The Boy, The Girl, and The Game (Artemi Panarin)

Game Day

-Annabelles POV-

Every cautious thought I had told me to dodge his kiss. That I should turn so he hits my cheek or simply deny him. I knew this could affect my job or my how my next book goes, but who says that's a bad thing? Everything happens for a reason and it's important to make every situation into a positive. And Artemis lips were definitely a positive.

My stomach does flips and I feel my knees buckle at his touch. He intertwines his fingers in the hair at the top of my neck and pulls me closer. I quickly cup his face and enjoy every second of it.

We pull away and he keeps his eyes closed. Cute. Eventually his eyes flutter open and immediately meet mine.

"Holy shit" he says causing me to giggle. I hate that he made me feel like a love sick teenager, yet loved it at the same time. We stood there smiling at each other for while until I broke the silence.

"I'm still soaked" I laugh as he looks at our clothes.

"I guess so, lets go get you come dry clothes" he says. He grabs me a change of clothes and he changes as do I. I walk out and find myself drawn to the window. The bench looked welcoming so I sit down.

"Watcha thinking about" Artemi says joining me.

"That you didn't actually want to know how to grate cheese" I laugh. He nods his head and looks out the window.

"Yeah, I couldn't actually care less, but is good to know. It was just a lame excuse from when I got too scared to ask you out the first time" he says now looking at me.

"A first time" I ask a bit confused.

"Listen, Belle. I really like you. You make me feel nervous yet so strong. You always know the right thing to say and I can't begin to explain the things you do to me in such a short amount of time. You drive me crazy but I love this feeling and wouldn't change it for the world. So will you go out with me, on a actual date not a cheese grater excuse" he clarifies.

"I make you nervous? The same guy who came to a different continent, with a different language and culture, and did things few hockey players have ever done before? You had to re-learn the game you've known your whole life by just being thrown out there... even got to play on a team fresh off a Stanley cup and on a line with the top point scorer in the league, all within a year and you're nervous to talk to me" I try to clarify.

"Well yeah. You're like super smart and intimidating. You might not be a 220 pound defenseman hurdling at me at full speed on skates but you might as well be. I want to impress you but I feel like that impossible because you already know everything" he laughs.

"Well stop trying so hard. You're a great player but a even better guy" I say lightly taping his knee.

"So about that date" he starts with a eyebrow raised.

"Yes... I will go on a date with you" I nod.

I've been with the team the whole pre-season and am getting to know the guys pretty well. I watch how they work, how they think and act. It's all so interesting. I think of the best ways to help them but am making great friends along the way.

"Hey Scott. How are you today" I ask Darling on my way to my office. He's looked great this preseason and I felt like he's the guy I'll see the least at this job. He's like a huge teddy bear I want to wrap my arms around him.

"Hey Anna, I'm doing pretty good. Excited for the game tonight" he smiles. God he's amazing.

"You're gonna do great! Tell Martha I say hi" I ask and he says his thanks before hitting the ice.

Today's the first game with Pat and Artemi and everyone who wasn't on team Canada and Europe in WCoH will play in a game. I'm kinda sad Patrick and Artemi aren't on the same lines but I get why they're not.

"Hey Belle" someone says and I already know who it is. He's the only one who calls me that.

"Hey Artemi. Ready for the game tonight" I ask and he looks down.

"Can I talk to you" he asks and I lead him to my office. He sits on my couch and I join him. "Honestly I'm scared because I'm not on a line with Patrick, what if they're right" he sighs. We've talked about the nay-sayers and how they have gotten to him, frankly he just doesn't realize how amazing he truly is. I shake my head and he notices.

"Hockey isn't easy, Artemi. Many play but few prosper. But you're not like most hockey players. Patrick's been a player here for over 9 years, he's been on a line with dozens of players. But he only won the Art Ross and Hart trophy when you showed up. Consistency isn't about luck, its talent and heart and hard work. Consistency won you the Calder. You're not some one season wonder because you work hard and are as skilled as they come. In Russia, Patrick wasn't there but you still lead the team in points did you not? You gotta take the opportunities given to you and make the most out of them. You work great with Patrick, but only because you both are one of a kind together. You can't forget that otherwise other people will too" I say resting my hand on my shoulder. He lets out a breath he was keeping in and nods.

"You're right. It's just hard to think straight when everyone's in my head" he says.

"I get that. But it's your head. Fill it with things that make you happy. Childhood memories, good times from last year. Focus on the good and that's what you'll get. When you go out there tonight, don't go looking for Patrick. When you need him most he'll be there. Do what you do best and light it up" I say with a smile. He pulls me into a hug and I give him a good squeeze.

"Thank you so much, I needed that" he whispers. I let go and see he had visibly relaxed a little from when he first came in. "You know what would make me feel even better" he asks with a smirk.

"What would that be" I ask straightening out my skirt. I look up to see him inches from my face and I meet his eyes.

"A kiss" he whispers before bringing his lips to mine.

His hands find my hips and mine find his face. I seemed to have forgot that my blinds were open and a very excited Amanda was tapping in the window. For someone who wanted us together she sure was ruining a good moment.

"I fucking knew it" she screams letting herself in. I still stand in Artemi's arms and bury my face in his chest because I know I could because he was about to smell like ass but he smelled good now. "You can't hide behind Artemi. How come you didn't tell me" she pouts. I unwrap myself and pat his chest before he leaves.

"Literally happened less than 24 hours ago. Sorry I don't give hourly updates" I laugh fixing my hair and heading out.

I sit in the boxes with the other families and enjoy the game. Besides the random snarky comments from Amanda about "my secret love affair" the game went great. Darling had a shut out and Artemi had the first and game winning goal. Set up by Patrick naturally.

We head down after interviews and I put my notes in my desk and relax a little. I head out and find Artemi outside my door with a huge smile. "Were you waiting for me" I laugh locking my door.

"Yeah. Wanted to see you one more time before I left" he says, never losing his smile.

"Why is that" I say walking to the door. Everyone is walking around so I tried slipping out.

"So I can do this" he says before dipping me backwards and planting a kiss on my lips. He holds me in his strong arms as my hair flows down, hovering the floor. 

After he sets me back on my feet I feel a blush creep up and look into his beautiful eyes speechless.