Avalanche Territory (NHL Gabe Landeskog)

Chapter 20: Sleep

I woke up slowly, the house dark and the storm that had been a terror outside calm and quiet. I leaned on an elbow and reached across Gabe to check the time on the phone that sat on the nightstand. 1:03 am it read and I rolled onto my back.

"Raiyne?" Gabe asked hoarsely, a hand running over his face as he as well began to sit up.

"It's early, go to sleep." I replied quietly, slipping my legs from the sheets and standing, pulling my arms over my head.

"Where are you going?" He asked, a little more alert as he rolled and grabbed my wrist, sheets falling to the waistband of his jeans he wore.

"Bathroom, and to get something to eat. Gabe go to sleep." I soothed, trying to unwrap his hand from my wrist but instead he as well stood, disoriented.

"I'm coming with you." He yawned, running a hand through his messed hair. "After I change my pants."

I rolled my eyes, too tired to fight him as I went to the bathroom and then pulled my hair up into a bun and exited. I heard a groan and then felt Gabe wrap his arms around my waist.

"You're sleep messed and still gorgeous." He stated and I pushed him away lightly.

"Alright Prince Charming." I taunted, making my way down the stairs and into the kitchen.

I pulled open the fridge, freezing because Gabe began to trail my shoulder blade, spine and then the top of the lace boy shorts.

"Get lost." I laughed, grabbing an apple and biting into it. "You should be sleeping."

"You should be sleeping with me." He replied, taking my apple from my hand and lifting me onto the counter.

"Hey!" I grumped, grabbing his wrist. "That's mine."

"Well, Mrs Landeskog it's mine now." He stated and my heart slammed with the name, a smirk tilting his lips as he leaned closer to me. "Mrs Landeskog, sounds perfect to me."

Chills raced across my skin and I placed a hand on his chest, before slipping my arms over his shoulders and wrapping my legs loosely around his waist.

"It's one thirty in the morning and we are talking about my new last name." I explained, tilting my head to the side and raising a brow.

"Come to bed." He stated, tilting my chin up with his forefinger.

"I'm hungry." I stated.

"You won't be." He replied, his lips falling onto mine.

I laughed against his lips and his forehead rested on mine as I wrapped my legs tighter around his waist, pulling him to the counter as I ran a hand through his hair.

"Baby." I whispered, slipping to the edge of the counter. "Can I have my apple back?"

He shook his head and took a bite, turning to leave the kitchen, "Nope." He stated.

I glared at his perfectly sculpted back as I jumped down from the counter and reopened the fridge, grabbing pineapple instead and then a fork, following Gabe's path to the sectional in the living room.

He glared as I sat across from him, stabbing the fruit and putting it in my mouth as the wind whipped once again outside.

"Maybe we should turn on some lights." Gabe muttered and I shook my head.

"Afraid of the dark?" I taunted, another piece entering my mouth.

"Afraid of you." He clarified, slouching on the couch.

I nodded and shrugged, finishing the snack and placing the bowl on the table behind the sectional, crossing my arms over my chest.

The dark was comforting, casting shadows along Gabriel's face. Blue eyes hidden in the dark as his lips tilted into a wicked smirk, mimicking my actions as the curve of his biceps appeared on his arms.

"Are we gonna sit here all night?" He asked.

"Maybe." I smirked.

Gabe POV

I shook my head at the stubborn woman across from me, her hair pulled into a messy bun as the dark shadows hid her mysterious features.

"Come on." I stated simply.

I made out the shake of her head as she leaned forward, leaning her elbows onto her knees.

"Maybe." Raiyne stated.

I once again moved to mimic her actions, watching as her eyes darted from her hands to my face.

"Stubborn." I told her and the melodic laughter bubbled from her chest.

I stood and I could feel her eyes follow me, then she shifted again except this time Raiyne pulled her legs up on to the couch and tilted her head back.

The shadows and the mysteriousness of the inky blackness only added to the sparks of electricity that radiated from the girl in front of me.

"Where you going?" She asked.

"To bed." I replied, making it sound obvious as I pointed at the clock on the wall.

"Come sit with me." Raiyne replied, her voice soft with an undertone that couldn't be made out.

I thought about it, a million scenarios racing through my mind as I took a few steps forwards, stopping inches away from the edge of the couch.

"Do I have to bribe you?" Raiyne chuckled, a movement and then the t-shirt she had been wearing fell at my feet. "You're not gonna let me get cold, are you?"

I took the blanket from the back of the couch and moved to her figure, wrapping the soft material around her shoulders and then tucking it under her arms and legs.

"Now you won't be cold." I whispered, pecking her cheek.

"Ass." Raiyne smirked. "But thanks."

I shook my head before sinking into the couch beside her, pulling her body into my side as her head rested on my chest.

"Night Gabriel." Raiyne yawned.

"Night baby girl."

--

Raiyne POV

I moved towards the back of the couch, rolling from my side onto my stomach realizing I had more room than when I had fallen asleep.

I groaned to myself and sat up slowly, glaring at the note that had been placed on the table along with the coffee cup and my keys.

Meet at the arena....

ps, you're cute when you're sleeping.

A smile tilted my lips and I shook my head before making my way up the stairs, brushing my hair and teeth before descending the stairs and grabbing the cup, taking a sip while exiting the house.

"Ugh, at least he tried." I muttered.

--

My hands stayed in my pockets and my mouth stayed closed as I entered the crowded locker room, making my way around the guys and their gear before automatically forcing myself into Gabe's embrace.

"You ditched." I stated simply, breathing in his cologne as he chuckled.

"You were asleep." He laughed.

I lightly stepped on his toe and then took a step back as well, sending him a mock glare as I began to undress.

"Loser." I stated.

"Sleepy head." He retorted.