Romance Melting the Ice

Natalie pointed the washroom out to him again and continued down the hall to the kitchen to greet her parents.

"Hello, sweetie!" Her mother greeted her with a warm hug. "Welcome home!" She glanced over Natalie's shoulder and raised an eyebrow at her daughter. "Where's your friend?"

"Just in the washroom," Natalie replied with an eye roll. She turned to lean over her father, who was seated at the table. "Hi, Dad."

"Good to see you, sweetheart." He returned her embrace and pushed a chair out for her. "How were your exams?"

Natalie groaned but ran through the recent whirlwind of events at school for her parents. She tried to keep quiet but her mother assured her that her sister and brother would probably sleep until noon.

"Won't they get up to meet Hayden?" Natalie asked with a smile.

"Oh, they might," her mother replied. "Jamie did mention something about getting his autograph."

"Larisa didn't believe us when we told her," Natalie's father piped up with a grin. "We should wake her just to see her reaction."

Natalie laughed along with her father and Hayden appeared in the doorway to the kitchen then, looking shy. Natalie sprang up and hurried over to take his hand.

"Mom, Dad, this is Hayden Lindgren," she introduced him. "Hayden, this is my mom and dad."

"I'm so happy to meet you both, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson."

"Gloria, please," Natalie's mother replied with a warm smile. She stepped forward to shake his hand.

"And I'm just Henry." Natalie's father shook his hand as well and they all sat around the kitchen table.

"It was awfully nice of you to drive our daughter all the way to Buffalo," Gloria said.

"It was my pleasure," Hayden replied and Natalie covered her smile with one hand.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't even ask if you wanted coffee."

"I'm all right for right now," Hayden replied as Natalie's mother jumped up. "I think I might try to get a few hours of sleep before heading back to New York."

"We'll send you off with a thermos of coffee," Henry said.

"Good idea," Gloria agreed.

Natalie smiled as she watched and listened for the next little while. She was impressed with how well her parents were handling having a veritable celebrity in their house. Her dad made them all laugh when he made a dig about the Rangers' loss last night but Hayden took it all in stride. When he yawned for the second time, Natalie urged him to go to sleep.

"Where?" he asked with a smirk.

She rolled her eyes and smacked his shoulder. "In my bed. I'll stay up with my parents. What time do you want me to come wake you?"

"Give me about three hours. That should be good enough."

"We'll have breakfast ready for you then, Hayden," Gloria said as Hayden rose from the table.

"Thanks. Sounds great!"

Natalie watched him go and turned back to see her both her parents giving her knowing looks. "What?"

"He's very nice, Nat," her father replied.

"And so handsome!" her mother added with a smile. "Are all hockey players as good-looking as he is?"

Natalie laughed as her father exclaimed indignantly.

Three hours later, just as he'd asked, Natalie crept into her room to wake Hayden. Her family had started pestering her to wake him an hour ago but she'd insisted he needed the sleep.

"He has a seven hour drive back to New York and a game tomorrow," she'd informed her sister, Larisa, who'd been the most vocal about waking him up. "He needs the sleep more than he needs to meet you."

Now, as Natalie shut the door behind her, she smiled at the sight of Hayden sprawled across her bed. It looked even smaller with him in it, covering it almost entirely. He was lying face down, one arm flung off the edge of the bed. His feet hung over the end as well and his hair was messed up. Best of all, he was wearing only his boxers and, though the blankets were covering most of his legs, all of his broad, muscular shoulders were revealed to her.

Smothering a sigh, Natalie perched on the edge of the bed. She reached out and brushed the hair off his forehead.

"Hayden? Hayden, time to wake up."

He stirred with a groan and buried his face in the pillow. Natalie touched his bare shoulder and shook him until he looked up at her.

"You have to get up," she ordered in as firm a tone as she could manage. "My mother has breakfast all ready. You've got just enough time to shower."

He groaned again but rolled onto his back to stretch. Natalie watched in open appreciation as the muscles of his torso bunched and stretched. He met her eyes and gave her a lazy smile that made her stomach flip over.

Abruptly she stood up, barely dodging his hand as he reached for her. If he touched her, they'd be very late for breakfast.

"Go ahead and shower," she said and laughed at his mock-wounded expression. "I'll see you in the kitchen." With that, she fled the bedroom, her face warm; not from embarrassment but from the desire to run her hands all over his sleep-warmed body.

"So what are your intentions towards my sister?"

"Larisa!" Natalie's voice was squeaky with indignation.

Her younger sister didn't look at her. She kept her eyes on Hayden and waited patiently for his response.

Hayden chuckled. He'd been thoroughly enjoying his visit with Natalie's family, even the pointed and tactless questions of Larisa, Natalie's seventeen-year old sister. "I intend to keep seeing her as long as she wants me around," he replied. "I intend to shower her with attention and devotion until she can't stand it anymore."

Natalie flushed as he turned his gaze towards her. Natalie's nineteen year old brother, Jamie, made a gagging noise, complete with finger-in-mouth gesture. Hayden and Natalie's parents laughed. Larisa, however, seemed pleased by his response and eased up on the questions after that. Hayden was allowed to finish his breakfast in relative peace.

After having Natalie wake him up, and run from his embrace, he'd met her siblings. Jamie had been very excited to meet him and Hayden had gladly signed a Rangers jersey for him. Henry had scoffed when Hayden offered to sign something of his. The older man was a steadfast Buffalo Sabres fan.

"I don't mind you dating my daughter, Lindy," Henry had said with a smile. "But don't think I'm going to start rooting for the Rangers just because of that."

"I wouldn't dream of it, sir," Hayden had replied solemnly.

Natalie insisted that Hayden needed to get going by noon. "You've all harassed him long enough."

"We weren't harassing," Jamie protested.

"Harassment or not, I really should go." Hayden pushed back from the kitchen table and smile at everyone. "I have a game tomorrow night and I don't want my sleep pattern to get too screwed up."

They all followed him to the front doorway. Gloria handed him a large thermos and a plastic travel mug.

"That's some strong coffee for you," she told him. "We don't want you crashing on the way back."

"Mom!" Natalie covered her face with her hands.

"What? It's true. You don't want him to crash, do you?"

Hayden chuckled as Natalie shook her head. "Thank you, Gloria. I appreciate the coffee, and breakfast."

"Well, you can come back and visit anytime. It was wonderful to meet you." She stepped close to Hayden and lifted her arms to hug him.

Hayden bent down to embrace the older woman and met Natalie's twinkling gaze over her mother's shoulder. Henry shook his hand after but Jamie and Larisa hung back, looking awkward. Hayden faced Natalie and neither of them said anything until Henry cleared his throat.

"All right, well, let's let the kids say good-bye without us gawking at them," Henry said and waved the family out of the entryway.

Natalie stepped closer to Hayden and tilted her head back to look up at him. Hayden reached out and pulled her against him, pressing his nose into her hair.

"I've missed you," he murmured.

She laughed and rubbed her nose against his chest. "We've been in the same room for three hours."

"But I haven't been able to touch you for three hours."

"You could have."

Hayden laughed and pulled back to look into her face. "Not if I wanted to keep making a good impression."

Natalie rolled her eyes at him. "Please. I'll be lucky to ever get a moment alone with you the next time you visit."

Hayden lifted his eyebrows at her words and grinned. "So there's going to be a next time?"

"Of course." She flushed and glanced down, her fingers playing with the collar of his shirt. "If you want there to be."

Hayden slid his hand into her hair and tipped her head back. "I want there to be nothing but more time with you, Natalie."

"You're terribly romantic when you want to be, you know that?"

He shrugged and bent low, sweeping his lips across hers in the barest of touches. She sighed against his mouth and it sent a frisson of desire through his body. He drew back with a groan and brushed her cheek with his fingers.

"Will you walk outside with me?"

"Sure."

They walked out to the street where his car was parked and Natalie crossed her arms over her stomach as she stood beside his door. Hayden wanted to push her up against the car and run his hands under her sweater. He didn't think she'd appreciate it, not with her family possibly watching from the house. He did pull her close, sliding his arms around her and pressing light kisses to her face.

"Drive safely," she whispered. "And call me when you get home."

"Yes, dear."

She pulled her head back to glare at him. "Don't you mock me. I mean it, mister. If I don't here from you by eight o'clock tonight, I will hunt you down."

Hayden laughed and bent his head to kiss her on the mouth. She parted her lips and he swept his tongue inside, tasting her and drinking her in before he had to leave. Her arms circled his shoulders and Hayden held her close.

After too short a time, he pulled away and brushed his hand over her forehead, smoothing the hair from her face. "I should go."

"You should."

"Will you watch the game tomorrow night?"

She made a face. "I'll try but I'll be fighting my father for control over the TV."

Hayden laughed and dropped another light kiss on her lips. He turned and opened the car door. "I'll call you later."

"OK. Bye."

Hayden slid into the driver's seat and waved as Natalie walked back up the driveway. He clenched his hands around the steering wheel and let his breath out slowly as he drove away.

This was going to be a very long drive back to New York.

Hayden did manage to stay awake all the way back to New York. He did as he was told and called Natalie the minute he reached his apartment building. She sounded tired as they spoke and he knew he was tired, so they didn't talk for long. Hayden headed up to his apartment and got ready for bed.

The following day was busy, with a morning practice and the game later. Hayden was a little tired from the last couple of days but the coach started him anyway. The team was playing well together and they managed to earn the win over the Bruins in overtime.

Hayden only had a few days to kill before his brother and wife got to New York but he missed Natalie. They talked every day but he missed having her close. Even when he went on the final road trip before Christmas, he missed her. He knew it was ridiculous. If she had been in New York, he'd have left on the road trip and been without her anyway. Knowing that she wasn't there in the city, that he wouldn't see her like he always did after a road trip, bothered him.

Hayden talked to his brother Jared on the phone when he and his wife arrived in New York on the 20th and apologized for not being there to greet them. He was playing a game in Raleigh the following night and wouldn't be back to New York until after the game. Hayden had made all the arrangements ahead of time so his brother and sister-in-law could get into his apartment without him there.

"Don't worry about it," Jared told him. "Hey, I understand what it's like." Jared played in the Swedish League now but he'd also played in the NHL at one time.

"I'll be home tomorrow night but it'll be too late to see you."

"No problem. We'll see you the morning after. I'm looking forward to coming to your game this week, too."

Hayden laughed and continued to chat with his brother for a few more minutes before hanging up. He contemplated calling Natalie but he had to leave for practice in less than an hour. So he put his phone away and tried to focus on hockey instead.

The game went well, they defeated the Hurricanes 3-1. Hayden was more pumped than usual, eager to get home to New York and see his brother.

At last, late that night, he arrived at his apartment to find Jared awake on the couch when he walked in. They embraced warmly and Jared explained how he'd wanted to wait up for Hayden.

"I'm glad you did," Hayden replied with a grin. "It's been too long."

They relaxed on the couch together and talked in low tones; Jared's wife, Mia, had gone to bed hours earlier.

"So tell me about this girl you've been seeing," Jared said after they'd discussed his flight and the family news from Sweden. "Mom said you talk about her all the time on the phone."

Hayden flushed but laughed at Jared's teasing wink. "Her name is Natalie. I wish you'd been able to come sooner, you could have met her."

"Where is she?"

"She went home for Christmas. Her family lives in Buffalo."

"When will she be back? We don't leave until the 1st."

"I don't think she comes back until the week after. Her classes don't start again until then."

Jared nodded in silence and smiled at his brother. Hayden gave him a playful shove.

"Stop looking at me like you know what I'm thinking."

"Hey, we're twins," Jared said with an innocent shrug. "Aren't we always on the same wavelength?"

"Maybe. What am I thinking now?"

Jared narrowed his eyes at Hayden as he considered. "You're thinking about how much you love this Natalie and how you want to get her to marry you."

While Hayden gaped at his brother, Jared laughed and clapped him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, Hayden. I won't tell anyone."

"I never said-"

"You didn't have to. I can see it in your face as you talk about her." Jared gave him a knowing wink. "I've never seen you so excited over a woman before."

"That's because I've never had Natalie before," Hayden replied in a quiet tone, his thoughts turning inward. He still missed Natalie. Having his brother with him now would make things easier but it was far too long until he'd see her again.

Christmas Day approached quickly. Natalie found her days filled with family visits, outings with her friends and some last minute shopping. Through every one of those activities, her thoughts constantly drifted to Hayden.

She watched his games when she could, having to fight her father or siblings for control of the TV every time. They talked on the phone every day but she felt his absence like a missing limb. Even on Christmas Eve as her entire extended family gathered at her parents house, she didn't join in the festivities.

Her father sat beside her on the couch at one point and silently handed her a mug of hot chocolate.

"Thanks, Dad."

"How come you're not having any fun?"

"What do you mean?"

He gave her an arch look and she smiled. "I know my daughter. You've been quiet and mopey ever since your goalie left you here."

Natalie flushed and hid her discomfort by taking a sip of her drink. "I'm not mopey."

"You can say it all you want, sweetheart, but I know the truth. Why don't you go back to New York early? Spend some time with Hayden before your classes start?"

"How am I supposed to get back there? I'm going back with Lindsay and the Taylor brothers after the New Year." She'd arranged the carpool over a month ago.

"Why don't you and Jamie drive the van down the day after Christmas? He can spend a night there and then drive back in the morning."

"Uh, good idea, Dad, but I don't want Jamie hanging around if I'm driving back to be with Hayden."

Her dad frowned at her and Natalie had to laugh knowing she'd made him uncomfortable with the reference to his 'little girl' being with a man.

Henry cleared his throat and gave her a narrow look. "Well. Fine. Drive down together and send him on his way with a fresh thermos of coffee."

"You're serious?"

"Of course I am. I wouldn't have suggested it if I wasn't." He turned his face and smiled. "I want my little girl to be happy. Even if you are happy with a bloody Ranger."

Natalie laughed and leaned over to hug her father. "Thanks, Dad. I'll go ask Jamie if he'd be up for it."

Two days later, she was driving her parents' van with her brother Jamie in the passenger seat. She had a difficult time keeping herself from flooring the gas pedal. It wouldn't help to get pulled over for speeding. So she stuck to the speed limit - mostly - and they arrived in New York in the middle of the afternoon.

She drove straight to Hayden's apartment building. She didn't know for sure if he'd be home but since his brother was visiting, she figured they might not be going anywhere today.

"Do you want me to wait to make sure he's home first?" Jamie asked as she parked and got out.

"No, it's all right. If he's not home, I'll just grab a cab back to NYU." Natalie pulled her bag out of the van and hugged her brother. "Thanks for doing this, Jamie."

"Whatever." He wriggled out of her grasp, not at an age yet where he was comfortable showing affection for his older sister. "Just remember that I did this the next time I need something."

Natalie laughed and waved him off as he got in the van. Then she squared her shoulders and walked into Hayden's building. Someone was just coming out so she didn't even have to buzz up to his apartment. She giggled to herself as she crossed the lobby to the elevators.

He's going to be so surprised, she thought. She felt a little apprehensive about bursting in on Hayden and his family but he had told her before she left that he'd wished she'd be around to meet his brother.

She got off the elevators on Hayden's floor and kept herself from running down the hall to his door. Just as she was rounding the corner, she heard voices and looked up to see a beautiful blonde woman walking out of Hayden's apartment. The woman stopped and turned back to the open doorway with a laugh and Natalie saw Hayden walk out. He said something to the woman, who laughed again and reached out to hug his arm. He grinned down at her as she said something in reply.

Natalie froze there at the end of the hall, wondering if she was hallucinating. Her stomach gave an awful lurch as she watched Hayden hug the blonde woman close to his side. He said something else to her, making her laugh again and Natalie felt her breath catch in her throat.

Natalie made a move to turn and go but she misjudged the space and banged her bag into the wall. Cringing, she jerked back and walked around the corner, glancing up once to see Hayden and the woman staring at her.

"Natalie?" Hayden's voice called out to her but Natalie didn't stop.

She kept walking away, hurrying back to the elevators as she tried to catch her breath. She felt like she'd been sucker punched and blinked back tears as she punched the 'down' button.

"Natalie!" Hayden called out again and she heard footsteps pounding down the hall.

"Come on, you stupid machine," she muttered, punching the button again.

Hayden rounded the corner before she got anywhere and she looked over at him. He hurried right up to her with a broad grin and pulled her into his arms. "Natalie! What are you doing here?"

'What are you doing here?' Not, 'I've missed you' or 'I'm so happy to see you.' Natalie held herself stiffly in his arms and swallowed convulsively.

Hayden pulled back as he laid a palm to her cheek. He peered down at her but she couldn't meet his curious gaze.

"What's wrong?"

She could only shake her head.

"Natalie, please. Did something happen? Is that why you're back so early?"

His concern tugged at her heart and she looked up into his face. "No. Everyone's fine."

He looked relieved to hear her speaking to him and smiled as he touched her cheek again. "Then what's wrong? Aren't you happy to see me?"

Natalie let her eyes slide past his face to a spot over his shoulder, picturing in her mind's eye the woman he'd been embracing moments ago. Hayden followed her glance before looking back at her.

"Oh, Natalie, no. She's my brother's wife, Mia."

Natalie stared at him, uncomprehending.

"My brother, Jared, and his wife are staying with me, remember?" His voice was gentle, not accusing or reprimanding and Natalie felt heat creep up her cheeks.

"Oh God," she moaned and covered her face with her hands.

Hayden chuckled and pulled her close, dropping a kiss on top of her head.

"I'm so stupid." She lifted her face to look at Hayden. "I'm sorry. I just saw you hugging her and I thought..." She let her sentence trail off and gave him a sheepish smile. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't worry." Hayden cupped her face in both hands and kissed her sweetly on the mouth. "I'm just so happy to see you. Why are you here?"

"I missed you," she replied.

Hayden's grin dazzled her and she felt her breath catch. "I missed you, too."

He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her again. It was less sweet, more sensual, and as Natalie pressed herself into him, she felt his body responding to her.

Someone cleared their throat and Natalie jerked away, embarrassed to be caught making out. Hayden winked at her before turning around.

"Is this Natalie?" Jared asked with a grin identical to Hayden's.

For a moment, Natalie was taken aback by the sight of Hayden's twin but she smiled shyly. Hayden pulled her close to his side and nodded at his brother.

"Jared, meet Natalie," Hayden introduced them. "Natalie, this is my brother, Jared, and his wife, Mia."

"It's so nice to meet you both," Natalie said.

"Us too," Mia replied. "Hayden has been talking about you all week."

Natalie looked up as Hayden gave a nervous laugh.

"Were you going out?" Natalie asked, taking in their winter coats.

"Yes, but we don't have to now," Hayden said and gave her shoulders a squeeze. "I'd rather find out how your Christmas was."

Natalie smiled back at him, warm and comfortable against his side. "Me too."

"Well, I think we'll go out," Jared said and moved past them to the elevators. "You guys have to catch up."

"You don't have to leave on my account!" Natalie exclaimed, embarrassed to be interrupting their family visit.

"It's all right," Mia assured her with a friendly smile. "Why don't we all meet for dinner later?"

"Sounds great," Hayden said before Natalie could respond. "Have a good time."

Then he was pulling her away from the elevators and away from his brother and sister-in-law. Natalie bit her lip as Hayden led the way back into the apartment and closed the door behind them. Natalie had just set her bag on the floor and was taking her coat off when Hayden pinned her to the door, sliding his lips over hers in a hungry kiss.

Natalie clutched his shoulders and kissed him back, parting her lips and eagerly stroking his tongue with hers. God, how she'd missed this, his taste and touch and the heavy weight of his body against hers.

Before she knew it was happening, Hayden had lifted her from her feet and was carrying her away from the door.

"Where are we going?" she asked with a breathless laugh.

Hayden gripped her firmly and didn't answer. A minute later, Natalie was dropped backwards onto his bed and he was tugging her clothes off. Her embarrassment over her mistake faded swiftly and she surrendered to his hungry embrace.

They were naked together in minutes and Natalie was all but begging for him to take her. At last, he slid his swollen length inside of her and they sighed into each other's mouths at the sensation.

"God, I've missed you." Hayden's words were a whisper across her lips.

Natalie shuddered as he pulled back and thrust in. They weren't going slow. After being apart for over a week, they were desperate for each other. Natalie lifted her hips to meet his frantic thrusting and wrapped her arms and legs around him. He sank into her again and again, taking her lips in devouring, demanding kisses.

Then Natalie came with a suddenness that shocked her. She arched beneath him, wrenching her lips from his. Hayden touched her face, a gentle stroke of his fingers over her forehead and down her cheek. She met his gaze as she shuddered through her climax and he smiled so sweetly at her that she whimpered.

"You're so beautiful," he whispered and brushed his lips over her face, kissing her eyes, her nose and her lips.

He'd stopped moving and as the sensations of her orgasm began to fade, Natalie shifted impatiently beneath him. He chuckled, the sound sending a delicious vibration through her entire body and Natalie gasped.

Slowly, he started to pump his hips again and he kept his eyes on hers as he moved. Their bodies slid erotically together, rubbing at every possible spot from thighs to chest. Natalie clung to him, overheating as he drew her to the brink again. This time, as she fell over the edge, he was right there with her, groaning and shuddering over her.

For several long minutes after, they lay silently together, touching along the full length of their naked bodies. At last, Hayden rolled off of her and pulled her over his chest. She smiled down at him and rubbed her fingertips over his stubbly chin.

"I've missed that," she whispered.

He arched an eyebrow at her and tickled her waist. "Only that?"

"No, not only that. I've missed everything."

"Like what?" Hayden prompted as his tickling fingers smoothed into a sensual caress.

"You."

Hayden cocked his head at her with a curious look and Natalie flushed under his gaze. "I missed you, Hayden. I didn't like not being in the same city as you."

"It was the same for me," he replied and wrapped both his arms around her waist.

"I know you've gone on your road trips before but this felt different. I didn't like it."

He nodded as he lifted a hand to run his fingers through her hair.

Natalie sighed and dropped her head to rest on his chest. "What are we going to do?"

"I guess we'll always have to be together."

She laughed. "That's not possible. You travel all the time and I have school."

"Not forever."

Natalie lifted her head to look at him. "What do you mean?"

"You won't be in school forever. I'll always have to travel, yes, but as long as I know you're here to come home to, I'll be OK."

"You want me to never leave New York again?" she asked with a laugh.

"Not never. Don't you want to stay in New York once you graduate?"

They'd never covered this topic before. She had another year of classes before she was done with her degree and she'd always supposed she'd just go where the work is. Now that she had Hayden, she realized she didn't want to leave New York, not as long as this was his home.

"So... wait, what are you saying?" she asked, unable to keep the tremor from her voice.

Hayden smiled and dragged his fingers across her cheek to her lips. She shivered as he stroked his fingers over her bottom lip.

"I want you to live here," he whispered. "With me."

Natalie's heart skipped several beats as she stared at him. "You mean it?"

He nodded. "Of course. I want to be with you."

"But what about the summer?"

"What about it?"

"Won't you go back to Sweden?"

"For a couple weeks," he replied with a shrug. "I usually spend the whole summer there but if I have you here, why would I leave?"

"Won't you miss your family?"

"They can come here. Or we can both go to Sweden, then you could meet everyone!"

Natalie laughed. The thought was daunting but she surprised herself again by being eager to meet his entire family.

"So will you?"

Natalie met his gaze with hers and smiled. She drew herself up and kissed him, keeping her eyes on his. "You've given this some thought."

He nodded, his expression solemn. "I told you, I want to be with you."

"Do you love me?" The question was out before she could stop it.

"Oh Natalie," he whispered and cupped the back of her head. "I love you so much."

"Really?"

"Yes!" He chuckled and kissed her. "Do I have to convince you?"

Natalie shook her head, tears pricking her eyes. She felt his love as palpably as she felt his arms around her body. "I love you, too."

"Good." He drew her face down to his and kissed her.

Natalie sank into his embrace, feeling it in every part of her body, right down to the soles of her feet. Their bodies warmed together and they dissolved into wild passion in minutes. Natalie laughed and cried and came in his arms, drinking in his whispered words of love and affection as he convinced her again and again and again.
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