Chloe

The first game is fast approaching as it is literally in two days time and everything has been going so much more chaotic than usual. The players are stressed, staff are stressed which means in turn I am stressed too.

It's been almost two weeks since Alexander gave me the medal and I've kept it near me ever since. Be it in the bag when I'm at work or on the nightstand if I'm home. I might have been wearing his shirt to bed almost every night unless it's a wash day. But that's obviously besides the point.

"Girl, so what will you say if we fly to Atlanta to watch the first game? I know you love hockey more than most and I got tickets." This girl. What did I do to deserve her?

"Are you freaking shitting me? Katie, how?" it is a pretty known fact that it's almost impossible to get tickets to the first game and with how busy I was, I just didn't get the chance.

And yes, she asked me to call her Katie since apparently I insisted it suits her well. Absurd as any name would suit her but I do remember some of my gibberish from that night.

"Well, I knew which game would be their first and got the tickets as soon as they went on sale. I'm pretty good at catching any sale, be it shoes or a game. So are you in?" she asked waving her phone and I nodded like a stupid teen.

"Katie, you are honestly the best. Let me pay for our tickets. We have to leave probably tonight. The game on Sunday is an early one." I was always good at planning and loved doing so. I do prefer to have a little more time to organise everything, but of course, Katie is one of those 'go with the flow' kind of people. I'm too anxious for that.

"Might be a good idea as the only thing I planned is the tickets itself. Then I forgot about them and well got the reminder about it this morning." She smiles sheepishly. Yup, as I said go with the flow. Not my forte.

"Kind of figured that one." I laugh as I grab my laptop from my desk and motion her to follow. It's lunchtime anyway. Good use of it since my hunger suddenly disappeared as the excitement and the anxiety took over.

"Let's plan out the first girls' trip then. We better make it count." Pulling up a tickets app I search for the flights. Unsurprisingly most of the good flights are gone or are being sold at a ridiculous price. After a little while I did manage to find an alright flight departing at 11:30 pm. We might be tired tomorrow, that is the least of my concerns though. We get to explore Tampa on Saturday and watch the game on Sunday. Win, win.

"Watcha doing Chloe?" Liam is standing over Katie and me with no doubt Alexander following close behind. The lucky bastards got their flights booked a long time ago so they are flying at 7 pm tonight and will have plenty of time to rest and be on ice tomorrow at dawn to have one more practice.

"Nothing that you need to worry about, Knox." Katie bites back before I even get the chance to open my mouth. What happened between those two again?

Her mood and opinion of Liam changed kind of a lot but she still refuses to talk about it. She keeps saying it's nothing important and he is a nobody to her. That is one of the biggest lies that I've heard but gotta respect her silence. Won't stop pushing her a little more, hopefully, one day she will change her beaten-up response.

"Don't be such a party pooper, Smith." Liam goes to ruffle Katie's hair but she flinches and I think that gets her point across more than clearly as Liam puts his hands up in defence. Lovers drama ain't no fun. One of many reasons why I am single and will stay that way. No matter how much my body craves the touch of certain someone.

"Liam, you annoying the girls again." Welp, speak of the devil and he shall appear. I don't have to turn around to know who the voice belongs to. I know it a little too well.

"Nah, just tried to get in on whatever that they are doing." At Liam's comment, I shut the computer as Kate was right about the fact it's none of their business. Liam is the number one fan of gossip so if he even gets the sniff of us travelling to see their game - the whole team will know.

I rather avoid working during my days off and I know those guys. They will find any reason to push their obligations on Kate or me. The players love to get the most done by doing the absolute bare fucking minimum.

"As Katie said, none of your business. That includes you too, Alexander." I point at him as I grab my laptop and get up from our table. Kate and I prefer the table in the far corner as most don't bother us. Unfortunately, some didn't get the memo.

"Whatever you say, Kotenok." He smiles but makes no move to move out of my way so I have to squish my way in between the table and him to go past. I try my hardest to not let the feel of his toned body against mine but my nipples, apparently also part of the crew who don't get the memo, harden as my body passes his.

Fuck, he is too hot for my own good so I move as quickly as I can, getting myself out of this situation. My body craves his, after all, he was always my wet dream. Now he is no more just a dream and my body knows that a little too well.

Katie catches up to me and we both speed walk away from the cafeteria. Her curls bounce along as she grimaces a little.

"We never get a break from them, do we?" Usually, she'd tease me about Alexander to say something not PG-appropriate but not today. Today, she is upset with Liam so at least I get her on my side fully.

"That's why we can't breathe a word about us being in Tampa this weekend." I point it out and she nods as she grins. It's our little secret and even though no one is stopping us from travelling to the game, it's more fun to keep it a secret.

After I finish work and wait for Kate to do the same, I look at a few hotels and find one which I think will work best. Not only does it have two beds in a really spacious, 40 square meter room, but also the hotel has a spa with a sauna, pool and steam room that any guest can use. The best feature; is open 24 hours.

The price being more or less fair for a game weekend, I booked it without confirming it with Kate but knowing her as long as it's not a parking lot she will be fine with it.

Alexander Starkov: Just got on to the plane, thinking of you. Will you be watching my first game?

I drop my phone onto the desk as I realise that Alexander just absolutely butt dialled, well texted. Is he dating someone? I shouldn't care, I know, but for some dumb reason, I do.

I leave the text on read, not sure what to say and not sure if I should. He will soon realise he texted the wrong person and delete it. I will save him from the embarrassment of admitting to accidentally his colleague, technically that's what we are. Colleagues, one who just earns a lot more and so much more influential but that's beside the point.

Alexander Starkov: Don't leave me on read, котенок. Fuck.

No way, he must be taking a piss.

This man is too much for me.

"Ready to go." Kate's voice makes me drop my phone with a gasp and I try to recover as quickly as I can, but she notices. Just like me, she is perceptive.

"Yeah, let's go. Also, hope you don't mind, I got us a hotel as it looked pretty awesome and it's pretty close to the stadium." OI try to distract her with the upcoming game and it works. The conversation seamlessly flows as we get out of the arena and get to our cars, where we absolutely parked next to each other.

"I'll see you at the airport at 11 pm?" she asks and I nod as we both got TSA precheck, I rather have more time to pack and get ready than spend unnecessary time and money at the airport.

"Yup, don't be late." We both get into our cars and she drives off first. I wait for an extra few minutes before texting Alexander back.

Me: Have a safe flight. Blunt and to the point but I couldn't ignore him. I truly hate leaving people on read.

*

At the airport Kate and I decided it would be an amazing idea to go to a bar and get a few drinks before our departure so by the time we got on the flight we were more than tipsy. Well, I am more than tipsy but never said I like to fly sober. I might not drink often but I am an anxious flyer and alcohol absolutely helps.

"Oooooh, they got drinks on board." Katie says next to me as she looks through the drink and food booklet while I look at the safety one. We are like two sides of the same coin.

The flight went by quite quickly, with me downing half of Kate's drinks and apologising every time there was any king of a bump in the air as I squeezed the dear life out of her.

When we land I almost become a believer and thank the lord but probably should thank the pilots. It was a bumpy ride but a smooth landing.

As soon as Kate and I get to the airport we grab our room key and decide to separate. She wants to hit the bar and at 1 am I really rather sleep but my muscles scream at me so I opt for the steam room.

She waves me goodbye and I head into the bathroom to put my bikini on. I took my newest, white little bikini that covers all the important parts but barely. When it comes to the hot areas I rather be as exposed as possible.

I leave the room in the bathrobe which is comfy enough that I honestly considering stealing it. Getting to the Spa floor I'm met with a nice concierge who takes my room number and after a quick safety breathing, I'm left alone. One am spa time has its own perks of having practically personal spa amenities at my disposal.

So quiet and so empty, my introvert is more than happy.

I spend a good while in the steam room and the pool but not being able to explore the sauna i decide to take a little detour to my room and explore it as well. Saunas are not my favourite as it's usually too dry but beggars can't be choosers.

After laying my towel I add some water to the coals and am about to lie down but the movement at the door catches my eyes.

Fuck, please don't use the sauna but fate likes to play unfairly and the doors open.

I try to ignore but the giant that walks in is no other than Alexander Starkov and he's wearing a towel around his waist and that's it.

His chest glisters with water droplets and I can't find the strength in my own willpower to look or move away.

He is practically naked in front of me and his gaze is hotter than the sauna.

"Fuck, am I dreaming?" He whispers as if only to himself but the sauna ain't exactly large so the words are more than loud enough for me to hear.

"What are you doing here, and I mean the sauna? It's past 1 am." I mumble not really sure what to say. This is one of the better hotels around and I knew there was a chance that they were staying here but this is the last place I thought I'd see any players at this hour. They have a game on Sunday so the last practice is tomorrow. They have to be ready for it which means rested.

"No reason, I was going to wait but fuck the consequences." Alexander almost grows as he gets closer to me.

I don't get the chance to ask what he means as he says the words I really didn't think I would actually hear.

"I want that kiss now." Well, fuck.