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    The Breath of Life
    The Breath of Life
    The Breath of Life
    Ebook105 pages1 hour

    The Breath of Life

    By Pelaam

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    About this ebook

    Alex Robinson expects nothing more from his holiday than skiing and snowboarding. But when an error leads to a double-booking, he and his friend, Jackson, end up in a different hotel. One they’d normally never be able to afford.

    There he meets a group of steampunk cosplayers, including the beautiful and enigmatic Hel, and the downright gorgeous Rupert.

    Drawn to Rupert, Alex finds himself spending more time in the company of the group and his relationship with Rupert deepens.

    But the cosplayers are more than they seem and when Rupert’s secret is revealed Alex must face a challenge for the man he loves.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherEvernight Publishing
    Release dateJun 7, 2018
    ISBN9781773397146
    The Breath of Life
    Author

    Pelaam

    Living in clean, green New Zealand, Pelaam is a multi-published author of gay romance and erotic books. When not busy writing, she can be found indulging in her other passions of cookery and wine appreciation. Pelaam's books: Smoking Mirror, 2017 finalist in 2017 Rainbow Awards in Gay Futuristic/Sci-Fi; Stranded, Evernight Publishing Readers’ Choice winner 2016 for Sci-Fi; The Avian Emperor, runner up and Honourable Mention in 2016 Rainbow Awards Gay Futuristic/Sci-Fi.

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      Book preview

      The Breath of Life - Pelaam

      Published by EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ® at Smashwords

      www.evernightpublishing.com

      Copyright© 2018 Pelaam

      ISBN: 978-1-77339-714-6

      Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

      Editor: Melissa Hosack

      ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

      WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

      This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

      THE BREATH OF LIFE

      Pelaam

      Copyright © 2018

      Chapter One

      From his window seat on the airplane Alex looked out over the snow and mountains beneath him and smiled. Soon the plane would land, and then he and Jackson had two whole weeks of skiing and snowboarding to enjoy.

      These fields were always among the first to open for winter sports. This year Alex and Jackson were skiing in Europe, and then spending Christmas at home in New Zealand.

      I can hardly wait to get there. I don’t want to waste a moment we could be out on the mountains.

      Back home, Alex had already enjoyed the winter months visiting Mount Ruapehu for his and Jackson’s skiing and snowboarding fix. Now that it was spring back in New Zealand, they’d decided to live it up here, at the first of the European ski slopes to open, to round off their skiing year.

      This summer, we’re going to hit the beaches rather than snowfields. Do our boarding on surf instead of snow and ice.

      Are we nearly there? Jackson’s drowsy voice came as a surprise, and Alex glanced over at him. His friend hated flying and always took a pill to ensure he slept for most of any flight they took.

      I thought you were still out cold. Yes. We’re nearly there. Just think of pristine ski runs, après ski hot drinks. It’s going to be awesome, bro.

      Yeah. Awesome. Jackson yawned widely, then closed his eyes again.

      Not that Jackson dropping back to sleep bothered Alex. In his own mind’s eye, he was already powering down the first slopes of a northern hemisphere winter. His only decision was whether he should ski first or snowboard.

      I love both equally. Ah, decisions, decisions.

      More than once Alex had been called an adrenaline junkie. Perhaps it was true. He did love the speed and the rush he got when racing down the slopes. He relished flying foxes and white-water rides for the same reason.

      But then when you had a regular nine-to five admin job, you needed to grab at every opportunity for excitement live offered. Or at least, that was Alex’s way of looking at things. Stuck in an office Monday to Friday, then hit the weekend running.

      Or in this case, the slopes.

      Since Jackson wasn’t going to chat any time soon, Alex leaned forward and peered out of the window again. The plane had dropped altitude as it neared its destination, and now the snowy countryside was coming more clearly into view.

      From the airport to the hotel, a good night’s sleep, and hit the slopes running as early as possible in the morning. Totally awesome.

      Alex glanced at Jackson and smiled. His friend would be a totally different man tomorrow. Outgoing, gregarious, a master of small talk and patter. Quite the opposite of Alex himself. But their difference in personality didn’t affect their friendship, or their shared enjoyment of outdoor sports.

      Alex couldn’t help but jiggle his legs, safe in the knowledge Jackson wouldn’t even notice.

      This is going to be an awesome two weeks.

      Chapter Two

      Their luggage collected, Alex and Jackson took the courtesy taxi to their hotel. Jackson led the way to the reception desk while Alex took a moment to study the hotel layout. It was nice enough in a modern, slightly sterile way. Then Jackson’s angry voice caught Alex’s attention, and he hurried over to find out the problem.

      You’re kidding me. Jackson threw up his hands. Where are we going to stay for the two weeks we’re here? Alex, the hotel has somehow double booked our room, and it’s already occupied. I don’t fucking believe this.

      While Jackson stomped away, Alex moved in, just as angry as his friend, but it wasn’t the fault of the young man at the desk. Yelling at him was only going to be counterproductive. Alex wanted someone to help then, not be glad to see the back of them.

      Look. Alex offered his best smile. I know this isn’t your fault, you’re just the guy on the day. But we’ve paid for a two-week holiday and to stay in this hotel. Someone here stuffed up, so we need someone here to put it right. If our room has been double booked, what can be done about it?

      It is all right. The receptionist scrabbled to pick up an envelope. We have somewhere else for you to stay. Here is also close to the slopes. Permit me to call them and they will send transport.

      At their cost? Alex asked, suspicious that they’d be hit with costs they couldn’t afford. He leaned forward on the counter and the receptionist nodded.

      But of course. They have also offered to include free breakfasts, and you each have a room of your own. No extra costs.

      None? At all? That seemed a little over-generous and Alex didn’t want to find there were hidden costs somewhere.

      No, no. The receptionist shook his head. It’s a smaller establishment, but very exclusive. And although they are normally full, there are two rooms they are willing to offer, to help us out. We are very grateful to them.

      If we’re not expected to pay anything, and we get our own rooms, I don’t see a problem. Alex glanced at Jackson who’d been behind him, listening. He nodded.

      The receptionist grinned. Good. Good. Now, please, go through to our bar. Leave your bags here. As soon as the transport arrives, I will come for you. He scribbled on a piece of paper and handed it to Alex. The first drinks are complimentary.

      Thanks. Alex took the slip of paper, and Jackson walked alongside him as they headed through to the hotel bar as the receptionist directed. Alex handed it to the bar man. Spiced rum and coke for me and a vodka and lemonade.

      When the drinks were pushed across to him, Alex took them to where Jackson was now sitting in a huge armchair beside a roaring fire. The smell of the pine as it burned made Alex smile, despite his annoyance. With only two weeks, Alex didn’t want to waste any of their precious time holding onto a bad mood.

      Alex set the drinks down and shivered at the cool sensation that tickled down his spine.

      Someone walk over your grave, bro? Jackson looked up at him with a smile, but Alex’s attention quickly diverted to a man standing outside looking in at them. There was no reason for him to catch Alex’s attention. Except …

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