Page 55 of Pucking Strong

“Whoa.” He stops in the doorway and looks around. The bathroom is almost as large as the bedroom. The short wall by the door features a natural wood vanity with a deep-sided basin sink. A lighted mirror hangs over the sink, reflecting the colorful lights of the city skyline. The longest wall is glass from floor to ceiling.

“It’s one-way,” I assure him. “No one can see in.”

He steps into the room and half turns. “It’s impressive.”

I walk over to the deep, soaking tub, leaning my hip against the side. There’s a stone-walled shower with double shower heads too. And in the far corner, near the door to the large walk-in closet, there’s a therapeutic home spa with steam and dry-heat functions. “This is my favorite room in the apartment. I designed it.”

He nods, still looking around. “Yep, I can see that.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, it’s so … you.” He points to the corner. “Is that a personal freaking sauna?”

“Yes. And the tub is deep enough to fully submerge your body. You can do ice treatments, hot baths. Perfect for rehabilitation, muscle relaxation, and improved circulation.”

He smiles. “It’s a very nice bathroom, Henrik.”

“It’s yours now. As is the room just outside. And anything in this closet.” I walk over and tap the button that opens the sliding mirrored door, revealing my deep and wide walk-in closet. The feature lights come on automatically, glowing golden over the sleek back row of designer suits, all arranged by color. The right wall is a menagerie of shirts and folded sweaters, shoes, and stacks of slacks and denim. The left, shortest side is almost exclusively athletic wear.

“Fuck me,” Teddy mutters, unable to hide his look of glee. We discovered back in Stockholm that we wear the same size in everything but pants, even down to shoes.

“If you can’t find something to your liking in this closet, then there’s a bathrobe hanging on the back of the door.” I point it out for him. “Give me an hour, and I’ll have all your clothes washed and ready for you. I’ll fold them and place them on the bed.”

“Henrik …”

I walk back over to the tub and turn on the hot water tap.

His eyes go wide. “What are you doing?”

Reaching under the sink, I pull out a fluffy white towel. “I’m drawing you a bath.”

“What?”

“I’m drawing you a bath,” I repeat.

“Why?”

“Because you’re exhausted. You’ve pushed yourself to the limit these last two weeks. You deserve to take a rest. Please, allow me this.”

He glances around again, hands fisted in his pockets. “Lemme get this straight … You want me to sit in your tub and wear your designer pajamas while you do my damn laundry?”

“Yes.”

He just blinks.

“Would you like a beer while you relax? Some wine maybe? Music?”

The sound of the filling tub breaks the silence stretching between us as I wait, giving Teddy time to decide what he wants.

“I … A beer would be nice,” he finally says.

“What kind? I think we have enough to open our own pub at the moment.”

His mouth tips with a smile. “Maybe an IPA? Something pale and hoppy. Novy has good taste. I’ll have one of whatever he brought.”

“And music?”

He shrugs. “I can just play something on my phone.”

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