Sex on Summer Sabbatical (6 page)

Chapter Eight

Tori could already feel the exertion of the day, the uncertainty and stress of her confusion over the situation with Adam, sloughing off as she was led at a measured, deliberate pace through the inner sanctum of the spa. Even though it was in the same building as the gym, the two areas seemed worlds apart.

Pausing outside the last door on the left side of the corridor, the small, older woman indicated silently that Tori should precede her into the room.

The muted, warm lighting was a balm to her over-sensitised eyes, which still spent more time than they should staring at the screen of her computer, e-reader or phone. The soothing aromatic combinations of scents—she thought she recognised rosemary?—made breathing deeply noticeable and rewarding. Even the temperature was ideal. Entering an atmosphere like this sent a signal to her muscles and posture to give it up and relax already. More than an indulgence, this massage session would be a true test of her ability to relax. She was hopeful that, if it proved so, she could continue to make regular visits even after she returned to work.

The attendant poured a glass of water. She instructed Tori to hang up her wrap and robe and lie face down under the sheet on the massage table, before quietly leaving. This was her first ever visit to a spa, and so far she’d found the experience to be particularly efficient and tranquil. Adam had suggested that she give herself some extra time before her appointment to indulge in the steam room, and she was glad he had. Depending on how she felt afterwards, there was also a hot tub to soak in before returning to the shower area. The whole experience, coupled with the tea and snacks in the lush, peaceful lounge, turned a simple ninety-minute massage into a nearly three-hour escape.

Today, instead of just a straightforward massage, she had also elected to receive a hot wrap treatment. With all of the impending changes in her life, she had paradoxically needed something even more different to shake up her routine. Since Adam was usually the one who came up with ideas, she’d been fairly proud of herself that she’d thought of a spa visit on her own. So she’d asked Adam whether the gym spa was worth looking into, and he’d seemed very pleased at her interest. He’d immediately pulled up the list of services for her. She had been drawn to the wrap treatment she’d selected, which evidently shortened the initial massage to leave time for a rejuvenating, hot lemongrass and eucalyptus wrap, then was finished with a shea butter massage and Vichy shower. If it was half as good as it sounded, it would be heavenly.

Shrugging off her soft robe and slipping from the one-size-fits-all terry wrap and nubby spa sandals, Tori took a quick, obligatory sip of the water before climbing up onto the table, settling on her front as directed. She threw the sheet haphazardly over her bare ass, and spent a great deal of fruitless effort trying to cover herself before giving up. She wasn’t the least bit chilly, and it was a pain to try to spread it out behind her back. Besides, she had a feeling that the masseur or masseuse would end up arranging it the way they liked it.

Giving her neck a roll, she made sure she was adjusted so that her face hit the hole in the table comfortably, then settled in to wait for her practitioner.

The soft, instrumental music they’d chosen to play was peaceful at the moment, but it was the kind of flutey, New Age music that only really worked as background music in places like this. Tori smiled wryly as she recalled the CD Terrance had given her as a gift after a trip years ago—he had spontaneously purchased the music from a similar spa. She had no idea where the thing even was anymore—she’d played it once in naïve hopes of recreating the spa atmosphere he’d described at home. Out of context, it had bugged the hell out of her after only a track or two.

The door opened and closed and she could sense a presence approaching the table. A deep, resonant voice quietly broke the stillness.

“Hi. Tori?” There was a pause, and just before she spoke up to confirm, he continued, “I’m Steve, and I’ll be taking care of you this evening.” A bit of movement and she grinned down at the floor as she felt Steve, as she’d predicted, wasting no time in adjusting the sheet. It billowed slightly then settled so it covered her whole body from neck to foot. A couple of quiet sounds from the counter area were followed by his settling a very warm towel over the sheet, reaching from her nape to the small of her back.

“We’ll begin with some aromatherapy. I’ll be holding three different scents for you to sample. Just let me know if you prefer the first, second or third. Make sure to take deep, cleansing breaths between each choice.”

Number two something-or-other was Tori’s undisputed choice, not that she would remember the name later on, so she just tuned out the descriptions and told him her preference when he asked. The sudden, strong scent enveloped her, slamming her into an expectant headspace and she could feel the last remnants of the real world slip away.

Minutes ticked by without anything happening, and Tori slowly began to come back out of her inwardly focused state to wonder what Steve was doing.

Just as she was about to lift her head to look around, a slight movement off to her left settled her nerves. Now that she knew where he was, she relaxed and waited for whatever would happen next.

Another hot towel, warm almost to the point of discomfort, was placed on the back of her neck. She shifted a bit.

“Too warm?” he asked.

“Almost, but it’s fine,” she answered. Still, he lifted the towel away and did something swishy-sounding to her right. It was replaced and to her relief felt much less warm.

“Better?”

“Definitely, thank you.” She opened her eyes but couldn’t see anything more interesting than the floor, so she closed them again.

A hand touched her back with light pressure that gradually increased, then the other was added. They just rested there, giving her a chance to get used to the feel. Steve began to rub her back in long strokes through the covering for a few minutes, then pulled the sheet down and folded it at the base of her spine, leaving her legs covered.

As he added a warmed oil to her skin and used it to smooth, rub and knead, she gave herself over to the wonderfully relaxing sensation. She lay there for an unknown amount of time, and he would periodically bare a section of her body after covering what he’d previously been working on, until she had been massaged all over and was melting into the table.

She realised that she was inexplicably becoming aroused. It was a slow burn, nothing like what she felt with Adam, of course, but there nonetheless. It was a bit of an eye-opener to have a physical response to someone else, and she wasn’t exactly sure how to mentally process that.

“Okay, I’m going to hold the sheet up and I want you to turn away from me so that you’re lying on your back. Go ahead and turn when you’re ready.”

Tori did as she had been instructed, opening her eyes and blinking even in the soft light. She noted that Steve was, as he’d said, holding the sheet up so she had privacy, even though she found to her surprise she wouldn’t have been too terribly upset for him to have seen her. After all, he did this for a living and she wasn’t in terrible shape thanks to Adam…

Steve lowered the sheet and Tori gasped then started laughing.
Steve, ha
!

“Adam! What are you doing in here?”

He grinned at her then lifted an eyebrow. “Did you think I’d let just anyone give you your first real massage?”

She returned his smile and relaxed even more now that she knew her body had been reacting more appropriately than her conscious mind had known. “You seem to know what you’re doing.”

“I’m a licensed massage therapist, too. Actually did this while working my way through school.” He moved to stand at her head and gathered her hair back out of the way then began to give her a facial massage that had her eyes drifting shut again.

Tori did the best she could to keep herself from squirming as he continued the massage down her neck to her shoulders and upper chest. She swore he was just missing her nipples by an inch each time he ran his hands over her pecs. They stiffened against the sheet covering them and she thought she heard a masculine chuckle but didn’t want to open her eyes to see if he was watching her breasts betray her arousal.

Adam worked her arms from the shoulders down to her fingers, then moved to her side and did something complicated with the sheet so her hip was bared but all the interesting parts were still covered. She loved how seriously he was taking his massage duties, and smiled to herself thinking about how gentlemanly he was, even when she wished he’d be a bit naughtier.

A spike of want hit her low, making her pussy throb, and his hands slowly but firmly running along her flank didn’t help.

“Adam…” she moaned.

“Tori, I can’t in here.”

“Can’t what?” she asked, even though she knew. Damn him.

Adam spoke in a low, intimate tone. “I can’t do to you what you’re aching for. It goes against my professional standards and licensing.” He bent to whisper in her ear. “But nothing says you can’t do it yourself.”

“Oh God,” she breathed. Her hand went straight under the sheet to her needy core without her even willing it. Adam rearranged the sheet again so that it covered her from the neck down, and moved to the foot of the table.

As she met his heated gaze, she frantically worked at her clit and slick folds, needing only a few short minutes of friction to bring her close to the edge. Adam’s expression bounced between pained and encouraging as he slicked his hands with lotion and began to give her a foot massage.

“God, Adam… Oh my God.”

His hands on her feet and his position of visually being between her legs while she masturbated there in the spa room all became too much for her to take. He slid his hands up her calf then back down before switching to give his attention to her other foot.

“You’re so beautiful,” he said hoarsely and that sign of his own arousal sent her wheeling into an intense orgasm, arching her head back then lifting her head to stare at Adam before dropping back to the table, sated and boneless.

Adam quickly wrapped up his foot massage and walked over to give her a peck on the temple.

“I’ll have the masseuse you were originally booked with come in to do your wrap in about ten minutes, okay, hon?”

Tori blinked open her eyes, which she hadn’t even realised she’d closed. “Masseuse?”

Adam smiled and stroked her hair. “Enjoy,” he murmured then touched her cheek tenderly before walking to the door.

When will that man ever stop surprising me? Not that I want him to
.

Chapter Nine

“I can’t believe we’re doing this.”

It must’ve been the hundredth time Tori had said that in the past thirty-six hours or so, and Adam still smiled every time he heard it.

He grasped her hand where it was resting on the armrest between their seats and looked past her out of the plane’s window. They were on their final descent and could see the islands now, breaking up the vast continuity of the Pacific Ocean they’d been flying over for several hours.

The cabin crew had come through and collected their drink cups a few minutes earlier, so Adam put his tray table up then watched Tori’s profile as she stared out of the window.

When they’d talked a couple of weeks previously about how she’d never been to Hawaii, the longing in her voice had struck a chord in Adam. Tori loved being on the small section of beach just blocks from her condo and walked there almost daily. But to think she’d never experienced the beautiful exotic difference of Hawaii when it was so easy to get there had seemed a shame to Adam.

So he’d started looking into planning a trip and had found that, since it was summer, it was fairly inexpensive to fly there and vacation rentals were plentiful. Since he made his own schedule, he’d simply picked the five-day stretch that had the least number of bookings, then arranged for another of the trainers to cover his slots.

He hadn’t been sure how Tori would take it—planning a vacation without her knowledge—but he’d gone ahead and booked their flights and the rental in a small but nice condo complex in the middle of Maui. Then he’d printed out the brochure and flight information and given it to her in an envelope over dinner the night before last.

Waiting for her to look at the papers and react had been one of the longest waits of his life, but when she’d looked up with happy tears in her eyes and a huge smile for him, he’d finally relaxed and enjoyed the success of his surprise.

At least until she’d jumped to her feet in a panic about what to pack and the fact that the flight was only a day and a half away.

He’d tried to assure her that less was more, and that a carry-on would be plenty for what they’d need for their short stay, especially since they’d be living in casual wear and swimsuits the whole time. And, he’d added, it wasn’t like they were going on safari. They could shop there, and would be making a stop before checking in, anyway, for sunscreen and food supplies so they could cook and grill out at the condo.

She’d finally pared it down to the small floral rolling bag she’d shopped for yesterday afternoon, so between that and Adam’s duffle bag, they wouldn’t need to go to baggage claim.

They touched down at Kahului and finally got to the gate. When they deplaned and headed for the rental car counter, Adam enjoyed watching Tori’s astonishment.

“It’s all open.” She gestured around. “What happens when it rains?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure. I’ve never had it rain when I’ve been here. But I’m sure they’ve designed it so that it works for them.”

“Look at the colours, the beautiful flowers. Oh, Adam, this is amazing.”

“And we’re not even out of the airport yet. Just wait.”

They got their car with a minimum of fuss and were on their way. Tori laughed that they went to the same chain grocery store that she shopped at while at home. Less than an hour after their plane had touched down, they were opening the door to the ground-level condo Adam had reserved.

It had white wicker furniture and was light and airy, with two bedrooms and bathrooms and a lanai from which you could walk right to both the pool and the beach. It also had a kitchen and a laundry—all of the comforts of home. It was an older complex but had obviously been renovated, and most of all it was on a small section of sand beach between the harbour and a wildlife refuge, so the beach was nearly empty but for a few couples strolling who were probably staying at the same complex. Much better than some of the huge hotels and resorts, in Adam’s opinion.

“Thank you for this.” Tori wrapped her arms around him where they were standing by the screen door to the lanai. She squeezed him tightly then lifted her lips for a kiss. He met her halfway and they shared a long, leisurely kiss there in the light island breeze. It was such a pleasure to do something for Tori that she wouldn’t have done for herself.

He took one last taste then pulled away. “Okay, time to get into uniform. It’s against the law to wear clothes in paradise. You brought the red polka dot suit, right?” He waggled his eyebrows at her and, as he’d predicted, she blushed. He loved her new bikini she’d worn to his apartment swimming a couple of weeks ago—so much so that he’d made a point of mentioning it almost daily since then.

As much as he loved it, he’d suggested that it would be practical to have a second suit along. She hadn’t mentioned whether she’d bought one, but he knew she’d gone shopping for a while yesterday, longer than it would have taken just to buy a suitcase, so he had a suspicion that she had.

They walked back through the living area and stood there looking at the two bedrooms. They hadn’t discussed sleeping arrangements, but Adam hadn’t wanted to presume, so he’d made sure the condo he’d booked had two rooms. It had obviously been set up for a family. The master bedroom had a king-sized bed with a fluffy white comforter and a window that overlooked the pool and beach. It had a big en suite bathroom with a walk-in shower. The other bedroom had a double and a twin, both beds with matching red and blue striped coverlets, and a bathroom with a tub.

Without asking, he picked up her suitcase and took it into the master bedroom, leaving his duffle in the entryway. He set her bag on the dresser, turned around and froze.

Tori was putting his duffle bag on the suitcase rack by the closet.

Still, he tried. “I don’t mind sleeping in the kids’ room.”

Tori laughed and walked towards him. “It is a kids’ room, isn’t it? No. I think we can share the king just fine. Besides, this room is much more romantic.” She slid her arms around his waist.

He embraced her in return and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. He loved how she fitted perfectly against him when they hugged. “It is, isn’t it?”

“Yes, and you have to be the most romantic guy in the world to do this. Seriously, Adam, I know I’ve probably said it a million times already, but this is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you.”

His cheeks warmed under her intense gaze. “You’re welcome. You deserve it.” He just
had
to make it clear to her by the end of summer that they deserved a chance to try for something long term. There was too much at stake. His heart contracted at the thought of losing the woman in his arms and he cleared his throat. “So. Pool or beach? And would you like to eat in tonight or go out?”

* * * *

They ended up spending the remainder of the day walking on the beach, swimming, lounging on the lanai and by the pool. Then Tori fixed a small pitcher of margaritas and they visited with other guests and tenants at the communal grill as Adam grilled chicken breast skewers to have with their steamed rice and broccolini—a simple dish they ate outside and followed up with fresh pineapple shared by one of their neighbours.

“Come on, let’s take a stroll,” Adam whispered in her ear as they finished putting the kitchen to rights. His breath sent a shiver through her and she nodded.

“Let me grab a sweater.”

They walked the short distance across the lawn to the sand then started meandering up the beach in the direction of the refuge, carrying their sandals. Earlier the waning light had been beautiful on the water, with the palm trees and Haleakal in the distance. She’d taken several pictures on her phone and had sent one to her mom’s email.

Adam took her hands in his and she smiled mostly to herself. What a romantic trip this had been, and it was only the first day. She wondered if tonight would be the night that they would finally make love. It seemed fitting somehow. The whole place was magical and serene and she could definitely see why people continued to come back to the islands time after time. She was already wondering how much it would be to purchase one of the condos in their complex. It was a mix of year-round owners and short-term tourists, and it was very low-key and nice…

What on earth was she thinking? Once she went back to work, she would have as little time as ever, and popping over to Hawaii just wasn’t feasible or realistic. She might be older, but she wasn’t retired yet.

She laughed out loud, thinking that she probably wasn’t the first visitor to have fallen under the spell of the islands.

“Share?” Adam asked, rubbing her hand with his thumb.

Tori leaned against his upper arm. “I was just thinking about buying a condo here.” Adam started laughing too. “Yes, I know. I was telling myself that it was a bit premature to think about retiring to Hawaii, even for someone my age.”

“Stop it. You’re not that old.”

“Older than you.”

Adam stopped walking and pulled her to a halt. “Is that a problem as you see it?”

“No. No, it’s not,” she reassured him as she tugged him into motion again. “Really,” she added when he looked at her a bit incredulously.

“Okay, that’s good, because it’s not an issue for me. At all.” He ran his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to his side. She snuggled in for warmth. It wasn’t chilly, per se, but without the sun the breeze was cool.

They walked for a while longer then turned back to return to the complex. After taking turns rinsing off the sand at the rinse station by the short steps up from the beach, they slipped their flip-flops on and returned to their lanai.

“Do you want to have some coffee or another drink and sit outside for a while?” Adam asked.

“Coffee sounds nice. I can’t get over how gorgeous it is. I’d hate to miss a moment by going to bed earlier than we have to.”

“Oh, I don’t know… I’m kind of looking forward to bedtime myself.”

Tori’s jaw dropped at his low, suggestive tone. And with that, Adam chuckled and went inside to make their coffee.

Come to think of it, I’m looking forward to it, too
, she thought with a smile.