by Troy Storm
His muscles were workhorses as well as impressive too, Matt noted, admiringly.
“A buddy and I were knocking around the area one weekend and came in here…the old-fashioned barber pole out front did it. I thought, man, I have got to check that out.” He dug bottles of oil out of his backpack and set out scented candles on the small table next to the massage table.
Scented candles. Whoa.
“We got to talking with Leo—I’ve never had a shave with a straight razor before—we got around to massages. For guys. Like in the malls. Except full body stuff, you know, not just backs and necks. To get them to really relax.”
“True. Up-scale thinking. There are plenty of young executives around with money who need to get the tension kneaded out of them. Very smart. Sounds like a plan.”
The young man beamed. “Yeah…yeah! Exactly.” His finely shaped, closely shorn head nodded. “I quit my job. Found a little place not too far from Main Street. And here I am. Whole new life. Maybe. I can bike to work and leave the bike outside unlocked.” He grinned another killer grin.
Matt looked shocked. “Whole new life? But…what if it doesn’t work?” Matt never had that sense of adventure. To just get up and go. Try something totally different. He had always been hopelessly homebound. Usually from necessity, he allowed. But, still, he had never had that desperate urge to get out and try something new.
Maybe…maybe it was time to think in new directions.
“It’s okay. I’ve got plenty of money saved up. Trainers make a shit load of shekels in the city. And if it doesn’t work out, I can just sit and watch the mountains and the sky.”
“They’re not really mountains. I mean, not like—”
“I know. I’ve been out west and down south to the Smokies. But to me they are. They’re better than Central Park. I’ve got trees! I mean, they’re like right there in my yard. And all around. I don’t have to get on a bike to get to them.” His enthusiasm was infectious. Matt could only wish the kid well and remember when his own enthusiasm was infectious…barely.
“I’m sorry, the dressing area isn’t set up yet. I’m gonna have a folding screen.”
“That’s okay. Just let me just be sure the place is locked,” Matt smiled as he crossed into the barbershop to check the front door, unbuttoning his shirt as he returned, closing the back room door behind him. “Here we are…in our own little private…yellow nest.” He popped off his work boots and stepped out of his pants.
“You don’t think it’s too bright? Hey, cool underpants, man.”
Matt felt his face warm. “They’re…I usually wear…boxer briefs.” He realized his thumbs were toying with the waistband, assisting the ‘shape-enhancing seams.’ He laughed. “Busted. I didn’t expect to be exposing my assets today. And…” He was in full blush mode. “This micro fiber stuff is…sexy. I’ve always kinda wanted to try it. Do I strip down, or what?”
“Yeah. Well,” the big blond eyed him carefully, “you look good. You must do really well…with the ladies. Stripping is up to you, some guys are kind of shy, but I can get a better feel if you’re naked.” He chuckled at the obvious. “Sorry about that.”
Matt slid the semi-transparent briefs off and carefully laid them aside. Commando it would be. “I’ve been kind of out of the loop lately. Lost my wife a while ago and…” He boosted himself onto the massage table and sat. “And…”
“Oh, man, I am so sorry. Very long ago?”
Yesterday. Forever. What could you say to that? After a while, there’s nothing left to say. Besides, the guy might have lost a buddy to AIDS or something, or like Buddy, friends in the military.
Matt straightened. “On my back or on my face?”
“Face, please. I’ve got this padded thing you can rest your face in or your head on. Whatever’s most comfortable.” He handed Matt a padded roll. Matt stretched and adjusted his head into the firmly padded shape.
“Nice ass.” Clayton briskly rubbed his palms together. “You must crawl around under cars a lot,” he chuckled. “We’ll start there, okay?”
“Start the massage crawling around under cars?” Matt asked, wryly, when…“Whoa!”
“Oh, sorry. I thought my hands were warm enough…”
“I think it’s the first time a guy has ever put his hands on my butt.”
“Don’t worry. By the time I’m finished, you’ll get used to having hands all over you.” He smacked Matt’s firm butt cheeks and began kneading.
Clayton was right. Matt got used to it very quickly. And liked it.
A lot.
A few hours later he stood looking at himself in the full-length mirror of his cottage bedroom. He was getting ready for bed and was down to his “secret admirer” shorts.
Weird day, he thought, contemplating his reflected image. He adjusted and readjusted himself inside the “enhanced seaming” of the sheer, soft fabric, checking himself out. Not too bad, all things considered, he mused.
Still in pretty good shape—he tightened his abdomen and straightened his back—maybe a little soft, a little lax. There had seemed little reason to make a concentrated effort to look good for so long he had pretty much left it to Doc Prager and his annual check-ups to let him know if he was going to flab too quickly.
He could get back to the gym. Maybe work in a workout or two a week. Get a little more definition. He wasn’t that over-the-hill yet.
But why? To show off to Clay when he stripped for a massage which he was obviously going to be having more often? There was something about hands on his flesh that awakened a nice glow he had been missing for a long, long time.
True, lately he had caught himself paying a little more close attention to the looks of some of his female customers. He had found himself less annoyed with the efforts of his buddies to get him involved in the dating game again. But he had fought it. Afraid he was despoiling the memory of something that was precious, that had meant more than the world to him.
But something new was happening now. Something inside his loins and inside his head that hadn’t happened in a long while and it unsettled him and excited him at the same time.
He slipped off the underwear and walked into the bathroom. Rummaging around in the cabinet he found the detergent and proceeded to rinse the garment out in the sink.
He hadn’t done hand laundry since…
But he liked the feel of the soft material, he liked the snug support. He liked feeling “enhanced.” Maybe he’d wear the shorts again tomorrow. Maybe he’d keep an eye open for whom he thought might be secretly admiring him.
Maybe…it was time for no pajamas again.
Matt crawled into bed.
Maybe…
…there was life after Alice after all.
Chapter Two
Tentatively, Lucy picked up the office phone. Thank goodness Mr. Anders went to that business luncheon, she thought. He was in a terrible mood today. Now she could make a personal call if she wanted. She deserved some space of her own after the way he yelled and carried on this morning.
With renewed resolve, she punched the buttons.
“Hi. Matt’s Motors. How can I help?”
“Uh…hi, Matt. It’s Lucy Drake.”
“Oh, hiya, Lucy. How’s that fine American car of yours? Not standing you up again, I hope.”
“Sam? Oh, no, he’s fine. He…oh, that’s a joke.” She giggled. “Well, as a matter of fact, I think he might have a cold,” she laughed, hurrying on, feeling much more at ease than she had expected. “But I don’t think it’s gonna turn into the flu or anything.”
“You want to bring him in?” There was a smile in Matt’s voice. “Buddy or one of the guys will get him to cough and we’ll take it from there,” he chuckled. “I can loan you a—”
“Uh, no, Matt. Sam’s fine. Well, as a matter of fact, it would be nice to, uh, see you. I mean, yes, that’s a great idea. I’ll bring Sam in. We can…you can take a look at him…maybe we can take a drive…or something.”
S
he suddenly realized she hadn’t really thought things through about how to approach Matt. She hadn’t worked through the ‘what if’s’ or determined on possible courses of action. That was very unlike her. Lucy considered herself very methodical.
If he were watching, her boss, Mr. Anders, would be annoyed with her for being so badly prepared. For being so spur of the moment. Normally she was very good with helping him with business affairs when he asked. As a matter of fact, she was beginning to consider herself very well versed in the legal aspects of real-estate transactions. But with Matt, with a guy, as usual, she was reacting to what happened, moment by moment, not working to make things happen the way she wanted.
Still, she had picked up the phone. She had made the call.
“Sure, one of the guys can take Sam out for a test drive,” Matt was saying. “Lucy, are you okay? You sound a little nervous. Don’t worry, the car probably just needs a little adjusting. And don’t worry about the bill. We’ll work something out. Always do. Gotta keep my ladies rolling.”
“Oh, that’s good. Thanks, Matt. About Sam, I mean. Nervous? No, I’m fine. You know how Mr. Anders can be sometimes. His clients…well, there aren’t that many of them and…” Her voice trailed off. She didn’t want to put Mr. Anders down. People had lots worse bosses.
“Yeah. It can be tough these days. I’m really lucky. My customers seem to need their wheels, no matter what. Still, Anders shouldn’t be taking his frustration out on you. You want me to say something to Carmen? He’s usually pretty good about—”
“What? No! It’s not him. It’s me. I mean, it’s the car…”
“Well, you bring Sam around. How’s this evening after work? I’ll stick around the shop, we’ll take the guy for a spin and see if we can figure out what might be upsetting you.”
“That would be great, Matt. That would be perfect. A drive. Yeah. ‘Bye and thanks so much.”
“Always my pleasure.”
Lucy slumped onto the desk, head down.
What on earth was the matter with her? Matt was just a man, she thought. It was just a…contest. Oh, that sounded so awful. Why did she ever…
Because he was the best-looking man in town. And the nicest. And it was time for him to start dating again. Yes, he was a little old for her, but…
If it hadn’t been for that Christy…sometimes she just seemed so sure of herself…
Yeah, Lucy frowned, still staring the phone. If only she had one teeny tiny bit of Christy’s…sureness…her guts.
Groaning, Lucy prepared to go back to work. The phone rang.
“Lucy were you asking me for a date?”
It was Matt, he was chuckling. He sounded really up.
“What? Of course not! Well, I mean…maybe…maybe for a little drive.” She was breathless, her pulse raced.
“Christy just called me and flat out asked me for a date. I thought you girls had given up on me a long time ago. Has Buddy put you up to this? Is Dot in on this too?” He was laughing out loud now. He didn’t sound upset at all. Lucy felt light-headed.
“Yes! Yes! That would be wonderful. Can we make it a date, Matt? Maybe we can go out for a hamburger or something. We can talk. Would that be okay? That would be great.”
“Well, I don’t know…what about Sam? You think he might get jealous?”
“Sam? Oh, you silly. He’s on my side. Whatever makes me happy makes him happy. He’s the perfect companion. Except when he breaks down. Then I’m pretty much on my own.” She was being downright witty!
“I’ll see you when you come by after work. We’ll check Sam out…and check each other out. You’re right, Lucy. It’s been a long time since we’ve talked. I think I might be ready to start bending your ear.”
“Are you going out with Christy too?”
“Sure. If I’m gonna start spreading my charms around, you two ladies will be me starting at the top. But you know how Christy is, she won’t let me get a word in edgewise. You and I will have a nice talk. Okay?”
Lucy could hardly speak she was so filled with emotion. “Okay.” So filled with possibilities.
Again.
“Later.”
“Later.”
She leaned back in the chair. Heart pounding. Eyes sparkling.
He said yes. She could take on anything now.
Even that grumpy old Mr. Anders.
* * * *
“Lucy, it seems Sam is okay...more or less." In the driver’s seat, Matt turned and smiled, sending another shiver of anticipation through her. Anticipation, in that, things seemed to be going awfully well, so naturally she would begin to anticipate they would continue to go even better. Lucy was ever hopeful, if also, by and large, ever disappointed.
The so-called "test drive" to see how her very practical American sedan, Sam, was running, had run its course. Sam had come through with flying colors, more or less. She had not made a fool of herself in conversing with Matt. He had been exceptionally pleasant and charming and now at the conclusion of his automotive diagnosis had even seemed to be hesitating about ending the drive and heading directly back to his shop.
All of the above had not only given her a shiver of anticipation and hope, but had physically begun to affect her. She was positively warm down there. Damp, even. Maybe, just maybe, if things continued to go well, she'd dare to think about reminding him of the “date” potential.
"He maybe could use a tune-up, good ole Sam." Matt chuckled, his comforting, deep tones producing a definite up-tick in the heat index down there. "But then, I guess most of us older guys could stand a little up-grading in how to handle you young chicks. Oh, sorry, I didn't mean 'handle' like in ‘manhandle.’" He laughed easily and shook his head. "See what I mean. I'm afraid I'm out of practice in dealing with a lady on anything other than a professional basis."
Her startled look stopped him for just an instant before he broke into full-throated laughter. "Okay. Okay. Looks like I'm putting my foot into it every time I open my mouth. Why don't we just drive some place we can look at the sunset and I promise to keep buttoned up and just listen to you regale me with the exciting exploits of a professional woman...oh, damn!"
This time they both whooped. Lucy was all but floating away with excitement at the possibilities that seemed to suddenly be exploding around her, and inside her.
Matt had decided on a drive without her having to suggest it. This would truly be a date.
"That is, unless you have to be someplace?"
"No! Goodness, no. I..." She gave a demure little shrug. "I think a drive would be a wonderful idea, but I don't want to keep you away from your business."
"'Bout time I spent a little time away from the shop," he said, smiling at her, putting Sam in gear and heading the car west. "Besides, I don't know a lot about you, Lucy. Time we got to know each other."
It was said offhandedly, she knew that. And he probably meant it offhandedly, but it was enough to kick her fantasies into high gear. She had promised herself she wouldn't allow that...any more...ever again. But Matt was...special. He truly seemed to have no agenda in mind other than just getting to know her better. Getting to know a customer better, she corrected herself. It would be good business. Like he knew the other ladies that he did business with at his shop better.
That is, if they could ever get past Buddy. She gave a little puff of resentment and settled into her seat, arms firmly crossed.
"What are you thinking about?" He looked at her closely...as closely as paying attention to the evening traffic as he headed through some upstate town toward the setting sun would allow. The test drive had taken them farther afield than the routes in the area with which she was familiar. They were carefully driving up a mountain. He seemed to know exactly where he was going.
"Penny? Lucy?"
"I was wondering why you're so nice. Most of the business people I deal with are crazed. How do you…?"
"It's the gasoline fumes. When you mix 'em with diesel it can just kick the bad feelings right out of you." He
grinned.
"Really. I didn't know…oh, it's a joke." But she suddenly wasn't in the mood for a joke. But she had better be, she reminded herself. She was on a date, and guys were the ones in charge and they needed to know that she knew it too.
Except Matt wasn't “they”. He was different from any man she had dated before. Older, yes, but mainly he was who he was. He seemed so very comfortable in his very good-looking skin. She blushed to herself at the thought of his...skin. She had somehow expected...with his loss...with his age...
Except for his foot in the mouth gaffes, of course. She giggled as they pulled into a scenic turnoff, and then sighed with as much exhaustion as if she had driven up the mountain negotiating the hairpin turns herself. Just like trying to negotiate all the conflicting thoughts in her head. Although she wasn't all that sure exactly what the term meant, she knew she was on a “slippery slope”. She would have to look it up on the Internet.
The mountain solidly backed them. They must be on the Taconic somewhere, she thought. Facing the sunset, rolling valleys in front. If they had gone down to the river, the sun would have already been hidden behind the hills on the other side of the Hudson. This was perfect. They got out of the car and walked to the guardrail surrounding the area.
He put out an arm inviting her into his embrace. He was just being nice, she thought. Though it was beginning to get a little chilly. His body heat was so comforting, she could have curled into him. His arm so secure around her, she could have taken up residence. Paid taxes. His heartbeat so solid, she could have wept with the peace and safety that enveloped her.
"Nice, huh?" The sound of his warm voice would have melted her if she weren’t a puddle already.
She could feel him looking down at her, but she was afraid to look away from the impeccable sunset, all pink streaks and faraway clouds against a gradated blue wash of fading sky. Maybe it was just a little blinding. Her eyes teared. She put up a hand to shield the rays. A gentle finger touched her chin, turning her to him.