“Regardless,” I say, peeling off socks that squelch in a way no sock ever should, “my feet are ice. I need a shower hot enough to defrost.”
Felix goes still for half a second, then brightens like someone just lit a string of bulbs behind his eyes. “Better idea. Sauna. Out back. It’s like being hugged by the sun.”
A small wooden box full of steam and mostly naked hockey players.
Terrible idea. Professionally.
…very appealing idea, personally.
“Sounds great,” I hear myself say before my brain can file an objection.
“Same,” Liam adds immediately, voice a touch too casual to be truly casual.
Felix practically vibrates. “What about you, Silas? You in?”
Silas looks back with a smirk, already heading back out. “I’ll go fire it up. Takes about twenty minutes to heat. Someone grab towels.”
“On it,” Felix crows, fist-pumping before darting toward their hallway.
Liam turns back to me, softer now. “There should be a swimsuit in your dresser,” he says. “We’ll meet back here in twenty?”
“Got it.”
My heart does a weird, unsteady stutter as I head for my room.
It’s fine though. It’s just a sauna. Warmth, sweat, relaxation. That’s it.
In the dresser, I find a simple black bikini in the pile of clothes. It fits shockingly well when I tug it on, hugging every curve. I stare at myself in the mirror, suddenly very aware that I haven't worn a bikini since... when? College? I've just been working so much…
Shame though, I'm pretty sure I still got it…
The latch clicks lightly and the door swings inward.
“Naomi, I—oh.” Liam freezes in the doorway, towel in hand. His gaze hits my bare shoulders, drops for one stunned heartbeat, then snaps to somewhere approximately three inches above my head.
“Sorry,” he blurts, going visibly pink. “The door—uh—the hinge is loose, it does that thing, I just wanted to—” He holds up the towel like a peace offering. “Thought you might want one already so you're not cold on the walk over.”
Something warm uncurls in my chest. “That’s really thoughtful. Thank you.”
“Of course.” He swallows. “You look… uh, ready. I mean. For the sauna. Anyway, I’m going to shut up now. See you at the entrance.”
He retreats so fast he almost trips over his own feet.
I stare at the closed door, then back at my reflection, at the faint flush on my cheeks that has nothing to do with the cold.
Apparently I can throw off a high-level athlete. Satisfying.
So it's confirmed, I definitely still got it…
Before I forget, I grab a DuoBlock from the pill case on my nightstand and swallow it dry. Then I wrap the towel around myself, knotting it securely above my breasts, take a steadying breath, and head back to the living room.
They’re all waiting by the entrance, and—oh.
Oh.
My brain stops working for a second.
I know they're athletes, but hockey gear really hides a lot because sweet mother of legal precedent.
