Page 41 of Deep in Winter


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CHAPTERNINE

Winter

Another workingweek has already disappeared into the ether, January flying by.

After an exhausting day in Chicago, I’ve been dying to come back and while away some time in the sauna, de-stressing. And if I can do it while watching Brecken and Roo pumping iron in their gym, then I’m sold twice over.

Once I’ve changed into some comfy leggings, a sports bra, and a hoodie I’ve stolen off Roo, I head upstairs to floor ten. I let myself in, and even though I know they get alerted via the office screens, or their phones, I still call out.

There’s no answer.

Towel in hand, I head into the gym to find Brecken pummeling a punch bag suspended from the ceiling, and Roo on the treadmill. Loud music by a British indie band plays through the speaker system.

On seeing me, Brecken stops what he’s doing. He approaches with a slow-spreading smile, sweat dripping down his body. Still gloved-up, he scoops me up, forcing a yelp from me as he spins me around.

“Don’t tell me you’re here to lift weights?”

“No way. I’m here for the sauna.”

I cling to his solid frame, his body a furnace. “You’re sweaty,” I complain, but not especially minding. When Brecken’s been training his muscles are even more glorious.

“Nothing wrong with working up a sweat,” he supplies.

The sound of the treadmill winding down has me pulling away, playfully planting a kiss on his mouth. He drops my feet to the floor, and I turn to Reuben who’s slowly approaching. I throw my arms around him, even though he’s even sweatier than Brecken. “You guys are gross,” I tease, leaning in for a kiss.

“Your clothes are gross. Get them off.”

“You first.”

He chuckles, his delicious dimples appearing. “You know I will.”

I smile away his teasing.“Where’s Luca?”

“Bella needed his help with something.”

I’ve met his step-sister three times now, and let’s just say, she’s nothing like Sienna. I like her very much.

“He’s back soon,” Brecken tells me, steering me towards a weight machine as he unlaces his gloves. He parks my butt on a worn, leather seat, and notches a metal pin in the stacked weights. “You should do weight-bearing exercise. It’s good for your bones, and when that tower is ready, you’ll thank me.”

The tower was meant to be ready this weekend but there’s been a snag. To be honest, the fact that it’s been delayed might be a good thing. For starters, it means I’m getting to spend more time with my guys. Mostly, I alternate my evenings between them, but it depends on who’s around. Brecken’s around more, allowing me the opportunity to watch him play some hockey. And after the games, we’ve eaten out for a change of scene. We’re dating, something I’d like to do more with Roo and Luca when they get some free time. With Martin Luther Day coming up, maybe we’ll get a chance.

I do twelve reps, then rest for a minute, before doing twelve more. Then I’m moved to another machine, one that works my chest. Following Brecken’s instructions, I do two reps of twelve before moving to the leg press.

“You’ll have earned that sauna now,” Reuben tells me.

“Yeah, well, I think after the day I’ve had I’ve earned it twice over.”

“What happened?”

“Oh, nothing really. It’s just been long. A long week. I’m looking forward to relaxing.”

“We should hit the slopes tomorrow.”

I nod, because it was on my mind. I miss the slopes, and the conditions are great from recent snow.

A familiar-sounding ringtone has my eyes searching out Brecken who’s stalking for his discarded cell on a mat. He studies the screen before declining the call.

“Who was that?” his brother asks.

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