Page 14 of Prairie Nights

“She’s with me,” a low firm voice sounded as Hayden appeared, two bottles of soda in one hand and a bag from the souvenir shop in the other. Squinting, he gave the men a steely glare as they cowered back in their seats.

Hayden sat down beside her, handing her a bottle of soda, concern etched on his face. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m glad you got back when you did, though.” She said, feigning distress. “I was about to unleash a big can of whoop ass on him and I didn’t want to get thrown out of my first ever NHL game!”

“I actually would have liked to have seen that!” Hayden laughed as he leaned in and planted a chaste kiss on her lips.

Whitney put her drink in her holder and glanced curiously down at the bag he was holding. Hayden smiled and reached into the bag pulling out a team toque with a large pom pom on top and a pair of matching mittens. “I got you these for you to commemorate your first NHL game, and because you’re always cold,” he said, putting the toque on her head and helping her into the mittens.

Whitney clapped her mittened hands happily, her brown eyes dancing with delight as she flashed him an appreciative smile. “I love them! But does this mean you aren’t going to keep me warm?” she asked, playfully putting her lip out in a pout.

Hayden chuckled, the sound low and sweet as he put his arm around her shoulders, and she snuggled into him.

* * *

The game over, their voices hoarse from cheering, Hayden and Whitney followed the crowd out of the arena, laughing and holding hands. Hayden loved how easy it was to be with Whitney. She was fun, silly, and their shared interests were such a welcome surprise to him. Her guard had come down, offering him uninhibited affection, and allowing him to reciprocate. Despite this change, he would not rush their connection, rather savor every bit she offered him and let her take the lead.

Coming into the main lobby, they both glanced out at the street through the floor to ceiling windows. The snow was coming down in giant flakes, soft and plentiful. The visibility even in the middle of downtown was questionable.

“I need to check the road conditions.” Hayden commented, his face etched with worry as he took a seat on a nearby bench.

Whitney looked out the window, her brows knitting in concern at the turn in weather.

Hayden pulled up his highway conditions app and winced. “Travel is not recommended.”

“What do we do then?” Whitney asked, taking a seat next to him and resting her hand on his thigh.

“Well, we could rent a hotel room.” He suggested, his eyebrows raised in question. “But I don’t know if you’re comfortable with that.”

“Hayden, is this your way of spending the night with me?” she teased with a giggle, pointing to the swirling snow outside.

Hayden laughed and put his arm around her. “If only I wielded that type of power, but alas, mother nature is the culprit. There is a hotel just a few blocks from here. Do we chance it out there?” he asked, pointing his thumb behind them, to the winter storm outside.

“I think we can,” she said, buttoning up her jacket and slipping on her mittens and toque. “I’m ready.”

He smiled and leaned in to kiss her sweetly as he tugged the toque over her eyes. “You are so damn cute!”

She grinned and rose from the bench, grabbing his hand. “Which way?”

He pointed toward the hotel, and they slipped out the large doors into the winter wonderland that was downtown Winnipeg. Hand in hand, they hurried down the street, the snow thick and heavy, coming down on them as they trudged along the sidewalk towards the hotel. Reaching their destination, they entered the lobby and shook off the snow now covering them.

“You two look cold!” the friendly middle-aged woman at the concierge desk commented. “Those Manitoba storms, I tell you. Luckily, this one is supposed to let up tomorrow sometime. Can I get you a room for the night?”

“Yes, please.” Hayden replied as they stepped up to the desk and he glanced down at Whitney for clarification, asking,“Or do we need two?”

Whitney met his questioning gaze, and a slow smile curved her lips as she turned to answer the concierge, “One room, please.”

Hayden smiled back, feeling a pang of anticipation, his heart pounding hard in his chest. They had bridged a gap tonight, and she was choosing to let him in.

“Perfect,” the woman commented as she checked them in and, after explaining the amenities, handed Hayden the key cards.

Making their way to the elevator, Whitney reached out and intertwined her fingers with Hayden’s. He glanced at Whitney, thinking he would see her hesitation, but when she met his inquiring gaze all he saw was her consent. Reaching their floor, they quickly found their room and opened the door. The room was large with a king size bed in the middle, a long desk, with a TV above it and a chair by the large floor to ceiling window.

Removing their jackets, they went to work on their boots, Whitney struggling to remove hers. “Let me help you,” he offered, gesturing for her to have a seat on the bed.

She sat, leaned back on her elbows and let him remove one boot, then unzip the second and pulled that one off as well. Putting her boots by the front entrance, he returned and knelt in front of her to rub her feet and calves, his eyes transfixed on hers.

Whitney let out a moan of satisfaction as he massaged her instep. Letting her head fall back as she relaxed under his touch. Hayden smiled, deciding tonight was going to be all about her. She deserved to be worshipped, and he was going to show her how wonderful it was to be with someone that truly cherished her.Whitney lifted her head, her beautiful brown eyes blazing with desire. Sitting up, she took his face in her hands, her voice raspy with need. “I want you, Hayden.”

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