Page 33 of Time To Live Again

Out of the corner of my eye, I watch the other person leave.Phew. I lift my head, roll my shoulders, and stretch my neck. This wooden bank is smooth but hard and uncomfortable to sit on. And I’ll be honest, it grosses me out that others have been sitting in the same place, sweating their asses off. Where are the disinfectant wipes when you need them? I’m glad my towel is long enough that it covers where I’m sitting.

Before I can fully relax and enjoy having this place to myself, the door squeaks open and someone enters. I readjust my towel to ensure I’m still covered, including my upper thighs. Sweat drips down my neck, and I wipe my brow with my forearm. This is brutal. How can it be healthy?

“Fancy meeting you here,” a familiar voice says. “The one person I can’t seem to get out of my mind.”

My heart leaps, and I quickly raise my head, a smile already on my face. I can’t hold back with him. I’m an open book.

Oh, for the love of everything good and holy.Another surge of warmth envelops my body. Is it possible to burst into flames in a sauna? I don’t know if it’s from the stifling temperature in the room or the delicious sight before me.

Leo stands near the closed door, a towel wrapped low around his narrow waist, revealing his sun-kissed, sculpted shoulders, broad chest, chiseled arms, and lightly defined abs. His build is lean and athletic, not bulky. There’s a faint dusting of hair across his chest and around his belly button. His unruly hair is pulled back in a bun, with stray tendrils framing his face and neck.

He might not be perfect to anyone else, but he’s perfection in my eyes. This image is going into my memory bank. It’s only the second day here, and I get to see this much of his bare skin? Go me!

Suffering in this steam cooker is worth it.

“Didn’t mean to scare you,” he says with a wide grin, resting his hands on his hips.

“I’m a little jumpy,” I admit. “Sauna virgin over here. I don’t usually hang out with half-naked strangers.”Don’t make this awkward, Olive.

“Well, I’m no stranger. Just imagine that we’re wearing bathing suits. They cover less than our towels, and we don’t find that uncomfortable.”

“That’s debatable,” I mutter, fiddling with the edge of the towel.

How is he this relaxed? It’s no different from how he acted yesterday. It’s me who’s being awkward. I can’t help it. He’s standing there like a top model shooting a sauna ad, and I’m wrapped up so tightly that I’m going to turn blue soon. This is far out of my comfort zone, which is a good thing, but…but…but…

I’m so exposed.

“Can I sit by you instead of talking across the room? Or would you like me to leave you alone?”

My heart pounds rapidly, and it’s hard to inhale deeply.Loosen up, Olive. I pat the bench next to me and smirk. “Come on over, BFF.”See, that was easy.

His face lights up, and he sits down about two feet away. I try not to peruse his body, but I’m no saint. I can’t help but wonder where that light patch of brown hair below his belly button leads. Of course I know, but you know what I mean. Don’t think I didn’t see the large bulge behind the towel.Eyes above the collarbone, Olive. Focus on your breathing.

“Is this your first time in a sauna?”

“Yes. I’m pushing myself to try new things this year. And here I am, thinking I’d be alone.” His face falls. “No. No. Sorry, that came out wrong. I was really hoping I’d see you again. Though not necessarily in a sweatbox.” I’m rambling.

“But we’re BFFs, and I saw you sweating last night when you were tearing up the dance floor.”

I snicker. “You know this is different.”

“I know. Just trying to help you relax.”

“You seem to be good at that.” Not right now, though. My skin has a heartbeat, and I’m slightly woozy.Keep talking. “Thanks again for last night and the pictures. My brother was uber jealous when he saw them. Ellie, Sam, and Tonya are really nice.”

“I had a quick breakfast with Ellie and Sam before they checked out. They told me to say goodbye to you. Then I worked for a couple of hours and went for a run. Now I’m here.”

“Perfect timing.”

“I was going to call to see if you wanted to join us for breakfast, but I didn’t want to wake you up or monopolize your time.”

I almost reach out to nudge his bare leg. “Don’t be crazy. Monopolize as much as you want while I’m here. I’ll turn back into a pumpkin at the end of the week.”

“Be careful what you ask for, Cinderella. I might do that.” He casually leans back on his forearms. The heat doesn’t seem to bother him at all. His sweaty skin glistens like he rubbed oil all over his body.

I watch as a solitary drop of sweat cascades leisurely along his temple, gliding over his cheek, making its journey down his throat, trailing along the contours of his chest. I tilt my head, then lightly trail my hand down my neck and chest. He follows my every move and focuses on where my hand is. My body yearns for him to touch me the way he rubbed against me on the dance floor when “Señorita” and other erotic songs were playing. I lick my lips and blink the sweat out of my eyes. The room sways.

“Are you okay, Olive?” he asks, leaning toward me. “Your face is beet red, and you’re breathing heavily. Is the heat too much for you?”

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