Ski House Take 2

Alder

Steam rises from the hot tub into the cold December air, creating a misty halo around Lena as she tilts her head against the edge. Snowflakes drift lazily from the night sky, melting instantly when they hit the water's surface. Through the steam, I can see the windows of the ski house glowing warm and inviting, Christmas lights twinkling along the eaves.

                   "This was your best idea yet," she tells me as I pour us each a glass of wine from the bottle I've balanced on the deck railing. Mine is just a few sips since I’m in season, and hers is extra full because she’s earned it. "Getting here a day before everyone else."

                   "I have my moments." I hand her a glass, then slide deeper into the water beside her, my thigh pressing against hers. "Besides, once my entire family descends tomorrow, we won't get another moment of peace."

                   Lena smiles, taking a sip of the rich red wine. "I like your chaos."

                   "You say that now. Wait until Gunnar and Emerson start fighting about getting a dog." I roll my eyes fondly. "Or when my dad starts his annual lecture about properly waxing skis."

                   "Sounds perfect to me," she says, and the contentment in her voice makes my chest tighten. Six months ago, I was a mess—publicly humiliated, questioning my identity, punching my ex at a charity gala. Now, I'm watching snowflakes land in the hair of the woman I love, feeling more centered than I've ever been.

                   I study her face in the moonlight, noticing the softness around her eyes. "You've gone all misty-eyed, Dr. Sinclair. And I don't think it's from the hot tub."

                   "Just thinking about how much has changed since we were last here." She runs her foot along my calf beneath the water. "Remember how your family showed up unannounced?"

                   "How could I forget? Gunnar's timing has always been impeccable." I set my wine glass down and move closer, water rippling around us. "Though I seem to recall we managed to find some privacy anyway."

                   "We did." A blush rises to her cheeks that has nothing to do with the hot water. "Very resourceful of us."

                   I find her thigh beneath the water, my thumb tracing circles on her soft skin. "Speaking of resourceful..." I let my voice drop to that register I know drives her wild.

                   "Your family could show up early again," she warns, even as she lets her legs part slightly under my touch.

                   "They won't. Mom texted that they're staying in town tonight. The roads are too bad." My fingers inch higher. "We have the whole place to ourselves."

                   Lena bites her lip as my fingers find the edge of her bikini bottom. "The whole place, huh?"

                   "Every room." I lean in, brushing my lips against her ear. "Every surface."

                   "That's a lot of territory to cover in one night." She turns her head to meet my gaze, her eyes dark and inviting.

                   "I'm up for the challenge if you are." I stare at her lips, but before I can kiss her, she presses a finger to my mouth.

                   "What about Gordie?"

                   "Fast asleep by the fire. I wore him out in the snow earlier." I kiss her finger, then take it between my lips, making her breath catch. "No more excuses, Dr. Sinclair."

                   "I wasn't making excuses." She shifts, turning to straddle me in one fluid motion that sends water sloshing over the edge of the hot tub. "I was being thorough."

                   My hands settle on her hips, steadying her. "That's what I love about you. Always professional." I can't help grinning as I look up at her. "Speaking of professionalism, the team doctors were very impressed with your mouthguard data. Coach says the concussion rates are already showing improvement."

                   "Mmm, talk medical research to me," Lena teases, rolling her hips against mine. "So sexy."

                   "You know what's sexy?" My hands slide up to the ties of her bikini top. "This incredible body in my lap."

                   "I’m not in your lap." She laughs, and I yank her between my legs as she giggles.

                   "Before we get too distracted," I say, tugging gently at her bikini string, "I have something for you."

                   "Is it an early Christmas present?" She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively.

                   "Not that kind of present. Though that's definitely on the agenda." I reach behind me to the small deck table. "Close your eyes."

                   Lena obeys, and I remove the small velvet box I've been hiding. Inside is the necklace I had custom-made, a delicate gold chain with a tiny tooth pendant, complete with a glittering diamond. I remove it carefully, reaching around to fasten it at the nape of her neck.

                   "Okay, open."

                   She looks down and lifts the pendant with her fingers, her eyes widening as she realizes what it is. "Alder!" She laughs, touching it gently. "It's perfect."

                   "I had it custom-made." I watch her reaction nervously. "Too cheesy?"

                   "It's exactly the right amount of cheesy." She kisses me, slow and deep, making my pulse race. "I love it. And I love y—"

                   A frantic barking from inside the house cuts her off. Gordie, who was supposedly dead to the world, is raising a commotion.

                   I frown. "What the hell?"

                   We both look toward the house in time to see headlights sweep across the front windows as a car pulls into the driveway.

                   "So much for having the place to ourselves," Lena sighs.

                   "Maybe it's just the housekeeper checking in." But even as I say it, I don't believe it.

                   The barking grows more excited, accompanied by the sound of a door opening and slamming shut. Heavy footsteps cross the great room, followed by a familiar voice.

                   "A? You here?"

                   My stomach drops. "Tucker?"

                   We scramble out of the hot tub, wrapping ourselves in the thick robes hanging nearby, and hurry inside. In the great room, we find my twin pacing near the fire, his phone pressed to his ear, snow still melting in his hair. Gordie dances around his feet, thrilled by the unexpected arrival.

                   "No, you can't just—" Tucker says, his voice tight with strain. "That's not how this works."

                   He spots us and abruptly ends the call, shoving his phone into his pocket. "Hey."

                   "What are you doing here?" I ask, taking in his disheveled appearance. "I thought you were staying in Pittsburgh for that charity thing."

                   Tucker runs a hand through his hair, leaving it in damp spikes. "Change of plans." He glances at Lena, then back to me. "Sorry to crash your private party."

                   "Everything okay?" Lena asks though it's obviously not.

                   Tucker laughs a hollow sound with no humor. "Not even close." He drops onto the couch, his shoulders slumping. "She's threatening to sue for full custody. No visitation even."

                   I move to sit beside my brother. "Oh, man"

                   Tucker's voice is barely audible. "And she's threatening to go public if I resist."

                   Lena steps forward, placing a calming hand on my shoulder. "Why don't I do the dishes while you two talk?" Her voice is soothing, and I'm grateful for her intuition.

                   Tucker shoots her a grateful look. "Thanks, Doc."

                   As she moves toward the kitchen, I lower my voice. "Does she really think you’d step away without a fight?"

                   "My point exactly," Tucker replies. "And Coach Thompson already knows."

                   I run a hand over my face, trying to process this bombshell. My twin has been hiding something huge, and it’s all coming to a head. I’m ready to give up my cozy night with Lena and talk it out with him, but his phone rings again, and his face shifts. “I’m going to bed,” he shouts, jumping to his feet. “You won’t even know I’m here.”

                   Lena reappears with a glass of water, which I gratefully accept, and pull her close to the fire.

                   "Some night, huh?" I murmur against her hair.

                   "Never a dull moment with the Stag family." She traces the collar of my robe. "Poor Tucker. That's quite a situation."

                   "We'll help him figure it out." I tilt her chin up, losing myself for a moment in her warm eyes. "Tomorrow. Tonight, I believe we were in the middle of something before we were so rudely interrupted."

                   Lena smiles, lifting her face for my kiss. "I believe we were."

                   As my lips meet hers, I feel the small tooth pendant press between us—a symbol of how perfectly our worlds have merged. I came so close to letting fear drive me away from this woman. So close to missing out on the kind of love I never thought I'd find. Lena Sinclair, with her brilliant mind, generous heart, and curves that drive me wild—she's my future, complicated family and all.

            And I've never felt luckier.

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