Chapter 53
Feeling naked despite his underwear, Mitch climbed onto the table. It was sturdier than it appeared, and the warmth rising up from the padding made his muscles melt. He lay on his back and felt as if his whole body had just let go. For a long moment, he savored the sensation, then he remembered the sheet and had to pull it out from under him before he could cover himself. The cushion took some positioning to get just right under his knees, but then he was ready.
Did he have to call her or something? Had she said? He couldn’t remember…
Relax.Yes, he remembered her saying that. On the heated table, cocooned between the warm padding and the warm sheet, he felt as if he could maybe finally loosen up a little. The dim lighting helped. He closed his eyes and breathed in deep. He just might enjoy this after all.
* * * *
In the hallway, Daryl handed Erin a twenty. “Easiest money I’ll ever make,” she said, speaking softly so her voice wouldn’t carry. She folded the bill and tucked it into her pocket. “How am I supposed to look busy for the next hour or so? We already had lunch.”
“Take my 12:30,” he said. “It’s a new client so she’s never seen me before. She shouldn’t be too upset. Just tell them up front we switched.”
Erin grinned. “Sure thing. Have fun.”
“I plan on it.” He watched her head down the hall towards the quiet room, where his client was probably already waiting. When she disappeared around the corner, he took a deep breath and put his hand on the door knob. Mitch was waiting on the other side, and the fact that he didn’t know about the switch made Daryl nervous and giddy.
Why? This is Mitch. He’s my lover, my best friend. We already do this all the time.
True, he knew it was Mitch. But Mitch wouldn’t know it was him. And that seemed deliciously naughty for some reason.
Gently, he knocked on the door.
* * * *
“Come in,” Mitch said. He kept his eyes closed. Erin had said relax, so he intended to do just that.
He heard the door open and shut. He heard the faint clickof a lock. He expected her to say something, but she didn’t, and then realized that was probably part of the ambiance. No talking, nothing stressful, just peace and quiet. He thought he might enjoy this, after all.
Behind his closed eyelids, he noticed the light darken as the room was dimmed even more. A strong, warm hand closed around the bicep of his right arm, a comforting gesture, nothing more. He heard movement around the massage table, then the soft sound of a drawer being opened. Something warm and scented covered his eyes. Hands guided him to raise his head, and an elastic strap was eased over the back of it.
An eye mask.He’d heard Daryl mention them, but Erin hadn’t said she’d use one. Unless it was to enhance the mood. It smelled of lavender and citrus, and the gentle pressure on his sinuses felt good. He breathed in deep. Yes, he was beginning to enjoy himself.
And, he was pleased to note, he didn’t feel the least bit turned on. Just…well, free, actually. Almost like he were floating. When the soft sounds of the ocean began to murmur from hidden speakers, he could easily picture himself lost at sea, adrift, rocking to sleep to the motion of the tide.
The massage started at his shoulders. Firm hands kneaded his muscles and he felt the tension there dissipate. For a slight woman, Erin had strong hands, Mitch thought. Fingers dug into his shoulders, working his muscles, relaxing him further. The massage moved to his throat and chin, then his face, then the top of his head. His scalp began to tingle, and for the first time since he had laid down on the table, he felt a stirring in his crotch.
Ignore it,he told himself.
Easier said than done.
From his scalp, the hands moved down the nape of his neck and under him. He was lifted slightly off the table as his back was rubbed. His weight helped, pressing the hands into his taut muscles and breaking down the tension coiled there. Fingers teased along his spine. He felt another twinge in his groin and shifted uneasily.
He wouldn’t get turned on by this, he promised. He wouldn’t lethimself get turned on.
But it was difficult to ignore the heated breath fluttering over his left ear, or the hands so intimately rubbing his body. He was relieved when the masseuse extracted her arms from under him and took a step back, her fingers once again drawn to Mitch’s shoulders. There,he thought. Keep them there. That’s a safe place.