dress. "We can't just start over every time we say something stupid to each other."

Natalie nodded. She knew he was right and maybe she'd been coming at this the wrong way from the start. She'd been intimidated by his career and his age, and even his incredible sex appeal. She might not have admitted it, even to herself, but she'd thought he was too much for her to handle. She was younger and less experienced and she'd let that affect her judgment of him. It wasn't fair to either of them.

With a gentle tug, Hayden pulled her close and kissed her forehead as she rested her cheek on his shoulder. She offered him a weak smile, still feeling inadequate for this amazing man. She would have to find a way to get over her own hang-ups and give their relationship a chance.

"Uh, Hayden?"

"Hmm?" His lips were moving over her hair again and he was breathing her in.

"You said relationship." She knew she might sound immature again but she didn't want to make any more assumptions.

He grinned and nodded. His hand slipped up to cup the back of her head. "I did."

"Does that mean you're...?" She let her question trail off, losing her nerve.

"If you'll have me, I would like to be your boyfriend." There was a teasing glint in his eyes and Natalie smiled in response. He wasn't mocking her with his formal words and he'd known what she wanted to know without her having to say it.

He might just be the man of my dreams, she thought with a giddy laugh.

"I'll have you, Hayden. Do you want me to be your girlfriend?"

"I thought I'd proven that a few minutes ago?"

They laughed together and Natalie hugged him close, burying her nose in his throat. She inhaled his masculine scent and sighed happily. She wasn't sure how long they remained like that, still rumpled from their lovemaking, but she would have happily stayed in his arms for decades.

"I suppose I should walk you inside." Hayden broke the silence after a few minutes.

"I suppose you're right."

Natalie pulled herself up onto the seat and accepted her underwear from Hayden with a blush. She wriggled into them and straightened her skirt as best as she could. Hayden buttoned his shirt and pulled his jacket on. He didn't bother with his tie and shoved it into his pocket. Natalie was buttoning her coat as Hayden got out of the limo.

They were quiet as they walked, arm-in-arm, to her room. He insisted on walking her all the way to her door and she smiled up at him when they got there.

"I had a great time," she said and grinned when he laughed. "I did! You've made up for it in the last hour."

Hayden pulled her close and tipped her chin up with one finger. "I'm glad." He kissed her, a light, teasing stroke of his lips on hers and then he stepped back. "I'll call you tomorrow."

"OK." She opened her door and tiptoed quietly inside. Turning back, she whispered 'goodnight' to Hayden and watched him walk down the hall. Then she closed her door and leaned her shoulder against it, letting out a satisfied sigh.

***

Although Hayden and Natalie gave up on trying to keep their hands off of each other, they also spent a lot of time together without getting physical. Luckily - or maybe unluckily - Hayden's job and Natalie's classes kept them from spending every waking hour together. When Hayden went on the road with the team, they talked on the phone nightly. If he was in New York, they'd get together on weekends whenever they could. Timing was difficult, especially since Natalie had exams to worry about once December rolled around.

Hayden did his best to be supportive and he didn't push for too much. Instead, he savored the days and nights they were able to align their schedules. When she could go, he got her tickets to home games as well. He didn't tell her, but he wished she could attend all the home games. She'd think he was being silly but he knew he played better whenever she was in the crowd. She truly had become his lucky charm. It was a dangerous thought for a goalie to have and he kept it to himself.

On a day early in December, he was just getting back to New York from a road trip into Eastern Canada when his phone rang. Seeing that it was Natalie, he set his bag down just inside his front door to answer.

"Hello, Natalie."

"Hi." She sounded tired and Hayden's heart went out to her. She'd been working so hard getting ready for her finals. "Are you home?"

"Yeah, I just walked in."

"Great. Can I come over?"

Hayden grinned, pleased that she was the one asking for a change. He didn't like to think he'd begged her every other time, but he'd come close, that's for sure. Not that there's anything wrong with that, he told himself. "Of course. I'll order something in for dinner."

She laughed but even that sounded tired. Hayden ached to put his arms around her to offer what comfort he could.

"Don't you ever cook?"

"When do I have time to learn how to cook? I'm busy playing hockey."

"Hmm, maybe I'll have to give you some lessons."

An image of Natalie standing in his underused kitchen wearing nothing but lacy panties and an apron flashed through his mind. He swallowed with difficulty and ran a hand through his hair. "Maybe," he replied hoarsely.

"I just need to finish up a paper and then I'll grab a cab. I can be there in an hour."

Hayden glanced at the clock and nodded. "All right. I'll have dinner ready when you get here." Just like he'd wanted, his joke got another tired laugh, then they ended the call.

True to her word, Natalie walked into his place in just over sixty minutes. She gave him a weak smile and Hayden didn't hesitate to pull her into his arms, heavy winter coat and all. She smelled just as fantastic as he remembered and his body reacted to her immediately.

They no longer worried about wanting each other physically. In addition to learning how to please each other, they'd shared many other things together; family history, embarrassing stories and plans for the coming year.

"Oh, thank you, Hayden," Natalie said, her voice muffled against his chest. "I needed that."

"I'm happy to help." He put his hands on her shoulders and bent to look into her face. "What's up? You don't usually want to come over on a weeknight."

She laughed as she unzipped her jacket and pulled off her scarf. "Don't I?"

Hayden hung everything up for her and pulled her close again for a kiss. She melted against him with a little sigh that sank right into his bones. In the past month and a half, he'd become seriously addicted to this woman and all her little noises.

"Come eat," he suggested as he pulled back with a smile. "I made Thai!"

She laughed and poked him in the ribs. "You did not!"

"Well, I ordered it."

They sat at the kitchen table and Hayden handed her a plate. He tried to draw her into conversation but she seemed more hungry than chatty. After they were done, she helped him tidy up and Hayden decided he didn't want to stay in the dark. He wanted to know what was wrong so he could make it better for her. It might be terribly macho and bordering on obsessive, but he cared for her and he wanted to make her happy.

So while she was facing the kitchen sink, wringing out a dish cloth, he moved behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. She stiffened for a second before relaxing back into his body. He dropped his chin to her shoulder and turned his face so his nose brushed her neck. Her responding shiver brought a smile to his face.

"Natalie, tell me what happened to day to bring you down."

She sighed and shook her head. "Nothing happened."

"Natalie..."

She turned in his arms and smiled at him. He saw the lines around her mouth and the dark circles under her eyes and still, she was absolutely beautiful. His stomach gave an involuntary flip when she lifted onto her toes to kiss him.

"Honestly. It was just a busy week and I failed my practice exam for one of my courses."

"That sucks." He didn't know if that was the right thing to say but it made her smile. "But it was just a practice?"

"Yeah. Madison told me I was overreacting and she suggested I take a break."

Hayden had to laugh at that. "So you're here because Madison told you to come?"

"No!" She protested and laughed with him. "I came because I wanted to see you." She paused and lowered her lashes.

Hayden bit back a groan when he saw her start to nibble on her bottom lip.

"I missed you."

"I missed you, too. I don't care what made you come over tonight, as long as you're here. That's all that matters."

She looked up at him again and opened her mouth to speak. He stopped her, laying his lips over hers and kissing her instead. She moulded her body to his and Hayden dropped his hands to cup her bottom, dragging her even closer. He wasn't sure how long she clung to him like that, her tongue teasing his, but he would have happily stayed like that all night long. She gave her hips a little thrust, bumping against him and he jerked his head up, sucking in a breath.

"What are you trying to do?" His voice came out as something resembling a growl and she smiled impishly at him.

"I'm trying to relieve my stress," she replied in a matter-of-fact tone. "Don't you want to help me with that?"

Hayden narrowed his eyes at her and bent his head down, as if to take her lips in another kiss. He watched her pupils expand and felt her soft exhalation as she parted her lips in anticipation. At the last moment, he moved his lips away, caressing her cheek and moving on to her sensitive ear lobe. She let out a sound, something halfway between a sigh and a moan, and Hayden wrapped both his arms around her waist.

Then he lifted her off her feet, holding her against his body as he turned them. Natalie held on to his shoulders, pressing her lovely breasts against his chest and she opened her mouth on his neck. Hayden had thought he could make it to the bedroom but he stopped at the kitchen table, resting her back on the edge. She looked up at him, a startled look on her face.

Before she could speak, he claimed her lips in a fierce kiss. His tongue swept inside and slid over hers, taunting, teasing. Natalie moaned, her fingers clenching and gathering his shirt into her hands. Hayden shoved a thigh between her knees, nudging her legs apart and he stepped close. He dropped a hand to her backside and pulled her against him, letting her feel what she'd done to him with just a few kisses. Then he bit down on her lower lip and opened his eyes to see her mouth open wide to take in a gasping breath.

He grinned and released her lip with a sucking noise before moving down her cheek and the smooth column of her throat. He turned his face and rubbed his bristly chin against her skin, knowing how much she liked it. Her response was a full-body shudder that rocked him to his very core. She was so responsive with him, every single time. He couldn't get enough of her. If it was possible, he'd have her like this every night.

As he enjoyed the flavor of her skin, tracing featherlight kisses across her collarbone, he felt her shift. She ran her hands down his torso and began to bunch his shirt in her hands, jerking up. When her warm fingers first brushed his stomach, he flinched. Her hands stopped moving on his body and he drew back to look into her face. As they stared at each other, she bit her lower lip and moved her hands lower, to the clasp of his jeans.

Hayden reached over his shoulders and hauled his shirt off as Natalie managed to open his jeans and slide his zipper down. Instead of reaching in, like he'd assumed she would, she scraped her fingernails up over the ridges of his abs. She kept her eyes locked on his as she slid her palms up his body, over his chest and around to the back of his neck. He shivered when he felt her fingers slide through his hair, tickling his scalp. Her eyes dropped when he slipped his hands beneath the hem of her shirt. He looked down and watched her, watching him.

"Do you like what you see?" he asked in a hoarse voice.

Her eyes flicked back up to his face and he bit the inside of his cheek when he saw the aroused flush in her cheeks. "Of course, but that's not why I was staring at you."

"No?" Hayden leaned close and planted a kiss on the upturned corner of her mouth. Her smile widened when he pulled away.

She shook her head and pulled on his neck until he leaned down and obliged her with a sweet kiss. While he was distracted by tasting her lips, Natalie slipped off the table and turned them around so that Hayden felt the table pressing into the back of his legs. She pulled out of the kiss, settling back on her feet. Hayden reached for her but she batted his hands away.

"Natalie-"

"Don't move," she ordered, holding a finger towards his chest.

Hayden was startled by her command but felt his lips curling up in a grin. He decided he liked this demanding side of her. He liked it even more when she took hold of his jeans and underwear, tugging them down as she sank to her knees in front of him. He barely had a moment to register what her intent was when he felt the first hot stroke of her tongue on him.

"Natalie, oh God!" He groaned and threw his head back when her lips wrapped around the tip of his straining erection.

Her hands stroked him in time with her mouth and he felt her tongue stroke along the length of him. Hayden panted as he struggled not to take hold of her head and thrust. She was driving him insane, slowly but surely insane. She pulled back and licked at the head and Hayden jerked against her before letting out a strangled moan.

"Natalie... s-stop..."

She didn't for a long second and Hayden wondered if she was trying to kill him. Then she leaned back, releasing him with an audible sucking noise and gazed up at him through dark lashes with an innocent smile.

"You want me to stop?"

He nodded, incapable of forming words. Bending at the waist, he grasped her shoulders and pulled her to her feet. She didn't resist, rising and going into his embrace. He slanted his mouth over hers, ruthlessly plunging his tongue into her mouth.

He moved one hand between them, frantically jerking at the button of her jeans. She helped him and in a second he was able to slip his hand inside. He found the damp crotch of her panties and pressed, eliciting a shuddering moan from her.

"How do you like that?" he growled into her ear as he licked her flushed skin. "This is the same torture you just put me through."

Her laugh was a little strained and a lot breathless and Hayden thrust his hand into her long, thick hair. He angled her chin up and nibbled on her swollen lips, teasing her with a stroke of his tongue. He continued to play with her, pressing and stroking his fingers of the thin fabric of her underwear until she was moaning, begging him to stop.

He pulled his hand out of her pants and pushed at the waist of her jeans until they fell over her hips to slide to the floor. Then he spun her around so she was resting on the edge of the kitchen table again. As he looked into her darkened eyes, she licked her lips and Hayden narrowed his eyes. He grasped the elastic of her panties on either side and yanked them down and off her legs. Keeping his gaze on hers, he cupped the back of her knees and moved between her thighs.

She sucked in a sharp breath as he brought his rigid length against her damp core. He shoved his hands under her shirt, wanting to feel the warm skin beneath. She reached down and pulled her shirt off over her head. Hayden's eyes flickered over her bared chest and he leaned forward to lap at her skin. She reached behind with one hand to unclasp her bra but Hayden didn't wait for her to do that. He pulled the cups of her bra down, releasing her breasts into his palms.

Without hesitation, Hayden leaned down and closed his lips around one perfect, taut nipple. Natalie moaned, arching her back and pressing more of her silky flesh into his mouth. He slid one arm around her waist to hold her against him. His cock pulsed against her center and they both moaned at the sensations that were beginning to overwhelm them.

"Please, Hayden," Natalie moaned in his ear, her fingers tangling in his hair.

He didn't need to be asked twice. He dropped one hand to take hold of himself, guiding the tip to her moist lips. She spread her legs wider with a gasp, arching, desperate to bring their bodies into full contact. He grinned wickedly down at her, teasing her by pressing the barest inch inside of her and no more.

She groaned and reached for his hip with one hand. Her legs lifted and hooked behind his thighs but he resisted, pulling out. "No!" she cried and her fingernails grazed the skin at his hip.

"Patience, Natalie," he murmured and kissed her, easing his tongue between her lips until she melted against him once more.

Then he thrust, sinking all of his hard length into her molten center. He froze, almost coming apart in that instant. She was so sweetly taut around him, her chest heaving against his and her lashes fluttering. He kept his lips on hers, continuing to tease as he held himself still inside of her. She moaned into his mouth and moved her hips. Hayden felt the slide of her body around him and he bit back a curse.

She was so amazing, so hot, all he wanted to do was pound into her, to lose himself in all her wet heat. If he did, he wouldn't last two seconds and he was determined to make this about her.

"Don't," he ground out, barely lifting his lips from hers.

She opened her eyes and he stared into the dark orbs. "Please, Hayden. I want to feel you."




Melting the Ice Ch. 03



"Don't you feel me?" He gave his hips a jerk, thrusting deep before stilling again.

"I want to feel you move," she replied, her breath coming faster. "Please, I want you to."

Hayden's resolve was crumbling fast in the wake of her soft entreaty. He pulled back and plunged deep, trying to keep his pace slow. But she was bound and determined to undo him. She rocked her body against his and threw her head back with a groan. Her legs tightened around his waist and he repeated the motion. Then again, pulling almost all the way out and then sliding back in.

"Oh, yes." The words fell from her lips in a husky voice that slipped through his last defenses and Hayden gave up trying to resist.

He didn't know why he bothered.

With his arm braced around her back, he tangled her hair around his other hand and bit down on her neck. As he thrust again, she cried out and he felt her coming around him. He growled as her body pulsed and throbbed against him and he began to thrust then. He pushed deep, sliding his hand lower to push on her bottom. Every time he thrust into her, he angled deeper, drawing out her orgasm until she was whimpering, all but hanging limp in his arms.

He lapped at the skin of her neck, tasting her sweat and all her unique feminine musk. She shuddered, riding through her climax and he continued to pump into her, bringing himself to the edge in a hurry. She dropped an arm back to brace against the table as his pounding body jarred her. Her fingers curled around his neck and he looked up into her face to see her eyes focused on him.

As their gazes meshed, he came. His mouth fell open on a silent cry and he pumped furiously into her, feeling her muscles clamp down on him. All the while, they gazed into each other's eyes, sinking into each other with every frantic stroke.

After a few minutes - hours, days, Hayden didn't know anymore - Natalie turned her head and pressed a moist kiss to his neck. He responded with a gentle rub of his cheek against hers. She giggled and shivered, his whiskers apparently tickling her. Her laughter trembled through her body and he groaned when he felt her muscles flutter around his softening member.

At last he pulled out of her and stood up straight. He stroked a gentle hand over her forehead, brushing her hair out of her eyes. "Better?"

She grinned and nodded. "Loads better. What would I do without you?"

He chuckled and leaned down to kiss her. If he had anything to say about it, she'd never have to do without him.

***

Natalie woke up some time during the night when she felt Hayden leave the bed. She rolled over and rubbed her eyes. The bedroom was dim, the only light coming from the washroom across the hallway. She was just dozing again when she felt the bed dip as Hayden climbed back in beside her.

She expected him to just lie down and go back to sleep but was pleasantly surprised when she felt his arms go around her middle. She melted into his embrace, smiling in the darkness when she felt his body curl around hers.

"I thought you were sleeping," he murmured into her shoulder and Natalie shivered as his warm breath tickled her.

"I was."

"I'm sorry I woke you."

The growing appendage against her backside told her otherwise. With a giggle, she rolled in his arms and smiled at his dark outline. It grew larger and she felt his breath on her lips a second before he kissed her. There was none of the urgency of their session in the kitchen now. The darkness and warmth surrounding them lent a lazy, intimate quality to their lovemaking.

Hayden took his time kissing her, exploring her mouth and tasting her. His hands were sure on her body but gentle and teasing as he stroked her. She rose to his caresses and gasped into his mouth as the intensity increased. In no time at all, he had her sweaty and writhing beneath his hard body.

Still, he kept his pace maddeningly slow, taking her to the edge but stopping short of tipping her over. He teased, taunted and made her cry out his name. She was whimpering and begging before he at last parted her thighs and drove himself deep inside of her. She came then, bucking under him and wailing as her orgasm ripped through her. Hayden chuckled darkly in her ear and continued to thrust into her. It was all Natalie could do to hold on to him until he groaned and tensed over her.

When they were both relaxed and breathing normally again, Natalie rested against Hayden's side, tucked in his warm arms.

"What time is it?"

He turned his head to look at his clock. "You really want to know?"

She groaned and buried her nose against his chest. "Maybe not. No, I do. Just hit me with it."

"One thirty."

"You bastard! What were you thinking waking me up at this time?"

He laughed and gave her a squeeze. "I was thinking, 'Gee, I've got this gorgeous woman in my bed, I should enjoy every moment I can.'"

Well, that was entirely too romantic for Natalie's befuddled brain to handle at this hour. She smiled and laid her cheek on Hayden's chest. Listening to his steady heartbeat soothed her and she felt her body relaxing towards sleep.

"How early do you have to be up?" His deep voice rumbled under her cheek and she came fully awake again.

"Up? Oh, not for hours."

"Don't you have a class on Wednesday mornings?"

She shrugged one shoulder and opened her mouth for a yawn. "I think it's just a study class. Then I have my regular schedule in the afternoon." She lifted her head and kissed the strong line of his jaw. "Plenty of time to wallow in your arms, Hayden."

He chuckled and drew her close, sealing his lips over hers for a delicious moment. When he pulled away, she settled back beside him with a sigh. "Maybe I'll make you breakfast in the morning."

She felt him tense at her suggestion and lifted her head to look at his shadowed face again. "Something wrong?"

He shook his head, a jerky motion. Smiling, Natalie propped herself up on his chest and looked down into his face. "Something about me cooking breakfast amuses you?"

"I have a fantasy about you cooking for me," he confessed.

Natalie couldn't help but laugh. "A fantasy? Do tell."

"I'll only tell if there's the slightest chance you'll make it come true."

"Hmm..." She pretended to consider as she felt Hayden's hands slide up her bare legs. Her breath caught as he stroked the curve of her thighs beneath her bottom and that was when she felt the growing muscle against her stomach. She laughed, giddy with desire for him. "Hayden!"

Hayden responded by rolling them and laying his body over hers. "You'll need to know the details so you can get my fantasy right."

"I don't recall agreeing to do it."

His deep chuckle vibrated through her body and she shuddered from the sensation. Who was she kidding? She'd do anything and everything to please this man. Somehow he'd become her entire world.

"It won't be hard," he said.

She giggled and pushed her hips up a little. "It sure feels hard."

He stilled her body with his hands and leaned down to stroke her neck with his tongue. "I meant my fantasy."

"Oh?" The word fell from her lips as little more than a breathy sigh.

"You'll need an apron," he told her. "And a pair of panties..."

***

As Hayden had no aprons, or any breakfast food to speak of - save cereal - the fulfillment of his fantasy would have to wait. Natalie promised when she woke in the morning that she'd do what she could to make his dreams come true. As they walked down the street to a nearby restaurant for breakfast, Hayden asked if she wanted to go to another game this week.

"I don't know." She shook her head, feeling some guilt creep up her spine over the fact that she was skipping class this morning. In the middle of the night, she'd told a small lie. There was a class this morning but she had wanted to spend more time with Hayden. The winter break was coming up and she'd be heading home to Buffalo, which meant that she wouldn't see Hayden after the following week.

"I really should concentrate. This one class I have, the one with the practice exam I failed? Well, it's a real bitch of a class. I need this grade to get my degree."

Hayden nodded as he gave her fingers a squeeze. "Why didn't you say so? I could have taken you home last night, Natalie."

"I wanted to stay."

"I just don't want to be the reason you're failing."

She laughed and this time it was her turn to squeeze his hand. "I appreciate that but it'd take more than a night in bed with you to make me fail a class."

He looked down at her with a smirk and she laughed again.

"If I'd been in real danger of failing, you wouldn't have heard from me for weeks!"

"Well, that's good. For me and your grades."

Natalie nodded. "I just want to get through everything and enjoy my holidays at home."

Hayden reached out to open the restaurant door for her but paused when she spoke. "Home? You're not going to be in the city for the holidays?"

"I'm planning to go to Buffalo to spend the holidays with my family."

They were seated in a few minutes and neither spoke as they removed their coats.

"I'm sorry if you're disappointed, Hayden." Natalie was the first to break the silence.

He shook his head and reached across the table for her hand. "I'm not, Natalie. Well, maybe I am a little but it's because my brother and his wife are going to be in New York." He paused and gave her that crooked smile she adored. "I wanted you to meet them."

Natalie's heart gave an involuntary thump and she smiled back at him. "I'd love to meet them. When do they arrive?"

"Not until the 20th."

"Oh, shoot. My exams are over on the 14th and I was planning on leaving for Buffalo that day. My last exam is in the morning and a couple of people from my dorm who are from Buffalo are going to carpool up there."

"I'll drive you," Hayden said.

Natalie drew back in surprise. "It's a long way, Hayden. You'll have games, won't you?"

Hayden pulled his phone out of his pocket to check his schedule. "The 14th? I have a game that night." He looked up at Natalie with an excited expression. "How about you come to the game and I drive you after? I don't have another game until the 16th."

Natalie laughed. "There's no way you'd be in any shape to drive after a game."

"Are you kidding? Even when we lose, I'm so wired after a game, I can't sleep for hours." He arched an eyebrow at her and grinned suggestively. "Don't you remember all the nights I'd call you?"

Natalie felt her body warm at the memory. Oh yes, she remembered. He would call her late on weekends and the phone calls always made her incredibly hot and usually left her with erotic dreams. It's why she'd always answer his calls. Even from thousands of miles away, he still made her crazy.

"I can't ask you to drive me all that way, Hayden," she said and shook her head. "It'll be late and it's a seven hour drive!"

"Then we can take turns driving." He leaned forward and took hold of her hand again. "Please, Natalie. I want to spend more time with you."

She looked into his blue eyes and smiled. He looked sincere so she found herself nodding along in another minute. "This way, I guess you can meet my parents too."

"Great!"

"Oh lord, they won't believe me when I tell them you're driving me to Buffalo."

Hayden laughed along with her and they made firm plans for the trip. After that, they ordered their breakfast and chatted until Natalie had to get back to school.

***

Natalie was excited when her last exam was over and she was getting ready to go to the game. Madison couldn't come with her, since she was already on her way home to New Jersey. Natalie decided she could brave the game on her own. She'd be leaving right after with Hayden and at the last few games, the patrons around her seat had been friendly. She figured it wouldn't be exactly like going alone.

As always, when Hayden skated around during warm-up with his team, he paused by Natalie's section and winked. Natalie felt ridiculously pleased when he did it this time and laughed when the girls behind her giggled and made comments.

Soon, the game was underway and Natalie was on the edge of her seat. It was still early enough in the season that there was no real urgency in every game but when the Rangers fell behind the New Jersey Devils in the first period, and struggled through the second, Natalie could feel the tension. She knew Hayden was frustrated as he made his way off the ice at the second intermission. She wanted to offer him some sort of comfort but she'd learned enough about him in their time together to know that when he was losing, or had just lost a game, he was a complete bear.

A cuddly, sexy-as-hell bear, she added silently and grinned like an idiot.

A short while later, the third period was in full swing and the Rangers were firing on all cylinders. Unfortunately, it wasn't working out for them. Natalie sat back in her seat with a groan as she watched the guys skate off the ice. Hayden was not going to be in the best of moods as they set out on their road trip.

In another few minutes, her cell phone rang and Hayden's low voice greeted her when she answered.

"I should be done in about fifteen minutes."

Natalie bit her lip. "Sure. I'll wait by the North entrance."

"Sounds good."

There was an awkward pause. Natalie could feel the tension coming through the phone and wanted to say something to make it better. She knew that anything she tried to say would just fall on deaf ears.

"Uh, I'm excited about our drive," she said instead.

That earned a deep chuckle and she smiled.

"Me too. I'll see you soon."

She hung up and hurried with the crowd through the building. She paced back and forth in front of the doors until Hayden showed up. He didn't say much, just gave her a hug and held her hand as they walked to his car. They joined the traffic leaving Madison Square Garden and Natalie wrung her hands in her lap as they remained silent.

"I'm sorry, Natalie." He was the first to speak, startling her.

"Why?"

"For being cranky." He gave her a sideways smile. "I just hate losing."

She rolled her eyes and reached over to pat his hand. "Who doesn't?"

"Losers."

With a laugh, Natalie wrapped her fingers around his hand and was pleased when he turned his hand over to return the caress.

"Well, it's over now and you've got nearly eight hours to mull it over." Natalie paused and looked at him. "You're not too tired to drive right now, are you?"

He snorted derisively and gave her fingers a squeeze. "Hardly. You were right the first time: I'm going to be mulling this loss over for a while."

"Why?" The question was out before she could stop it.

"Are you serious?"

In for a penny... she thought and plowed ahead. "Well, yeah. I mean, losing sucks, sure, but it's over now. Why dwell on it?"

Hayden gave her a narrow glance that normally had her squirming as her body reacted. This time, she felt like she was being given a reprimand.

"You're not an athlete, so you wouldn't understand."

His words hurt more than they should. Natalie tried to shrug it off and chalk it up to his foul mood but as the buildings receded and Manhattan disappeared behind them, she couldn't. Just because she was trying to be supportive didn't give him the right to belittle her like that. The more she thought about it, the more it upset her.

She wasn't sure how long they drove in silence. The city was well and truly behind them by the time either of them spoke.

"I'm sorry," Hayden broke the silence in a tone that was anything but sorry.

Natalie bristled at his tone and continued to look straight out the windshield.

"Don't you believe me?"

Natalie shrugged. Hayden smacked a palm against the steering wheel. The gesture startled her. She'd never seen Hayden do something like that. In fact, she'd never seen him in such a foul mood. She looked at him and saw his jaw clenched. He turned his face and met her gaze.

"I am sorry," he tried again, his voice still tense.

"I might believe you if you didn't sound like it hurt to say it."

"I don't know why you're upset."

Natalie's eyebrows lifted. "Are you kidding?"

"I'm not a mind reader, Natalie, and I don't play games."

She barked out a laugh. This conversation was not going well. Maybe we should have just stayed quiet, she thought.

"You play a game for a living!"

"That's different," he snapped.

"Obviously. You made it perfectly clear that I know nothing about it."

"Is that why you're mad at me?" He glanced over in time to see her shrug again. "I wasn't trying to be a jerk, Natalie. You're not an athlete so you don't know what it's like to lose."

"You may not have been trying to be a jerk, but you managed to accomplish it anyway."

"Damn it, Natalie, stop talking in circles!"

"Don't you yell at me!" she snapped and glared at him. "And stop taking your loss out on me. I didn't lose the game and even if I had, I wouldn't be treating my boyfriend like this."

Hayden looked at her and opened his mouth as if to say something. Natalie raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms over her chest. He scowled and turned his attention back to the dark road ahead of them.

After several tense minutes, Hayden blew out a noisy breath and reached for Natalie's hand. She resisted at first, wanting to hear an actual apology first, but she gave him her hand and remained silent as he took it.

"I'm sorry," he said in a quiet voice. "You're right. I shouldn't be taking it out on you."

Natalie didn't say anything at first. On one hand, she didn't want to start another argument and on the other, she didn't know what to say.

"Do you hate me?"

Natalie looked over and met his uncertain gaze. "Of course not."

"Then why won't you say anything?"

"We had a fight, Hayden. That's all."

"You don't hate me? Even though I've been a prick ever since we left the city?"

Natalie grinned and returned the squeeze of his hand. "I don't hate you, I promise. And the prickness will wear off soon, won't it?"

Hayden chuckled at her made-up word and shrugged. "I don't know. I really hate losing."

Natalie rolled her eyes and rested her cheek on the back of her seat as she studied his profile. "I know. I'm sorry you lost."

"It was so stupid, too," he went on, clenching his fingers around the steering wheel. "I should have had that last shot. It was coming right at me. Then Ryder pushed Sid and I lost sight of it."

Natalie nodded in understanding. It had been a bit of a fluke goal and she didn't blame Hayden for being ticked about it.

Hayden went on to vent all his frustration over the game as he drove. Natalie smiled and frowned as he talked about one botched play or another. He became incensed as he described one missed call when a Devil had blatantly pushed him over. Most of all, Natalie just listened to him talk. Not only was it one of her favorite spare time activities - he truly had the sexiest voice - but she was so pleased that he was opening up and sharing so much with her. It's not that he kept things from her, but the game, his career, he rarely talked to her about it.

Her eyes began to feel heavy at one point and Hayden glanced over at her.

"You should try to sleep a bit." He gave her fingers a squeeze.

"Why?"

"Because you're halfway there already. I'll wake you in another couple hours to relieve me."

Natalie's eyes snapped open all the way and she fixed him with a firm glare. "You'll wake me the second you start to feel too tired."

He chuckled and nodded. "Whatever you say, tiger."

She nodded, satisfied with his response and made herself comfortable in her seat. She drifted off, still clutching his strong hand in hers.

***

Hayden felt the tug of sleep behind his eyes. Between the empty dark highway in front of him and Natalie's soft snoring beside him, it was a wonder he'd lasted as long as he had. He let himself stew for as long as he could about the game. That kept his blood up and kept him alert for the first hour and a half.