Falling On Ice

Chapter 4

Penny took Mav to the walk-in to grab two cases of the beer. Amber grabbed a bottle each of vodka, rum and Scotch.
They had everything lined up on the counter. Penny made sure that the closing crew were set for the night before they were ready to head over to Ices condo. The Crew was took alcohol and loaded up Mavericks trunk. Then they shows off to Ices place. Amber squeezed into the tiny back seat of the sports car.
Leave it to Mav to do dig right into gossip.
"So Amber, I hear you're staying with Ice..."
She blushed,"Yes, he took me in the night that my psycho ex showed up at the bar."
"How's it going?"his eyes sparkled with mischief as he asked about her situation with Ice.
"It's going well. I feel safe there."
"Good! It'll be fun tonight. Everyone can unwind." Mav said.
"So you two shot down some spies I heard! Congratulations!"Amber said, trying to get the focus off herself.
"Thanks! I am grateful that Ice was out there with me. Wolfman and Slider came in as back up."
"I'll bet! I'm glad you're both back safe!"
Penny chimed in,"Same here!"she caught Mav's eye.
Mav reached over and squeezed Penny's hand.
"So are you and Ice... Dating?" Mav asked with a crooked grin.
"We're, um, we're just getting to actually know each other. My divorce isn't final yet.. "
"Didn't you hate him?"
"Um, yeah! I did! Until he kind of rescued me that night. I'm sure Penny told you about my Ex coming in..."
"She did. I'm glad Ice got you out of there."
"Me too. Believe me! I'm glad Penny was safe too."
"So what's it like having him as a house mate?"
Penny smacked him in the arm."Mav!"
"What?!" He asked.
"Maybe she doesn't want to talk about this right now!" She said.
"Ok! I was just curious! He seemed like he was in a good mood! I'm just happy for him! That's all!"
"Well maybe let them be!" Penny scolded him. "You're as bad a gossip as any woman I know!"
"It's ok Penny." Amber said."I um, I do kind of like him... Now that I'm getting to know him for real and not just his cocky fighter pilot persona..."
"Ohhhh!" Mav grinned. "Are you actually giving him a chance?"
"Sort of!" Amber said, her face was getting hotter by the second.
"Penny!" Mav said,"This is exciting!!"
She couldn't help but smile,"I know! Oh! Here we are!"
"Looks like some guests have arrived!" Mav said.
They parked and brought the alcohol out to the back patio. Ice was turning on the grill. Wolfman and Slider were bringing the steaks and foil wrapped potatoes out. Slider saw them and came to relieve Penny of her case of beer.
"Penny Benjamin! As I live and breathe! Been a long time! You still hanging with this fool?" He nodded toward Maverick.
She laughed,"Yeah! For now!"
All the men hollered out"OHHHH!" It was a good burn. They all knew of the on again off again ways of their past.
"Holy, shit! Amber? No way!" Slider asked as he locked eyes with her,"What's it been? Fifteen years?"
She grinned and nodded,"Something like that. How are ya Slider?"
"Great! Real good to see ya!"he hugged her."What brings you here?"
Amber looked over toward Ice then back to Slider.
"Well, um I am kind of staying here..."
"Ohhh! Nice!"
"I'm going through a divorce and Ice kind of helped get me out of a bad situation."
"Jesus, I'm sorry to hear that. But if anyone can help it's definitely him."
"If you'll excuse me for a minute, I'm going to go set those bottles up. So good to see you Slider!"
"You too!"
Amber made her way over to Ice.
"Hey!" She looked up at him.
"Shadow. I know we're busy right now. But we need to talk later."his voice was stern.
"I agree." She wanted to touch him, a simple gesture, a squeeze of the hand, something, but she wasn't sure about letting on to any of the guests that weren't Penny or Mav. They were at least aware of the possibility of the budding romance.
"Ice?" She said softly.
He saw the seriousness in her eyes. Maybe it was worry,"Yeah Shadow."
"I'm glad you and Mav are all right."
His face softened,"Me too." He clenched his jaw just a little. He could tell that she was worried."Hey, can you come inside a second to help me?"
"Of course!"
Ice turned to Mav,"Hey, can you keep an eye on the grill a few minutes? I've got a few things to bring out. Shadow is going to help me."
"Yeah! I got this!" Mav grinned and grabbed the flipper.
"Thanks!" Ice gently placed this hand at the small of her back and guided her to the door, opening it for her. They went inside.
"What can I help you with?"
"I... Listen," he took a breath, composing his thoughts,"I thought I could wait to talk about this... I'm impatient."
Amber stood by the doorframe looking up at him.
"Ice? What's on your mind?"
"My life was in real danger today..."
"Yeah! No kidding!"
"Amber I care about you." His face was dead serious.
"Yes, I know."
"I... Thought about the fact that I could've died... And then I worried about what would happen to you."
"Oh...Tom..." She looked up at him questioning where he was going next
He reached over and cupped her face in his palm.
"I don't scare easily. But I thought about you when I was up there. You're becoming very important to me Amber. "
"You all ready saved my life. You're becoming very important to me too."she reached up and placed her hand on his. He drew her in to him. Wrapping his other arm around her.
"I don't want to leave you." He said.
"Then don't." She answered.
Ice bent down and kissed her hard. She felt her knees go to weak. And he scooped her up and placed her on the counter nearby. Continuing to kiss her. He was not one that was great at expressing his emotions with words. But he sure was great at showing them. He had her legs wrapped around him when Penny walked in on them.
"Whoa! Sorry guys! I thought I'd come and see if you need help... Don't think I can help with that?" She grinned.
Ice pulled away from Amber, grinning, resting his forehead on hers.
"Uh, we'll be right out..." He said.
"Yep! Sorry!" Penny hurried out to the patio.
"It's all right Penny!" He chuckled.
Mav looked up and asked,"They need help?"
"NOPE! ALL GOOD?" She was blushing deeply.
Mav reached out for her and pulled her in to his side."What happened?"he could tell just from her to e that it was something.
"I may have just walked in on them totally making out...!" She whispered.
"Haha! Nice!"
"Looks like they're getting along pretty well!"
"Awesome! Good for both of them!"
Back in the kitchen Ice held Amber and they talked for a minute.
"I was scared that I could've left you. Even though we know my job has risks..."
"You are here. It's ok. Hey, even my job has risks...you guys did your job and you both came home safe. That's what matters!"
"I just need you to understand that I care."
She reached up and ran her fingers through his spiky hair. She smiled,"I guess we've really come a long way here. Are we both getting on the same page?"
"I think maybe so." He dipped in for another kiss. A softer, more tender kiss. Pulling back a moment later."We should probably get back to the guests..."
"Yeah..." She paused, grabbing his collar ,she yanked him in for one more kiss. She liked this softer side of him."Okay, now we can go. Let's go have some fun." She grinned.
"And a beer!"
"Screw that, I'm have some rum. You scared the shit out of me today!"
"Fair enough! Let's go!" He helped her off the counter. Then they grabbed plates and silverware. So as to not be as suspicious. Mav smirked as they walked out together. Amber carrying the basket of utensils and Ice the plates.
"Took you long enough!" Mav grinned.
"Pete!" Penny scolded.
"Oh God I'm teasing! It's all in good fun! Ice, steaks are almost ready. "
"Thanks for watching them."
"You got it. You good? You look a little flushed..."
"I'm fine!" Ice glared back.
"Pete! Stop instigating!" Penny scolded him again. She saw the flush all over Amber's face too. She smirked. Amber went over to the bar and was mixing a drink so Penny came up beside her."So....sorry about the intrusion..."
Amber grinned her eyes shot to Penny."I'm not sure what to say to that...I didn't know that was going to happen!He had asked me to help carry stuff out..."She stirred her drink and then turned all the way to Penny. "He said he got worried about what would happen to me if things had gone wrong up there..."
"Oh...damn... You're in his head."
"Well he's certainly in mine too."
"Clearly..." Penny smiled sipping her beer."You both seem happy though...That was quite the liplock!" Penny smirked.
"We are going very slow..."
"I have a feeling that's about to change. If he thought about you while he was in flight, you're getting to him...I know how Mav used to get when things were new for us. So can we be a couple of teenagers for a sec and gossip?" Penny asked softly.
Amber had a feeling she knew where that was going but went with it."What?"
"Is he a good kisser?"
Amber turned dark deep red."Oh my God.....so good."
Penny nodded,"Had a feeling. You guys were really going at it."
"Oh God ... stoppppp!" Amber grinned.
"So....have you guys...."
"Slept together?"
"Yeah."
"Actual sleep, yeah, but we haven't gone further, he's making me wait."
"Oh shit here he comes...!" Penny said looking past Amber.
Ice came up and rested his hand on Amber's shoulder. The heat from his skin warmed her further. Inside she felt like a raging inferno ready to fully combust. Every touch and breath from him was more fuel added to the fire.
"Ladies, everyone is here and the steaks are ready. Why don't you guys go make your plates and get comfortable?"
"Impossible..." Amber said under her breath.
"What was that?" He asked, of course his sharp ears heard her.
"Nothing!" She cringed.
She felt him touch her elbow, making her look back up at him and she could swear she saw flames in his eyes too. Penny may be onto something...
"I'll be over in a minute." He said with his eyes never blinking as he kept them on hers.
"Perfect."she said and followed Penny over to the grill.
As they each took a steak Amber whispered to Penny."You might be onto something..."
Penny grinned."I haven't seen him so intense...I've seen him flirt with girls and you can tell when it's a game, but he's intent on you...he's serious."
"We agreed earlier that we have to talk later. But then we talked in the kitchen, before you came in..."
"I bet you're not going to be doing much talking tonight!"
"Maybe not!" Amber hissed.
Every one eventually was seated around the table. Ice was at the head,Amber next to him,Penny next to her, Mav next to Penny. Wolfman and Slider sat across from Amber,Penny and Mav and a couple of the kids from class had come to mingle with the older crowd.
Ice stood back up. Glass in hand, knocking his fork on it to get everyones attention.
"Thank you all for coming tonight. We had a strange day. But it was handled briskly thanks to team work. Everyone came home safe. And that's what I want to celebrate tonight. Our victory. To our friendship. To our team. And to those of you who support us." His eyes went right to Amber.
Everyone noticed it. Nobody said a word. But Penny reached over and grabbed Amber's hand in solidarity, because they were the ones behind the men these days. The women both squeezed tightly.
"Cheers!" He said.
The crowd responded right back,"Cheers!"
"Dig I'm everyone! Enjoy! Mav helped with the steaks and potatoes."
The Crew sat around eating, sharing war stories.Mav and Ice told everyone that wasn't there about the jets that they shot down. There were many laughs, and a few somber moments, one was as they remembered Goose. Mav did a toast to Goose .They did a toast to all the fallen after that.At the end of the night people started to filter out. The young crew went out to go party for a bit longer. It was down to Maverick and Penny, Ice and Amber. They had moved to the love seats and Ice nonchalantly put his arm around Amber. Completely at ease whenhis old friends nearby.Maverick had done the same with Penny. They chatted a bit longer and finally Penny yawned and Mav took that as a signal.
"You wanna head out?" He asked her.
"Yeah it's getting late. I think maybe these two could use a little time together alone." Ice had been absently stroking Amber's shoulder and stopped when he realized that Penny was watching. She winked at him.
"Hey, I'm still not completely sure you should be back to work yet. But if you want to come in let me know I'll come pick you up." Penny told Amber.
"Yeah I think that'd be great."
Ice spoke up,"I'm sending over some MP's as security for you. I don't like that her Ex pulled a gun on you. I know you carry, but I'd feel better for the safety of both of you." Admiral Kazansky said.
Penny nodded,"Thanks Ice. I appreciate it. They'll be treated very well. Meals will be on the house."
"Thank you. It's the least I can do since I have to work. I just want to keep you both safe."
"Ice, you're the best." Penny said.
"Yes, thank you. It is appreciated. " Amber said.
"You're welcome. Maverick, Penny thanks for coming."
Both answered in unison."Of course!"
Hugs passed between the women, slaps on the back for the men. Finally, it was just Tom and Amber together. They stood next to each as they watched their friends speed off into the night. Amber looked up to the night sky, it was crystal clear. Ice slowly rested his hand on her hip, pulling her closer to him.
"It's a beautiful night." He said.
"Yeah it sure is. That was a lot of fun. It felt like a weird reunion kind of. Very cool."
"It just seemed appropriate to do." He said.
"It was! Tom... I'm glad you made it back." She said softly.
"I am too. I did what had to be done. Truthfully I think we got lucky that there weren't more out there. Mav took out the carrier landing pad. It seems it was just those four jets."
"It could've been much worse."
"Yes it could have." He paused and turned toward her. Pulling her into him."You've become very important to me." His face was as stern and his eyes set hard on hers."I am grateful Slider and Wolfman were nearby."
Amber rested her hands on his chest while he held her waist.
"I am too. Ice. I know your job is risky. I can sort of handle that. Penny can coach me on dealing with it. And we can lean on each other. Lord knows she's been through it a time or two."
"Amber. The thing is. I've never been scared up there. Flying has always been an adrenaline rush. But I worried about you today. I've been thinking about things a lot lately. Let's go sit down and talk."
"Okay." Tom let go of her, but took her hand and guided her to the living room. They sat, and he still held her hand in his.
"Tom? What's on your mind?"she sat facing him.
"I think I'm falling for you." He took her hand and kissed it. He didn't smile though. He stroked her knuckles gently.
"Tom...I..."
"Wait." He searched her eyes,"I'm not done... I've enjoyed having you here. It's been nice to have you around. I have no idea if you feel the same way. But we've been getting to know each other and I think we've come a long way from those kids we used to be."
"I agree." She said."Tom I think I've been falling too...I can't stop thinking about you. And when you're this close to me I think I could spontaneous combust." She smirked."There's no doubt in mind that we have chemistry now."
"Do you care the way I care?"his eyes aearched for the truth.
"I think I do. I can't get you off of my mind either. And apparently when you're on my mind I smile a lot. At least that's what Penny says."
Tom let go of her hand.
"I want you to be mine."
"I...I want that too. I still need to get through my divorce. But I want that too."
"I will be here every step of the way. I'll go to court with you. Whatever you need."
"Thank you."
She studied him and reached for him, wanting a hug so badly all of a sudden. He embraced her.
"Can you truly handle my job?" He asked her.
"As long as I have Penny at my side I know I can. She knows how to help me through it since she's been through it with Mav."
"I'm not often in danger, I'm usually behind the desk, but like yesterday, there are times that I do go up."
"I understand."
Ice kissed her forehead. "You're something else Shadow." He looked down at her."I am falling for you." He reached up and brushed a strand of her hair out of her eyes.
"Tom. Kiss me." She said, and reached up to his cheek, drawing him in to her lips. She placed hers on his so softly, but he welcomed her right away. He kissed her intensely. She pushed him gently back into the couch and crawled onto his lap, straddling him. Taking his face in her hands after pulling back from the kiss.
"I'm falling for you too... You're arrogant, cocky even, but I've seen this different side of you. You've been so kind to me. And words can not express how grateful I am that you got me out of the bar that night. I can't thank you enough for my safety!" She felt him grip her hips. A sigh escaped her lips and she bent into him for another kiss. Then it was all over. Their natural chemistry kicked into overload. She cupped the back of his neck with one hand and her other rested on his chest. Suddenly he pulled her in tight, holding and supporting her, he stood from the couch and she wrapped her legs tightly around his waist. He carried her to his room and she dropped her legs to the floor once they were there. They stood and she reached for the hem of his shirt,untucking it and he let her help him take it off. He had a tight white undershirt on too. She helped with that too. Then she brought her hands up to his chest, running her fingers lightly over it, letting his soft chest hair tickle her fingers. He reached down and went for her shirt too. Pulling it up over her, flicking his wrist it landed a few feet away. His eyes smoldered as he looked down at her black lace bra.
"Shadow, you're beautiful." He bent down and kissed into her neck. She arched her back. Ice kissed down her neck and her shoulder, then made his way around to her collar bone. He cupped her face and kissed her again. Then while he kissed her he reached behind her and unhooked her bra. She slipped out of it. The bra fell on the floor. They kissed more. Now Ice walked her over to the bed and she laid down, pulling him with her. He settled on top of her. She wrapped a leg around him. He reached down and smoothly grabbed her ass cheek, pulling her tighter against him. Then he reached up and gently cupped her breast. Massaging slowly, making her breathe more deeply. She was growing wet, and could barely catch her breath. She sighed softly. He kept at it, and she was starting to grind against him looking for relief. He then reached down between them, trying to find her waistband, finally unbuttoning and unzipping.
He pulled back, saw her all flushed."God you're lovely." He said."How are you feeling?"his eyes bored into hers.
"Like you better get these pants off me..."she said with a devilish grin.
"Yes ma'am." He got up, and pulled at her pants, she helped by shimmying out of them. He got her pants off then he took his off too. Now she was displayed before him in just her black lace bikini panties, and he was down to just the boxers. He slid them off. She watched and saw how aroused he was for her.
"God... You're gorgeous Tom..." She said softly. "Come here..." She motioned for him to get back to her
"You got it my Shadow." He laid next to her. And pulled her leg back over him. He stroked her thigh. "God, I want you..."
"Then take me..."she said.
Ice surprised her by reaching down between them. Stroking her outside her panties."Tom..."she whispered,"Take me please!"
"Easy Shadow..."he was working at her and felt her soaked panties, he knew she was ready. He was biding his time though trying to keep building up the tension for her. He was ready to go, but wanted to savor it. "Easy..." He kissed her but then started to take her panties off. She helped slide out of them. Finally all barriers were gone. He placed his arms beside her, gently moving her legs apart with his knee so that he fit more comfortably. He rested on his elbows over her and kissed her. His lips firm and ready for hers, claiming her mouth for his own. He reached down with one hand and positioned himself up to her. As he deepened the kiss he started working himself into her. She sucked in a breath as he started to fill her. She brought her legs up around his waist and drew him into herself further. They gazed into each other's eyes as he slowly, deliciously pumped inside her.
"Tom,I love you!" She said.
He answered,"I love you too!" He started pumping faster, building up more friction, feeling her growing more slick."You feel amazing!" He bowed his head and nuzzled into her neck, she reached up and held his head to her, she couldn't help but moan when he pushed deeper yet. A chain reaction set off and she clutched at him as she came. He kept going and in a moment he was finally releasing too. He kept his face in her neck and rode out the last waves of pleasure, then slumped on her. She loved the pressure of him crushing her into the mattress. She kept one leg wrapped around him, stretching out the other leg. She cradled his head against her and they both worked on catching their breath.
"Oh my!" She giggled softly.
Ice looked up, hair mussed from her, making him look twenty years younger.
"You good?"he smirked.
"SOOO good!" She traced his jawline with her finger."God Tom...you feel so good..."
"So do you!" He kissed her softly and then settled his head back down on her chest. Reaching up he looked at her breast and started stroking it softly,"Your skin is so soft..." He ran his thumb over her taught nipple softly and then just cupped it and left his hand there while he rested.
"Thank you for being there for me." She said.
"I'm glad you finally let me know you. Thank you for that."
"You're welcome."
"I love you."
"I love you."
They stayed twined in each other's arms the rest of the night. Ice kept her close to him in their sleep.