Collide (Oh, Pioneers!) Page 4

  “Thanks.” She blushed, her voice fading into a gasp as Alexei’s lips followed his fingers across the design. She gasped, squirming away from his touch, but he had her pinned. Soon, he moved on to her jeans. He grinned up at her as he unbuttoned them, kissing the sensitive skin as it was revealed. Tori panted and had to grab at the blanket on the bed for something to anchor herself to.

  Alexei paused and feigned an innocent expression, inquiring, “Something wrong?”

  “Yes. This is unfair.”

  “Unfair?” At his confused look she slipped out from underneath him and pushed at his shoulders until he was on his back and then sat astride him. Soon she had the buttons on his shirt undone and was doing her own investigation of his upper body; he had no tattoos marring his pale skin, and no hair either, but plenty of hard muscles. She took her time tracing each one, her hands drifting lower and lower down his abdomen -- much the same way he had done to her -- and occasionally sneaked peeks at his face to see his reactions. Judging from how he was breathing, and the way his hands clenched into fists sporadically he was barely holding on. She smirked to herself; payback was a bitch, and she was having fun dealing it out.

  Her triumph didn’t last for long; Alexei soon grew tired of her teasing him and flipped her over so that he was on top again. His lips claimed hers in a hungry, heated kiss as he quickly stripped her of her bra and tossed it aside.

  Tori bit her lip, suddenly worried. She was not flat-chested, but she was not well endowed either. However, Alexei did not seem to mind, or, if he did, he was wise enough not to comment. He cupped her breasts in his hands, teasing her nipples into tight peaks with his thumbs. Then, flashing her another boyish smile, he lowered his mouth to one. Tori moaned as he drew the nipple into his mouth and sucked on it, grazing it gently with his teeth. She lifted her chest, offering up more as he ran his tongue over and around the puckered flesh.

  Meanwhile, he had finished unzipping the fly to her jeans with his free hand. He slid it beneath her underwear, finding her clit and circling it. Her nerves pulsed with each stroke across it, and she felt herself grow damp with her increasing desire. She longed for something to fill it, and spread her legs for him. He looked up at her, his brown eyes burning with his own desire, as his touch brushed over her slick folds searching for her entrance. He found it and wasted no time in sliding his fingers inside her. In and out they went, first one, then two as he searched for that sensitive spot inside of her. Tori squirmed, panting, when he finally found it.

  Suddenly he stopped, leaving a dull ache behind. She opened her eyes and found him standing over her at the end of the bed, fumbling with the buckle on his belt. He jerked his head at her pants, “Those need to come off. All the way off.”

  Tori began to happily comply but soon stopped to stare at Alexei in awe. He had slid his pants and boxers over his hips and down his thighs, revealing his cock. Though she suspected he was uncircumcised -- she had heard a rumor that most Europeans were -- she had not expected it to be so large. In hindsight, she should have expected it would be proportionate to his height and build as anything smaller would have looked odd. Despite its size, it stood out away from his body proudly, its head ruddy compared to the rest of his pale skin.

  She reached out and touched it, sliding her hand over the tip and down its length. Alexei grabbed her wrist and shook his head, “No. No more teasing.”

  “I’m not teasing.” She slid off the bed and onto her knees in front of him.

  He sucked in a breath, “Tori . . .” Any protest that might have followed soon died as her lips brushed over the head of his cock. She slowly took it into her mouth, running her tongue up and down its underside as she did so. Then she began to suck, humming softly as she did so. Alexei tensed and released her wrist, allowing her to stroke the portion of his cock that would not fit in her mouth. He slid his hands through her hair. “Sladkaya moya.”

  Tori pulled back, and licked the head with her tongue. “What does that mean?”

  “My sweet.”

  “Ah.”

  “Come.” He pulled her to her feet suddenly, before she could take him in her mouth again. “Let’s finish this.”

  “Yes.” She quickly agreed, the ache between her legs was pounding now, demanding that it be fulfilled. She laid down on the bed again as Alexei slid a condom over his cock. He waited just long enough for her to untangle her feet from her jeans and kick them aside before he covered her with his body again. She could feel his hardness pressing against her thigh and reached down to stroke him, but he grabbed her hands, pinning them above her head as he slid her thighs apart with a knee. “Ready?”

  Tori nodded and he bent to slide his lips against hers once more. This time his kiss was more gentle, but no less intoxicating than before. The things he could do with his tongue! The way it danced and pressed against hers, so firm and yet so soft. She found herself wondering what that it would feel like doing other things . . .

  He thrust into her, entering her suddenly and she hissed a bit in pain. Yes, he was larger than she had ever experienced before, stretching her sex to its limits. He kissed her forehead, her chin, her eyelids, he nibbled at her neck and found that spot that made her shudder again. Then, once he felt she was used to the size of him, he released her hands, braced himself on his forearms, and started to move against her, grinding his hips into hers.

  She shifted herself, wrapping her legs around his waist to accommodate him a bit more. However, while the sensation was pleasant, she knew she would not be able to orgasm from the thrusting alone. She never could. Feeling brave, she slid a hand between their bodies to find her clit. She rubbed against it in rhythm with his movements, gasping at the little jolts of pleasure. Now that was more like it.

  Suddenly Alexei’s weight shifted. His thrusts became harder and the angle changed, pressing her body into the mattress. Tori withdrew her hand for fear of having it pinched between them. To her surprise, the slight change in position meant more friction against her clitoris. She raised her hips to meet his, moaning breathlessly. He smiled down at her, his face covered with a fine sheen of sweat. “Better?”

  Tori nodded, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, enjoying the sensation of his skin sliding against hers. The ache in her sex was building again, spreading across her abdomen and thighs, as the rhythm of his thrusts increased. Soon, Tori could feel the ache fading, but it was quickly replaced by the prick of tingles along the inside of her legs and at the base of her stomach. She gasped, digging her nails into his skin.

  “Prishel, sladkaya moya.” Alexei breathed against her ear. “Prishel.” He reached down and grabbed her hip, holding her against him.

  The release came with a snap and Tori cried out as her body pulsated with the force of it. She laid still beneath Alexei, her heart pounding against her chest as she recovered. He pressed a chaste kiss against her lips, and leaned back, rubbing his hands over her thighs as he did so. He stared at her, watching her breasts bounce as he continued to drive his thick cock into her over and over again in his search of his own climax. Suddenly he bent down, claiming a breast with his mouth. He sucked on it hard, his breathing ragged against Tori’s skin. She cried out in surprise, and ran her hands through his short hair as his movements became harsher and more uneven. A moment later he grunted as he finally reached his own orgasm, his cock pulsing deep inside her sex.

  He rolled over, pulling her with him so that she was cradled against him, and ran a hand through his hair as he tried to catch his breath. “That was nice.”

  “Nice isn’t exactly the word that comes to mind . . .” Tori smiled into his chest. She was going to be sore in the morning.

  “Oh? How would you describe it? Mind blowing?”

  “No.” His face fell, and she placed a kiss on his lips. “It was indescribable. How about round two?”

  “I am not the Energizer Bunny.”

  She laughed and slid down his body. “There are ways to make him pay attention . . .”

&nb
sp; Chapter 9

  Tori fumbled in the darkness for her sweater and keys. She thought that they had fallen near the bed, but she couldn’t find them and wasn’t quite sure anymore. She desperately wanted to just crawl back into bed next to Alexei’s warm body and sleep the rest of the night away, but she had work to worry about and could not go in looking like she had just rolled out of bed.

  Not wanting to turn on the lamp and risk waking Alexei, she decided to pull open the curtain windows just enough to let a little light in. The sun was just beginning to peek over the Portland skyline, and she paused to watch it for a moment.

  “Leaving so soon?”

  Tori turned to find Alexei sitting up in bed, watching her. “I have work in a few hours.”

  “Ah.”

  “There it is.” She spotted her sweater in the dim light -- in a heap next to the chair. Her guess hadn’t been too far off. She pulled it on and plopped down in the chair to put her shoes on while she tried to think of what to say next. She’d never had a one night stand before. Should she say ‘thanks for the good time?’ Should she leave her number even though the odds of him calling back were non existent? This would probably be the last time she would ever see him, since he’d be leaving town as soon as the wrestling show ended.

  “Do you need a cab?” Judging from his tone, Alexei wasn’t entirely sure what to do either. She was sure that most women he picked up in bars on the road probably stayed for the whole night, rather than just leaving after a round or two.

  “Yes please.” Even though she had her trusty smartphone with its GPS app, she was sure it was a long walk from here back to her hotel. She watched as he leaned over the bed to reach for the hotel phone, the muscles in his back rippling under his pale skin. “Look, about tonight -- I wasn’t kidding when I said I don’t normally do this . . .” She shut up before she said something else stupid, like begging him to call her later. He’d probably forget her as soon as she walked out the door.

  “Neither was I.” He smiled sleepily at her.

  “I had a lot of fun.”

  “So did I.” The Russian slid out of bed and pulled on a pair of track pants and a t-shirt from a suitcase next to the door. “I will walk you down.”

  The elevator ride back to the lobby was not nearly as fun as the one up to the room. Tori’s buzz had worn off, leaving a nagging headache instead -- nothing that a couple of ibuprofen couldn’t solve, though -- and there wasn’t a sex show going on in the corner. She leaned against the wall and looked up, studying herself in the mirrored ceiling. Her hair was messy and there were bags under her eyes; not even close to being sexy, by anyone’s definition. Everyone would see her leaving the hotel and immediately know what she had done.

  Alexei nudged her with his elbow as if he knew what she was thinking. “You look fine.”

  “You’re a horrible liar.”

  He turned towards her, suggesting, “You could stay . . .”

  “I can’t . . .”

  “Right. Work.” He ran a hand through his short hair, causing it to stand up on end. Tori longed to reach up and smooth it down, but kept her hands at her side.

  “Sorry. No rest for the wicked.” Tori sighed and stepped out of the elevator into the lobby. Thankfully it was empty, so no one could see her walk of shame. She turned to face him. “Here’s my stop.”

  He nodded. “Have a good day at work.”

  “Thanks. Um . . .” She pulled her wallet out of her purse and fumbled through it until she found one of her business cards. She had told herself she wouldn’t do this, but . . . “If you need anything at the arena, let me know. I may be just a secretary but . . .”

  His eyebrows raised when he saw the logo on the card. “You work for the Pioneers?”

  “Yep.” She shrugged, trying to play it off as nothing, but Alexei was a smart man; she could already see the wheels turning in his head.

  “Interesting.” He slid the card into his pocket and gave her a quick kiss. “Your ride is here.”

  “Okay. maybe I’ll see you around . . . ?” Tori cringed at how needy she sounded. It was just a one night stand she reminded herself. She figured she would never see him again, unless she happened to catch one of his matches on the flat-screens at Mac’s.

  However, to her surprise, Alexei smiled. “You can count on it.”

  Determined that today would be better, Tori arrived at work early. Armed with a venti sized latte from Starbucks, she reviewed the tapes that Daryl had asked her to look at the night before now that Lance wasn’t around to stop her. The videos were mostly of players either in college or in the minor leagues. She jotted down notes on their strengths and weaknesses, adding suggestions here and there on who might play well together based on similar styles, and who might clash. She doubted Lance or the other scouts would care, but the coaches might appreciate her insight.

  One player featured on the videos stuck out more than the others. A large defenseman who proudly bore the number 71. She watched as he repeatedly checked other players into the boards and knocked them down to the ice. However, despite his size, he was also surprisingly quick on his feet and a good puck handler.

  Tori didn’t know what the Pioneers’ roster held yet, but she had a feeling they could use a guy like him. She flipped through the file that accompanied the video, adding his information to her notes; Aleksander Petrovin, age 30, currently playing for New Jersey, but a free agent.

  Her heart froze as the video zoomed in on his face. Even though it was distorted by a plastic face mask, and the quality of the video was grainy, something about his smile seemed familiar -- almost identical to the smile she had seen on Alexei’s face the night before. She shook her head to clear her thoughts, laughing at herself. She was being ridiculous; Alexei was a wrestler, not a hockey player. He had said so. She was just smitten and seeing his face where ever she looked, that was all.

  Voices drifted down the hall from the front of the office, and lights began flickering on as people began moving around. Tori quickly shut off the video and left her notes on Lance’s desk with a cup of coffee as a peace offering. Then she headed down the hallway to leave a copy of the notes with Daryl to show that she had reviewed the tapes like he asked.

  Halfway there, a woman with a pretty face and short blonde hair stepped in front of her, stopping her. “What happened to you last night?”

  “I should be asking you the same question.” Tori replied as she hugged her notes to her chest. “I was at Mac’s at 7, exactly like you said.”

  Steph apologized. “Sorry; we were running late, and I didn’t have your number so I couldn’t warn you. I figured you would wait though, but when we got there you were getting into a taxi with some guy!”

  “Yeah, well, when you didn’t show, I figured I had been stood up, so I found someone else to hang out with.”

  “Tori . . .”

  “It’s fine. I’m sorry we couldn’t have a couple of drinks together, but it all worked out.” Tori smiled, remembering exactly how well it had worked out. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to give these to Daryl.” She pushed past the blonde and continued walking down the corridor.

  More work had been done on the office since yesterday; the pictures that had been leaning against the walls the day before were now hanging on them, and vinyl decals of the team logo had been applied here and there. Some of the boxes that had been crowding cubicles had been put away and replaced with people, instead -- people who smiled at her as she passed.

  She had just crossed the lobby, when she heard Daryl call out to her. “Vicky! Hey, how was your first day yesterday?”

  “It was oka . . .” Tori turned to face him, her words dying on her lips and her heart pounding to a stop as she noticed the tall man standing next to the Pioneers’ General Manager.

  “I’d like you to meet one of the defenseman trying out for our team, Aleksander . . .”

  “. . . Petrovin.” She finished for him, blushing under the newcomer’s stare. She forced herself to s
mile, to pretend that nothing was amiss, and prayed that Daryl would not notice. “I just saw a video of you playing a moment ago. Welcome to the team.”

  Dressed in a black suit and tie, Alexei smiled back at her.

  About the Author

  Amanda Bridges lives in Southern California where she spends her time writing, knitting, and watching her favorite hockey teams play.

  Follow her online at:

  http://amandabridgeswrites.tumblr.com