2nd Intermissions

Even though the whole event in itself was fantastic, there were four moments that are easy to pick out of the jumble of emotions I experienced that night.
The first moment came right after I finished saying, "You honestly need to ask?" He abandoned his clothes and began kissing up my legs. I had thought in the back of my self-conscious that I was glad I remembered to shave them really well that afternoon. My train of thought was quickly derailed when he used his teeth to pull my underwear down my legs.
The second time that I can remember vividly is ironically- when I lost all ability to think correctly. The last coherent thought my mind came up with was shoved violently out of the way by my heart. My mind pleaded that we were doing it wrong, the first time wasn't supposed to be like this. My heart very reasonably shut my brain off, and I was light-headed and my nerve endings tingled as soon as Antti completed the motion and made us one.
"Pyhä....Jumala taivaassa Jeesuksen Kristuksen! Samantha..Vittu Mielestäni olen kuollut ja mennyt taivaaseen." Were the words that tumbled out of Antti's mouth to punctuate the third moment. My own words, in English, came next. I remembered gripping his hair with one hand and his bicep with the other as my back arched.
The fourth and final moment that stood out was a few seconds after the last one. Antti had fallen next to me on the mattress and managed to place the used rubber on the pile of clothes near the foot of the bed. He curled up next to me and instead of spooning, this was the first time we fell asleep facing each other. Our arms and legs were tangled together and slick with sweat, but we both allowed ourselves to sleep, our foreheads leaning together, aftershocks still flowing through our bodies. He was a slow lover, even after a shut out performance- it was the perfect pace for me.

When I woke up and stretched alongside Antti, I grimaced at the soreness I felt in my hips. It wasn't my first time, but it was the first since freshman year in medical school.
"Geh." I mumbled lethargically, trying to snuggle deeper into the covers.
Apparently, he was already awake, because he replied clearly, "Wake up, sleepyhead."
As much as I wanted to fall back asleep and cuddle into Antti's side, I couldn't help but smile.
"How are you so wide awake?" I managed to say into his arm.
Antti tried to pull me up out of the covers and replied, "Because it's noon."
That woke me up and I emerged from the blankets.
"Really?"
"Yes, really." He smiled down at me and added, "I know I've said this before, but you really do like the Blackhawks."
I tilted my head in question and Antti brought his hand up to lightly trace the tattoo behind my ear, then he brought his fingers lower and traced something else on my neck with his callous fingers.
"I think you're going to have to wear a turtleneck for a couple days...Sorry." He laughed.
"Oh, no way. I don't even remember you doing that." I raised my hand to the tender area.
"Those are always the best ones." This time I chuckled with him and laid my head against his chest once more, reluctant to get out of bed.

He had practice at three and finally at one thirty we had to detach ourselves from one another. After he left, I showered and stepped back into my bedroom, towel wrapped around me. I glanced at my bed, still unmade and messy. Smiling, I saw my cell phone next and after I got dressed, I quickly called Angelina.

When I stepped into work the next morning, I couldn't be angry at the fact that Dr. Orfner was still on vacation and I had sixteen patients to see today. Finally sleeping with Antti had shoved me over the ledge; I was fast slipping into the long dark pit that was him and his affection. I knew everything was moving too fast, but I couldn't deny it to myself to admit that we clicked.

"Are you ever going to check your messages?" Suzy asked me, a disapproving look glinting in her eyes as she looked at me over her glasses.
"Alright, alright." I told her, waving my hand and settling back in my office after my lunch break. I picked up the receiver of the telephone and put it to my ear, pressing the number one. The automated voice told me of two messages. The first was the doctor checking in on me, which I made note to call him back later, and the other was from someone I hadn't heard from since I began my internship with the Chicago Blackhawks.
"Long time, no talk, Samantha!" The cheery voice of Dr. Ari Levy emitted from the phone. "I'm sad to say that I'm calling you for something..less than cheerful for me."
I leaned over my desk, pressing the receiver closer to my ear.
"The front office of the Icehogs have given me my three weeks notice. They asked me if I had any recommendations for a successor. You can already guess that I suggested you. I told them about your ambition and how your term with the Blackhawks ended..not so pleasantly. They're still interested in employing you, though- you have experience in this certain field. Expect a call from them soon. Good luck."
The phone beeped and I set it back down.

The Rockford Icehogs wanted me to work for them now? I haven't heard from them, yet. As I told Suzy to call Dr. Orfner back and tell him everything is going smoothly, I thought about the offer. I would have to move out there, though- and that means away from Antti, Angelina, and all the guys. Granted, I would be closer to my family, but away from my friends. I was conflicted. I loved the Icehogs as much as I loved the Blackhawks, and it was a damn tempting offer.

When I got off of work I had another message on my cell phone. Angelina had called to remind me that her little sister Natalia's birthday dinner was tonight. She said it would just be at a club, and she was bringing Troy along, so I had the option of taking Antti.
I called him afterward, inviting him along. I had time to shower and get ready for the Monday night party and was picked up by Antti in his SUV.
I slid in, wearing a pencil skirt with dark pumps and a pretty blue top. I didn't really have any serious party clothes, so I decided that this would have to do. Antti was dressed more casual in a black hoodie and light washed jeans.

Against my better judgment, we had stayed a little longer at the club then was wise. I had work the next morning and Antti had to walk me to my door I was stumbling so badly. Getting into drinking contests really wasn't a good idea, I thought when Antti helped me get into bed safely. I fell asleep before the red numbers on my bedside clock said 3:00AM.

The next morning was hell. My head was pounding and it felt like my mouth was full of cotton balls. Thankfully, the office was slow for a Tuesday. I languished in the alone time I had in my office in between patients complaining about aches that weren't there.
I was rubbing my temples and had my eyes closed when Suzy entered the room.
"You have a..Mr. Bernard on the phone."
I quickly picked up my telephone line and gave a shaky, "Hello?"
Mark Bernard was the General Manager of Minor League Affiliations, a very extensive and impressive title.
"Hello! I've heard so much about you, doctor!" He replied loudly and I pulled the phone away from my ear a bit.
'Hopefully all pleasant things." I said conversationally.
"I believe Dr. Levy has already contacted you about the Rockford Icehogs' interest in a team physician."
"He has. I just heard his message yesterday, in fact." I picked up a pen that was lying on my desk and clicked it a few times.
"Well, that's good news for me! I have very few things to explain. If you agree to work with us, we can draw up a contract in less than a week and have temporary housing available for you. Our organization needs a skilled worker such as yourself."

I managed to breathe a couple times before replying, "Excuse me, Mr. Bernard, but may I have some time to think about this? I just joined a new practice and-"
He cut me off with, "Of course! I didn't expect you to make such a large decision so soon. You can contact me at this number, and I believe the receptionist has the extension number for you, also."
We exchanged goodbyes and I hung up the phone, my hand trembling slightly.

I was gleeful at the mere fact that a hockey club wanted me to work for them, but apprehensive. My life had just started to get back on track now that the Blackhawks had terminated my contract for good. The practice was doing well and I was making a living. Antti and I finally snapped the elastic rubber band of our sexual tension and he still wasn't tired of me. I still had my friends on the Hawks contacting me and inviting me to their shenanigans. My best friend and I were bonding more than ever, and the Rockford Icehogs wanted me to pick up my life and move it to northern Illinois.

I found myself a little ashamed that I was considering it with great intensity.