Ice Dreams

Disclaimer: Characters in this story are my creation, as is the city of Bannen, (as far as I know, Canada doesn’t have a city named Bannen in it), and the hockey team is fictional as well. They are not based on any specific person, so any similarities are purely coincidental. I do not own any rights to the Stanley Cup, and I don’t make any money off my stories.

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I tried to keep the hockey facts as truthful as possible, so please excuse any slip-ups. While this is a story based on a sports team, it’s not my intention to focus completely on it, but instead on the romantic story. I also don’t bash hockey players in real life, as I’ve met a few and they are lovely people. It just works in my story for now. I was inspired from the recent playoff games, when this plot bunny jumped into my head. Please enjoy.

Warnings: angst, lemon, oral, death, fluff, language, m/f


**Asterisks indicate thoughts

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Chapter Five


Denise had dropped by the rink early to get the tickets from Bob, who was partially dressed in the mascot uniform. That way, she would be able to avoid the long line-ups as well. Or so she thought.

Hilary was with her, dressed in a Bannen Warriors jersey (number 13, Neil Hamilton if Denise remembered correctly) waiting with her in one enormous line-up.

“He got us box seats! I can’t believe it!” Hilary was far more excited than Denise. Denise decided to wear her hair long, letting the wavy tresses down to caress below her ribs. She wore fitted jeans and a black, ¾ sleeve length top. She was trying to appear mostly casual, though pink dangly earrings and make-up to enhance her looks added some spice to her appearance.

Denise had a good look around her. The hockey game was very well attended, though something she saw constantly in the line-up where women, her age and a little younger, made-up to look a little sluttish, (in her opinion) wearing extremely fitting Bannen Warriors jerseys or t-shirts. The men in the line-up also appeared to be drunk, (most of them, anyway) waving Bannen Warriors flags.

They finally made it in and found their seats. From where they were seated, they had a great view of the rink. Hilary was so energized she vibrated. Denise didn’t quite share the eagerness.

The lights dimmed and the opposition came out onto the ice. They were called the Oilers or something. A spotlight appeared as the Bannen Warriors took to the ice, the rink getting loud with the crowds cheers. Denise found Graham easily enough, with the number 1 on his back below his name, Kelly. With all his hockey gear on, he looked so much bigger. What she didn’t expect to see was the look of concentration and seriousness on his face.

As he skated by, Denise watched him. She thought that he would be much the same person on the ice as he seemed to be off. Not serious about his game, tremendously overconfident, thinking that he was a God of some sort-

She didn’t see that at all. It felt like she was watching an entirely different person out there. As the game started, she looked for him constantly. He worked well with his team, he was a strong player, better than she could have ever imagined.

It wasn’t long until she was standing up and cheering with Hilary every time the Bannen Warriors would score a goal. She would cheer extra loud if it was Graham that scored. Denise just let loose and decided to have fun, instead of moping around. Her attitude instantly improved when she let herself get into the game.

The third period ended, with the Warriors easily beating the Oilers, 7 to 2. Denise left the arena, a smile on her face. She waited in the foyer with Hilary for Graham, although he still had to shower and change.

“Can’t I stay for your meeting?” Hilary asked. Denise shook her head.

“No. It’s mostly private anyway. I’d rather solidify the plans before everyone finds out about them, including you. The Christmas parties are going to be a big thing, and I need to meticulously plan them. You’d just distract me, no offense.” Denise didn’t want to sound harsh, but she didn’t want Hilary around, especially if all Hilary was going to do was give Graham mushy looks all night.

Hilary seemed to understand, and waved to Denise before she left. Denise contented herself with walking around the foyer, looking at all the posters hanging up. She didn’t expect Graham to appear behind her when she turned around. Startled, she jumped a little before settling a glare on him. He seemed too amused by it.

“Ready to go? Do you have your car here?” Graham asked. Denise shook her head.

“No, I got a drive from a friend.” She told him. Graham smiled. Adjusting his hockey bag on his shoulder, holding his stick in one hand, he led her to the entrance of the arena.

“Good. I have my car. Are we holding this meeting at your place?” He asked. Denise sighed.

“Might as well. It can’t go a long time though, I have to hold a phone conference tomorrow morning, so I need to get to sleep at a decent time.” Graham didn’t bother asking her what the phone conference was about, figuring it was her business.

When they reached his car, he opened the passenger door for Denise. She mumbled a quiet ‘thanks’, before slipping in. Shutting the door behind her, Graham stored his equipment in the trunk before seating himself behind the wheel.

Denise gave him directions to her house, but other than that, was silent for the rest of the ride. Graham pulled into her driveway, getting out of the car to open the door for her. While outside, he had a good look at the exterior of her home. It was dark outside, but he could tell that it was a spacious two-story building, in one of the higher-end neighbourhoods. He knew Denise must work another job, obviously a good one since she could afford to live in such an expense place. He helped her out of the car, shutting and locking the door.

Denise made her way up the sidewalk, not bothering to see if Graham was behind her. She knew he was, she could practically feel his presence close to her. Unlocking the front door, she entered first, flicking on the hallway light. He followed behind her, closing the door.

“Would you like some coffee?” Denise offered. Graham shook his head.

“Coffee makes me hyper at night. Do you have tea?” Graham asked. Denise nodded.

“I will go fix a pot. The living room is just to your left.” Denise disappeared into the
kitchen, and Graham entered the living room. She had a stylish set-up, with matching furniture, coloured throw-cushions, a polished oak coffee table, brick fireplace, and flatscreen TV, in the corner of the room. Graham sat down on the sofa, admiring her taste. She had a vase of flowers – carnations, if he remembered correctly- set up on the fireplace. There were also a couple paintings on the wall, and floor lamps, casting a pleasant yellow glow. Denise returned a few minutes later, holding two mugs. She offered one to Graham before sitting down on the opposite end of the sofa.

“So Graham, what did you have in mind pertaining to the children’s hospital Christmas social?” Denise asked, taking a sip of her tea. Graham studied her.

“Well, every year, we just go, hang out with the kids, sign a few autographs, take a few pictures. Hardly personal. Doesn’t seem nice for the kids, either.” Graham said, then took a sip of tea. Denise nodded in understanding.

“That’s what Bob said too. Those children idolize the Bannen Warriors, so I thought something needed to change. At birthday parties, the children always get a loot bag before they leave, and they love it. We could do something like a Christmas Bag, with autographed hockey cards, stickers, goodies, that sort of thing.” Denise racked her brain for ideas. She had a few before, but it was getting harder to think about them. Graham smelt like expensive cologne. Very sexy cologne. He seemed oblivious to what he was making her feel.

“Yeah, that’s a good idea. We could also get some of the new members on the team to sing a Christmas carol. That would be funny.” Graham chuckled to himself. Denise smiled.

“It’s all about making it fun for the children, so that is a good idea. You’re only at the hospital for a few hours, so someone could read a Christmas story to the kids.” Denise spoke. Graham agreed.

“What about the Christmas Banquet? The hall we used last year is now closed.”

Denise smiled mysteriously.

“Don’t worry, I have the Banquet covered.” This piqued Graham’s curiosity, but he decided not to push it- for now.

Denise rested her mug on the coffee table.

“Well Graham, you said you had some other ideas?” He liked hearing his name coming from her lips. He wanted to hear it again, hear it as she cried out in ecstasy-

He shook his head, clearing that thought. Denise was giving him a strange look. He grinned at her, trying to dispel all images of her naked on a bed, spread for his taking…

“I said, you had other ideas you wanted to share?” Denise spoke again. Graham had drawn a blank look after she had asked the first time, seemingly lost in his own world. This time, his complete attention was focused on her. It was almost unnerving, the intense look he was giving her. She wanted to fidget until that steady gaze.

“I was thinking, getting the team, or at least part of the team, involved in supporting a marathon. Doing speeches, that sort of thing. Pumping up physical activity in the community. Maybe go to some middle schools or elementary schools, that sort of thing.” Graham was still giving her that look. Sometimes his eyes would slide down and focus on her lips, and then raise again to meet her eyes. Charity work was slipping from her mind.

“Yeah, we could organize that.” Denise said. Graham was quiet, for a moment, then gave her that devilish grin that made women turn to jelly. Denise tried to resist. She wanted him to kiss her, but at the same time, was willing him to leave. She didn’t want to get tangled in his web. She didn’t know if his intentions were for good or evil. Knowing that this could turn out badly, Denise abruptly excused herself, standing and leaving for the kitchen.

Graham sat there in confusion for all of two seconds, until understanding dawned on him. He knew what was going on with her, he saw the uncertainty in her eyes, and now was intent on getting what he really wanted. He reached her before she even entered the kitchen. Resting a hand on the small of her back, he quickly slipped in front of her. Denise let out a startled cry before Graham’s lips covered her own. The kiss was deep and wet, Graham’s tongue diving into explore her mouth fully. All reason escaped her, and she leaned into the kiss, letting out a small moan.

This seemed to encourage Graham more, and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her flush against his own body. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, fingers threading through his hair.

Her tongue tangled with his own, anxious to explore each other’s depths. It was sloppy but wonderful, wet smacking and the occasional moan from Denise the only noises. Somewhere in her lust-induced state, she got ahold of herself and realized what she had been doing. Horrified, she pulled her lips away from his with a loud ‘smack’, though he wasn’t going to let her escape his grip so easily.

“I can’t do this.” She said. Graham looked confused.

“Why not?” He questioned. He couldn’t understand why. She had been fine a minute ago.

“Because….I just can’t. With you, no. No I can’t. I need to go.” Denise snuck out of his hold. He tried not to grin at her discomfort.

“Go where? This is your house.” She gave him a blank look, before gathering her wits.

“I mean, you need to go. I have an early morning, and this is the last thing I need. I’m a busy person, I only have time for me.”

Graham wasn’t going to press her just yet, but he knew the excuse she gave was just a poor cover-up of the real reason. He would find it out though, and soon. He felt like he was intoxicated, a new drug called Denise had invaded his system. Without a word, he left her house, but not angrily. She was a mystery to him.

Getting into his car, he sped away into the night. She truly was something different, and he had never felt a longing so strong with any other woman, until Denise. It was partly her beauty, but there was something else. Something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. He would find out though, and he would make sure Denise knew that he wasn’t going anywhere. Not by a longshot.


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Denise stared at the door for several minutes after Graham had left. That was the most intense, passionate kiss she had shared in her entire life, and the recipient was almost a stranger to her. During those moments that she was locked in a steamy embrace, absolutely nothing was in her mind, not even commonsense, except him. He flooded her senses, like she had been living and breathing him.

It had been a hot, fervent, needy, and totally self-consuming kiss. She had lost control of herself. If she was afraid of that before, she was terrified now. She now knew, from experience, that just kissing Graham Kelly was highly dangerous. He had taken over her mind and body.

“Jesus Christ.” She muttered to herself, leaning against the staircase banister.

*Don’t tell me that that’s what feeling alive is truly about* Denise thought miserably. Graham had given her a taste of what she had been missing out in her lifetime. It made her angry, that it had to come from him. A famous athlete, who no doubt slept with a handful of women, and a lot of experience under his belt that way (no pun intended), and he was the one that gave her a breath of life. A life of passion and momentary happiness. Something she never quite had.

Feeling a headache coming on, Denise retreated to her bedroom, not looking forward to having to get up early for her phone conference tomorrow morning.





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A/N: Thanks so very much for the reviews. If it seems slow to start, that's because I have to build up their relationship more. It wouldn't make sense to have them get to the good parts so fast. :) More to come soon!