"Who am I?" for him.
"Sorry about that." Her voice was soft, and he strained to catch the cadence, hoping he might be able to pin where he'd heard her speak before.
Her delicate hands unexpectedly started rubbing his upper thighs. The towel didn't hide much except the necessary parts of his body, like his backside.
Her fingers glided higher, and he squirmed at the light, feathery touch. The first stirrings of an erection began. Damn. Hell. Fuck. A masseuse's stroke could not turn him on. This was supposed to be business, not pleasure.
But he was definitely getting turned on.
Gabe shifted his body slightly to relieve the pressure. Damn. Hard to be face down when a certain part of your body is throbbing. Tingles ran up his spine, not only from the massage, but also from his erotic thoughts.
"The feet are considered part of the erogenous zone. It sends out messages to the rest of your body for healing." Her voice sounded soft and sultry.
Just once, he told himself. He had to see if her sexy voice matched her face.
Opening his eyes, he lifted his head to the source of her voice.
Her back was to him, her head down. Her velvety black hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and she wore a pink smock. Tall and thin, with long legs. She wore a blue and white peasant-style skirt perfectly matched to her lithe body.
She made a sudden move, stepping out of his vision. He inwardly groaned.
He closed his eyes. Come on, babe, I want a glimpse of your face.
Without warning, she pushed him back down face first. Grunting, he muttered a protest.
"Don't lift your head. You want to remain supine and relaxed." She firmly held his head in place. Hell, he couldn't move if he wanted to.
"This will be over before you realize it." She dug a finger into his calf. "You should think about having a massage regularly as it will help your immune system."
There. That familiar voice. He knew her from somewhere. His body tensed as he tried to pick up anything else about her voice and remember where he'd met her.
She rubbed his lower legs with oil and continued to knead them. The blood in his body pumped furiously, while his dick between his legs throbbed incessantly. He shifted a bit to his side, hoping to relieve the ache that tore at his groin. The change in position began to work. His body relaxed and the tenseness slipped away. For the moment, he forgot where he was or why.
"Is there another part of you that you want me to work on?" Her innocent question startled him.
Yeah, he could think of someplace else. However, he wasn't at Casa de Massage to encourage her, rather to find out if the accusations were accurate. She'd have to make the first move.
"Uh, no. Just keep on doing what you're doing," he replied. He laid his head down gently on the headrest, closed his eyes again, willing his pulsing cock to subside.
The cadence of the music changed to a soft tune, and her kneading also lightened up. Her slick hands glided smoothly over his legs, and the tenseness melted away.
A soft sound startled him for a moment, and then he realized it was her humming in tune to the music, the effect causing his libido to flare again. He had a suspicion that if she propositioned him, he'd want to take her up on the offer. Damn, this wasn't what he'd planned. He'd better ignore the melodious lilt of her voice and concentrate on why he was here. Granted, a perk is a perk, but he was here on business.
Her hands moved to his knee area. A few years ago, he'd hurt it chasing a suspect. Now, whenever the wet wintry weather moved in, he paid the price. Maybe she'd fix the knee.
But his relaxation came to an end when pain shot up his leg. She'd found a particular sore spot. He jerked his leg. "Ow!"
"Tight, aren't we?" she murmured, and kneaded even harder. "Once you make regular appointments, after a while the knots will lessen." She dug in more.
Through intense pain, he tried to relax. Despite the agony, she still managed to make her actions sexy. He wouldn't mind making her a regular something or other. Her sultry voice turned him on, and he bet her body was just as hot. He couldn't wait until they were done and he got his first glimpse of her.
Her hands drifted upward to his neck. Even though he couldn't see her, he could smell her closeness. She wore a perfume, the scent was familiar. He couldn't place it.
His brain was fuzzy from the effect her hands had on him. Minutes passed as she rubbed the back of his neck, almost paralyzing him, lulling him to sleep.
She cooed huskily into his ear, "Bet that feels good. Most people like a neck rub."
She pressed her fingers into his neck and his groin shot up quicker than his gun. He bit back a curse. Fucking to hell. She was good.
"Good. Just relax. Don't talk."
He concentrated on relaxing and willed his cock to do the same thing. Hard for a man to do with all the exotic smells taunting his senses and naughty thoughts about this woman who had her hands all over him filling his brain.
"Okay, Mr. Banks, time to turn over."
He grunted. He definitely didn't want to turn over, or she'd find the tent in his towel down south. He didn't move, trying to pretend to be asleep while he worked on controlling his erection.
"Come on, turn over." The room was silent as she waited for him to respond.
He held his breath as he worked on some kind of control. Then, her hand touched his shoulder.
"Mr. Banks? Are you okay?"
Stiffly, he lifted his head, not wanting to face her quite yet. He didn't want her to discover the lust in his eyes. If he looked at her, he'd go over the edge.
"Just a minute," he mumbled. He stretched his long legs.
"Take your time. I'll go outside so you can turn over in private."
He grunted as he heard her light step fading away, then the door close quietly.
Now alone, he grabbed his towel and sat up. He glanced around the room. The usual assortment of oils, towels, and gadgets. Framed pictures of tranquil scenes lined the wall. A plaque proclaimed Cassandra Nichols as a certified massage therapist. Aware she'd be back in a minute, he breathed deeply to get his overworked senses under control.
Damn, never in his life had someone's touch affected him that way. Of course, he'd never had a massage this erotic, but surely they didn't intend to invoke this kind of response in the first place? If so, they should be outlawed.
Gabe shook his head. What the hell had come over him? He sniffed. Was she using a mind control drug? He ran his fingers through his hair as he dismissed the thought. It wasn't a drug that overwhelmed him and caused this reaction.
He was seriously in lust with his massage therapist.
Gabe heard the approach of footsteps and realized he needed to get into position.
Quickly, he lay back down and placed the towel over his groin, thankful his erection had subsided. He closed his eyes before the door clicked open.
He listened as she walked in and stopped. A strangling sound penetrated his senses. Something was wrong. He opened his eyes and lifted his head to check on her.
And he met the startled, angry face of his mystery lady from the other day.
"What the hell are you doing here?!" she shrieked.
Chapter Five
"You're Cassandra Nichols?"
She nodded, her dark eyes glared at him, anger making her appearance even more exotic. "I own this place. Did you talk to Gavin and decide to check me out?"
He cursed to himself as he realized now why her fragrance had resonated with him. And her voice. God, definitely her voice. "I honestly didn't know," he replied as he sat up, remembering to keep the towel in place. The last thing he needed right now was to expose himself.
"I asked you what you're doing here. Are you following me?" Anger flared anew in her eyes.
"This is a coincidence. I haven't chatted with Gavin yet." Gabe rubbed his hand down his face. God, he felt frigging tired after the massage. He couldn't think straight.
"I didn't realize you owned Casa de Massage."
&nb
sp; She eyed him. "You're only here by chance for a massage?"
He nodded. "I never caught your name. I meant to call Gavin, but I've—" He paused, realizing he couldn't reveal too much, to give away the real reason he'd shown up at Casa de Massage. "I've been busy. Heck, if I had a clue you worked here, I'd of called you up or walked in to see you. I wouldn't need to pay for a full massage." He chuckled and smiled in an attempt to diffuse her anger.
She still didn't appear too convinced. He wondered if she was always this suspicious—and why. "Well. Okay . . . Judson."
Damn. His bogus name. He'd used his middle and last name to book the appointment. He hesitated. How to tell her his real first name was Gabe?
A sudden, loud sound in the hallway had them both turning to the door. A pretty redhead pushed her way into the room without knocking. Her eyes wide, she glanced at Gabe before zeroing in on Cassie.
"What's going on in here? Cassie, are you okay?"
Cassie eyed him for a few seconds before she nodded. "Oh, uh, sure, we're okay.
Turns out he's someone I met a few days ago." She sent him a wary glance before she introduced him to her coworker. "This is Judson Banks."
The redhead's eyebrows rose. "Met . . . a . . . few days ago?" Her expression changed as she gave Gabe a sharp look. "Like maybe a couple of days ago?"
He bit back a groan as he realized she probably heard what happened between him and Cassie the other day. And from Cassie's reaction, she wasn't too comfortable being around him, either. This conversation needed to end.
He rose, keeping the towel in place. "Look ladies, I think my massage is over, and I'd like to get dressed."
"Something wrong in here?" Chaz poked his head into the room, and Gabe could've groaned out loud. Fuck, this place was Grand Central Station.
Cassie straightened up at Chaz's entrance. "Everything's fine. Sorry we disturbed you, sir."
His coworker stole a glance at Gabe for reassurance and got a nod in return.
"Well, okay. I thought I heard something and then she"—he pointed to Dani—"left in a hurry. Worried you ladies had a problem."
"Sounded like somebody screaming." Dani remarked.
"It's all right. I didn't realize who Judson was until he turned over. He surprised me at first. But everything is fine." She glanced at him, as he continued to hold a tight grip onto the towel. All he wanted to do was to get dressed and talk to her.
He cleared his throat. "Uh, ladies . . . and gentleman." He nodded at Chaz. "I need to get decent, as it is clear this massage is over." He hiked the slipping towel back up to emphasize his condition.
Cassie's eyes widened as they dropped to his groin. "Oh! I guess you're right."
She grabbed her coworker. "Come on, Dani, let's get out of here and let Mr. Banks get dressed."
Chaz's eyebrows rose, a hint of smirk in his expression. "Sure. Come on, sweetie, let's finish up," he told Dani, who nodded and followed him out.
Gabe focused his attention on Cassie, who stood with her back to him. He didn't quite know how to get around her anger. Hell, he was stunned by the turn of events.
Who'd have guessed in a million years the woman giving him a massage was the lady he'd almost had sex with a few days ago.
Abruptly, she turned around. "I'll let you go so you can get dressed. Meet me out in the reception area," she told him, not meeting his eyes. "I'll expect you in a few minutes."
"Cassie?"
She stopped at the doorway, but still wouldn't meet his gaze. "Yes?"
"Thanks for the massage. Perhaps we can do this sometime again soon."
She stiffened, but didn't say a word. Instead, she exited the room, shutting the door firmly behind her.
Gabe suspected she wouldn't offer him her services anytime soon.
* * * * *
Cassie slammed the door to the employee bathroom, thankful the room was empty. "Damn," she muttered as she grabbed the soap. In her head, she replayed everything that had happened. She should have remembered him from a few days ago.
But you didn't touch his body as much as you did his lips the other day—or let his hands touch you.
She groaned and turned on the water. She scrubbed her hands harder than usual, trying to get the touch of his skin off them. Her vision continued to fill with the expression on his face when he opened his eyes and saw her . . . .
He was as sexy as he had been the day before. To think she'd touched his body.
She paused in drying her hands and stared at them for a moment. He'd felt good underneath her fingers. Strong, hard, but incredibly soft. Almost like the other day—
"No," she muttered. She couldn't be having these kinds of thoughts.
"Who are you talking to?"
She glanced up to find Becki leaning against the door jam, a curious expression on her face.
"I, uh"—Cassie stepped away from the sink and leaned against the wall, grateful for the solid support—"a bad afternoon, that's all."
"Are you okay?" Becki's asked as she stepped around to wash her hands.
"I'm fine. Just something—" She sighed and closed her eyes. What could she tell Becki, Dani, or anyone about the other night? That an incredible guy she'd met two days ago gave her one of the most mind-blowing orgasms she'd ever had? Now he was only a few feet away in this building.
"Can I do something for you, Cassie?"
She opened her eyes. No. She couldn't reveal the truth to Becki. Not even her best friend, Dani. "I'll be okay. I need to go check on the next customer. Are you almost done for the day?" Becki usually left early to spend time with her ten-year-old after school.
Becki nodded. "Yep. Josie is probably waiting for me right now." She checked her face and then glanced at Cassie. "I'm curious what's going on, but I don't have time.
Hey, chickie, I'm on your case tomorrow." She winked and left the room.
She stared at Becki's retreating back and wondered if there was a sign stuck on her forehead that she'd made a fool of herself? Shaking her head, she exited the bathroom and made her way to the reception area.
The door to the therapy room opened. She stopped in her tracks as Judson came out, his head down, engrossed in tucking in his shirt. He glanced up and paused.
She started to go around him, but he touched her arm. "Cassie? Can I talk to you for a moment?"
She hesitated, unsure if she wanted to be alone with him. "I need to check on my next customer."
"This will only take a moment." His hazel eyes bored into hers. "I'm sorry—"
"Cassie, are you available yet?" Lola's voice called from the other room.
"As you can see, I'm a busy person." She pulled her arm away from him. "Excuse me." He didn't stop her, but followed her down the short corridor.
The reception room was empty except for Lola. "Is the next one here yet?"
"They called and cancelled while you were with Mr. Banks, but someone else is interested in a spot." Lola turned her attention to him. "Did you enjoy your massage?"
she asked him.
Cassie heard him chuckle. "It was um . . . interesting."
"Hmm . . . I spotted Dani running down the hallway. Of course, I didn't hear anything." Lola tugged her ear. "I think I need my hearing aids adjusted."
Cassie took a deep breath. She needed to pretend everything appeared normal.
She spun around to face him. "I suppose you should get a reduced price since we were interrupted. I'm sorry about"—she glanced at the bent head of Lola, who was now engrossed in the appointment book—"my shock at seeing you again."
"You two are acquainted with each other? You didn't tell me this earlier."
Cassie gritted her teeth as Lola gazed at them curiously. Some days weren't worth it to get out of bed. "Not really. We met a few days ago, and I didn't catch his name." She shifted her attention to him. "I didn't expect him to show up here, or if I'd been aware, I'd let one of the other therapists take care of him." She glared at him, daring him to argue.
He nonchal
antly shrugged. "I didn't have a clue until you screamed."
"How wonderful." Lola clapped her hands. "I'll make the next appointment—"
"There won't be a next appointment." Cassie knew her tone sounded brusque, but she didn't care. "Goodbye, Mr. Banks."
His eyes narrowed. She blithely returned his gaze. She wasn't going to back down.
"Oh! I'm sorry." Lola fidgeted awkwardly. "Uh, well, let me take over." She cleared her throat, staring at Cassie.
Deciding the conversation had ended, Cassie strode to her desk and sat down.
She tapped on the power to her computer, intent on ignoring Judson Banks at the reception desk. He continued to talk in low tones with Lola while she pretended not to listen.
Damn. Go away.
She signed onto her program and bent her head to focus on her books. After a moment, footsteps headed her way. Cassie paused and stiffened, but didn't lift her head.
"Cassie, can we talk?"
She glanced up, met his hazel eyes . . . and nearly melted.
He was too sexy for her sanity.
"Yes?" She lowered her gaze and tried to concentrate on the vase of roses on Lola's desk. Maybe if she didn't stare at him she wouldn't have any panty melting thoughts. "Do you need something? I'm sort of busy."
"We need to get a few things straight."
"About what? I gave you a discount on the massage. Isn't that satisfactory?"
"This is not about the massage." He hesitated, and she stole a glance at him. He seemed flustered, not the ruthless, self-assured man she'd seen up until now. "It's about the other . . . day. At Gavin's."
Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Lola as she leaned forward, listening to their conversation. The one thing Cassie didn't have around here was privacy, and she didn't want Lola to find out about what happened between them .
Arrested Pleasure Page 6