Page 10 of Beared at Christmas
I pulled the paper off the board and showed it to Ulrik. “What do you think of this?”
The poster advertised a glass igloo situated in a clearing in the middle of the woods where the view of the stars was spectacular. And it was available for one night only. Christmas.
He shrugged, not seeming as interested as I was. “I’m sure it has a nice view.”
I chewed on my bottom lip, considering how to ask him for what I wanted. “If I… If it’s still available, I would like to book it for tonight. Would you come with me?”
Rubbing his chin with his thumb and forefinger, he stared at a spot on the floor. Then, with a sigh, he crossed his arms and looked at me. “Yes. You’ll probably need a ride anyway.”
I didn’t want him to think I was only asking him for that, but if that was the reason I needed to get him there, so be it. Thankfully, the igloo was still available for the night, and I made the reservation before we headed to the bathhouse.
With only a pair of bathing shorts on, I stared at the cold bath, a small pool that was kept at 63°F. Not quite the temperature athletes plunged into after a game. It was still cool enough. The pool was only a few feet away from the hot tub, but I feared it far more. With steps down into the cold water, I worried the instant I put my foot in, I would decide not to go any farther.
Ulrik stood beside me looking damn fine in his shorts and showing off his strong arms and wide chest. I wanted to admire him with my hands and tongue, perhaps find a cubby somewhere to fuck.
“Are you ready for this?” He waggled his eyebrows.
Oh, I was ready for a whole lot more than the cold plunge. Perhaps if I impressed him with my bravery, he would reward me in return.
“If you hop in all at once, it’s a lot easier.” He bent down and ran his hand through the water. “Not as bad as I expected. Would you like me to go first?”
I shook my head as a chill traveled down my spine. As much as I did want to see him wet, I expected that sight would lead to the same problem I’d had earlier that morning. Just the thought was making things move.
I jumped in, not wanting to deal with another hard-on I would need to take care of on my own. The shock was instantaneous. Every part of my body tensed as I stood in the waist-deep water. My balls and cock took refuge inside my body, and my nipples tightened into sharp peaks. Not exactly great for relaxation and my mental well-being as the sign above the pool had advertised. I held in the urge to scream and tried to breathe.
Ulrik hopped in beside me, not at all affected by the temperature. No goose bumps. No shivers. Nothing.
“Have you done this before?” I asked as my teeth chattered.
The corner of his mouth turned up in a smirk, his blue eyes twinkling. “A few times. Though the water was much colder.”
A whole-body shiver went through me. “I don’t know how this doesn’t bother you. I don’t find it relaxing at all.”
He stepped forward and rubbed his hands up and down my arms. “How’s this?”
My insides warmed, but not in the way I thought he’d intended. “Um, better.” I gulped as my cock decided Ulrik’s touch was a stronger force than the cold water. It didn’t help that I imagined turning around in his arms and pressing my ass against his groin.
Fuck, I really didn’t understand the man’s resistance. He didn’t avoid me as if repulsed by me. Maybe his husband’s passing led to his complete absence of sexual desire. Something I more than made up for at that moment. I dropped under the water to get away from his touch and from him before I didsomething that would make the rest of our stay together very awkward.
When I resurfaced, I headed for the steps. “Okay, I’m done here. I want to go into the hot tub now.”
We sat at opposite ends, only possible since no one else was in the bathhouse with us. I leaned back into the molded chair with jets shooting water along my spine. Much more relaxing than the cold water. I kept my mind focused on the game I would be working on when I returned from my holidays rather than the man sitting across from me.
By the time we left, my muscles did feel better. I no longer hobbled and felt more confident about my plan for the game once I had some of the assets to start with. I still didn’t understand what to do about Ulrik. I hoped an evening in the glass igloo would help me understand where I stood with him and if I would ever know what it felt like to be fucked by him.
Chapter Nine
Ulrik
I don’t know why I agreed to go to the glass igloo for the night when I had a perfectly good cabin to sleep in. Especially since I would be alone in it for the first time since I’d arrived for my solo vacation. If Brody hadn’t needed a ride to the other resort, perhaps I would have stayed at the cabin. I shook my head. For some reason, I couldn’t say no to Brody. Plus, it would be nice to see the stars at night.
“So, you’re having a good time?”
I cleared my throat and blinked hard to return my focus to my sister on the other end of my phone. “Yes,” I said, probably a little too loud. “Sorry, the reception is bad here, but it’s wonderful. We, I mean I, visited a bunch of nearby attractions. Going to a glass igloo tonight to stare up at the stars before I fall asleep.”
“That wasn’t part of the package I paid for. How did you wrangle that?”
I was glad she missed my slipup and only asked about the igloo. “It was empty for the night, and I thought it would be fun.”
