The Rub Down (12 page)

Alexa

Thursday night was more than I could have imagined. Thank God, Luke had so much self-control because I never would have been able to pull myself away from him. If he had led me to his bedroom, I would have enthusiastically followed. I thought nothing would feel better than his touch on my naked skin, but his lips combined with his hands blew my mind.

After we broke away and our pounding hearts (and I was sure other things for Luke) settled, he called his car up from valet. He drove me home, holding my hand the whole way with his thumb tracing circles on my palm. I rested my cheek on the cool leather headrest, watching him command the road in his sleek black Audi A6. The car was as sexy as the driver was.

Since it was late and there was no traffic, we arrived at my building only a few minutes later. I didn’t want the night to end. Luke must not have either, because he walked me to my front door, and then proceeded to devour me to within an inch of my sanity. When he broke away, he ran down the stairs as if his pants were on fire, mumbling something about getting away from me before he never left. In his hasty exit, we didn’t make plans to see each other later this weekend, which was a huge disappointment because I wouldn’t see him again for five days.

I went to bed on cloud nine. When I woke up, I laced my running sneakers and ran my best per mile time, thanks to the memories replaying like a movie in my head. The smile never left my face the whole day. Even when it started to fade, a text from Luke would come, and it would return, brighter than before. I was so happy, I was almost sickened by myself. Almost.

*****

Since Jeff had to travel back to New York to visit with his mom, Luke joined me on another long Sunday run. I also started taking Nikki’s Saturday yoga class at The Rub Down. I dragged Addison with me because we hadn’t spent any time together since Thursday night at the Black Rose. We had our own clients all day Friday, and she went out last night on a date with God knows whom.

“I want details.” That was all she needed to say as we walked over to the spa.

I launched into a rundown of what happened after Luke and I left the bar. Even though I sounded like a lovesick teenager, Addison beamed her happiness for me.

“Anything happen with Danny when he brought you home?” I asked after we finished talking about my time with Luke. I was curious as to whether their night was similar to Luke and mine. They were attracted to each other, and seemed to be hitting it off, and no damn pact stood in their way.

“We grabbed a cab back to our place. I invited him up. He stayed for about an hour and then left. We had lots of laughs and great conversation.” She smiled with a twinkle in her eyes. “I walked him out, expecting something, but he only gave me a small kiss on my forehead and a big hug. I have no idea what to make of it all.” Her smile was gone, replaced with confusion. I couldn’t blame her.

“Huh. Well, isn’t that interesting? He isn’t like every other guy you’ve come across that only wants in your pants.” I knew Danny was a good guy, but now I really liked him for treating my best friend with respect. If he fucked her and left her, it would have put a huge kink—and not the good kind—in my budding relationship with Luke. “So, was your date last night with Danny?”

“No, it was with some tool Mrs. Feldstein set me up with. He was hot, I’ll give her that, but he sat there in Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, demanding shot after shot from the waitress. I left before the entrees were served, and went to Finale by myself for a leisurely drink and dessert.”

Story time ended when we arrived at The Rub Down. Jessica was at the reception desk, setting up an appointment on the phone. Still talking, she gave us a friendly wave as Addison and I headed for the yoga rooms.

Through the whole class, my mind kept wandering to the man somewhere within the same walls as me. When I bent down into Downward Dog, I envisioned Luke behind me, fixing my pose so my ass lined up perfectly with his hard cock. With my legs and arms spread in Savasna, the image of Luke’s face buried between my legs made me squirm. The list went on. Instead of clearing my mind, the postures filled it with erotic images of Luke.

As I pressed my forehead to the mat in Child pose to cool down, I wondered if Luke had any appointments available after class. Our schedules didn’t match up for a second session this week, and it had been a few days since my last massage. My body not only craved his touch, but my muscles were still tight, even after yoga. I overdid it during my morning run yesterday, thanks to my damn happy juice.

We finished the class, thanked Nikki for another great workout, and headed downstairs to the reception desk. Addison trailed behind me, cursing my name for dragging her along. She preferred light workouts, and Nikki’s class was anything but.

Jessica looked up as we approached. “Hey, ladies, how was class?”

“It was amazing, as usual,” I said while Addison just grunted. Jessica and I laughed at her crumbling appearance. “Does Luke have an opening right now? I would love a massage.”

“I bet you would,” Addie grumbled.

“Shut up, Addison.” If looks could kill, my dearest and best friend would be done for. Jessica snorted, however. Loud.

“He technically doesn’t take clients on Saturdays, but hold on. Let me see what he says.” Jessica picked up the phone, and turned her chair so the conversation would be more private.

Yesterday, Luke and I discussed Jessica’s icy reception to our togetherness. Apparently, she was just being overprotective of her brother, and they worked it out. Luke told me she always liked me, but because of the spa, she felt like she had to say something.

Even though I wanted to be nosey and hear what was being said, I stepped away from the desk to give her space. I turned around toward Addison. “If he can slide me in, do you want to take a cab home instead of walk? I’ll pay.”

Uncontrollable laughter burst from Addison’s tiny form. “You have got to stop making this so easy for me to rag on you. Slide you in? Seriously, Alexa?”

I busted into hysteria right along with her. Passersby looked at us with disgust, since The Rub Down was usually as quiet as a Catholic mass. Addison and I didn’t care. We couldn’t. We were in such a fit that nothing could have stopped us.

Well, someone could. The hot owner I couldn’t get out of my head. When he appeared in the lobby, Addison and I snapped to attention like when the principal walked into a classroom. When I looked at his face, though, I only saw joy.

We faced each other with eyes locked and smiles splitting our faces in half. I was unsure of what to do. I couldn’t rush into his arms and lock onto his luscious lips. I couldn’t even hug him while he was at work. A similar torture was written on his face. Surely, the same internal battle raged inside him. The room was still, Addison and Jessica watching us. Finally, someone cleared her throat, jolting us from our trance.

“You going to give my girl a rub down, buddy boy?” Addison snickered behind me, barely containing her laughter. She just couldn’t resist one more innuendo.

“Yeah, I am, Addison. Thanks for bringing the awkward,” Luke said, shaking his head at the two of us.

“Awesome, then I’m out. I’ll see you at the house later?” She glanced back and forth between Luke and me.

I looked to him as well. He gave no indication of what my answer should be.

“Yeah, I’ll be home later. Thanks for coming with me.” I hugged her and watched her walk out.

Turning to Luke, I said, “I need to shower real quick. I’m all sweaty from class. You good to go now, or do you need to finish whatever we interrupted?”

“No, I’m ready for you. Just go to the Zen room when you’re finished. I’ll be waiting close by.”

We walked to the elevators. Sadly, the passionate kiss from Thursday night in Luke’s building could not be repeated. But once we stepped in and the doors closed, he hooked our pinkies together and gave me a panty-melting smile that made his blue eyes shine. Seconds later when the elevator opened, Luke dropped my pinkie, and I instantly missed his touch.

My first stop was the locker room to shower and dress in my favorite robe. I made quick work washing my body, but decided to skip the hair. About ten minutes later, I walked into the Zen room where Luke stood with a cup of water in his hand.

His head snapped up as I approached him. A small smile appeared on his face while he handed me the cup. “Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be. Thank you for taking me last minute,” I said as we walked toward his room.

“Of course. I was just finishing up payroll when Jess called down.” Luke ushered me through the entrance. As soon as he shut the door, he was on me in a flash. Palms cupping the sides of my face, he lavished me with slow, gentle kisses. Starved for his touch, I tried to deepen the connection, but he backed away.

“Lex, as much as I want to devour you right now—dear God, do I—I can’t. I need to prove to myself that I can be professional with you.” He peered at the floor like he was ashamed of his actions. “I’m clearly failing already.”

“I’m sorry. It’s my fault.” I reached for his hands, needing him to look at me. “I know we’re walking a thin line here. I shouldn’t have just asked to see you at work. But I was here, and I’m sore, and I used it as an excuse to see you.” I was the one who should be embarrassed. “I promise I’m not a cling-on.”

“I’m not worried about that. I’m worried I won’t be able to keep this professional. I feel bad that you’re sore, and we couldn’t get together for another appointment.” Luke broke our spell by walking over to the music controls. “I can’t have this romantic, soft music playing right now.”

All of a sudden, Dropkick Murphys came pouring out of the speakers.

“Nice choice. I don’t feel attracted to you at all right now!” I started laughing. If he wanted to believe a change in music was going to help our cause, I would let him.

“I suppose giving you a massage means you need to shed that robe. I’ll return in a minute.”

As soon as the door closed, I took off my robe, climbed onto the heated bed, and tucked myself under the covers. Luke came in a few minutes later in the professional therapist mode I saw the first day.

“What’s bothering you right now?”

“My hips are killing me. I ran hard yesterday without really paying attention. My head was in the clouds, and I didn’t pace myself well.”

The look on Luke’s face was priceless. My problem area would bring his fingers near parts I was dying to have him touch.

“Woman, you’re testing my resolve,” Luke said as he picked up his oils.

*****

Luke

I didn’t know why I thought I could do it. The girl I had feelings for laid virtually naked on my table. The kiss when we first walked into my treatment room was hot. Her desire for me drove all the blood in my body to one area. When I stepped out to let her get under the covers, I readjusted myself and thought of anything I could that wasn’t sexy—my grandma, Bruins’ stats, Danny’s dirty apartment. But all I wanted to do was storm into the room, peel off her robe, and take in her beauty from head to toe. I’d worship her with my tongue, and then my cock.

To hear her hips were what bothered her just about broke me. I understood the pain. I knew how to make it feel better. I just didn’t know if massaging that close to her heat was such a great idea. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

With “The Green Fields of France” playing in the background, I started working Alexa’s muscles. My hands glided up and down her skin as though I was playing an instrument. The second my hands touched her flawless body, I felt calmer. All the hype in my head quieted down. As her therapist and boyfriend, I needed to make her feel good.

“How’s the pressure?” I whispered in her ear.

“It’s perfect. Thank you.” Alexa reassured me.

Before I stood up, I brushed her hair with my mouth. Just as I moved to her hips, “Kiss Me, I’m #!@*faced” started to play. Alexa and I busted out laughing.

“Seriously, Luke, the music is killing me. Can we just talk? I can’t listen to this.”

“Yeah, hold on. I’ll turn it off.”

I couldn’t blame her. The song was loud and obnoxious. It was hard to concentrate while listening to it. I felt like I should be in a bar in Southie, throwing darts and drinking a pint, not with a gorgeous naked woman in front of me.

Once the music was off, we both felt at ease. Conversation flowed as smooth as my hands moved over her skin.

Right before Jessica called the office, I was looking at my calendar, checking dates for another trip to Pennsylvania. That was when I realized the Boston Strong Gala was a week from today, the Saturday before the marathon. Since we donated a royal spa day for two to the silent auction, Jessica had made me buy tickets to the event. All the money raised went to the One Fund Boston, an amazing charity whose sole purpose was to help the victims of the bombing. I couldn’t go alone. I needed a date.

“I have an event next Saturday, The Boston Strong Gala. Would you do me the honor of being my date?”

“Oh. Ummmm, of course, I would love to,” Alexa mumbled into the pillow.

“Great. I totally forgot all about it until about an hour ago. I think it’s black tie. Did I totally just pull a dick move and give you no time to find a dress?”

“Are you kidding? You do know what I do for a living, right? I was out yesterday with two clients looking for dresses for the same event.”