Page 6 of Beared at Christmas
The moment he turned from me, I released a heavy breath. I had no idea why he felt so comfortable walking around like that in my presence. Yes, I had seen him naked—an image I’d had a hard time forgetting about as I’d lain in bed the night before—but he knew I still grieved my dead mate.
Okay, so maybe I did crave sex. There was nothing wrong with that. Yet, after being with Raine, I didn’t know if I could have that kind of physical relationship without feeling something more. That’s why I’d avoided a date with anyone. In my heart, I didn’t think I was ready to move on, and if emotions did get involved when I was with someone, it would mess things up in my head. Ugh, it already was, and I’d simply thought of Brody in all his naked glory.
With a growl of frustration, I walked from the entryway to the fireplace. It was my turn to start the blaze. I needed to keep my mind occupied on that rather than anything else.
By the time I had the fire going, Brody had finished in the bathroom, so I decided to have a quick, cold shower. I considered jacking off to release some of the tension then changed my mind. Thinking of Brody when I did so would only make things worse.
Returning to the main part of the cabin, I found Brody on the rug in front of the fireplace, sipping wine from a juice glass. Since there were no wineglasses in the cabin, I guessed that to be the next best thing. I grabbed a beer from the fridge and twisted off the cap. Getting drunk wasn’t a good idea with all the thoughts rolling through my head, but one or two beers would at least help me relax.
After sitting in the wood-framed chair that matched the couch, I took a swig of my beer. “You get the bed tonight.” Even with my bigger physique, it was only fair that we took turns in the bed.
He rolled onto his back, facing me instead of the fire. “Okay. Thank you.”
“So, you’re good with ax throwing and tube sliding tomorrow?” I wanted to confirm our plans, having no desire to force him to participate in something he hated.
“Yep.” He sat up and pulled a blanket around his shoulders before taking another drink of wine. “I want to try everything while I’m here. I don’t know when I’ll get to experience a winter like this again, so I want to make the most of it.”
Neither of us talked for several minutes, enjoying our drinks while listening to the crackle of the fire. It was nice. Relaxing. And having someone else in the cabin with me wasn’t all that bad. I hoped it made the stay a little easier.
Once he finished his wine, Brody went to the bathroom then to the bed. He was asleep shortly after saying good night, his soft snores only audible as the fire died out.
Before going to sleep, I moved the cushions from the couch and chair to the floor to lie on. There was no way I would fit within the confines of the frame of the couch. I couldn’t curl up the way Brody had the night before. As I waited for sleep to take me, I recalled the moment I’d first seen the human. My imagination tried to play out a different outcome of that night, and I regretted not pinching one off in the shower.
Chapter Six
Brody
I stretched under the covers with a wide yawn. A whole night of sleep without waking up once. Even better than the night before since I hadn’t been curled up on the couch, instead having the entire bed to myself. Not something I would have expected with having to share the cabin with a stranger. As we spent more time together, I felt increasingly comfortable in his presence, and, for some reason, I seemed to sleep better.
With another yawn, I sat up and stretched my arms over my head. Glancing around the cabin, I searched for Ulrik, the sexy carpenter I’d kept my eyes on as I’d fallen asleep the night before. I did find him attractive. With his blond-highlighted, curly locks and the slightly darker scruff on his face, he reminded me of the hero from one of the cartoons I watched as a kid. His slight accent made him sound like he purred with each word he spoke. Ever since I’d learned he was gay, I couldn’t avoid noticing how his jeans fit snugly over his ass and how his T-shirts showed off his broad, sculpted chest, all without appearing too tight. Yet, he’d made no indication he had any sort of feelings for me, instead letting me know he wasn’t over his deceased husband. I could respect that. It didn’t mean I couldn’t admire him and fantasize about everything I wanted him to do to me.
Snapping out of my thoughts, I realized Ulrik wasn’t in the cabin, my heart racing in a sudden panic. I got up and checked the bathroom, emptying my bladder while I was in there, still unable to find the guy. Had he left without me? We’d bonded well and had planned to spend the day together. Maybe I’d completely misread him. Or perhaps he needed more time alonethan he let on and didn’t want me around while he mourned. Had I done something wrong?
Glancing out the window, I spotted his truck parked beside the cabin. He likely hadn’t gone too far, then. Up to the lodge at most.
I jumped when the door opened to reveal Ulrik standing in the doorway, with his arms full of wood. I breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn’t left without me. I wasn’t sure why I cared so much, since I’d fully intended to spend the week alone when I’d booked my stay.
Rushing to his side with the wood box, I took the load from his arms. “You’re up early. I didn’t even hear you.”
He shrugged as he shook the snow off his coat. “The same as I didn’t hear you yesterday. I thought I would grab some wood for the fireplace before we headed out for the day. That way it should be dry by tonight.”
“Good idea.” I carried the box to the hearth and spread the logs out so they would dry better. “Do you want to grab breakfast at the lodge before we go?” Not only did I need something to eat, I wanted to ensure he still wanted to go ahead with the plans we’d made.
He shook his head, and I worried he’d changed his mind. “There’s a coffee shop on the way to the ax-throwing place. I thought we could stop there. If that’s okay with you.”
With a nod of contentment, I quickly got dressed then headed over to the entryway cabinet. I didn’t know how much winter gear to wear since the ax throwing was indoors. Would we return to our cabin before our next activities or head straight there? I decided to wear only my coat and boots, taking snow pants and the rest with me and stuffing them in the back seat of Ulrik’s truck just in case I needed them later.
Since he drove, I paid for Ulrik’s coffee and his egg and bacon bagel-wich, along with my own breakfast. The ax-throwing placewas on the west side of the town and was as quiet as the sugar-bush tour had been. I assumed all the attractions to be busier in the afternoon. Most guests on their holidays didn’t seem to wake up as early as we did. We seemed to be the strange ones. Thankfully, that meant no one would see how horrible I was except Ulrik.
Ulrik had booked our lane the day before, and, when we arrived, it was all set up for us with axes of varying lengths and weights. We signed the necessary waiver then paid for the lane rental for an hour and a half. Supposedly enough time to figure out our ax-throwing technique then to play a few rounds of the basic game.
Before we started, a coach came over to inform us of range safety and to teach the fundamentals of throwing different axes. He had us throw while he stood with us to ensure we knew what we were doing before he left.
With Ulrik’s first throw, he hit the target, just left of center. Not once but three times in a row. The coach gave him a tip to correct his aim, and, with the next one, he put the blade right into the bullseye.
When my turn came, I had a little bit of hope for my own success, knowing I wouldn’t be as good as my cabinmate. First, I had to find the length and weight that worked for me. I lifted several over my head in the motion I was instructed on, until I found one that felt comfortable. When I prepared to throw the ax, I was sure I could get it somewhere on the board. As the instructor had taught, I launched it forward. Immediately, the ax crashed onto the floor. Not close to the target. Instead, several feet in front of it.
“A common mistake.” The coach grabbed another ax from the table and handed it to me. “Try again, letting go a little earlier this time.”
