Page 46 of Racking Up Penalties
“Good day,” Ethan says, his voice softer now.
“Yeah, it was,” I agree, unable to keep the contentment from seeping into my words.
And as much as I’ve fought against this confusing mix of feelings, I can’t deny that today has changed things. I’ve seen a different side of Ethan, and I can’t unsee it now.
The evening chill descends upon us as we make our way back to the resort, the fading sunlight replaced by the warm glow of lampposts. Our group, a little disheveled but buzzing with post-skiing adrenaline, crowds into the inviting warmth of the lodge’s dining hall.
“You both were amazing out there!” Tessa gushes.
I blush and Ethan smirks but I know we both love the praise.
“About time you lot showed up!” Emma greets us with a gentle smile, sliding over to make room at the large table where Luka, Alec, and JD are already devouring a mountain of food.
“Traffic was terrible,” Ethan deadpans, dropping into the seat beside her. The laughter that follows is easy and carefree, a balm to the fatigue setting into my bones.
We share stories of the day’s victories and wipeouts over steaming plates of comfort food. Luka recounts a particularly hard fall for Alec with animated gestures, his intense eyes alight with the thrill of it all. Alec listens intently, his piercing blue eyes gleaming with mirth while JD’s rich laugh punctuates the air, spreading warmth through the room.
As the night wears on, the conversation drifts, the satisfaction of a day well-spent settling like a blanket over the group. I find myself watching them—the ease of their interactions, the way they support each other—and it’s clear they’ve found a balance that works, a harmony that I’m only just beginning to understand. I watch Emma lean into Luka, her laughter mingling with his in a perfect symphony of ease. Alec and JD exchange a look over their shared dessert, a silent conversation that speaks volumes about their connection.
“Hey, Liam, you in for cards after dinner?” Alec asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Count me in,” I reply, realizing that maybe, just maybe, this kind of camaraderie isn’t so far out of reach for me either. “Ethan too.”
Ethan’s soft smile is worth putting myself out there.
Chapter 21
The moment the hot springs come into view, my breath catches. The soft hush of nature envelopes us as we step through the brush and the air, humid and fragrant with earthy minerals, coaxes the tension from my shoulders. Ethan, Liam, and Tristan radiate a relaxed confidence that I envy, their easy strides matching the tranquil rhythm of this hidden sanctuary.
“Wow,” I whisper, more to myself than to them.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Ethan’s voice is a smooth murmur beside me, warm like the water vapor rising in delicate tendrils toward the star-speckled sky.
“Never seen anything like it,” I respond, allowing the awe to lace my tone, embracing the vulnerability because, with these guys, I don’t need to pretend. The steam caresses my skin as I draw closer, peeling away the layers of the world beyond this secluded paradise.
Liam’s hand finds its way to the small of my back, a gentle yet possessive touch, and I’m grateful for the contact.
“Let’s find a spot,” Tristan suggests, his hand brushing against mine, sending a shiver down my arm despite the balmy air. His presence is a calming force, the kind of steady that makes you want to lean in and never let go.
“Over there looks good,” Liam points to an area where the water bubbles gently, invitingly, and I nod, unable to contain the thrill that spirals inside me.
“Hey,” Ethan’s voice cuts through my haze of envy. “It’s a naked hot spring starting… now.” That’s when the lights go off lighting the area and we lose any visibility. “So I guess we better strip.”
I can’t help giggling as we all put our clothes in a pile. Unfortunately, it’s too dark to see anything.
Emma and her guys decided to stay back and do some night skiing instead of joining us which I’m sure Tristan is grateful for now that he’s getting naked.
“Let’s go in,” Liam says softly, reaching out for my hand.
My skin prickles in the cool night air. I sense their presence, an electric current charging the space between us.
We step toward the steaming water. I look up at him, and the world narrows to the intensity in his gaze—a perfect balance of desire and care that wraps around me like a warm blanket.
We move into the water together, the heat enveloping us, and I can’t help but lean into his strength. There’s something profoundly intimate about this moment, about being bare and vulnerable with these men who’ve managed to carve such significant spaces in my life.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Liam murmurs as we fully submerge, and I realize he’s not just talking about the stars. There’s an awe in his tone.
“Absolutely,” I breathe out, feeling the tension melt from my bones as the warm water caresses every inch of me.
