Make It to Me

After Sidney had left, Adaline tried her best to forget the kiss. Although, it seemed nearly impossible as her cheeks reddened and warmed whenever she thought about it. She certainly wasn’t expecting him to lean in and kiss her, wiping away most of her reservations about where they were heading.

James had returned home from the gym and they spent time together in the backyard, pulling weeds and raking leaves up. At one point, James had thrown a pile of orange leaves at Adaline. They fluttered around her, some catching in her hair, as she laughed and tried to hurl a pile at James. Later that day, James had insisted on cooking dinner for Adaline as she laughed as he tried to sauté onions in the frying pan.

Now, Adaline was laying in her bedroom upstairs in her pjs , washed clean of all make up. She pulled out the book she was reading and slowly began to drift off to sleep.

‘Hey! For tomorrow, I was thinking I’d pick you up about two?’ Sidney texted her.

‘That sounds great! What are we doing?’ Adaline asked him.

‘Surprise (;’ He taunted. Adaline rolled her eyes as her cheeks flamed again. She rolled over and went to sleep.

~
The next morning she rose late and went down stairs to find Jamie.

“Hey Jamie.” She greeted him from his place on the large couch.

“Hi Addy. Got plans today?” He asked while flipping the channels on the TV.

“Um…Sidney wanted to do something about two today.” Adaline admitted nonchalantly, hoping he wouldn’t read too much into it.

“Oh?” James asked, suddenly interested.

“Yea. He’ll be here about two to get me.” Adaline revealed as she tucked her feet underneath her, looking directly at James. “Is that okay?” Adaline asked.

“Hmm? Oh, I don’t care.” James tried to brush her off.

“Jamie, I think you do care.” Adaline said, trying to catch his eyes.

“I don’t know.” James mumbled uncertainly. Adaline placed her hand on his knee.

“Jamie, I want you to know that just because I’m spending some time with Sidney doesn’t mean that I’m going to leave or ignore you.” Adaline stated with surprising candor.

James’s eyes widened signifying she had hit the nail on the head.

“Well…I mean…I know.” James still slightly uncertain said.

“You don’t have to worry Jamie. I’m just going somewhere with him. I won’t leave you.” Adaline squeezed.

“Okay…”James seemed to accept what she was saying. Adaline gave him a hug intending to take a shower and get ready for the day.

“Addy? I’m sorry if I seem…clingy? I just can’t lose someone else.” James said ashamed.

“You have nothing to be sorry about. I understand James. I’m here for you just like you’re here for me.” Adaline smiled once more before trotting upstairs to begin getting ready.

~
Adaline stood in front of the full-length mirror, looking at her outfit. Sidney had sent her a message early this morning to wear something comfortable and warm if she got cold easy.

She was wearing a pair of burgundy skinny jeans tucked into a pair of brown faux leather boots. On top of that, she had a tan shirt with burgundy roses smattering it with a chunky grey cardigan. Her hair was half up and half down, falling in soft curls. Her burgundy pearl earrings were visible from her hair being swept back.

She had a few swipes of mascara on, with gel liner, and her lips were a nude glossy color.

Nervously, she grabbed her bag and wiped her palms down the front of her jeans.

Adaline trotted downstairs and bid her goodbyes to James who complimented her appearance. She met Sidney, as he was halfway up the walkway.

“Hey.” Adaline smiled, her cheeks warming as she looked at him. He looked incredibly handsome in his jeans and sweater. Sidney walked up to her and pulled her into a warm hug before stepping back to look at her.

“You look incredible.” Sidney complimented and began leading her to his car. He opened the door for her as she smirked and slid into the seat. He got in the driver’s seat and fired up the powerful engine.

“How was your day?” Adaline asked him in the close quarters of the car. She received a hint of his spicy cologne, making her stomach pull.

“It was good. I’m glad you dressed warm. It’s perfect for what I have in mind.” Sidney smiled as he slanted a look her way. Adaline caught his eyes and her cheeks warmed as she dropped her eyes to her lap. While there was a comfort level between the two she was still having those giddy, dating feelings.

“You keep saying that.” Adaline pretended to be upset about him keeping what they were doing hidden from her…but, if she was being honest she was excited she he had planned something out by himself.

~
Sidney had driven through the Pittsburgh suburbs for about five minutes before he pulled down a winding street with the houses stretched apart quite a bit. Sidney swung the car into a driveway with a house with a grey façade with quarried stone over the driveway. From what she could tell the house was about two stories with elegant craftsman arches. There was a covered porch where the second story jutted out, also in the same-quarried stone and a mahogany double door. Sidney killed the engine as he got out of the car and tried to race around to the other side to open Adaline’s door. Adaline, however, was too enamored by the house to notice his attempt at proper date etiquette.

“It’s beautiful.” Adaline admired as she began walking up the stone walkway to the porch. Sidney followed behind her carefully studying her reaction toward his house. It wasn’t nearly as elaborate as most of the other NHL stars’ homes, but it suited him perfectly. So, when Adaline gushed over his house, seeing the charm that he had, it had made him happy…really happy.

Adaline walked up the steps on the front porch and Sidney brushed his hand against her lower back as he fished his keys from his pocket and unlocked the front door. As soon as Adaline walked in she felt an overwhelming feeling of home was over her. His house was inviting and comfortable…something Adaline could see herself fitting in with. Immediately to her right, standing in the foyer, was a in the wall bench seat with a tan cushion and dark brown throw pillows. Her eyes danced over the soft brown walls with white trim and fell down to the deep walnut floors. Off to her left lay an open arch way to what appeared to be a study.

“Want a tour?” Sidney asked her. Adaline nodded eagerly.

He walked into his study. The study had large shelving units in a darker wood which were on the wall behind his desk. There was a large window, the desk facing out toward it. The light illuminated the room. She noticed he had various books and hockey memorabilia sitting on the shelving, everything seemed neat and in place. She walked through the room and noticed pictures of his family and pictures of him with the Cup and at the Olympics. Adaline smiled at his large smiles and expressions.

“It’s very you.” Adaline commented as she turned to look at him. He went still for just a moment and a very serious look came over his face before he smiled again. He walked up to her and grabbed her hand before walking her out of the study to show her the rest of the house. They walked out of the foyer and Adaline noticed the stiars off to her left as Sidney led her deeper into the house. The first thing that she noticed as she walked toward the living room was the very open floor plan. There weren’t walls enclosing rooms, it all seemed cohesive as she was led into the living room. On the wall directly in front of her was a full bay window, nearly taking up the entire wall giving a clear view into the backyard. There was a large stone fireplace to her left and in the center of the room resided a leather sofa, a comfy recliner, and two arm chairs surrounding a glass coffee table. She looked up and noticed that the celling was opened up to the second story. She could make out the banister of the hallway. Slightly behind her in another recess of the wall was a small dining room and to her right laid the kitchen of her dreams.

The kitchen was a lighter wood with lighter granite counter tops. In the middle of the kitchen was a large island with a sink and bar stools. She looked around at the pristine, stainless-steel appliances that looked like they had barely had been touched and nearly shivered. Once she caught sight of the Dutch-ovens she nearly lost her mind at that point.

Sidney was chitchatting about why he picked certain things in the house or why he liked this part of the house. Adaline listened eagerly and happily as he explained his house. His hand squeezed hers and he pulled her toward the staircase. They dropped hands as they walked up the carpeted stairs and joined them once again as soon as they hit the landing.

Adaline noticed they were immediately walking the hallway that was opened up to the story below that extended off in all directions. By her count there were about three bedrooms that Sidney made mention of but didn’t take her into. Instead, he led her down the hall toward the room, which she assumed to be the master. As soon as he opened the door her breath was taken away. There was another fireplace with two armchairs facing it, and a smaller glass coffee table. The bed was against the far wall with yet another large open window facing out to the backyard toward her left.
His bed was large but not so imposing it took up the entire room. The carpet was a light grey and seemed very soft below her feet. Off to her right was another open archway leading into the bathroom. As he led her into the bathroom she nearly let out a groan at the sheer beauty of it. The carpet transitioned into a medium dark laminate and a black smoke grey wall paint. The bathroom was a rectangular shape pulling you further down the hallway. Off to one side was a large, white bathtub. In short, it looked like something she could sink into and never want to come out of.

Directly across from the tub was a large glass shower with…a seat! A seat! Adaline had never been so excited about a shower in her life. If she inhabited the house she could shave her legs without slicing her femoral artery from trying to balance on one leg.

“And this is the closet.” Sidney said leading her into a massive walk in closet, his clothes taking up spaces here and there. She saw his dress shirts and suit jackets hanging perfectly. He had other various items scattered about, including jackets and sweatshirts; and his everyday clothes.

“Sidney, truly this place is amazing.” Adaline said as she slowly twirled around in the room.

“I’m really glad you like it. There’s also a downstairs with another bedroom and a family room and an entertainment room of sorts. Oh! I forgot to show you the movie room on the first floor.” Sidney enthused. Adaline was too busy watching Sidney’s face to really pay attention to what he was saying.

“So…about my surprise?” Adaline prompted.

“How could I forget? Let’s go!” Sidney happily smiled and practically drug her downstairs. He walked her back through to the kitchen where the door to the backyard was. He lead her outside onto the back porch. There was a chair swing that he lead her over to. He had padded it with blankets and pillows, a small picnic basket sitting on the table sitting in front of it. Adaline gasped as she saw the mini picnic he had set up for them

“It’s wonderful.” Adaline beamed at him as she sat down on one of the cushions, him sitting aside her, beginning to dig into the picnic basket. He pulled out a bottle of red wine and two glasses with some cubes of cheese and grapes. Adaline smiled at the mock Parisian lunch.

“We aim to please.” Sidney chuckled softly as he poured her a glass of wine, then one for himself and slowly began rocking back and forth.

“This honestly is so thoughtful.” Adaline complemented him. How was she supposed to resist this man when he was giving her every feel possible? How was she supposed to uphold that it was the wrong time to start something when he was making her come alive in ways she had never known were possible?

“I’m glad you like it.” Sidney said grabbing her free hand and bringing it to rest on his upper thigh. She happily snuggled into him.

“This house suits you perfectly.” Adaline said looking out at the large backyard. There was a hot-tub sitting on the other side of the porch along with a barbeque station. The rest of the yard seemed to go on for quite a bit, a beautiful lawn and stone walkway weaving though it at some points.

“I love this house. It’s a little big for only me. It’s really nice when my family comes to visit for the holidays. My mom is the one who actually helped me pick it out.” Sidney informed her.

“Well, she did a fantastic job. My apartment, though much smaller, is much like your home. It fits me perfectly.” Adaline told him.

“I’ll have to see it one day.” Sidney said as his thumb absentmindedly ran over the outer of her hand. “James mentioned something about your cat coming with you for this trip?” Sidney asked, hoping his digging attempt would go unnoticed. She caught his sly attempt to figure out how long she was staying. A wide Cheshire grin took over her face.

“I figured I’d bring Austen since I’m staying a while.” Adaline explained to him. His hand tightened on hers when he heard the news.

“Adaline?” Sidney asked softly.

“Yea?” She asked, tilting her face up toward his.

“That wasn’t how I wanted our first kiss to go.” Sidney told her seriously. “I had envisioned it and was saving it for the right moment…but…I just couldn’t seem to resist.” He admitted somewhat bashfully.

“I’m glad you did though. It helped me figure out what I had been feeling and all the confusion that was swirling in my head.” Adaline told him truthfully. His dark chocolate eyes poured into hers as she simply looked down at her. Adaline dared not blink in fear of missing one moment of his gaze…reveling in how it made her feel. He was looking at her like nothing else could matter in that moment…like she was the only woman in the world.

Slowly, his head lowered and his lips gently pressed against hers. The kiss didn’t deepen or intensify in burning passion. This one was sweet and spoke of unsaid feelings and unsaid thoughts. It held promise for the future and caused her heart to swell further. He pulled back and their eyes fluttered back open to look at each other again.

“That’s how I pictured that going.” Sidney smiled again.

~
Adaline and Sidney sat their barley touched wine glasses on the table and went to talking the day away. They had talked about their childhoods, their differences obvious. Hers wasn’t the warm, small town family his had been. She had always known college was the next step and Sidney had on a pair of skates as soon as he could walk.

She had grown up in the warmth, spending her summers lying on a beach. Sidney grew up in the snow, growing to love the cold almost innately.

When a shiver wracked through her body from the cooling air, Sidney had suggested they go inside. Which led him to build a fire in the living room, and them to snuggle up on the couch with several blankets.

They talked back and forth for a long time, often playing twenty questions about the mundane, just trying to get to know one another all the better.

Sidney had taken a break to order a pizza, with breadsticks at Adaline’s request. They nibbled on the pizza as the sky began to darken and the fire began to flicker as it dwindled.

Adaline was in the middle of eating Sidney’s crust when he simply looked at the woman sitting beside him. It baffled him. He never brought women back to his house for dates and he certainly didn’t blow his entire diet scarfing down greasy delivery pizza for them either. Something about Adaline was different from how he felt toward all of the women he had been on dates with in the past. It wasn’t her necessarily that was different, although she was extraordinary, he had dated wonderful women in the past…it was just he was feeling more intensely toward her than anyone else. It felt like a puzzle piece fitting into place, as cliché as it sounded, it felt like he had found the feeling he had been searching for.

She seemed to become aware of Sidney’s gaze as she wiped her mouth and set her napkin down on the paper plate.

“What?” She asked self-consciously as she began fiddling with a piece of her hand.

“Nothing.” Sidney smiled as he touched that same piece of hair that she was holding. Suddenly, she placed her hand on his thigh and twisted herself to face up and pushed up to fuse her lips to his.

He was taken off guard slightly, but quickly regained the present as pressed his lips back with fever. They kissed with passion, but not losing abandon yet. His lips danced over hers as hers parted slightly, giving Sidney the access he was searching for. Her one hand remained on his thigh, the other coming to wind around his neck as he pulled her closer to him, to the point she was almost straddling him. Slowly, she pulled back from his needy lips and kept herself so close their lips were barely not touching.

“You are making me feel so intensely and it scares me…but when you kiss me like that…it takes all that fear away.” Adaline whispered softly before he pulled her back down into a kiss.

Adaline eventually pulled back from Sidney and told him that she had to be getting back to James’s. He agreed and pulled her up to her feet before holding her hand the entire car ride home. Sidney parked the car back in James’s driveway, stole a quick kiss one last time with a goodnight as he watched her scamper up the front walk and into his teammate’s house.

~
Adaline changed into a pair of pajamas immediately and helped James do the dished from the day before she settled into the couch happily.