HIS WINTER BREAK WAS DIFFERENT FROM THE BREAKS NOAH HAD BEFORE. Usually, Noah spent his break going back to his hometown, hanging out with his friends while also working hard on the ice, because for athletes like him, the game never ends. But this break was different. Instead of doing his usual, Noah spent his mornings and nights with Melanie.
He couldn't get enough of her, and that was weird for him. He dated plenty of girls before. He had sex with plenty of girls before, with many one night stands here and there that never resulted in relationships. And Noah hated to admit it, but he easily got bored. They couldn't capture his attention past a fuck or two before he completely lost interest. It was why, after hanging out with Julie a few times, he didn't find her to be as interesting anymore. He knew he sounded like an asshole, and he was one, but it was true.
But with Melanie Bryant, everything was different. Every night he slept with her in his arms, and every morning, he woke with her still there. Whenever he wasn't on the road for a new game, Noah would spend his time with her at her apartment, a place that had become very familiar to him. Melanie's apartment started to feel like his second home with so many of his things there that he rarely went back home.
Everything was happening so quickly like a roller coaster ride jacked at the fullest speed, and though Noah should have been scared of his feelings, he wasn't. But, he should be. He should be scared of how hard he was falling for Melanie. He should be scared of how the amount of time he spent with her, and the many times he made love to her wasn't making him lose interest, but making him want to be with her even more.
They barely spent time apart, and sometimes, during certain hockey games, Melanie would come to see him play. And just having her there made him feel like he had a good luck charm on his side supporting him from a distance. Knowing that she was there was all the fuel he needed to keep pushing forward.
And when Christmas morning came, it was the first time Noah hadn't woke up with Melanie there because he spent it with his family. Every year Noah spent Christmas with his family, and every year it was the same. He would hang out with his younger siblings, helping them set up all of their toys. Noah would avoid his father, so he wouldn't ruin the Christmas spirit with his talk about his questionable life choices, because apparently if Noah did anything that his father hadn't planned, it was questionable. He would bother his mother while she cooked, and after having the big dinner, he would play a few games with his cousins. But this time around, as soon as the rest of their family came, Noah slipped out without being noticed and fled the scene, heading to his safe haven— Melanie’s place.
"Why are you here?" Melanie asked, curiously from the couch as she watched him step inside her apartment. "I thought you were going to spend it with your family."
"I did," Noah said as he shrugged his coat off and placed it on the coat hanger before lightly stomping his shoes against the placemat. The snow was starting to come down thick, and the icy air nearly froze his fingers off on the drive here.
"Now, I'm going to spend it with you," Noah said, dropping down on the couch next to her and nuzzling her cheek with his cold nose. Immediately, Melanie yelped, jumping back from him.
"You're freezing," Melanie said, glaring at him before she got up and went over to the thermostat to crank the heat up higher. She walked to the back and came out with a few of his sweaters and a pair of thick socks.
"Here," Melanie said as she dropped it on his lap before sitting down. "Put these on."
Noah chuckled as he slid the extra pair of socks on and replaced his thin sweater with the thicker one Melanie had given him.
"No touching me until you warm up," Melanie said, and Noah grinned before he grabbed her, pulling her onto his lap.
"How about you warm me up?" he suggested as he kissed her neck, snaking his hands beneath her shirt and feeling her warm skin. She shivered from his touch, and Noah could feel her goosebumps beneath his fingertips.
"Your hands are cold," Melanie complained, whimpering as she jumped up before glaring at him. Noah laughed as he leaned back. So, he would have no choice but to wait. He could do that.
"I have something for you," Noah said, standing before he went over and grabbed his coat, removing her present from his pocket.
"You brought me a gift?" Melanie asked, surprised.
Noah arched a brow. "Of course, it's Christmas. Why wouldn't I get my girlfriend a gift?"
Though Noah knew Melanie was a grown woman, at times like this, the shy girl in her would come out as she blushed from his comment. It was always interesting for Noah to see her this way. Like an onion, Noah pulled back layers and layers of Melanie every day to see the parts of herself that she kept hidden from him.
When Noah made it back to her, he placed the present in her lap. The shape of the present was a square, and Noah could tell from the wrinkle of Melanie's nose that she had no idea what it was. Hesitantly, she picked the box up before she shook it like a child would, and Noah couldn't stop himself from laughing before he grabbed her nose playfully, pinching it. Melanie slapped his hand away with a mock glare before she sighed and peeled the wrapping off. She hesitated for a second before looking at him, and Noah quirked a brow, wondering what was on her mind. Melanie bit her lip before opening the box, and when she saw what was inside, she blinked, confused.
"You got me this," Melanie said as she picked up her favorite book by Beverly Daniel Tatum. "But, you know I already have this, right?"
"Open it," Noah said, grinning.
Melanie opened the book, and she gasped when she saw the signature on the front page.
To Melanie, hope you are successful in all of your findings, and I enjoyed your Ted Talk. :)
"How did you get this?" Melanie asked, her mouth still hung open as she stroked the signature.
"When we went to play against Georgetown, I saw that she was having a book signing there. Before we left, I went to her book signing to get her signature. It turns out she knew some of your work."
"Wait," Melanie said as she looked at him, shocked. "You played that team months ago."
Noah smiled. "Yeah, I already planned to get it after that time you were raving about her. Surprised?"
Melanie placed the book down gently on the coffee table. She got up, sat on his lap, staring into his eyes before she kissed him deeply. This was all the thanks he needed. Just her alone was enough. She rocked her hips against his, and already, Noah felt himself getting hard. Melanie had that effect on him. The way her hands caressed his neck as she kissed him with her all, her tongue locking with his drove him crazy.
"Touch me," Melanie whispered hungrily.
