Your Christmas Love (The Bennett Family 10)

I took a hot shower, because my feet were so cold

that I almost couldn’t feel my toes. If I could have snow without the cold... But it had been worth it, spending the time out there to make that snowman. I’d intended to do it all on my own but leaving Winston alone the evening before the presentation was dangerous. I risked walking with the grinch into that meeting tomorrow.

I didn’t really have to go to the sauna though, did I?

I knew I’d promised, but it felt too much like playing with fire. I should stay here. In fact, I should order room service and spend the rest of the evening by myself.

But a deal was a deal. I couldn’t back out. Besides, there was still enough time for him to get lost in his own head. Yeah, that was why I was going, I told myself. For a good cause. Not because I wanted to see Winston seminaked and sweaty.

Wow... was I good at lying to myself or what? I’d spent so much time doubting the decision that I was nowhere near ready when Winston knocked at the door.

“One minute,” I called out in a panicky voice. I put on one of those fancy sauna towels that had a clasp to keep it fastened above my boobs, grabbed the spa bag the hotel had laid out, and opened the door.

My knees instantly softened. Winston had wrapped an identical towel around his lower half, which meant his torso was completely naked. Pure muscle, everywhere I looked.

Six-pack? Check.

Biceps? Check.

Muscle-laced upper arms? Double check.

I had to force myself to look him straight in the eyes after my quick perusal.

“Ready?” he asked, his smile growing more pronounced. The honest answer was no, but I nodded anyway.

The sauna was on the top floor of the hotel. There was also a relaxation room with dim lighting, and a reading area with comfy armchairs and small lamps.

We each grabbed an additional towel, which we placed on the wood inside the sauna.

Being this close to Winston while wearing practically no clothes was more than I’d signed up for and certainly more than I could handle.

The room would have been claustrophobic if not for the large window overlooking Lake Champlain and the Adirondack mountains in the background. The view was simply breathtaking.

“This glass... can people see inside?” I asked.

Winston smiled. “Technically yes, but we’re too high up for anyone to see anything from the street. So if you have any sexy plans in mind, feel free to act on them.”

Shaking my head, I nudged his arm with my shoulder. Big mistake, because that one touch made me eager for more.

Despite the grand view and the eucalyptus smell in the air, I decided after two minutes that I wasn’t a fan of the sauna.

“This isn’t very relaxing,” I murmured, fanning myself.

“Is it the heat that makes you uncomfortable, or is it me?” His grin made my stomach flip. I was determined to last for at least five minutes, but I felt as if I was suffocating. When I couldn’t take the heat anymore, I excused myself, leaving the sauna, heading straight to the counter with drinks. After downing a glass of water and one of orange juice, I finally felt as if I could breathe again.

Then I headed to the shower. Even though I’d read that icy-cold water was recommended after a sauna, to close the pores, I wasn’t brave enough to do it. I spent an inordinate amount of time under lukewarm water, washing my hair too... biding my time.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I stepped out.

When I was finally done, I wrapped a fresh towel around me and dried my hair with a second one.

I found Winston in the reading lounge. He’d showered too and was wearing a fresh towel. He’d laid another one on the armchair.

Do not look under chin level. Do not look under chin level.

“Ready for dinner?” he asked.

“Yes.”