“You have to be at least a little more certain than that.” He wrapped his fingers around hers and tugged her toward the bedroom. “You’re not listening. I’ll show you what I mean, instead.”
She followed him, curious. “Show me…?”
He paused just inside the bedroom door. “You worked really hard tonight.” He moved behind her, hands on her arms, chest against her back. “And even if we don’t have an answer, we’ll find one.”
She smiled at the tender words. She adored this side of him no one ever got to see. “I can take a little more hard, if that’s what you’ve got in mind.”
He chuckled. “Don’t move.”
“Why?” Air rushed in around her as he let go.
She assumed he’d stepped away, she just couldn’t tell how far. A moment later, his hands rested on her shoulders. “Let me spoil you for the night.”
His request was pleading mixed with command, and she couldn’t refuse the combination. She nodded.
His thumbs kneaded into her neck, and she sighed. That felt incredible.
“You’re too tense.” He massaged deeper. “This might need some more serious attention.” His hands dropped to her hips. “May I?”
She wasn’t sure exactly what he was asking, but as long as it involved feeling more of him, she was game. “Yes.”
He stripped off her shirt and tossed it aside. The air conditioner cooled her skin, and her nipples hardened. His fingers glided along her spine, and he unhooked her bra, letting it fall away.
Anticipation raced through her, slick wetness pooling between her legs. He hooked his thumbs in the elastic of her bottoms and shoved the rest of her clothing to the floor, never touching her with more than his hands.
His whisper caressed the outer edge of her ear. “Lie on the bed on your stomach.”
“Okay.” She did as she was told. What was he up to? The cool cotton soothed but didn’t erase the heat flooding her bare skin.
A moment later, a new weight rested against the back of her legs, and his skin met the outside of her thighs. She turned her head enough to see him straddling her, wearing nothing but his boxers. Her pulse screamed in response.
He placed a hand at the base of her neck. “No peeking. Get comfortable.”
She wanted to ask why but also wanted to be surprised. She folded her arms and rested her chin on them. “Done.”
“There’s a part of me that’s jealous about the bottle of lavender massage oil in the bathroom.” A soft pop filled the room. A lid being opened for the first time? “But it’s tempered by the fact you’ve never used it.”
“It was a white elephant gift.”
“Lucky me.” The faint scent of lavender drifted through the air. Seconds later, his hands found her shoulders.
The touch was enough to drive her wild, but when he began to massage, grip sliding easily with the help of the oil, her tension faded away. She moaned softly each time he hit a tight muscle.
“You need to learn to unwind.”
“Whatever you say.” She had zero desire to argue.
He worked his way along her neck and shoulders, rubbing and forcing away the knots, spending several minutes in each spot before moving to the next. Relaxation forced aside her pent up stress…concerns…fears…everything.
He reached her lower back, and she gasped at the bunched up muscles he dug his thumbs into.
“Too much?” His attentions slowed.
“No.” She shook her head. “Perfect. Don’t stop.”
“I like the way you say that.” He worked deeper into the tissue, working the area until it was hot.
His hands slid over her ass, and she let out a soft giggle at the light touch. When he reached her thighs, she sighed. He paid as much attention there, and then to her calves and feet, as he had everywhere else.
Her entire body was tingling when he finally broke away, and her eyelids were threatening to droop shut.
He crawled up the bed next to her and lay on his back. She shifted her position, so she could rest her head on his shoulder and her hand on his chest.
“You’re not coming back to Salt Lake, are you?” He rested his hand on her hip.
She’d missed this closeness so much, and it ached to give him an honest answer. “I’m still under contract here, and your numbers…”
He sighed. “I know. They don’t add up.”
Maybe it was a good thing they hadn’t just screwed. It was already going to hurt to say goodbye in the morning. “If I could see any way…”
“Yeah. Me too.”
A heavy silence fell between them.
Rae traced lines over Zach's bare chest, listening to the soft beat of his heart. She needed to burn this moment in her mind forever. She didn’t know when she was going to get a chance to relive it. She looked around her bedroom as much as she could without moving. The flower prints on the walls. The comforter and sheets in a color scheme that matched the taupe paint. Or was it beige? It made her a little sad she’d never decorated the room to reflect her personality.
“What are you thinking about?”