Page 115 of The Heart of Winter

"Definitely not. But what choice do we have? Cutting pants is out of the question. I’m still hoping your leg isn’t broken, just sprained, so maybe we’ll manage."

"So now I’ll need help every time I undress?" I stared at my foot.

"I don’t think you’ll need pants for the next two days."

I smacked my forehead theatrically. "Ah, right, heat! I’ll be naked the whole time!"

This time, Winter couldn’t hold back, he let out something between a snort and a laugh. I really appreciated the new mood that emerged between us, helping me forget about our harsh reality.

Winter got to work untying the sticks while I unzipped my pants. My leg hurt like hell when he moved it slightly, but I didn’t say anything, only clenched my jaw.

But when he took off my shoe, I couldn’t help the groan that escaped. My foot was swollen, and when he pulled off the sock, it got worse. Just above the heel, but below the ankle, was a dark bruise spreading beneath the skin.

"Subdermal bleeding…" he muttered, then looked me in the eyes. "This isn’t just a sprain. You must have torn a ligament."

Gritting my teeth was all I could do to keep from screaming.

"Your leg needs to be properly stabilized. These sticks are barely holding up. I’m not a medic, but I can bet that with an injury like this, there shouldn't be any movement in the area if you want the tear to heal."

"Well, I’ll just have to deal with it," I ground out, fighting through the pain.

I slowly pushed my pants down over my hips, and Winter helped me slide them past my injured foot.

Now left in just my boxers, I glanced at Winter, then gradually pulled them down. His gaze, completely unbothered, not a hint of embarrassment, landed on my crotch.

"Yes, yes. They’re mint green," I quipped. "Let me guess, yours are white?"

Winter looked at me like I’d just stated the obvious.

"What other color would my pubes be? It would be weird if they were anything but white."

I grinned. "I hope you’re not just staring at my pubes, though. There are other… body parts nearby begging for a bit of attention."

Despite my aching foot, somehow my dick was already semi-hard, hanging heavily against my left thigh.

Winter’s eyes swept over it. "It’ll have all the attention it needs soon enough."

Still grinning, I peeled off my jacket, then unbuttoned and shrugged out of my shirt, pulling my undershirt over my head last.

Winter watched me closely.

"You did ballet, didn’t you?"

"Yeah, four years."

"Well, your body shows it," Winter muttered. "You’re so… flexible. Lean."

I was completely naked now, sitting on the mattress. His gaze could roam freely over every inch of my exposed skin.

There was something thrilling about it, being fully bared like this in front of someone, it was new for me.

Winter's eyes slid over my hips and thighs.

"Can you do the full split?"

"Sure I can. Both ways."

He didn’t comment on it, but I could sense his growing curiosity.

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