Page 64 of Wrapped in Winter

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Looking at all three of them right now, their faces dewy with steam and glowing softly from the sun, I vow to make this work between us. My appreciative gaze rests on Brecken, his inked body visible through the water. If this is going to work, he’s the deciding factor. When Sienna was here, he implied that he would get physical with me; that he had plans for me. Obviously, I am totally on board with anything and everything he wants to do to me. But he also holds the future of the hotel empire in his hands. If he sides with Sienna, then it makes the decision for Balthazar Wolfford much more difficult. I don’t want that to be my role here. I will not be used as a glue for the hotel group, even if it would be a sad moment in the company’s history to be sold.

The relationship dynamic will have its own set of complications, ones that I’m purposefully not scrutinizing too closely. But when you factor in the Balthazar Hotel dynasty, about which there is clear strife and arguments, it adds another layer of complexity to the fraught situation.

I wasn’t expecting any of this. I wanted a better career, a return to something for me. Finding three gorgeous men along the way is a massive bonus and I want to be selfish for a while.

So, why do I have a feeling I’m going to get dragged into much more than I thought possible?

Beside me,with their kit bags slung over a shoulder, Brecken, Reuben, and Luca lead me towards the arena for tonight’s game. Their hockey gear was already loaded in the back of Brecken’s Range Rover, where it remained for the past few days. I hope it was clean when it got loaded in the car or else I’ll smell them rink-side.

“How come you all play?” I ask as we head for the main doors.

“It’s mostly me,” Brecken clarifies. “Roo is shit at skating so he’s like, last pick—”

“Harsh, man. Way too harsh,” Roo points out.

“But he grew up on rugby and soccer, so he gets a pass. Luca plays a bit when he’s got time.”

I eye the six-foot-four build of a guy I’m slowly obsessing over. “But you play the most,” I state. “Did you play for college?”

He’s quiet for a bit, and when I glance at Luca, wondering if he’ll answer instead, he looks contemplative. Eventually, Brecken reveals, “I did. I was offered a pro contract but I turned it down.”

Holy shit.

“For real?”

A nod.

“Because you wanted to be involved in the hotel empire more?”

“I guess,” he answers, though it’s not a proper answer. I’m not sure I’ll get one today.

Luca hands off his bag to Reuben, saying, “I’ll find you in the locker rooms. I’ll get Winter situated.”

“Good luck!” I tell them, giving Roo and Brecken a quick hug. “For the win!” I joke, though Brecken barely cracks a smile.

“He takes it very seriously,” Luca divulges as he leads me down a corridor. We’re early, allowing the team to warm up before the game starts, but already the venue is milling with supporters.

“And you don’t?”

“None of us like losing, but Brecken's especially passionate.”

I let Luca give me the dollar tour. The arena is mid-size with seating on one side. After handing me a ticket, he shows me to a wooden bench on the front row. It’s right next to the segregated bench area for the hockey teams. “You’ll get the best view here.”

“Are your shirts numbered or named?”

“Both.”

“Good. It’s hard to recognize anyone under those helmets.”

Luca smiles endearingly. I think he just realized I know very little about hockey and I didn’t dare tell Brecken. “Players get rotated on the ice, but I play center. Roo is left-wing. Brecken, defense. He outplays everyone, killing it on the regular. He’s amazing to watch.”

Excited to see them all play, I smile happily. “I can’t wait.”

Luca leans in and kisses me once, twice on the mouth, his expression cherishing and soft. “Thanks for being here.”

“Happy to be.”

He assesses me for a long second, his hand toying with a clump of hair resting over my shoulder. “See you at the end.”


Tags: Penny Asher-Darke Romance