Dear All,

Here comes another EDITED and extended chapter of this story and it will be long and very much intense. However, I won't say anything about it and let you just enjoy by reading it.

I must say that usually I found models, actresses or actors to portray my characters easily, but I have a bit of troubles with Travis, him being so unique and out of ordinary. I first had Alex McKee, but he really doesn't portray the essence of our Travis and so, in the banner I made, I used a talented and wonderful male dancer called Daniil Simkin mostly to show you how our protagonist can dance 😊

Same goes for Alexi, I have Kerry Degman, because I find very handsome and packed with muscles as our beast is, but also possesses the right hard look almost saying piss-off just as Alexi mostly does with strangers. However, he doesn't have the right icy-blue eyes and even more hard facial features. So please, models are only for a visive effect, as you can understand.

So yeah, find a banner I somehow created.

I have re-added a Motley Crue song that perfectly fits the chapter and atmosphere of it, in particular the second half, and because of our protagonists love their music (so do I). Any of you into Motley Crue?

Enjoy the chapter and I hope you will really like it!

"There is too much risk in loving – The young boy said. No – Said the old man – There is too much risk in not," by Harper Lee in 'To Kill a Mockingbird'

ALEKSANDR POV:

Useless to say that once lunch was over, I walked with Travis to his class, given I noticed Collins hovering around like some bug that should have been crushed in one step. The younger kid, Jasper, went for his class and I understood they had plans for afternoon together, something that irrationally upset me, considered he was very quiet, minding his own business, maybe staring at Travis too much with adoring eyes, but obviously seeing him as friend only. Yet, it annoyed me, and I had to train today, for too much occurred in these days and I accumulated too much anger, frustration, confusion and more.

Hayden and Dima declared they liked them both, of course, Dima reproaching me for making the kid sweat bullets and feel uncomfortable. Well shit, it wasn't my business and I didn't exactly care. If he couldn't manage staying around me then he could beat it; however, he did his best in order to stay with his friend, which showed he wasn't a coward, just overly insecure. I think all of us, exception made for Derek, made him sweat bullets and I honestly didn't care much.

But I cared about what Erin dared to tell Travis, how she dared to talk to him and treat him...that I cared about very much and it pissed me off very much. I shuddered at the sudden wave of rage as the moment occurred during lunch played in my mind, as I remembered what he told me. I took a deep breath trying to calm down, but it didn't work, so my punch landed on the nearby door and I heard someone sighing beside me. Shit, I knew I wasn't alone.

"Easy man," both Dima and Hayden said at the same time. "You're going to destroy it," Dima added, slightly amused, as I was lucky enough none of them minded my temper and personal issues.

"What happened, Alex?" Hayden inquired and I shrugged at his question, making him first look at Dima, who did the same not knowing what was going on, and then he eyed River, who kept silent at first and then winked at him. "River?"

"Don't worry guys, go ahead and we will meet you at the lockers room," he told them, checking his phone. "Oh well, we're a bit early, but still, see you there, I'll try to tame our beast here before he knocks someone out right before a game," he joked with them, but I rolled my eyes as he said "beast", him alluding to what Travis had mentioned earlier at lunch. Travis...what would he say if he'd see me like this? He already did somehow, but just a glimpse. What would he think if he knew everything of me? Would he still behave in the same way? Would he still be willing to be friends? Argh...I had no idea, but sure as hell I didn't want to scare him off or make him think I was some crazy psychopath.

"He's definitely not thinking about that or whatever other absurdity you are conceiving in your mind," River said with a smug smile, having of course interpreted my guess.

"How did you know?"

"I saw your face and, even if you have a wonderful poker-face most of the time, when you're like now you reveal a lot to whom can read you and knows you well."

"Which is pretty much you only," I remarked.

"I have a feeling someone else seems to begin slowly understanding you and I doubt he would mind this," he pointed out. "You find him interesting and I don't need to even ask you and don't make that face, Sasha." I stared at him with a flat expression for a couple of seconds and then let it go. What was the point in lying to River? Or to myself?

"Yeah, I find him interesting and I want to get to know him. Is that weird, wrong?"

"No, it's not," he immediately replied, placing a hand on my arm. "Just think it through carefully and be honest with yourself."

"I am trying but it's not that easy, and..."

"You don't need to explain me now if you don't feel like it, I understand it very well," my friend quietly told me. He knew me well, reading into me easily, understanding me better than anyone else, and I wondered then if also Travis, as River suggested earlier, would be this kind of close and special friend? Him just as friend, though? I shook my head, because I had no crazy thoughts about any of my friends, I never imagined doing anything as I did while thinking of Travis, of his round ass that I would really enjoy to bite and grab hard, feeling his hands on me, as he did when he massaged me, our skins touching as they did when we woke up in the morning...oh shit. No, I never ever thought of that. "Sasha?" River called me and I snapped my eyes to him, breathing heavily, swallowing down as I recomposed my face. He smiled at tilting up a corner of his mouth more than the other, his eyes catching mine with a glimpse I knew too well. "Oh...very interesting, you are thinking about him and..." He didn't complete the sentence.

"And what, River?" I asked a bit too hard, but he shrugged it off.

"Never mind, Sasha, just let's not knock out our teammates, OK? We have a game tomorrow," he teased me, and he went to walk away.

"River?" He winked at me and I just sighed out of patience. "Well, have it your way and be ready in the rink, because I'll kick your ass," I challenged him, and he had my same expression on his face and the same excitement in his eyes.

"Bring it on, I'm sure both Dima and I will enjoy it." I chuckled at that and followed him to the lockers room, where I found our two friends still in their clothes and watching something on the phone, the other guys from the team joining us shortly after. As they saw me stepping in the room, they both looked up at me and both had the same inquiring expression, to which I just shook my head, but Dima came up to me.

"Hey man, is everything OK?" He asked me in Russian, knowing nobody would understand us. "Look, I know I'm not like River or even Derek, so I honestly cannot tell what the hell is going on, but you can count on me if needed, you know that, right?" I smiled at him and clasped my hand on his shoulder.

"I know that, thanks Dima," I replied, and he grinned, sitting down and removing his sweater.

"So, is Travis joining us again for lunch together with Jasper?"

"Why you ask?" My eyes studied his face and he just shrugged his shoulders.

"'Cause I like them, Sasha, I mean, Travis is super funny and Jasper is really cool, even though man, stop scaring him so much, like seriously."

"Why do you care about that kid?" I asked annoyed and he widened his eyes a moment for then scratching his hair.

"Sorry, I thought you were cool with him, as he joined us for lunch, so..." I stopped him.

"Yeah, I'm fine with him, he is Travis's friend, so fine by me."

"Do you think they are really friends or that maybe...you know?"

"That maybe what?" I asked in growl and both River and Hayden looked at me, moving their eyes then on Dima.

"Dima, did you say some of your usual bullshit and pissed Alex off? You'll get your ass kicked there and for Christ's sake, just speak English, alright?" Hayden told him, coming to us.

"Man, learn our language and suck it up," Dima replied joking, completely unaware of how his question really annoyed me, implying Travis and Jasper had something going on, especially knowing of their plans for the weekend. Shit. I had to cool it down. They were friends only.

"They are just friends and end of this," I told him, and he was visibly surprised by my tone.

"Sorry man, I had no intention to annoy you," he offered me with a wide grin, and I shook my head.

What the hell was wrong with me? He had no intention of course and he had no idea of what was going on inside of me, but I caught River observing with a half, very wicked smile I really wished he would wipe away. Smartass.

"No need, Dima, I'm not annoyed," I partially lied, as I really wasn't with him and I just realized how much I wanted to see Travis again, even though we had spent the evening and lunch break together. Shit...I had to pull my shit together. "Get ready for training and for kicking that team's ass tomorrow, alright?" I then quickly eyed Hayden and gave him my one-side smirk. "Yeah, you should learn Russian, Hayds."

"Oh c'mon, no freaking way I'd learn a language with a different alphabet...I'm struggling with Spanish, so have your idea," he sighed out and sat down, for then looking at us three. "Do you think Derek will come watch our game tomorrow?" That was a rather dumb question and River stopped me before replying.

"And why you want to know?" He asked Hayden and I rolled my eyes. There we go with Mr. Smartass.

"I was wondering if maybe he would come with his sister, because she hadn't seen a game in a while," he innocently replied, not even imagining how that pleased and amused River at the same time.

"Oh, we can ask him later and however, since Travis promised to come watch our next game, we can tell Derek to bring Diane with him for the next one, hmm?" Of course, he had to tease me, too. I just stared back at him without saying anything and went to change into my hockey uniform. "What do you say, Sasha?"

"Sounds great to me," Hayden replied at once enthusiastically, getting up and removing his shirt, and I envied his openness; however, River kept his eyes on me, still waiting for my reply, still giving me his same smug smile.

"Whatever," I just said, even though I was in fact excited at the idea of playing in front of Travis, finding it something that could maybe fire my blood more than usual, making me once more feel myself restless and something pacing inside of me impatient to see him, be with him, but not edgy in a bad way.

"Oh really?" He whispered at me as he stepped besides, casually opening his locker and taking the jersey. "Only whatever, hmm?" He leaned closer to me, seeing how both Hayden and Dima were then busy getting at each other's nerves with some bullshit I just tuned out. "Aren't you actually looking forward to showing him what a beast you can be in the rink?"

"River..."

"Just saying," he taunted, smiling and then wearing his uniform.

Shit.

He was right...after what Travis said at lunch, after his flirting and teasing about that, yeah, I wanted to have him watch me playing hockey, showing of what I was capable on the ice. And more importantly, I wanted to see him again already.

As we were about to go for the rink, coach Garrison received a call and after that he gathered us in the lockers room with a news, which none of us took well, myself in particular.

"The other team withdrew for unknown reasons and therefore we won the game like this," he calmly explained, standing in the center of the room and looking at all of us, one by one, his stare then stopping on me, inclining his head. "I know some of you will mind it, but don't get too comfortable, because next week there will be another match and that will be harder, so take it as a good chance to get some rest, because on Monday I will surely kick your ass," he said, his eyes still fixed on me. He probably realized how edgy I was and the need I had for playing the game, so I just stared back in my usual apparently cold and distant manner, but all my accumulated annoyance and frustrated kicked in and I slammed a fist in the nearest locker, which earned quite a crooked and warming glare from our coach, pretty much telling me not to destroy another one or he would make me spit blood on the ice. He was right, though.

"We sure will kick their ass," Dima joked, walking to my side and resting his elbow on my shoulder, Hayden and River nodding and I just quickly looked at them. Yeah, I had to cool it down and concentrate on practice.

"Yeah, the coach is right: let's not get too comfortable guys, on Monday we will try some new combinations and now, let's see if any of you can take me down or at least try to stop me," I challenged my other teammates and they all had their eyes on me, nodding once and smirking, trying to tell themselves they could do it. Yeah, they could try at least, that for sure. "If you're edgy as I am, give all you've got during practice and come against River, Dima and myself, and since you're at it, try to score against Hayden, you hear me?" With the corner of my eyes I could see our coach nodding satisfied, his arms crossed in front of his chest. My teammates murmured their agreement, and some cracked their necks, as if getting ready for the challenge, but they had no idea how I felt deep down, how wildly I was going to play once my blades would touch the frozen surface.

"Aleksandr is right, if you're edgy go to the gym or do something and then get also some rest. Now, get your ass in the rink and train properly and after that, don't get yourself in some stupid party, did you understand me?" He pretty much ordered us and I just shrugged my shoulders, for I had nothing planned for this weekend and I wasn't much into parties, but some of the guys in our team quietly grumbled at that, knowing they weren't going to listen to the coach. After that, he left the room and my friends gathered around.

"I actually was invited to a party," Dima told us, and I massaged my forehead. He had probably been invited by some girl he met in school, whose name he was going to mess up or God only knew what else. Plus, most of the times both Collins and Erin joined those parties and, if I were to meet any of them, I wasn't sure how it would end. I still felt like talking to her for how she treated Travis, but River advised me to let it go, avoiding spilling more fuel on the fire, given her personality. He was right, of course, but it still bothered me way too much. "Who wants to go with me?"

"You didn't listen much to what our coach said, hmm?" River made fun of him, resting against me, his head on my shoulder.

"Do what you want, Dima, but I'm not into it and I definitely don't feel like being around annoying people with too much to drink, so go, have fun and don't fuck it up too much," I taunted him and he laughed out loud.

"Well, I hope to but not exactly in that way, if you know what I mean," he replied wiggling his eyebrows and smiling broadly. "Hayden, River aren't you joining? C'mon man, I know you like to party sometimes."

"I must pass it, buddy, I've got something to do with dad, some event, and I'll meet some famous players."

"Well, I have plans already," River said only, and I observed him a moment. With whom was he wasting time now? I doubted he had founded someone really good for him or else he would have told me. Then, my eyes went back to him once more and I understood he had no plans or date; he just wanted to be at home and possibly try to reason with his younger brother. I slightly shook my head thinking about him and hoping he wasn't going to turn out like...yeah, like Anatoly.

"What the fuck, guys? You are all ditching me! Oh, never mind, I'll ask Derek and if he can't, I'll just go alone, since a girl invited me," he said with a wolf-like expression I knew too well, and I snorted. "What?"

"Nothing," I only said and then smirked at him. "Well, you can go if you'll be able to walk and be functioning with that girl," I proved our Russian bear and he just burst out laughing loudly as usual, punching my shoulder.

"Bring it on, Sasha, today I really feel like giving my all."

And so, we went to the rink, ready to let out our frustration for the missed game.

After practice, I still felt a bit on the edge and I knew the following day I had to hit the gym and run, since not being able to play against that team really ticked off my anger. Shit, I had ached to play that game because I had few favors to return to a couple of assholes, and I was really looking forward to crashing them, both on the ice and on the result, aware my friends and teammates felt the same. Many players there enjoyed pulling out dirty tricks, believing they could work against us, against me; it didn't, since I knew how to see and counterattack them, but they had still left bruises and broken a couple of bones unnecessarily. I wanted to pay them back, even if the last time we had won the game. Since it wasn't possible, I channeled my irritation and anger into practice, playing like the beast they called me, fast, wild, rough and powerful, nobody being able to stop me or take me down even once.

When we walked back to the locker room, everyone was tired and groaning for the grueling practice our coach put us through, even if I had loved it. Two guys who had joined our team in September slumped on the benches and breathed hard, looking at me shaking their heads.

"We heard you were the best, Aleksandr, but you really are...I can't wait for Monday! Please show us more things," Cody, a first-year guy, said and I nodded, liking his enthusiasm, the fact that even if he had just joined, he tried his best.

"Will do that," I promised him, and Hayden chuckled, stopping at my side and staring at the kid sitting down.

"You don't know what you're asking for, believe me," he joked, but then playfully slapped his arm. "Good job though out there, follow our ice-made beasty captain and you'll get better," he told him and I could see how those words made the kid smile widely, almost forgetting his exhaustion and pain.

"I will do that, thanks Hayden!" River softly snickered behind us, as he often said everyone pretty much worshipped me in the team, especially the younger ones that according to him adored me, therefore enjoying to see their reactions and how hard they tried to follow my lead and pace, and that, still according to River, they wanted to impress more myself than our coach.

I gave a quick "good-job" talk to my team, seeing it really affected them for the best, and however, they had really done a great job out there, although unable to stop me. It wasn't their fault anyway. I was still too fired up for too many reasons. I went to remove the uniform, going after that for a shower and still feeling very much bothered and restless for the news received and much more shit going on in my mind. As I walked to the showers, I eyed a locker and my fit curled up as if readying to hit it, but then I exhaled my boiling emotions out and moved on. There was no point in destroying something in our locker room and coach Garrison would really kick my ass for that.

I asked River if he needed a lift and so, I drove him home, his mother arriving at our same time and inviting me over for dinner. I politely refused her invitation, as I knew Julie had in mind to prepare something special for us.

"You don't really have a date tonight, right?" I asked River as I stayed a few minutes outside talking with him.

"You know me too well," he replied, and I chuckled.

"I hope he'll get his shit together, River, and in case, you know I'll be happy to have a talk with him or just listen to you, alright?" He nodded and kissed my cheek, to which I just smiled. "By the way, we are all in for tomorrow's game, right?"

"Of course, Sasha, I wouldn't miss it for anything and thank you for what you just said." I shook my head and checked the time.

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Do you think Travis would enjoy watching a New York Rangers game with us?" He asked me apparently innocently and I snorted at his request, making him smirk in that cat-like way of his. "No? I in fact believe he might be interested in that..."

"River, you're simply a gigantic smartass pain in the ass," I told him, and he softly laughed.

"I know, but you wouldn't want any of us different, am I right?" I sighed out, because he was right, so I placed my hand on the back of his head and smiled.

"Yeah, that's damn right, but it doesn't mean both you and Derek can be two very annoying bastards." We both laughed and I left as he went for the door, waving at me before stepping inside the house.

When I got into the pickup, I took my phone and unlocked the screen, suddenly feeling like calling Travis, why having such urge and need I had no idea whatsoever. I just wanted to hear his voice and see him, talking a few minutes about the day, desiring to know how his dancing practice went, if he was enjoying time with his friend, Jasper. Right, he was spending time with that kid. I considered calling Travis a second time, about to dial his number, but then I threw the phone back into my pocket and drove home.

What River asked me came back to my mind and I wondered the same, if he would enjoy watching a game with all of us, if he wouldn't mind it. It'd be pretty amazing, if he did, and I froze while I considered that. Why was that so important? I let the thought go and just enjoyed the incredible dinner Julie had prepared for us, cooking some of our favorites, as apparently they celebrated the first day they had met, when dad injured himself during practice thanks to an idiotic player and went to a clinic, seeing her there. Vanya and I, especially me, hadn't been very warm and welcoming at first, and now when I considered my earlier behavior, I felt ashamed. Yeah, we had our own reasons, but still. Julie had been very patient and understanding and after not long time we grew attached to her, seeing how our dad truly loved her.

After dinner I played some game with my brother, Nichole just sitting there with us and giggling from time to time when one of us lost. Dima and Derek sent a picture to our chat group, showing them at the party and I honestly wondered how it was going to end for him. I would definitely ask him tomorrow.

During breakfast on Saturday morning, dad told me he had extra tickets for seats right where we usually sat, telling me I could invite some friends if I wanted. Derek would definitely join us, and then, Travis at once jumped in my mind, knowing what I wanted to do. OK, now I had a very good excuse to call him and so I did it in the afternoon, not wanting to disturb him in the morning, in case he wanted to sleep in long.

As soon as he answered the phone, I felt my blood rushing faster in my veins, my lips tilting up and the need to see him spiking up as the sound of his voice caressed my ears. Shit...I really had to see him. When he mentioned asking to a random friend to possibly join us for the game, it pissed me off so much that I kept silent for few seconds, wanting to punch whoever that idiot was. Then Travis explained it was Jasper and I cooled down. It ticked me off at first, for irrational reasons, but it passed quickly. Argh...It didn't matter, because he at once agreed quite enthusiastically to join us for the game and that made me happier than I was ready to admit. I proposed to pick him up because, yeah, I wanted to be polite, but also to have some time alone with him.

So, after a couple of hours following our short phone call, I parked in front of his building, switching the engine off and grabbing the steering wheel strongly as my eyes stared at the main entrance door of the elegant and modern building in which Travis lived. I had to admit having paid attention to my clothes when I got ready, choosing an Armani light blue shirt to match my dark blue jeans, black branded sneakers and a dark, short and tight-fitting winter jacket. I stared at the door and felt even more confused than before. I was too eager to see someone I met only a few weeks ago, someone that considered himself my friend. Argh, whatever, let's just get going; I stepped outside and breathed the cold air fully, walking up the stairs that led to the entrance.

I pressed the doorbell and his voice answered immediately, saying he would be downstairs in a moment. I leaned against the external door frame, waiting for Travis, breathing in the cold air to cool my thoughts and the raging mess howling inside my head and body. I was edgy and not in any bad or nervous way. I just wanted to see him already. He opened the door and I swear, for a moment neither of us said anything. I looked at him, more likely I stared at him openly, and registered every single detail about him.

Shit, he was sexy and gorgeous at the same fucking time, wearing a warm black, close-fitting leather jacket, skinny jeans slashed at his knees, and possibly in the back too, his white-bleached hair brushed aside, a touch of dark make up on his eyes, making them stand out even more. They pierced mine and we sort of smiled at each other, still remaining silent; he ranked me from head to toe and back again, our eyes meeting once more.

When he walked closer, going to shut the door behind him, his scent filled me and I almost groaned out right there, feeling the crazy urge to push him against the door and let my nose go all over his neck and jaw, running it up and down, along with my tongue, wanting to taste him, to inhale him, wanting to make him moan my name out, wanting his hands on me. I imperceptibly widened my eyes at those thoughts and imagines crowding my head.

From where the hell that came? I just ran my mind like a horny and lusting beast, craving nothing more than feel him in my hands and his skin on my lips and tongue.

I had never been impulsive or anywhere around harsh when it came to sex. Sure, girls liked to say I was amazing and wild and all the shit anyone could easily imagine, figure that. Yet, I wondered where truth really began, because they hadn't been amazing or anything special, never satisfying entirely or feeling mind screwing. In fact, it had been sort of boring and after my last experience with Erin, I marked it over.

Until I met Travis, who seemed to wake up a side I never knew existed inside of me.

I unconsciously stepped closer to him, wondering what he was thinking while staring at me with such intense and beautifully black eyes, his body a few inches only away from mine, the sweet and alluring scent of his perfume together with the one of his skin waking up my curious and irrational side, kicking it up nearly howling and trashing around, demanding to get free and acting on its impulses. I remembered his hands on me, when two nights ago he massaged me, and how they felt. I suppressed another groan and imposed myself to cool it down.

"Hi Travis," I finally said.

"Hey Alexi," he quietly and sensually replied, so damn close I had to control myself before doing anything rather stupid. He bit his lower lip, appearing lost in deep thoughts, then starting to play absentmindedly with his piercing. Oh shit, that completely turned me on, and I really had to tell myself to not do anything idiotic.

However, it was finally clear that Travis attracted me like no one else ever did, and he made me want him, lust for him in a way I never believed possible. But what would happen after attraction faded? But, wait a moment, would the attraction and lust, yeah, let's just admit that since Thursday I desired him in a dangerous and insane way, would they ever fade away? I had no idea and in fact, as we stared at each other, I was beginning to think it wouldn't.

I leaned closer to him, he was still lost in his own thoughts even if his eyes were locked on mine, burning at the idea of taking his mouth, feeling his pierced tongue on mine, but then I remembered the game and pulled myself together. Shit, River was right, because he always was. This wasn't exactly normal or usual for me and I finally began to face the mess in my head and, just having to accept it. The crazy and dangerous mess was called Travis and, as hard as it was to acknowledge, I finally admitted to myself how much I wanted him, how insanely I was attracted to him.

I wasn't just curious about him but wanted to know everything about him, because he enticed me, he awakened something totally new I never felt before and I lusted for him like I never did in my entire life. Not to mention, I enjoyed his presence, talking to him, being with him. Shit, all of this never happened to me, and it was like having fire in my veins instead of ice. Or better explained, burning ice wanting devour Travis.

I shook my head. The game, we had better go, because it would be stupid to slam him against the door and press myself on him, my lips on his, my tongue dominating and tasting his, feeling his piercing and hands, hearing him moan in my mouth...Shit. It took all my control to force a smirk and talk normally to him.

"Ready to go?" Goddamn it, my voice sounded slightly husky, but he didn't seem to notice it or be bothered by that, given he only nodded while smiling, so gorgeously I couldn't trail my eyes away from his face.

"Yeah, ready," he then replied, so I motioned for the car and opened the door for him, seeing the surprise on his face. Once I began to drive to the stadium, I turned the music on, to distract myself from my previous thoughts, given the desire was still burning alive and demanding inside of me.

"You like them? Hell, I can't believe it, I absolutely love them!" Travis suddenly exclaimed, turning his attention completely on me. The Clash were playing at the moment, one of my favorite albums, "London Calling". I quietly chuckled at his reaction, as I should have guessed he loved them, being totally in tune with his taste and style.

"Yeah, this is my favorite album," I replied, glancing at him once.

"Seriously, you like The Clash! I also love this album, but as well "The Clash" and "Combat Rock". I need to make you listen to some of my music, you'll love it for sure." His voice was excited and enthusiastic, his eyes shining even more than usual, his face radiating in a wide and beautiful smile.

"What do you listen to?" I asked, honestly curious. I think I knew he liked Motley Crue and probably many other bands I listened to.

"Oh fuck, too many to list now, I'd drive you insane and you'd probably wish to kick me shut," he joked visibly amused. Yeah well, he was already driving me insane and not because of the music. What the fuck? Shit, he really messed me up quite badly and I clutched the steering wheel harder in order not to touch him, because I eyed his well-defined thighs wrapped in adherent jeans, seeing the smooth skin through the slashes, and I wanted nothing more than grab them. What would he think of me if he heard my thoughts? "I really have to show you someday, when you are free or feel like it," he spoke to me, again resting one side of his face against the headrest of seat, staring at me intently.

"Sure, we have a deal then," I managed to say with normal voice and I caught him grinning at me, and I swear, there was nothing of innocent, naïve or sweet in his grin and his lips, so I replied with a similar expression, enjoying this game between us. He stuck out his tongue and began to sing along with the CD. I was impressed in hearing he was actually good at that, being able to hit all the notes and obviously, knowing the lyrics by heart.

"Hell, sorry, I couldn't resist it," he said, and I shook my head.

"Why should you be? I don't mind it, sing with that if you want."

"Oh right, before I forget, how much is it for the ticket?" Was he kidding me? Did he actually expect I would let him pay? I invited him and anyway, they were free, but if that weren't the case, no way I would let him pay.

"Nothing," I dismissed the absurd question.

"Hell no, Alexi, tell me, c'mon!" What a stubborn sexy ass he was, but I liked how he called me, how much more at ease we were with each other.

"Nothing," I replied with the same tone of before. "First, I invited you as it was my idea, which means no way I'd let you pay, and second, my dad had extra tickets, so end of the discussion. Got it, Travis?" I asked quite curtly, which I was beginning to understand it probably was the only way to shut him up. And I was right, since it worked, yet, he glared at me for a couple of seconds and then surrendered, snorting out.

"All right, thank you very much, then. I was happy you invited me," he added with a soft tone of voice that hit me insanely, feeling a shiver running down my back. "Err, how do you say thank you in Russian?" Did he really want to know how to say it in my mother language? Well that was new, as only River ever had any interest in learning a few words of Russian and sometimes it was used to tease my brother and then Derek.

"Spasiba," I replied, and I wasn't sure whether I was imagining it or not, but it seemed to me he had moved closer, something I definitely didn't mind.

"Spasiba Sasha," he sensually spoke, and I concentrated my eyes on the road ahead of us. Oh Lord, his voice speaking Russian was about to crush down my already very thin control.

"It sounds good on you," I found myself saying.

"What?" He asked confused.

"Russian," I answered, and he moved closer of a bit, the music still filling the air inside the car, just like his presence.

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah, it sure does."

"Then you'll have to teach me more, if you don't mind it," he proposed, and I nodded once. I would teach him whatever he felt like.

"I definitely don't mind it." My eyes quickly darted at him for an instant before going back to the road in front of us, and they caught him staring at me with such a playful smile that it shot straight to the groin. I silently inhaled and let it out even more quietly. The silence between us wasn't uncomfortable, quite the contrary, but it made me feel more the need to touch him, more aware of his presence. So, I spoke. "How was your day?"

"It was great! Jasper stayed over my place and we went to do some shopping and then I met his friends from skateboarding and wow, they are all fantastic at that, cutie especially, you should see him, believe me, he did some incredible trick in which he jumped 360 degree in the air," he enthusiastically explained very fast, and yeah, hearing the kid spent the night at his place slightly bothered me, but at the same time no, because it was damn clear they were only friends, very good friends. "Yesterday I had practice and I can still feel it, but I totally love it and tomorrow I'll have another private session with Natalia, so you can imagine."

"I'd like to see that," I admitted.

"Me dancing?" He asked obviously surprised and I nodded my reply. "I can show you some pictures and videos later."

"Sounds good."

We kept talking about our day and many other things, as if we had known each other since forever, until we reached the stadium and I parked the pickup Dodge in my dad's usual place. My friends were already there: River, Dima, Hayden and Derek, not so enthusiastic about the game, but more about the company, given the ticket was free and we always enjoyed spending time together, no matter what. As soon as River registered the presence of Travis beside me, he shot me a smug look and I rolled my eyes at him, Derek sparing me from that at least.

"Hello guys," Travis greeted all of them, perfectly at ease and comfortable.

I had to really give him credit for that, but then, he was someone afraid of pretty much nothing and very good at getting along with people, my friends having liked him at first. Hmm, it wasn't true though, because he only was afraid of almost nothing, given I knew there was something, something I hadn't understood or grasped entirely, and that I didn't want to press about. Not yet, anyway. And I very well remembered that scars on his wrist, wanting to know what the hell they were, why he had them. I didn't think he was the type to cut himself, so what the fuck was that?

River and Derek took him away, Derek talking non-stop and asking him even more questions, while my other friend simply listened to them, smiling once more at me as to say I-knew-you-would-ask-him, so I just ignored him, following them and annoying Hayden for speaking in Russian with Dima, which we anyway dropped after a few sentences. He had been lucky with the girl apparently, but he said he didn't feel like seeing her again, because he wasn't into anything serious.

Hayden shook his head and laughed, looking at me and lifting his shoulders once as to say he was hopeless; and yeah, Dima truly was. In that, they were the opposite; our Russian bear enjoyed horsing around and scoring as many dates as possible, while Hayden was more into a stable and normal relationship, but had none because I think an old crush came back in his mind and he was set on that. I wished him the best, of course. We went to see dad before the game, a ritual we had since forever, and he was somehow surprised to see Travis there with us, but he gave him a warm smile and handshake.

"Mr. Lebedev, it is very nice to see you again," he told dad with a warm smile and I just observed him silently, looking at how they interacted. I already got it on Thursday evening that he could be very polite and charming when he wanted, and he was doing that right there.

"Travis, what a nice surprise," dad greeted him, for then darting his eyes on me "Did Sasha drag you here?" I rolled my eyes and quietly scoffed at his words. Ha, ha, ha. Very funny, dad.

"Nah, I was happy when he invited me and I'm really curious to see your team kicking ass, because Alexi said you're fantastic." There, the fire-cracking Travis was back, but my dad obviously liked it and placed a large hand on his shoulder.

"We will, son. We will," he replied, smiling at him. I almost felt sorry for the doomed opponent team. Nah, not really. Dad was great and he had managed to create a very strong and united team, avoiding prima donnas to ruin it or create problems.

"Well, Vladimir, see you later," Hayden and Dima greeted him, and I just patted his shoulder.

"Crush them, dad," I told him in Russian and he just nodded, his eyes quickly moving to Travis, then back to me. "See you later guys," he told my friends and then he directly stared at me. "See you later, son, enjoy the game." I wasn't sure what he completely meant with that, but I let it go and walked to the sector where we usually sat, which was one the best. I switched place with Dima, so that I was right beside Travis, who asked me a couple of extra things, not remembering everything I had explained him on Thursday, still not sure about the rules and stuff like that. I didn't mind that, and it actually pleased me a lot he wanted to genuinely know, so I did it and, while we talked, it felt like being in our own world, being concentrated on each other only.

The game began and everyone in there started to cheer and shout something, getting quieter in crucial moments, such as when it seemed one of the teams was about to score, yet becoming very excited when they clashed and fought, which happened after a few minutes, seeing a couple of players in the adversary team were very nervous.

"Hell, now I really want to see you play hockey, Alexi," he said, leaning against me to better talk and hear each other, because the loud roar in the stadium was almost deafening, and so his hair brushed on my ear in the motion, just as his leg touched mine. I shivered at the sudden contact and proximity, impossible to help it, and also leaning closer to him. "I'll definitely be there for your next game and oh, I forgot, how did it go today? You didn't say anything before."

"We were supposed to play today, but the other team withdrew, giving us victory without really going for that, which really annoyed me," I explained him. "I really wanted to play because I had a couple of things to settle with two assholes playing in that team."

"I have a feeling they gave up because of that," he joked, smiling at me and still keeping his face not far from mine, his presence entirely wrapping around me.

"Maybe you're right, who knows?" I responded in kind and he chuckled. "But it really pissed me off and today I went to train in the gym to let it out." I felt free to tell him many things, even somehow admitting my bad and difficult temper, which didn't seem to worry or concern him, since he nodded as to say he understood me; I realized as we spoke that I didn't care that in this way I was letting him know myself, the Aleksandr who had anger management issues and never really needed to open up with others. Yeah, I didn't give a fuck about that and I desired him to know me better, to understand me better. I enjoyed his nearness, the feeling of him just at my very short grasp, talking freely.

"That fucking sucks, right?" Yeah, that indeed sucked. "I felt the same on Thursday, when...well, you know when, and so yesterday I was really fired up during practice." He also seemed pretty much open and comfortable with me, and I went to say something else, but Dima interrupted us.

"You have no freaking idea, man," he roared beside me, still fuming about the missed game and because he hadn't managed to stop me when we played on opposite teams, trying new strategies and schemes. "And you played like a madman yesterday, I still feel it, but hey, I was still functioning last night," he joked, and I softly laughed, seeing Travis knotting his eyebrows in a mute question and I shook my head.

"He was invited to a party by a girl in our school and apparently he managed to score last night," I told him, in the intent to tease my friend, who just laughed out.

"Man, I always do," he playfully defended himself and I crooked an eyebrow, giving him the look. "Well, almost...alright," he admitted, winking and smiling at Travis. "Our captain here destroyed us all yesterday, but it was a damn great training and I don't care that today I feel broken."

"I can see you all love it a lot, so, when is your next game?" He asked Dima directly, and in doing so he placed his hand on my leg, balancing on it to hear my friend better, and there was nothing I wanted more than feeling his hands all over me, but also, returning the favor. Again, my wild side was out and wide awake, demanding to touch him. Normally, someone being so close and taking that much confidence with me was something that sure infuriated me as fuck, but not with Travis and for sure not right then, as I felt incredibly aware of my desire while his hand was placed on my thigh.

I noticed River casting an amused glance at me and I silently cursed him. Why he had to be so smart and clever all the time? Mr. Smartass who was always right.

"Next Saturday," Dima answered with a broad grin, for then returning his attention back to the game, seeing things were heating up.

"Can I come to watch you then?" He was then directly facing me, a mere few inches away, his mouth there for me to taste and take. I didn't reply at first, just letting my eyes sink in his, our stares meeting and locking together, him slightly tilting closer. I wondered if he felt the same, the same insane and consuming attraction I felt for him. I couldn't tell if he did or not, and not knowing it pissed me off terribly. But perhaps he did...because his eyes were glancing at me in a way that was almost physical. I knew in that moment I couldn't care less about the hockey.

"Yeah, you already promised me yesterday," I reminded him. "Did you forget about it?" He smiled in realization, shaking his head.

"Of course, I hadn't forgotten about that, but I just wanted to make sure, and if you need a free massage again after that, I am at your service," he offered with a wicked and very provoking smile, winking once.

"I'll definitely remember that, Travis." I gave him my usual one side smirk, which this time was way more playful and wolfish. A loud whistle snapped us out of our daze, and I concentrated back to the players.

The game went on and picked up the pace, us all sitting there watching and yelling. cheering for our home team, Dima and Hayden getting particularly fired up, followed then by Derek, who mostly enjoyed the clashing and fighting. Two players began to fight and threw fists at each other and soon many others were involved in a huge brawl, that even the referee had issues in stopping; usually they didn't mind that, letting it go on for the sake of it and to entertain the public, but this time it was more than usual. I could see dad yelling at his men, without doubts ordering them to stay away and keep calm. Once the game was over, he was going to give them a piece of his mind, and I chuckled at the idea, knowing too well how fierce and strict he could turn out.

River asked something a Travis, probably curious to know if he was enjoying the match or not and given his reaction and comments, I had no doubts about the fact he sure did. Right after my friend's question, the game resumed but something else happened.

"What the fuck? Is that even allowed, Alexi?" He asked me when a player of the other team stopped one of ours with too much violence, being potentially dangerous and very much playing dirty.

"My ass that's allowed," Dima groaned back in reply, in clear distress and still frustrated for the missed game, probably wishing to be there with them and kick some ass.

"No, even for hockey that's too much and you can see they stopped the game," I explained him, but it all resumed very quickly, dad shouting a couple of orders, and our team made a goal, the first one of the entire game, so almost all the stadium exploded with cheers and excitement, supporting them even more. I had to admit we also made our part with jumping and yelling, my friends in particular as I wasn't a very loud one, but Travis nicely surprised me in seeing him jumping up as well and whistling using both of his pinkies. He truly was a fired-up person, and shit, that was something to see. After another few minutes, the first time was over, and we all cooled down a bit and Dima went to get something else to eat together with Hayds.

"I like it, hell, that's totally rough and wild," Travis said, eyes shining in true excitement, his lips tilting up.

"Your favorite, man, isn't that so?" Derek promptly joked, sitting right beside him. I glared at him, but he decided to ignore me, and I chuckled when Travis stuck out his tongue at him.

"Dude," he sort of mocked his way of speaking, "that's my secret, well, not that much, but still, have you got a problem with that? Ever tried adding a bit of roughness?" He was clearly teasing him back, but it had quite an effect on me. I didn't want to think him with any other guy, whom I would have gladly punched and kicked, and yet, I could perfectly imagine him enjoying some hard playing with me, for I had a couple of ideas in mind and, damn it, I had to swallow down what came over me.

"Dude, I am not for rough things, c'mon, I am a romantic man." Travis scoffed at that and rolled his eyes. I gave my friend a what-the-hell-glare and he laughed. Derek romantic? Since when? He was as romantic as Dima, which meant zero. Hayds surely was a romantic type of guy and I wondered if things would play well for him. "Well, it doesn't matter about me, man, 'cause I'm sure Alex can be much more into rough and wild action than any of us, am I right?" I wanted to punch him for his stupid teasing, but I didn't mean to hit Travis in the meanwhile, so I just stretched my arm and slapped the back of his neck quite hardly, as a message to keep his mouth shut. "See? A wild, unsociable beast."

"Are you?" Travis murmured to me almost sounding like a very sensual feline purring, turning his complete attention and eyes on me only, seeing in them an unreadable and suggestive light, once more placing his hand on my thigh, which I liked fucking much. He was playing a bit, that I could tell without problems, because he loved doing so, I already saw it the other evening and yesterday. He was a flirt after all, a damn hot flirt dangerously good at that. But hey, because of that I enjoyed teasing him even more, playing along.

"Who knows, would you like to try?" I had a challenging and rather cocky smirk on me, while I leaned closer to him in order to better get intoxicated by his scent, my senses and desire dancing drugged, my instinct in almost complete charge. He took a deep breath and smiled, provoking me back, playing with his piercing for a quick moment as his eyes stared directly into mine. I had never behaved like this in my eighteen years, never flirting with any girl and in fact I never knew I had it in me. I felt like burning and craving to touch him, controlling myself for obvious reasons only and because I wouldn't mess it up.

"Interesting hearing this, and do you think I should?" He said back, still playing with his goddamned sexy piercing, his leg pressed against mine.

"Who knows? Up to you," I simply replied and we stared each other more in complete silence, almost forgetting about the rest around us, because at least this was how I felt, only peripherally perceiving Derek clearly looking taken aback from our exchange, possibly very much surprised by how I was acting with Travis, how he stirred me, how in return I seemed to trigger him.

"I'll think about it," he murmured back and I quietly chuckled, the sound having nothing of normally amused or calm, but being in tune with my blazing and maddening desire.

The game resumed with the second time and after another look, we unlocked our gazes and went back to watch the match, cheering like we did before. Both teams were in great and very aggressive shape and they played giving their all, not even trying to spare any energy or avoiding clashes, going for it as much as they could. At every goal our team made the stadium erupted with shouts and savage whistles. Shit, I knew tomorrow my throat was going to be sorry about tonight, but the game and everything were stirring me up more than usual.

Players skated fast on the ice, controlling the sticks with impressive skill and speed, exchanging passes and changing pace very fast. That made me even more itchy for playing, feeling my blood rushing faster and wilder, needing to vent out all I had in me, but also, the adrenaline pulsing in my veins for the excitement watching hockey gave me, being a sport I completely loved.

When the game ended, my dad's team won, but I had no doubts, because he had prepared his players a lot for this. I will have to congratulate him later at home, for now it wasn't the best time; sure as hell he had to admonish his players for getting involved and easily provoked in those brawls and I mentally laughed at that, trying to imagine his tone and the way the players would listen to him no matter what. And also, he would have some interviews and such.

"Dude, this game drained me, it was freaking intense," exhaled Derek, sitting back looking really tired, nodding at himself.

"I am more fired up than before and I really need to waste some energy," Dima countered, while River and Hayden both sniggered at his loud reaction and at his comical expression.

"Scoring last night wasn't enough?" Dee joked and our Russian bear stood up to playfully punch his arm.

"No man, I need to do something else, I mean it was fun yeah, but you know me," he replied, and River eyed me amused, to which I just shook my head. Dima was absolutely hopeless.

"Since we are all a bit edgy and scoring a date wasn't enough to please our Dima, not to mention Sasha will probably destroy more teammates on Monday, how about we go play tomorrow? Maybe we can find a free hockey rink or even just do ice-skating." River had always great ideas and I didn't say anything to his comment because he was damn right.

We all agreed on that and I no longer was surprised in seeing how my friends asked Travis if he wanted to join us, but he couldn't because he had a private dancing session booked with his teacher and also, he explained us his mother was coming back from her business trip, wanting to prepare something good to eat for her as a welcome home surprise. It was great to see how attached he was to his mother, who for sure was a real one and not just a fake, unforgivable parent who never really loved her son. I had no idea what happened to his father, but he never mentioned him, which perhaps didn't mean anything good.

"Cool then, we have it covered for tomorrow, but what about tonight? Do you guys want to go eat or do something?" Dima was clearly hyper. "You're coming with us Travis, right?"

"Nah, thank you, I really have to go back home. Hell, tomorrow I need to wake up at a decent time, so don't worry about me."

"Man, waking up on a decent time on freaking Sunday? Are you nuts?"

"Yeah, I have to," he patiently replied.

"Then we'll see you on Monday, alright?" That was Hayden, spontaneously talking to him and smiling openly. I was amazed in the most positive way about how they already felt relaxed and at ease with him, how they had quickly welcomed him in our group, not questioning him and obviously, trusting me since I had been the one initiating it. I moved my eyes on Travis for a moment while he conversed with Derek and Dima, and he really had a special air around him. I felt eyes on me, and it was River, studying me, a soft expression on his lips. I looked away, because I knew questions would come tomorrow or on Monday.

"So, guys, it was fantastic to be here with you tonight and I really enjoyed it, let's do it again," he told them.

"Sure man, whenever you want!" Dima cheered and I had no doubts about that. "And next time bring your friend, Jasper I mean, he'll surely like it and start to prefer it over basketball."

"Not a chance, Dima, I finally found an ally and I won't let him convert to this madness," Dee joked back, and Travis just chuckled shaking his head.

"I'll see if next time Jas will want to join us," he only answered and I wondered what he meant, considering then that the kid was always about to sweat bullets when around us, so it would probably take time, if that was it, of course.

"C'mon, I'll drive you home," I told him, taking his jacket and handing it to him.

"No, don't worry Alexi, please. I can call a taxi, so you can go with them and have fun," he obviously counter debated, and I groaned out. Argh, was he ever going to agree with me at first without having to talk back about everything? I glared at him as to say I-don't-think-so-end-of-the-discussion and he apparently got the message, however rolling his eyes at me. Of course. What an obstinate, hot guy he was. Yeah, hot as fuck, and I no longer minded admitting it clearly in my mind, because as we walked away, my eyes caught view of his round and perfectly shaped ass, the jeans slightly slashed under that but without revealing anything, and I wished to tear them off. I exhaled that out and normally talked to him while we went for my truck.

TRAVIS POV:

Tonight, I was so about to jump Alexi a couple of times, I swear it; I was so fucking close to lick his smirking, full, sinfully hot-looking lips and his neck, to taste his skin, touch him more than simply resting my hand on his freaking muscular and hard-as-steel thigh, so close that I was damn itchy and restless, having to shove my hands in the leather jacket's pockets to avoid doing something very, very stupid.

But it wasn't all my fault, let's be fair here. Hell, he was so different from how I have always seen him in school, how he had behaved the first time we met; since Thursday evening he was being almost another person, much more open, relaxed and a damn provoker, obviously enjoying to tease me and play around with me. Well, that was just fantastic, and it was really going to help a lot with my being-friends plan. I had to admit that at first, when I placed my hand on his leg I did it without giving much thought, like a natural thing and, hell, his leg felt so strong and muscular and hard that had to suppress a moan, I had to stop my hand from running it through all its length up to his groin. I mentally drooled over that. I was so damn close to snap and let my burning desire take the lead, that it was painful.

So, the second time, when we were...flirting, playing around, teasing each other or whatever the hell we were doing, I couldn't resist it and touched him again, this time differently and he didn't mind it.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

FUCK!!! Yeah, I was swearing no-stop in my mind, going through all my usual set of cursing words and expressions, but this one seemed to win the round tonight. Ever heard of that song from Wednesday 13 "I love to say fuck"? Well, that was my case right now, only amplified a thousand times and made it super loud. I had to cool myself down because I didn't need to get burned another time. I loved the way we interacted, and it made me want for more, unable to keep far from him, needing to reduce the distance, in every possible meaning, between us to zero. Alexi was someone I have never met before.

The more I stayed close to him the more the attraction grew, and not just that. I found myself often looking at him, stealing quick glances, trying to think of excuses to increase the physical proximity, wanting to flirt with him, talk to him, hear from him and the fact he had openly explained me how he felt for having missed the game, the fact he had invited me over to watch a hockey game with his friends was something I couldn't completely explain. It felt wonderful and it melted me, and I found myself talking more about my day and what I did and such.

I liked him, because he wasn't just a hot beast with worth-damnation and mind-screwing hot body, muscles, and eyes that always made me lose myself in there, no. He also was an extremely thoughtful and considerate person, valuing friendships as a sacred bond, deeply loving his family, being a person with strong and clear attitudes, with values obviously. Hell, he was more stubborn than I was, and he had always me shutting up, being quite the very sexy dominating and commanding type who didn't much like to be contracted. I would have normally clashed against it, but this in him fascinated me more than I could express, it intrigued me and fucking much excited me, getting my mind to wander on how he could be in bed. Alexi made me feel protected, taken care; he was someone my guts sensed I could trust completely.

Oh, my sweet Lord, this was going to be a living hell, I knew it. I just fucking knew it.

I was so close to give in to my demanding and crazy fire, but I imposed control over it, having had to put it in on a very strong leash. Last time I didn't control it, last time I was so stupid to listen to it...well, it burned me fucking bad. It did fucking scar me. Literally in a way, and metaphorically. Of course, this wasn't the same and the two couldn't be remotely compared, because Alexi was wonderful in every way and a truly good person who seemed to honestly care about me, being open and honest, and not sneaking around like...let's leave it.

What probably overthrew me was the fact I liked him really a lot and the idea was crazy per se, because hell, I barely knew him, no matter what I kept telling myself. We still had so much unsaid and unknown about each other. I began to have civil conversations with him just two days ago, normally talking and however, we had discovered quite a lot about each other in barely two days, so yeah, jumping him wasn't a good idea. Exactly! Travis, get a grip and stop to act like a horny dog! But it was a hell of an effort for me.

However, Aleksandr was very different, and it no longer was a matter of what I wanted or not. He was so terribly tempting and when we exchanged that last joke and glance, hell, I think I had been going insane, since I truly believed there was something there, something I could almost touch between us two, something I thought he also sensed and felt. I was going crazy, wasn't I? That wasn't possible, right? Hell yeah, not on this planet. Great, absolutely fantastic. Yeah, let's hear and appreciate all the sarcasm you could get in my words. Anyway, I had to find a way to return the favor of tonight, casually inviting him over for something.

I mean, he appeared definitely OK with letting me get very close to him, never shoving me away or casting piss-off menacing icy glares I plenty saw in school directed at everyone else aside his friends and, since yesterday morning, myself too. Was this normal for him? Hell, if I knew. Anyway, things were going wonderfully, and I just didn't want to get myself into another mess and ruin everything. So, sexy horn dog, get some self-control and don't jump Alexi!

Self-control my ass, though...with the way he acted with me, I much more needed an order of restriction. Oh well, whatever.

Of course, he offered, well, pretty much ordered, to drive me home and the evening at the stadium with his friends had been very enjoyable, all of them very cool and friendly guys, Dima, as he had then told me to call him, Alexi explaining me the deal with Russian names and their ways to be shortened or nick-named, surprised me by mentioning Jasper and wanting to invite him, too. It'd be fantastic and I'd love that, but I wasn't sure whether cutie was ready for it or not; I'll have to see and ask, because I still needed to understand what was wrong with him, why he was so scared and uneasy around them, some of them in particular. Had something happened? I doubted it and shook those thoughts away.

"Everything OK?" Alexi asked as he went to change music, selecting something else than The Clash, but considered there was nothing else good on the radio he returned to them.

"Yeah, I was just thinking about something and it was plain stupid, so never mind," I only replied, since it wasn't my place to voice out those doubts about Jasper.

"Are you sure? You can talk to me if you need it," he calmly said and I turned my head toward him, gluing my eyes on his handsome face. Oh hell, he was just damn perfect and so attentive that sometimes I wondered whether I was dreaming or not, if he was real or not.

"Thanks, Alexi," I murmured softly, my eyes unable to move away from his face. He quickly glanced at my face and smiled and fucking hell, that melted me and kick-started my heart, because for a moment I feared for the intensity with which it started to beat, blood gushing insanely in my veins. I was beginning to be so gone for him I didn't want to even think about it.

Sitting beside him while he drove was like pure heaven and I couldn't stop smiling or feeling like on could nine, as if being inside some content bubble. My mind and heart tried to tune my mess out by listening to the music, The Clash still quietly playing inside the pickup, us two not very far from each other. I mentally sighed and relaxed back in the seat, letting the music fill my mind and thoughts. I hummed the music softly, eyes half closed as the smell of his perfume mixed with his own lulled me, as his presence entirely wrapped around me like a warm and cozy blanket, chasing every anxiety away.

"Did you really like it tonight?" Asked the object of my personal living hell, a low and sexy husky note in his voice, my skin immediately getting goosebumps because of that.

"Yeah, I meant it when I said it was lots of fun and your friends are really nice," I replied. "And don't get me started with the game and how they clashed and such, hell, they are fucking crazy, I swear it, pure adrenaline for sure." He chuckled at that, pleased to hear that from me, because I was sure that's what I perceived in him.

"So, you are coming to see us next Saturday, right? You promised me and you already understood being stubborn with me doesn't work." Oh yeah, I got that just right and I liked it way too much for my sanity. Also, watching him playing hockey, being the ice-made beasty captain everyone apparently respected and worshipped, according to what his friends and people in school said, sure was going to be a complete and torture-like turn on. However, lucky me I kept my tongue under control this time.

"Absolutely," I agreed. "I promised you and even without that, I'd still be there because I am actually curious to see how you play." Hell, nothing truer than that. "I want to see the famous and feared hockey beast in action," I slightly teased, and he let go of a sexy quiet laugh.

"You'll see it for yourself," he replied, checking then the phone since he had received a message. "Vanya," he replied my unspoken question and I just nodded. "I wanted to ask you if you were hungry and felt like eating something out, but apparently Julie has something prepared for all of us to celebrate. So, another time?"

"Whenever you want," I answered in all honesty, smiling and feeling my hand going to move, craving to touch him, which I managed to stop at the last moment only.

He pulled over in front of my place, parking the car not far from the main door of the building, having luckily found a free space. I was about to say good night and let him go, given what he had told me a few minutes ago, but I wasn't really capable of letting go of him just yet, wanting to spend more time with him, talking more to him. So, without thinking twice, I asked something out of the blue, not giving any thought about it. How smart of me, right? Oh, the fuck with that, I wanted to spend time with him and there was nothing wrong in that or what would make me change my mind.

"Would you like to come in for a moment? Or are you in a hurry?" Alexi and I alone in my place, hell...that sure was a challenge and pure, hot torture, especially after all the teasing going on tonight and how my hormones and horniness were on a crazy rampant. Very smart, Travis, very smart indeed.

He looked at me without saying anything for a couple of seconds, his eyes intensely staring at mine, and I thought maybe I said something weird, stepping over some line I wasn't aware of, because we weren't yet super close friends or best friends, he wasn't like Jasper. However, he then smiled at me in a way I had to swallow down.

"Sure, why not? I am not in a hurry and we'll have to wait for dad anyway," he said, going to open the door of his Dodge, and my heart skipped more than a beat.

We walked to the main entrance door in silent, but strangely comfortable. The doorman of our building recognized me and waved at me, getting up, but I shook my head and showed my keys. I still needed to get used to this. Alexi was right beside me, very close, and when I went to open the door, I could feel his presence right behind me, his unique chilly-spiced and piercing scent hovering about me and luring my thoughts to risky paths. Mental strong slap to get myself to cool it down. We stepped into the elevator and I had to make some small talks to hide how I felt in that moment, imagining him taking me there hard from behind, the mirror reflecting our wild actions. I shoved those fantasies away and stepped out of the elevator faster than intended, gaining a questioning look from him. I opened the apartment door and flicked the lights on; we both removed the shoes and walked further inside

I showed him around once more as a way to control my thoughts. He removed his jacket and I did the same, our eyes never letting go of each other and I knew my blood was roaring madly in both my mind and crotch. Cool it, Travis.

"You have a very nice place and quite big," he said as we moved to the living room, observing around more than the last time.

"Yeah, I love it, too, and it really feels like home," I spontaneously admitted, for then biting my tongue. It wasn't the right moment to bring up certain memories or facts from the past. I eyed the kitchen and maybe something to either drink or eat would ease my mood, this sort of charged atmosphere I felt around us, the crackling tension and attraction driving me insane, especially whenever his eyes were on me. I wasn't sure if he realized that or not and, if he didn't, much better for me. "Can I get or offer you anything? Something to drink or eat maybe?" And believe me, I would really get and offer you anything you wanted, I thought to myself, horny and gone Travis wide awake.

"No, thank you, I'm fine and no need to bother with that," he replied, both of us having stepped closer somehow.

"It wouldn't be a bother, believe me." He shook his head and smiled, taking the leather jacket from my hands and placing it on the nearest couch.

"Actually, how about showing me some of the CDs you told me about before? Would you mind that?" Hell, I absolutely wouldn't mind that one bit, but then again, him in my bedroom? Oh, sweet Lord, I had to remind myself about strict self-control, restraint. Got it? Yep, got it. I could totally do it, so I smiled back and nodded.

"Sure, I'd like that." I led him upstairs to my room and motioned to make himself comfortable, wherever he wished for.

He walked around the bedroom in silence, looking at my pictures, medals, awards, collections DVDs, books, comics, at some posters I had on the wall. He had removed his jacket downstairs and he was wearing only a close-fitting light-blue Armani shirt, the sleeves rolled up a moment ago, exposing his muscles to my eyes and mental craziness. I had to tear my stare away from his body, avoiding fueling my desire even more. He stopped in front of a picture portraying me in an "ecarté avant", my upper body painted in silver and shining black, a photo taken from a performance of last year, one of my best performances it had to be added. He observed it for a couple of seconds in complete silence, and I was unsure whether to step closer to him or not.

"This is you, right? You look gorgeous here," he was more talking to himself than to me, but that really took me aback, not having expected to hear such words from him, spoken in such way, the expression on his face rendering me almost speechless.

"Thank you," I simply whispered, feeling freaking and ridiculously shy, I mean, me shy in front of him, the man I lusted most: what a freaking joke that was!

I sat down on my bed, letting him look around the room, just observing him, my heart beating so fast I never thought it possible and my mind a complete mess of emotions and feelings, my hands tightly clasped together to restrict myself. He said I looked gorgeous and those words were completely sincere, I could feel it from his voice, from the expression on his face. Alexi found me gorgeous. I swallowed down and noticed he stopped in front of my enormous CDs collection, turning around to glance at me with a fucking stunning and amused smile.

"You weren't kidding when mentioning you have too many CDs to actually list them."

"Nope, I definitely wasn't kidding, I like to collect them," I explained, and he went back to reading their titles and the names of the bands.

"I see you like Motley Crue," he commented while taking one of their albums in his hand. Oh? Did he also listen to them? That'd be fucking great.

"Yeah, I love them, and do you like them, too?" I asked, observing him very much surprised, because I was beginning to harbor the idea, we had a very similar taste for music. Not to mention the hot fantasies I had while listening to them. Hell, that was fucking awesome, because while I listened to "Primal Scream" I pictured him and I trying very wild things, especially being taken from...bad, bad dog, Travis.

"I absolutely love them," he replied, looking back at me with quite a suggestive smile. "I listen to them sometimes when I train. Of course, when I am alone or only with River and Dima, not with the entire team and the coach yelling at us, because that'd be very much impossible. But they give me the right energy while I speed on the ice." I could definitely imagine that, and this wasn't helping me much. Yet, I also couldn't control myself much.

Which meant, I stepped down from my bed and walked to his side, reading through my collection of CDs and looking for one in particular, deciding to play one group I was sure he didn't know, but that he might like very much. I took it and placed in the CD-player. Too late I realized it wasn't the smartest idea ever, since I dreamed of doing all sort of things with Alexi while listening to their music. I mentally sighed, for I had just dug my own fucking grave.

"Diesel and Power" from Backyard Babies began to play in my bedroom with him standing very close to me, our elbows touching. I swallowed and walked away, sitting on the opposite side of the bed to place and keep some distance between us, for good reasons, because the music was getting into me, and I wasn't an idiot to completely trust myself right then. He sat on the other side of the bed and then lay down on his back, closing his eyes and crossing his hands under the head. Oh hell, that was driving me insane, I mean, him on my bed listening to Backyard Babies, looking so gloriously and sinfully hot, clearly enjoying the sound of their music. I swallowed down, unable to peel my eyes away from him.

Don't jump him. Don't jump him. Don't jump him, I chanted in my head, trying to convince myself about that.

"Hmm," he hummed with a low and fucking sexy sound coming from his throat. "I like them a lot, they have an aggressive and wild sound, feeling like it's stirring, suggestive." And sensual, I mentally added, even though he couldn't have described their music better.

I wasn't sure what got into me, but I lay down as well on my back, almost parallel to him, the music filling the room and the pleasant yet crackling silence between us.

"Yeah, they have a very particular sound, I love them," I told him, crossing my arms behind my head and murmuring the words of the song.

Alexi suddenly rolled on his side and pushed himself closer to me, for then out of the blue surprising me by grabbing one of my arms and pulling it away from my head. Oh fucking hell, I trembled visibly and my breathing caught in my throat, my eyes widening in an instant at the sudden touch; I wasn't expecting that and it wasn't helping me in the least. He rolled up the sleeve and examined my wrist, knowing what he was looking for, what he was intently observing. I didn't dare to move or say anything; as a matter of fact, I had no idea whether I was still breathing or not. I know for sure my heart was about to go insane.

"What is this, Travis?" His voice was dangerously close to my ear and it sent violent shivers all over my body, lulling my senses, caressing my barely controlled desire and pulling it out. Who was I kidding? Being friend with him would be as easy as walking through Hell and back. And would I have enough control and strength to do it? I no longer was sure about that, because there was something about him, something between us that was eroding my certainty.

"It's nothing," I replied very quietly, my voice not entirely stable and he must have perceived it, because when I tried to pull my arm away from his grip I failed, his hold strong and very much in place, slightly calloused and warm, powerful fingers wrapped around my wrist, his presence way too close. Dangerously too close.

"Travis," he called me with demanding and decisive voice.

"I don't cut, if that's what you are thinking about," I snapped at him, having also rolled on my side and facing his intense icy-blue eyes. He hadn't minded my very unpleasant and almost snarling reply. Why was he so fucking perfect and caring?

"I don't think you do, and the thought never crossed my mind, believe me," he told me firmly at once. "So, what's this?" Fuck, he was smart and saw over appearances, sensing what really was going on and I had seen that on Thursday already. Was it OK to tell him what had happened, to let him in my heart and past?

"Sasha, I really don't want to talk about it now," I murmured, looking away a moment, his hand still firmly around my wrist. "Please?" I realized I tended to use his Russian short name only during certain occasions, when for instance I was nervous, very tense, or madly aroused. It was like an unconscious slip and he probably recognized it, too.

"Travis, what happened? Tell me, please, because I've been thinking about it since I saw them yesterday morning and I can't let it go."

He wasn't going to let it go, right? No, he had just said that. Damn, it was really hard to resist his fierce eyes and his dominating tone, the gentleness behind those apparently commanding words, the fact he really cared. I sighed, pulling back my arm and he let me. I sat up on the bed crossing my legs, staring directly at his eyes and taking a deep breath, because it wasn't going to be easy and I had no idea what he would say or how he would react. I hadn't been able to open up about this with Jasper, just telling him a few superficial facts, but with Alexi things were very and terrifyingly different. He also sat on the bed right in front of me not willing to unlock his gaze from mine. I had to shift my eyes away a moment as I recollected my thoughts, deciding from where to start.

"I..." I began, taking a deep breath before continuing, my eyes searching for his as somehow, they gave me the strength to talk. "I had a fight, well, let's call it in this way, even though it wasn't exactly a very fair fight, if you understand what I mean."

I shivered at the memory, feeling their hands on me, their beating and insulting, their disgusting and revolting voices mocking me and calling me names, spitting at me, me alone against more bastards than I could possible handle, and him, he...he just stood there and did nothing, aside preventing them from doing too big and noticeable damage, taking part of that at one point. This last part better to stay out of the story, for now at least, because I wasn't ready to share it yet. It was too painful and humiliating. I closed my eyes, feeling sick at the thought of those moments, and then Alexi cupped my face with a reassuring and warm hand, grabbing my wrist with the other, his touch a pure balm for my fucked-up emotions.

"Travis, look at me," he ordered me with a voice clearly forced to keep calm and even, but I could feel the anger lying right beneath that. I did as he said and I was shocked at seeing his eyes glaring viciously mad, like an icy and dangerous wild storm, the wind howling and brewing the tempest barely contained, with tense and contracted jaw, lips set in a thin, hard line, his breathing more audible and heavier. Rough and undiluted fierceness was on his face, but something else touched the surface, and true, gentle worry was there, knocking the breath out of me. I swallowed down at the expression on his beautiful face and he pulled mine closer to his. "Travis, are you OK?" He asked with shaken voice, honest concern coating each word. I thought about that for few seconds and right then, right there with him sitting in front of me, touching me, holding me together, hell, yes, I felt perfectly fine and unexpectedly safe.

"Yes, I am OK, Alexi," I truly replied, and he sighed out in relief, his thumb slight caressing the side of my face, almost touching my lips. We stared at each other without saying anything and I let my head rest on his chest, as all of this had suddenly exhausted me and sucked my energies. "I swear I am fine, but it's just damn difficult to remember all of that again, talking about it openly like this. Mom is the only person I discussed about this. It makes me sick; it makes me feel very much ashamed of myself," I surprisingly confessed, no longer caring if he knew or not. It was Alexi and it was perfectly fine like this. He shuddered with anger, and I could tell that because he had stiffened and the grip on my wrist hardened slightly, but I could tell he really tried his best to stay calm and not snap.

I already had a feeling he had some issues with anger or so, but I thought I was maybe wrong, which I doubted seeing him now, and if that was the case, nothing changed about him and I definitely didn't mind it, not finding it scary or to be worried about. I didn't care because it was him and he was...he was Aleksandr.

"Travis," he suddenly spoke after a moment of brewing silence, his voice altered by his angered emotions. "What the fuck had they dared doing to you?" He growled instead of normally speaking and his voice was hoarse with rage and barely controlled effort. Why did he care so much about that? Why the hell did he care so much about me and what happened in the past?

"Why do you care so much, Alexi?" I asked him, in need to understand that, in need to hear his words.

"I...shit, I don't entirely know myself," he confessed. "To be completely honest I don't know why I care this much, but I do and that's it, something I cannot change and that won't change, I care about you a lot, because we are...friends," he said, having almost hesitated as he spoke the last word, not sure why, and I inhaled his soothing scent, one of my hands having reached for his sides, grabbing his shirt, having to touch him. He had begun to caress my hair and I knew also Jasper had done that and any good friend could do it in such a moment, but with Aleksandr it felt completely different. It felt amazing, taunting, reassuring, safe, perfect.

I sighed, defeated by my own emotions and feelings. I was lost for him and there wasn't anything to do about that. I was simply gone for him.

"It's not what you are probably thinking about, there was no sexual violence if you thought that, but they still took me over to some hidden place in school, just like it almost happened on Thursday, and it was five of them against myself only, and they began to insult me, call me names and provoke me. Hell, I tried to resist that telling myself they would let go if I ignored them, but it wasn't what they aimed for, plus I have a damn short fuse and when they began to push me around, wanting to hit me, I saw red and reacted. It was exactly what they waited for and I had tried to run away, but there was no chance for me," I explained, my voice shaking and quiet, his hand still on my hair, a reassuring and firm touch. I hadn't been able to tell everything to Jasper yet, but with Alexi it was different, and the words poured out of my mouth before I even realized it.

"I tried to run away, but they caught me and jumped on me, so I fought them back as much as I could, and got them even more pissed at me for resisting them, for not letting them push me around," I continued having to swallow down a couple of times, my throat almost closing up, my face feeling very warm. "They beat me, kicked me, slapped me, but not in the face, of course, those fuckers." I was fuming and shivering with so much anger that it was almost physically painful.

"They tied my wrists to better have fun with me, because I moved and fought too much, I wasn't an easy prey. They tied me so damn hard, with metallic strings, that they slashed my flesh and left those scars you saw on me. They tore away my shirt and spat on me, insulted me, mocked me and almost strangled me." I felt all the shame falling down on me, the disgust, the venom in my mouth, the violent rage, insane fear. I was shaking badly, breathing heavily, grabbing his shirt with my both hands strongly, trying to ground myself.

Alexi hugged me tightly with both arms, pressing me to himself, and I felt he was breathing hard and loudly. I was sure I would have felt like shit telling him all of this; I thought I would puke, but nothing happened, it felt just like lifting a fucking heavy burden from my shoulders and heart, like he could knock it away from me and crush it in dust for me. I returned the embrace and pressed myself against him as much as I could, his strong arms wrapping around me as if shielding me from everything else.

"Travis, I am so sorry I forced you to talk about this," he spoke with worried and sincere voice, hugging me even more tightly, so much I felt his heart beating fast and insanely. "But-but, goddamn it, I am so fucking mad right now that I wish to find those fuckers and beat them to death, to rip their assholes heads from their necks and make them pay for what they had done to you." I had been right, he did have some anger management issues and he was shaking badly, too, for different reasons than I was. "If Collins will dare as much as to just look at you, he is dead, he's fucking dead meat and I don't care about anything else," he said everything with such ferocious, wild and strained, icy voice it should have scared me as fuck, yet he only made me feel too safe and protected to experience or sense any fear or concern. He was incredible...in my eyes and heart he was simply perfect.

The thought made me chuckle slightly, all considered this rather fucked-up and heavy situation and so, I chuckled out loudly, surprising him obviously. It took me to speak about my shitty past to realize my true feelings, the depth of them and how gone I was for him. How ironic was that? I chuckled more at that.

"What are you laughing at? There is nothing to laugh about and I really would hunt them down right now if I could." His voice was annoyed and still very much enraged. Hell, Alexi did really care about me and the realization of that was incredible, it blew me away completely and let me stupidly drunk and high of happiness.

"Nothing, it's just that all of this is so fucked-up and crazy, and so messed up. I mean, with everything that happened to me you should scare me, but you don't, believe me you really don't, very much the contrary." I pulled back as I told him that, having to stare directly at him. "If anything, you make me feel completely protected, safe, as if you honestly care and I'm glad I told you this, because I swear it made me feel better." I smiled at him to make him see I was telling the truth. "And damn, listening to your threats against those assholes and also against Collins, they just make me laugh at the idea how much he could be really fucked. Thank you, Alexi," I murmured, hugging him once more but tilting my head back to look at him, at his beautiful eyes, at his wonderful mouth.

He had beautiful almost transparent, icy-blue eyes, and they looked like shining aquamarines, their glance having softened from a moment ago.

"Your eyes are absolutely beautiful," I suddenly whispered at him, without thinking what I was doing or saying, widening mine a moment later.

Oh fuck, I just said what came into my mind right in that moment, but he hadn't minded it at all. No.

He stared right back at me with a serious expression, lost in my eyes for a moment, and then he smiled, at one side of his full and kissable mouth, looking so fucking handsome and hot my mind was shattering in pieces just like my heart and control. My stare moved on his mouth and I leaned closer to him, much closer than I already was, wanting to know how it felt, how he tasted, what I would feel touching his lips. I breathed in his scent and cologne and I softly purred a moan.

Yeah, I just fucking moaned there in front of him, in need to obliterate the distance between us, one his hands now on the small of my back. Hell. It was like I couldn't control my body and he wasn't moving at all at first, just looking at me, locking my eyes at his, stealing my breath away, but then he inched toward me and so I did, his hand sinking in my hair, grabbing it, making me tremble for the sudden crushing desire, for the feeling of his hands on me, sensing a certain note of territoriality in the way his fingers gripped my hair, and we almost brushed our lips.

Yeah, almost.

I immediately snapped out it, understanding what I was about to do, and I took a deep breath to control myself. What the hell was I doing? I was about to fucking kiss him, and kiss him hard, because I felt like burning for him. But I definitely couldn't do it, not in that moment.

"I-I am, hell, sorry about this, fuck, I think I am far gone right now," I managed to blurt out and he had also pulled back slightly, his eyes observing me in a way I couldn't read or remotely comprehend.

"Don't say sorry, alright?" I didn't do or say anything. "Travis?" His hand went back to the side of my face, forcing me to look at him.

"OK," I breathed out only and I had to swallow down, still bewildered and overwhelmed by emotions and by his proximity, by the feeling his hands on me were giving me.

Hell, what the fuck had just almost happened?

ALEKSANDR POV:

Travis was so dangerously close to me that I could almost taste him, the desire of having him right there devouring everything inside me, howling imperative in my mind and rushing madly with my blood. I desired to kiss him and taste that fucking sexy mouth more than anything else, wanting to feel his tongue and dominate it, because this closeness between us had only inflamed me more than I could describe. I wanted Travis like I never desired or lusted for anyone and anything else in my entire life.

But he wasn't in his right state of mind, not after what he had told me, after reviewing those horrible moments. Shit. Right then he definitely wasn't in the right state for this at all. Yeah, not now, it wasn't the correct moment. And to be completely fair, I wasn't sure whether I myself was in the perfect state of mind. Who was I trying to kid? I wasn't at all, impossible to be after having heard what had happened to him, what those fuckers had dared to do to him, to Travis. My anger was about to burn me alive; I swear, I had a hell of a hard time to control it and if it weren't for him being tightly in my arms, nothing and no one would had stopped me from exploding in a maddening rage. If I had them in my hands, nothing would have been left intact, nobody would have recognized their faces once I was done.

He must have sensed my state of alteration and understood it, I had that feeling, but he hadn't minded, and his words actually surprised me. I made him feel safe...and he was right, because it was how I wanted him to be, and I did deeply care for him, more than I could express.

He had been so close to, we had been so damn and dangerously close to each other, his sensual lips there a mere breath away from mine, his eyes locked with my own, him in my arms while one of my hands had moved on his silky hair, sinking in it and imagining how it would feel to pull it as I attacked his mouth, and so, I just wanted to taste him, kiss him hard and deeply for very long time, our lips impossibly close. I could almost feel them on me, and I had to suppress a groan of mounting and blinding lust, but he sort of purred or moaned, I couldn't really tell, aside the fact it was fucking hot and drove more toward to him. It almost made me go completely crazy.

Was it just attraction I had for him? I was beginning to doubt it very much, because if it was only that, it sure was damn insane and did mere attraction involve feelings such as wanting to be well, safe, wanting to take care of him as much as possible?

However, as we were about to give in and kiss, he suddenly pushed away, looking confused and bewildered and I let him, because that was the only right thing to do. I desired to kiss him, yeah, very fucking much, but it was the wrong moment. It had to wait, since I very well knew it was what I wanted and what I was going to do when both of us where in the right state of mind.

"I-I am, hell, sorry about this, fuck, I think I am far gone right now," he kind of stuttered out, nervous and tense and I didn't like the idea of him feeling like this with me. But it was true, he was gone, not in his right mind and too many emotions were probably overwhelming him. I told him not to say sorry and he gave in after a moment, simply breathing out an OK, still rather nervous.

"Travis, just relax, will you please do that?" I asked him, caressing his face because I anyway couldn't stop myself from that and I needed to touch him. He nodded and then forced a smile which didn't reach his ears, missing the usual dazzling light. I shouldn't have pushed it and I felt an idiot for doing so, but I was glad he had trusted me with such heavy truth, opening up with me. "You need to sleep, because you are obviously tired and it clearly is all my fault, I am sorry, I really am," I apologized honestly, feeling like a jerk and asshole for having forced him to re-live those painful moments, having to face memories I was sure he wanted just deeply buried away. If only I could find them and make them pay...yeah, that would make me feel very good.

"What are you talking about?" He snapped out suddenly, grabbing my shirt as his eyes darted on mine. "I am tired as fuck, hell that's true, I am wrecked to be honest, but it's not your damn fault, Alexi, do you understand me? I am glad I told you all of this and that you listened to me and didn't react in any weird way or pitied me." He was then piercing me with fierce and challenging gaze, with a strong and obstinate attitude, his fingers still tightly gripping my shirt and somehow pulling me closer to him. Shit, he was a strong and fearless person and I truly liked and admired that very, very much.

"Why should I have reacted in some weird way? I'm sorry you had to go through that and yeah, I'm sorry I cannot get my hands on them, because they would get a taste of their own medicine, only much, much worse, believe me." He said nothing for a moment and then smiled, this time really looking like himself and I responded to that. "Are you OK? I can stay over if you need it."

"No, you should go to have dinner with your family and anyway, I'll see you Monday at school, right?"

"Definitely," I confirmed, reluctantly moving my hand away from his face, putting some space between us and shit, I didn't like it. Only attraction? I no longer was sure about that. "You should eat something, and we can order it together if you want."

"I have food ready for me in the fridge, mom prepared it for me, and I would invite you to stay, but you have to go, right?" I would have loved to stay and enjoy dinner with him, but yeah, I promised my brother and Julie I'd had been at home soon enough and anyway, I had to leave not just for that reason. I wasn't sure of myself if I stayed; I wasn't sure I would have controlled what I felt for him.

"Yes, I should go, sorry, but we said next time, remember?" He nodded and smiled, his hand surprising me by going on the side of my face, a tender expression in his gorgeous eyes. The way that very simple gesture made me feel was impossible to be described and I think the mess was beginning to slowly calm down and sort itself out.

"Thank you for before, I mean it."

"No need, Travis."

When the doorman closed the door after me, I walked down the stairs of the building and then stopped there, turning around at once staring at the entrance, thinking about Travis. My feet took a couple of steps back to the building, as I didn't want to leave him there alone and because I still yearned to physically feel him. But I stopped and walked to my pickup truck, slamming the door closed once I was inside of it.

"Shit," I swore out loudly inside of the vehicle, smashing my fits on the steering wheel, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth. "Fuck...I really need to get my shit together and I have to do it very soon." I took a couple of deep breaths to remotely calm myself down and then drove home.

After a while I was at home, I sent a message to Travis, wanting to know how he was doing, and he replied with a selfie he took in the living while eating dinner and watching something on TV. It was pointless saying how damn hot he looked in the photo and I just kept it in my phone, knowing tomorrow I really had to train. We did chat for a couple of minutes and I understood he really was OK, which made me breathe out in relief.

"Who's that?" Vanya asked me when he saw me typing on the phone.

"None of your concern," I quickly replied, but he didn't give up.

"Oh c'mon, it can't be a girl because you never care about them, so your friends?" I sighed out and told him it was Travis, which didn't prove a very smart idea. "Oh, Travis, ha? Cool, I like him, so hi from me, OK? And I'm sure I'll see him soon, right?" I groaned out annoyed at his many questions.

"Vanya?"

"What, Sasha?"

"Shut the fuck up," I told him, and he just laughed out way too amused.

Author's chit-chat:

My dears, how do you feel after reading this update, what are your impressions, emotions, first reactions and thoughts?

It was intense in many ways and we discovered more of Travis's past, but we still need to uncover who this guy he mentions is and we shall, with due time. What do you think of his past? He sure didn't have it easy, but we can see how he reacted to that with energy and optimism. We also could finally see his true feelings.

What about our Alexi? He is more difficult for obvious reasons: he was never into guys, never much cared about love or relationship and he also has other problems we still need to reveal and read about. However, he truly cares about our Travis and well, they sure can do quite the flirting, don't you agree? I think together they are an explosive couple. He is quite determined and extremely protective, as we could see here and I think he knows what he wants, don't you agree?

They could not kiss here for reasons I am sure you all understand, but let's see when that will happen, OK? Any guess? Oh well, re-readers please don't spoil it for the new readers, thanks ^^

Now, this is the LAST EDITED chapter FOR NOW, as I am still working on CH.15 and the others, which I will hopefully post next week. I am sorry, but I really had no time and I just thought of posting these 4 (from 11 to 14) to at least give you something new to read. My apologies, I am really trying my best, but you know how busy things can get.

So, to make it clear once more: edited and improved chapters FOR NOW go from 1st to 14th. Starting from CH.15 we have the first NOT EDITED version of the chapters. Thanks for your understanding.

I honestly hope you enjoyed the chapter and I will be very happy to read your comments and messages, thank you!

Stay tuned, because I am working on more new chapters of my other stories and editing "Fire and Ice"; it just takes a bit of waiting and patience, I am sorry.

Have all a lovely and magic day and btw, follow me on Instagram or Facebook, and here of course 😊

Lots of Love, Magic, Hugs & Meows,
-TheWitchAndTheCat-