Unknown Beginning

Part 31

The rink at their school happened to be in the same building as many of Riley's classes. When you walked in through the four rows of glass paneled doors, you found a small food area on the left which acted as a concession stand during sporting events. Across from this area were the bathrooms to the right of the entrance. As you entered further into the building an ice rink could be seen through a wall of glass straight ahead. To access the rink one had to either go left down a half flight of stairs where students could rent skates or hockey players could enter locker rooms and the rink. Otherwise, spectators could go left up a half flight of stairs to enter the ice rink at the top of the stands to find their seat. For students who had classes in this building, rather than heading right towards the rink after going up the half flight of stairs, they could continue left up another half flight of stairs. At this level there were coaches' offices, a glass wall with chairs that overlooked the rink, bathrooms, conference rooms, and classrooms. Those classrooms were typically where the athletic trainer and exercise science type majors had their major-specific classes. Which meant Riley, as an exercise science major (and psychology minor) spent most of her time in this building between hockey and classes. Not only that but from the front entrance, one could go right down a large hallway and access a gym, student lockers (separate from the athletic locker rooms), as well as a basketball and volleyball court.

All of these potential spaces meant Riley had a choice to make when she arrived at this building. Should she wait for James downstairs at the rink or locker rooms? Down the hall near the gym or basketball court? Upstairs near the classrooms? Riley had no idea what James had in mind but the girl working the front desk was staring at her so Riley hurriedly headed upstairs towards the classrooms hoping that seemed less conspicuous. Still uncertain of her decision, she opted to wait near the chairs that overlooked the rink and texted James to let her know.

It only took a few moments before Riley's breath hitched as she caught sight of James coming up the stairs. Riley saw James scan her heels, legs, skirt, hips, and waist before continuing to her chest, arms, neck and then finally Riley's face as James walked over.

"Hey" Riley said shyly as she backed up to sit on the arm of the cushioned chair.

"Hi" James replied, slightly smug, "You look nice".

"I feel overdressed," Riley said as she took in James' jeans, zip up sweatshirt and light brown jacket that hung open to reveal a fitted black t-shirt.

James' eyes raked the length of Riley again as she disagreed, "No. You look perfect".

Riley blushed and looked down, only realizing James had moved to stand in front of her when she saw James' feet almost touching her own. Peering up nervously at James, Riley cautiously reached to tug lightly at the zipper of James' sweatshirt where it hung near her hip.

James reached for Riley's other hand, weaving their fingers together and pulling Riley gently up while murmuring "Come here". James guided Riley towards her as James backed up until her back rested against the wall. "Don't be nervous" James soothed quietly, placing Riley's hand on her own shoulder.

Riley met James' gaze as she let her hand trail from James' shoulder and down the opening of her coat. James reached a hand to cradle Riley's waist as she pulled Riley flush to her own body and brought her lips down to find Riley's. Riley's eyes closed as she felt the warmth of James' hand spread across her back. Felt her lips melt into the softness of James'. Riley's hands were now under James' sweatshirt, running over her t-shirt along James' sides and one hand reached to James' back. Riley felt James' own hands searching for a place to land yet never finding it.

James' hands followed the curve of Riley's spine to the small of her back then down to the contour of Riley's ass. James paused there before racing back up to Riley's waist, then hips, then fitting to cup Riley's breast briefly before moving on. Their hands moved with the fervor of someone dying of thirst being presented with a glass of water. No touch was enough to satisfy and only left them wanting more. This quest of yearning, to learn, to devour, was only halted by the sound of wheels and a clearing throat.

The presence of another human may have been the only impetus that could have pulled Riley from James in that moment. With a gargantuan effort, Riley stepped back from James despite every fiber of her being screaming to return to James' embrace.

Curiously Riley looked around for the source of sound and found a janitor rolling a large bin towards them, clearly having witnessed at least part of their exchange. As the awkwardness and reality washed over Riley, she suddenly became self conscious again. Anxiously rearranging her disheveled clothes, Riley said "Uh... I should probably go."

James did not seem to agree "You should come out with me tonight".

"I can't" Riley replied despite that being exactly what she wanted. "I promised Kenny I'd go to the second-years' party".

Unconcerned, James tried "Or you could hang out with your favorite third-year".

"That's pretty presumptuous," Riley teased. "Who said you are my favorite third-year?"

James looked Riley up and down once more, pausing at her lips "I dunno, just a guess".

Riley blushed again, "Yeah yeah tough guy" she retorted, narrowing her eyes. "Well unfortunately for you, Kenny has dibs and she's my number one".

"If you say so," James said, still cocky.

Riley turned to head down the stairs and called "You're gonna have to work harder than that to be my number one.

James didn't follow and instead watched Riley until she was nearly out of sight and replied "We'll see about that".

Which left Riley wondering what more could possibly happen after their tryst tonight.