Passing Through

Part Forty Eight

 Chapter Forty Eight

Natasha's heart had stopped, she was sure of it. How could three words cause so much carnage? Her mind was racing, her body sluggish and her tongue felt three times it's size as she tried to work out what to say in response.

Bo leaned in, and kissed her lips, "you don't have to say anything, this wasn't a bargaining chip, or a test..." He sighed, "wasn't expecting to say them myself, but I did, and I mean it. I do." As she made to reply, he placed his thumb over her lips, "no, don't say anything, I am not expecting you to respond. Come on..."

He led her out of the arena and they fought with the crowds all leading to the exit, as they were crossing the arena to the adjacent hotel and the location of both the American team, and the evenings party. Everyone else was heading out of the arena to the car parks and public transport the opposite side of the building. At times it was like treading water, and Bo tucked her behind him as they tried to part the crowds and get to where they were heading.

They were both laughing like hyenas when they finally got to the hotel.

"Wish we'd booked a room here," he whispered against her ear as they entered the foyer. That made her knees weak, but instead she rolled her eyes at him.

"I think you are becoming sex obsessed."

Tugging her into his arms, he kissed her nose, "addicted, that's the word." He kissed her again, "and to you, not sex. I'm Natasha-addicted."

Again she swooned, he was doing that to her, all the time. Swiping her off her feet, metaphorically, but almost physically. Clinging to his shoulders, she smiled up at him.

"I like that about you!"

He laughed at that, because he knew that she was still keeping everything close to her chest, but that was where she was, but she knew that she had to open up, share her darkest secrets, because that's what he deserved, and that was what couples did. The thought didn't scare her as much, and the only thing blocking her talking about all that happened, with Mia, Torrie and her parents, was the pain that talking about it caused her. It was a selfish thing, or rather a self preservation thing. But as she stood in the reception of a really smart hotel, wrapped in the arms of a man who loved her, she started to shake at the thought of what she had to do.

Bo led her into the ballroom, a large elegant room off the main foyer that was the location for the evenings soiree. It was quiet, most of the teams and dignitaries were still at the ice, but the stage at the end of the room was filled with trophies and awards, the real point of the evening.

His hand on the small of her back, directed her towards the bar, as he leaned down to murmur, "I understand it's a free bar, and to be honest, the NHL owes me more than a few drinks." As she chuckled, he added, "and I apologise now for all the times I'm going to abandon you tonight." When she stared at him, he smiled, "not physically, but there will be a lot of people wanting to talk to me, people I know...and that'll mean you are not the centre of my attention, and I regret that already."

Swoon number three.

With a large glass of wine, she leaned against the bar, Bo closing her in with a hand either side of her, his body close to her.

"You OK?" He asked, dropping his lips to her forehead. "You're quiet."

She nodded, "lots to think about, you keep dropping bombshells on me."

"There's no agenda, there's no deal or reason for it."

She smiled up at him, those huge blue eyes, "I know that, and I believe you, I trust you, more than anyone else."