‘You kids have worked really hard,’ Brian said. ‘Why don’t you make a night of it? Get away from here for twenty-four hours and relax? Stay in a swanky hotel, be waited on. You’re going to be the ones doing all the waiting soon.’
‘Oh, yes,’ Avery said, clearly warming to the subject. ‘We could go dancing,’ she said, turning to Jonah, gliding her hand onto his forearm. ‘It’s been ages since we danced.’
Jonah smiled and kissed the tip of Avery’s nose. ‘Yes, it has.’
Avery squeezed his arm. ‘Claude, what’s the name of the hotel where Raoul hangs out? That has that Latin dancing on Saturday night?’
Luke frowned. Raoul? Why was that name familiar?
‘The Quay,’ Claudia said, wondering how a trip to a day spa had suddenly become twenty-four hours of debauchery complete with Latin dancing.
‘Yes, that’s it,’ Avery exclaimed. ‘Oh, let’s do that,’ she enthused, looking first at Claudia and then at Jonah.
Luke looked at Claudia. He didn’t want to dance with her. Getting that close after what had transpired between them didn’t seem like such a good idea. He turned to Jonah. ‘No,’ he said to his friend. ‘I have to work tomorrow night.’
‘It’s Saturday.’
‘My job’s twenty-four-seven.’
‘Good thing you’re so attached to your phone, then,’ Jonah said mildly.
Luke shot his friend a measured stare. ‘I don’t dance.’
Jonah grinned at Luke. ‘So don’t.’ Then he smiled down at Avery. ‘Your wish is my command,’ he said.
‘Oh, I’m not sure—’ Claudia started.
‘Oh, go on, darling,’ her mother quickly interrupted. ‘It’s a brilliant idea. You guys have been working yourselves into the ground. Go and let your hair down for a night.’
‘Right, that’s settled, then,’ Avery announced as she scraped her chair back and stood. ‘I’m going to go book us in at the spas and then the hotel.’
She looked directly at Claudia and Luke, who were sitting next to each other in the seats that had somehow, by silent majority, been relegated to them. ‘Do you guys want separate rooms or are you okay with twin share?’ she asked.
‘Separate,’ they both said in unison.
Avery shot them a mischievous grin before she practically skipped out of the room, and Claudia narrowed her eyes.
‘Guess we’re going dancing.’ Jonah grinned as he watched Avery go.
A flash of green satin trimmed with black ribbon floated through Luke’s mind. There was no way he was getting on that dance floor.
* * *
‘So what are you wearing out dancing?’ Avery asked Claudia later that evening as she sat on Claudia’s bed almost at the bottom of her second glass of wine and watching a movie on cable TV. It had become a regular thing for them ever since Avery had come to work at the Tropicana over a year ago—Friday night was girlfriend night.
It was something that Claudia always looked forward to and appreciated that Avery still tore herself away from the lovely Jonah to spend some quality time with her bestie. But tonight, Claudia wished Avery had let Jonah talk her into staying home.
‘Hadn’t thought about it,’ Claudia dismissed, hoping her voice sounded light and disinterested and didn’t betray the mass of nerves screwing her stomach into a tight ball.
Avery frowned at her. ‘What? I don’t believe it. You love to dance.’
Sure, she loved to dance. That was how she’d got involved with Raoul. Raoul ran the dance lessons at the Tropicana and had been her occasional lover for the last five years. But she didn’t want to sit all night and watch Luke dance with other women either. ‘Guess I’m just not in the mood,’ she said.
‘Oh, come on,’ Avery teased. ‘Raoul could be there. How long has it been since you guys hooked up?’
Claudia didn’t have to think about it—she knew exactly. ‘Since just before the resort got handed to me.’
Avery sat up, nearly spilling some of her wine. ‘That was nearly eighteen months ago.’ She sounded horrified.
‘So?’
Avery gaped at her nonchalant reply. ‘That’s an awful long time to go without some lovin’, Claude.’
Claudia gave an exasperated sigh. ‘I know you’re all loved up,’ she said, her tone as dry as powdery sand under a hot midday sun, ‘but, trust me, you don’t die from lack of sex, Avery.’
‘Yeah, but...what’s the point of living?’
Claudia laughed then, she couldn’t help herself. Avery’s expression was priceless. ‘I’ve been a little busy,’ she finally said.
Avery waggled her finger in front of her friend’s face. ‘All work and no play makes Claude a dull girl.’ She placed her wine glass down on the bedside table and slipped off the bed. ‘Let’s see what’s in your cupboard that might get Raoul’s pulse racing.’
Claudia watched her go, her enthusiasm for that idea utterly underwhelming. ‘I’m not going to hook up with Raoul in front of Luke,’ she grouched as Avery pulled open the cupboard doors.
Avery turned, a frown marring her forehead. ‘Why not?’
Claudia squirmed a little. The reason sounded stupid in her head—she could only imagine how dumb it was going to sound out loud.
‘Claude?’ Avery prompted.
Claudia knew that tone in her friend’s voice all too well. ‘It’ll be too...weird with Raoul...in front of Luke.’
Avery blinked. ‘Why?’
Claudia shook her head—she wished she knew. ‘I don’t know. It just would be.’
A sudden speculative spark flared to life in Avery’s shrewd eyes and she forgot the wardrobe as she returned to the bed and sat on the edge with one leg tucked up under her, the other firmly on the ground.
‘Is there something going on with you and Captain Sexypants?’ she asked.
Claudia almost laughed out loud, both at the nickname that seemed to have stuck and the preposterous suggestion. Something going on with her and Luke?
Impossible.
Even if he did know what she looked like naked and what her breast felt like. ‘No,’ she said.
Avery dropped her head slightly to the side as if she was trying to see deep into Claudia’s heart. ‘I think there’s stuff you’re not telling me, Ms Claude.’ She folded her arms. ‘Spill.’
Claudia thought long and hard about keeping what had gone on between her and Luke to herself, but a part of her wanted to get it off her chest so badly, to analyse it to death in that secret girly-gossip way she used to enjoy with Avery, she could hardly bear it any more.
So she spilled. About the grope incident. About her walking in on him naked. About him walking in on her naked. And it felt so damn good to unburden it. It felt just like it used to do when they’d been teenagers, sharing all their angsty, hormone-ridden secrets.
‘So you do have a thing for Captain Sexypants?’ Avery, who had been remarkably quiet throughout, said.
‘No,’ Claudia denied, and when Avery gave her that watch it, Pinocchio look she just said, ‘I can’t. He’s Luke. He’s a friend I’ve known for ever. Our parents are best friends. He’s divorced and bitter on love. And he lives on the opposite side of the world.’
Claudia shook her head at Avery’s what-else-have you-got? eyebrow-raise. ‘He’s leaving, Avery.’
Avery reached out and grabbed her friend’s hand. ‘So was I,’ she said. ‘But I didn’t.’ Then she sprang off the bed. ‘It ain’t over till the fat lady sings,’ she said, sounding more American than ever. ‘And besides, I don’t think there’s any harm in letting Captain Sexypants know exactly what it is he’s leaving behind.’
Claudia watched her friend return to the wardrobe, pulling out dresses, wishing she had just an inch of Avery’s confidence. ‘I know just the one,’ she said.
&n
bsp; Resigned to her fate, Claudia watched. ‘There’s that royal blue one I wear to our voodoo nights,’ she said.
‘Oh, no, no, no,’ Avery said, throwing dresses on the ground now. ‘I know exactly the one. The red velvety one. It flutters around your ankles, fits you like a glove, has that halter neck and huge side split.’
Claudia blanched at the suggestion. ‘I think that’s a bit OTT, don’t you?’
Avery’s voice was muffled as she disappeared into the cupboard a little more but Claudia could still make out her friend’s denial. ‘Nope. Raoul goes a little crazy every time you wear that dress and that’s exactly the effect you’re after.’ And then a few seconds later, she heard the proclamation, ‘Aha!’
Avery walked out of the cupboard brandishing the dress in question. ‘This one.’
Claudia shook her head. ‘No.’
Avery ignored her. ‘We’re going dancing. This is your dancing dress.’
‘It is?’
‘It is now.’ Avery grinned at her. ‘Try it on.’
‘Avery...’ Claudia glared at her best friend. ‘No.’
‘You know I’m just going to harp on about it all night until you do, so you might as well get it over with now.’
Claudia sighed at the truth of it. Avery could be very persistent, particularly after two glasses of wine. ‘Fine,’ she huffed, climbing off the bed. ‘Give it to me.’
Claudia took the dress from Avery and marched into the bathroom, quickly stripping off her uniform and throwing the dress over her head before marching back out again.
Avery beamed at her as she appeared. Then she reached over and pulled Claudia’s hair out of her ponytail, fluffing it up a little.
She grinned. ‘Well, hello, Kryptonite.’
TEN
They were at the first day-spa venue at nine o’clock the following morning. Jonah had left them to spend the morning checking up on Charter North, his exceedingly successful charter business, which he’d been neglecting to help the Tropicana back on its feet. He had a good second in command so he wasn’t worried, but he felt as if he should at least look in and check on progress. He was to join them again for lunch.
The first two spas were attached to hotels and the managers were happy to show them around. Avery and Claudia had a manicure and a pedicure at the first one while Luke sat at a table with his phone and his laptop. The second one they both indulged in facials and again Luke had the phone glued to his ear.
They caught up with Jonah at the marina for lunch. It was more of a business lunch with lots of constructive conversation about the pros and cons of what they’d seen so far and they were only interrupted once by Luke’s phone.
‘It’ll be interesting to see what the next place is like by comparison,’ Avery said as she sipped at an icy cold mineral water. ‘It’s a stand-alone and is very exclusive.’
‘More the kind of thing we’ll be doing,’ Luke said.
‘Yep.’ Avery nodded. ‘I’ve booked us all in for massages.’
Luke frowned. ‘What? I don’t want a massage.’
Claudia thought if anyone could do with a massage right now it was Luke. He’d been working all morning at his computer on some crisis or other that had cropped up overnight in London.
Avery shot him an exasperated look. ‘You need a massage more than all of us combined,’ she said and Claudia hid a smile behind her napkin at Avery in bossy mode. ‘You’ve been saving the world all morning on your damn phone, not to mention both you and Jonah have been doing some pretty hard physical labour these last couple of weeks. I’m sure there are some kinks that could do with some ironing out and I’ve booked it for you and you will have it and what’s more you better bloody enjoy it.’
Luke glanced at Jonah, who also seemed to be having trouble keeping a smile off his face. He held up his hands in surrender. ‘It’s a massage, man. There are worse ways to spend an hour.’
Luke shook his head in disgust. ‘You are so whipped.’
Jonah grinned back at him. ‘That I am.’
Luke rolled his eyes. ‘I guess I do have some kinks.’
Claudia almost spat her orange juice all over the table. Yeah, like groping and perving on sleeping women.
Avery beamed. ‘Atta boy,’ she said, reaching over and patting his arm. She flicked a quick glance at Claudia. ‘Just think, you’ll be all loose and limber for when you spin Claude around the dance floor tonight. Win-win.’
Luke sensed Claudia tense beside him. An echoing tension crept into his shoulders.
Looked like they both needed that massage.
* * *
When they arrived at the spa they checked in and were all given a tour of the facility. Then they were ushered into separate change rooms to undress and get into the robes provided in preparation for their massages. Jonah and Luke were shown the male change rooms. Luke’s phone rang the second his shirt was off.
‘You miss your massage and Avery is going to be very displeased,’ Jonah said as Luke reached for it.
Luke looked at the London number on his screen. ‘This won’t take long,’ he said. ‘Go on without me.’
Jonah clapped Luke on the shoulder. ‘You know she’ll come in and get you if you take too long.’
‘Two minutes,’ Luke said as he pushed the answer button.
Ten minutes later, Luke stepped out of the change room, swathed in soft white towelling. Despite his earlier protest he was actually looking forward to it. He was hyper-aware of the tension in his neck that had cranked up during the phone call and his muscles did ache from all the physical activity he’d been doing.
He’d become unaccustomed to that kind of heavy labour. Sure, he worked out at the gym regularly and jogged along London streets in the early morning most days—he loved the pavements that ran alongside the Thames, even in winter—but he hadn’t been this physically challenged in a long time.
An attractive brunette met him. ‘Hi, I’m Sherry,’ she said. ‘I’ll be doing your massage today.’
Luke nodded. ‘Nice to meet you.’
She smiled at him and Luke got the impression she wasn’t going to find his massage a chore in any way, shape or form. He smiled back. Jonah was right. There were worse ways to spend an hour.
‘This way,’ she said and gestured for him to follow her.
Sherry walked down a carpeted hallway with subdued lighting and opened a door to the right at the end of the corridor. She smiled at him again as she indicated he should precede her. A light floral aroma greeted him before he even entered and Luke noted the subdued lighting extended into the interior of the room as he put his foot over the threshold.
Then several things registered all at once. The presence of two tables, one empty, the other with a person—a female person. She was lying on her belly with nothing but a towel covering her butt and acres of bare, glistening skin exposed to his gaze. Candlelight glowed in the oil covering her body and a man worked said oil into the backs of her legs.
Claudia?
And then while his brain desperately tried to compute the images in those first few surprising seconds he heard, ‘Oh, dear Lord in heaven, that’s soooo goooood.’
Actually it was more a groan. She’d definitely groaned it.
Claudia had groaned it.
He watched the male masseur’s hands slide all the way up from the back of Claudia’s knee to the top of her thigh—a little too close to where it joined her butt for Luke’s liking.
‘What the hell?’
Even in Droolsville, the low growl yanked Claudia out of her bliss. She gasped as she half raised her chest off the table and then remembered she was wearing only a towel that wasn’t currently covering much of her at all.
Caught in flagrante again!
She lowered herself, looking over her
shoulder at Luke looking better than any man had a right to in a white fluffy gown.
‘What are you doing in here?’ she snapped, heat in her cheeks—was she destined to suffer from a terminal lack of clothing around him?
‘What am I doing in here? This is where I was brought. What are you doing in here?’
‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ Sherry said, looking as confused as the rest of them. ‘I think there’s been a terrible mistake. I thought this was a couple’s massage? Like the other two? I thought the other woman said...I thought you were...together.’
Luke glared at the guy whose hands had stilled on the back of Claudia’s thigh. The masseur removed them, eyeing Luke warily. ‘No,’ Luke said tersely. ‘We’re not.’
‘Oh, dear, I’m terribly, terribly sorry,’ Sherry apologised, wringing her hands, looking more mortified than Luke had ever seen another living person. ‘No worries,’ she said, ‘I can rebook you. It’ll need to be tomorrow—we’re fully booked today.’
‘I won’t be here tomorrow.’
‘Perhaps another day,’ Sherry the mortified asked.
Luke’s jaw clenched. ‘I don’t need a massage,’ he said and turned to go.
Claudia frowned as a wave of crankiness accompanied Luke’s dismissive statement. Oh, no. Avery was right—he did need a massage. Now more than ever—clearly! And she’d be damned if she was going to be the one to stand in the way of it.
‘Wait,’ she said as he neared the door. ‘You stay and I’ll go. You’re working two jobs and long hours. You need the massage more than I do.’
Luke stopped and turned to face her. ‘I’m fine, Claude.’
‘No,’ she said. ‘I insist.’ She craned her neck around further until she could see the man whose fingers had been working magic until this rather abrupt interruption.
‘Can you cover me please, Marco?’
Marco went to shift the towel from Claudia’s derrière and Luke stepped forward on an alarmed, ‘No.’ Marco stopped and shot Luke a puzzled look. Claudia was looking at him as if he’d lost his mind as well. But he’d seen more than enough of her skin for one day.
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