Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Chapter 6: A New Use For Kitchen Counters

CHAPTER 6

Dinner went well. The guys were like bottomless pits, and although she knew they probably shouldn’t have, when Melany asked them if they wanted more they all lifted their plates toward the casserole dish. Erin had been smart in saying that they make two pans of baked spaghetti.

No one really said much while they ate, but when Erin sucked a noodle through her mouth she didn’t see Geno stare at her. Or the way his eyes widened as he watched it disappear. The others saw it though and Melany had to hide a smile. Erin was actually pretty shy so Mel doubted that anything she did was on purpose. Well, she was about ninety-five percent sure it that wasn’t an act.

Lost in her own thoughts she didn’t notice Sid staring at her. In fact, she didn’t notice anything else until she heard a grunt and looked up to find him glaring at Max. She quirked an eyebrow at the two of them but Max just sent her a sexy smile and a wink. She chuckled and shook her head. That guy is such a tease. But he is pretty adorable. She moved her gaze over to Sid, who was now staring intently at his plate.

“Did you want something else Crosby?” His head shot up.

"No. I was just… Max and I were discussing something and he didn’t like my answer.”

“And so your response was to grunt at him? That really doesn’t make any sense you know.”

“See Kid, even she can tell that you’re full of it. So Melany, what is that smell coming from the kitchen? It’s making me hungry all over again.”

“Good lord Max! You have room left in there for more?”

“There’s always room for something that tastes delicious.”

“But you don’t know if it tastes delicious. You can only smell it. How do you know I didn’t make something horrible?”

“If something smells that good, it’s going to taste even better. I’ve never been wrong about this before.” He said it with an even tone but she saw the heat in his eyes and had to look away before she blushed at his double meaning.

“Well… it should be done. So why don’t you guys go back into the living room while Erin and I will clean up and get everything ready.”

“But you’ve done everything else so far,” Sid said. “Let us do something.”

“No, no,” Erin replied. “This was our idea, just go relax. Go make room in those bottomless pits you call stomachs.”

They both shooed the guys out of the dining room. Once the last one had his butt through the doorway Melany turned to Erin.

“Were you trying to make Geno sweat or what?”

“What on earth are you talking about?”

“The slurping noodles thing. I thought we were gonna hear a knock at his end of the table when you did that. His eyes went wide and his grip on his fork was almost lethal.”

“I didn’t even think of it. I was just doing what I always do when I eat spaghetti.”

“That’s what I thought. Well, it was a great show none-the-less.”

They both laughed as they carried plates and silverware into the kitchen. After rinsing and dumping them into the dishwasher, the two grabbed six bowls and spoons. Erin also stopped by the freezer to get out the ice cream. She headed back into the dining room while Mel turned off the oven and opened the door. She pulled out the pan of yummy goodness, watching the crisp bubble around the corners. Hope they like it.

She lifted it out of the oven and started toward the table, calling for the guys at the same time. They were back in so quick that she figured they had just been standing around the door, waiting to be let back into the room.

“Good grief,” she said as she looked up. “It’s like a stampede of elephants running through the house! How is it that you guys stay so fit when it sounds like the complete opposite?”

Max slid to a stop in front of the table and flashed her a toothy grin.

“Well, I don’t know about these three, but I have a lot of extracurricular activities to keep myself in shape.” After saying that he gave her a huge, fake wink and she burst out laughing. He smiled back and held out a bowl for his dessert like a kid at summer camp. After scooping some of the crisp into the bowl he moved down so Erin could put a couple scoops of ice cream over top the sugary, gooey mass. Melany shook her head and looked up to see who was next. Sid stood there with a stony expression on his face.

“Hey Crosby, why so serious?” She tried to make the words come out sexy but felt like it sounded more like Heath Ledger as the Joker. He smiled though so she figured either possibility would work. As she put his food into the bowl a little splashed onto her hand.

“Ouch! Fu.. udge, that’s hot! Be right back. You guys finish serving yourselves!” She yelled the last part as she jogged into the kitchen to run her hand under some cool water.

“You ok in here?”

Mel jumped and a small yelp escaped as she turned to see Sid standing against the center island of the kitchen. He could be quiet when he wanted to as well. He blushed a little and mumbled an apology.

“S’ok. Yeah, I’m good. I didn’t think it was anything to worry about, just wanted to get it wiped off and cooled down so I could see if I would need to try and raid Geno’s bathroom cabinet. That worried me more than any possible injury!”

“Here, let me look at it.”

He grabbed her hand to take a closer look at it and she jumped again. He lifted his head to look at her and watched as a blush crept up her cheeks. Maybe I have more of an effect on her then she’s letting on. This could be helpful.

“Why don’t you sit on the counter? Then you can turn your hand over better for lighting.”

She stared at him for a moment and then hopped up onto the counter, putting her hand back in front of him. With a towel beside him he peered at her palm and wrist, noting that there was no blister forming or anything more than a slight red mark about two inches long crossing diagonally over her main vein. He used the towel to pat it dry. “This always made my boo-boos feel better.” He heard her snort the word ‘boo-boo’ as he leaned in and his lips pressed against it for a split second. He glanced up at her when he heard a whimper escape from her lips.

“Did that hurt?” She shook her head no. Sid brought his hand up and brushed his thumb over her bruise.

“Want me to kiss this one too?” She nodded her head. He leaned in, touching his lips to her skin so gently that it felt more like a caress. He pulled back and looked at her.

“Anything else hurt?” She smiled.

“I bit my lip during dinner.” Sid smiled and pushed her legs apart. He stood between them and wrapped his arms around her waist while pulling her toward him and she fisted her hands in his shirt as his lips met hers. She still tasted like spaghetti sauce and he tilted his head to try and devour more of her mouth. He heard her moan and he chuckled as he brought her bottom lip between his teeth, nibbling on it as she let out a small laugh. He pulled away looking a little confused.

“I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t laugh, but you were running your hand over my side so softly… I’m pretty ticklish and so while it should’ve felt soothing and sensual, it just made me giggle.”

“I’ll have to remember that bit of information. I bet it’ll come in handy sometime!”

“Crosby, that’s not nice at all. It’s like premeditated blackmail. I’m pretty sure you can go to jail for that.”

“You wouldn’t really have me arrested would you?”

“No, I’d rather punish you myself!”

“Do you do that sort of thing a lot?”

“Oh yeah, I have handcuffs and whips and rope in my bag. Carry it around at all times just in case!”

Sid blinked a couple times and just stared at the woman in front of him. He thought that she was joking but he wasn’t completely sure. He didn’t know that much about her yet. She could be telling the truth. As he looked at her she burst out laughing.

“Calm down Crosby! There’s nothing like that in my bag. You can look in it if you don’t believe me.”

“I believe you… I just haven’t got the hang of your sense of humor yet. You have amazing lips though.” He reached up to run a finger over her mouth and as he traced her lower lip she stuck her tongue out, following his movement and licking his finger. He swallowed hard before grabbing her and gluing his mouth to hers again.

Sid ran one hand down to her waist, wrapping it around her to keep her close, and the other hand dove into her hair, his fingers curling around the dark strands and pulling softly for her to turn her head for better access. When she didn’t, he pulled a little harder and was rewarded with the tilt and a moan. The noise went straight to his head… the southern one, and his brain filled with images of the two of them in various positions here in the kitchen. And oh how he wanted to act them all out one by one.

He relinquished her lips, moving his hand from her hair and down her neck, feeling the pulse that was throbbing, and moving lower until both hands were at the waistband of her shirt. He looked into her eyes, trying to gauge her reaction. Her pupils dilated as he started to raise the hem. His fingers touched bare skin and he finally took his eyes off her face to see what he was uncovering. The fabric lifted higher and a piece of teal and lace came into view. She lifted her hands in the air so he could continue and gold embroidery joined the teal. He ran one digit over the pattern. When she sucked in a breath his own caught in his throat as her chest pushed forward toward him.

“You don’ want to waste any time eh cap-i-tan?” Sid stood rigid and tried to make sure he was covering her from prying eyes.

He pulled her shirt back down and felt her rest her hands on his shoulders. Then she peered over him to find Max leaning in the doorway with an amused smile on his face. “You’re just jealous I didn’t fall for you and that accent of yours.”

“Please don’ let me stop you. But you might want to make sure Geno is ok with you christening his kitchen. I’ll just go tell him what your plans are so that he knows what’s going on.”

“Maxime Talbot you will do no such thing!” Sid blinked and turned to his teammate. No one called Max by his full name. Ever. Max, Talbo, Talbot… a couple other names that were only used in the locker room… but Maxime? No. He looked at Melany once more and then back to Max, who still wore that smile. Then, with a small nod he chuckled, walking back toward the rest of the group.

Sid turned back to Melany who was just smiling from ear-to-ear.

“That’s the second time we’ve been interrupted tonight. I’m starting to see a pattern here. You know, if we wander around this place I bet we could find some privacy. Another ‘third time’s a charm’. Whaddya say?”

“Just what kind of girl do you think I am Crosby?”

“I didn’t mean it in a bad way… I just… the way you responded before… I thought that you might… you know, wanna pick up where we left off. But I didn’t mean to insinuate that you were ‘that kind’ of a woman! We can just go finish dessert and that’s it!”

“So you don’t really want to find a more private place?”

“Of course I do! But I don’t pressure women. I think you want me too, but I don’t know everything… Do you want me?”

He watched her nod her head.

“Well, what do you think we should do about this then?”

“Have you seen Geno’s entire house before?”

“Yeah. I’ve been over a few times.”

“So you already know where we could go for some privacy?”

“I’ve got a couple ideas…”

She stared at him for a second and then jumped off the counter. Without looking at him she walked over and grabbed her purse before heading for the doorway. Way to go, you just lost your chance at this one. Should’ve taken it slower. He gazed up at the ceiling, wondering if there was something he could say to make her stay.

“Crosby…” His vision centered on her, staring at her leaning with one arm in the doorway. “I’d hate myself if I walk out of here right now… but I want you to know that I’ve never done this. I mean, I’ve done it… I’ve just never done this!” she brought her hand up and smacked her forehead. Well, nice to know I’m not the only one who is a little nervous here.

Without another word he walked over to her and grabbed one of her hands. Smiling down at her he started through the downstairs until he came to the staircase. He took a step up and turned to her one more time.

“Having second thoughts there Siddo?”

“No,” he said with a smile. “Just… wanted to say that I’m glad I hit you with the puck…”

“Me too, me too.”

He laughed at the rueful grin on her face and started up the stairs with her right behind him. Neither of them noticed the four set of eyes watching them or the smiles on those faces. They reached the top of the stairs and Sid led her down a hallway until he came to the next-to-the-last door on the right. He opened the door for her and followed behind when she walked in. he shut the door behind him, clicked the lock and turned back to Melany. She smiled and ran to him, knocking him back against the door as she pulled his mouth down to hers. One thought crossed his mind as he felt her tongue slide against his lips. I knew dessert was going to be wonderful.


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I hope you guys find the update worth while for your wait! I just... had some problems focusing here... But, I did end up doing something to help me work through my writer's block! Check out my other blog: Hockey Short Stories. I've got a one shot and the start of a Max story, just seeing how other people like it*

5 comments:

  1. this was a GREAT chapter!! glad to hear that the writers block is gone. i cant wait for more!!!

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  2. I LOVE IT...cant wait to see what happens next

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  3. I must say that I love Max! And this were definitely getting heated in the kitchen. I can't wait to see where this goes. =]

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  4. Great story so far! I can't wait to read more!

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  5. Great job! Worth wating for it....

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