Step.”
His eyes, the way he was leaning …
“I … yes. I do.”
“Why don’t you clear a space for me right there,” he said, making a big circle with
his hand and indicating the area between my living room and dining room. “I’ll be
right back.” Then he turned around and left.
I ran to my living room window and saw him heading to a limo that was parked outside.
I placed my hand on my chest and glanced around my spotless living room, candles flickering
everywhere. I was showered and scented. I was wearing a silk nightgown. They
knew
! I kicked the ottoman to the wall and shoved the couch closer to the coffee table.
The young man returned a minute or two later with what looked like a portable massage
table.
“Please go into the bedroom and take everything off, Cassie. Put this towel around
you. I will call you when I’m ready.”
I gathered Dixie on the way in. This was something my cat didn’t need to see. In my
room I let my robe drop to the floor and took a last glance in my dresser mirror.
My internal critic kicked in immediately. But this time I did something I hadnever done before. I shut it off. I waited, clenching and unclenching my fists.
This can’t be real. This can’t be happening. But it is!
“Please come in,” I heard from behind the closed door.
I entered as timid as a mouse to a transformed room. The blinds had been shut. The
candles were placed on my end tables on either side of a massage table. It was equipped
with stirrups and the bottom half had a split down the middle. I reflexively pulled
the towel tight around me as I tiptoed over to the table towards this impossibly handsome
young man standing in the middle of my living room. He was just shy of six feet tall.
His hair was shiny and wavy, long enough to tuck some of it behind his ears. His forearms
were sinewy and tanned, and his hands looked muscular. Maybe he really was a massage
therapist! When he rested one of his hands under his T-shirt, I caught a glimpse of
his flat stomach, also tanned. He wore a knowing smile that made him look a little
older, and a lot sexier. Brown eyes. Did I mention his eyes? They were almond-shaped,
with a bit of mischief in them. How could a guy be both kind-looking and hot? I’d
never experienced that combination before, but it was potent.
“Drop the towel. Let me look at you,” he gently commanded.
I hesitated. How could I show myself to a man this attractive?
“I want to see you.”
Good God, Cassie, what have you gotten yourself into?
What choice did I have? There really was no turning back now. I barely met his eyes
as I let the towel drop around my feet.
“My hands have a beautiful woman to work with,” he said. “Please lie down. I’m here
to give you a massage.”
I eased onto the table and lay back. The ceiling loomed above me. I covered my face
with my hands.
“I can’t believe this is happening.”
“It is. This is all for you.”
He placed his large warm hands on my naked body and lightly pressed down on my shoulders,
then urged my hands away from my face and down to my sides.
“It’s okay,” he said, his brown eyes smiling at me. “Nothing bad is going to happen.
Quite the opposite, Cassie.”
The contact felt amazing. His hands on my thirsty skin. How long had it been since
I’d been touched, let alone like this? I couldn’t even remember.
“Turn over onto your stomach, please.”
I hesitated again. Then I rolled over, shoving my shaking arms beneath me to calm
them down, turning my head to one side. He gently placed a sheet over my body.
“Thank you.”
He bent over to bring his mouth close to my ear. “Don’t thank me yet, Cassie.”
Through the sheet, I felt his hands on my back, pressing me flat to the table.
“It’s going to be okay. Close your eyes.”
“I … it’s just nerves, I guess. I didn’t think it was going to happen so fast, like
right now. I mean—”
“Just lie
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