If Not For You

by Jennifer Rose

  The key card sat on the table by the door where I left it the night before. I snuck out the door, easing it closed to minimize the sound that it made when the automatic lock clicked into place.

  When I was safely in my room I filled a travel kit with the essentials, grabbed a change of clothes and took a quick cold shower.

  Deciding I was taking far too long already, I grabbed my laptop and phone to bring to Tandy’s room. I would find a minute in the day to send a quick email, I didn’t need to be in this room to do that. Tandy would understand if it was work, which it was.

  Fumbling with my belongings and the card key, I cursed the decision to bring so much and finally the door opened. Sneaking in I noticed the smell of coffee in the room and the balcony door standing open. Throwing everything onto the sofa, I walked quietly out to the balcony and stood watching Tandy as she read something on her laptop with a smile on her face.

  Beautiful, I thought.

  ***

  I was shocked when I noticed that my sleeping beauty was gone. But when I saw the card key missing and the balcony door closed I surmised that he had gone to his room, hopefully not for long.

  The sound of water running and movement in Mr. sexy neighbor’s room made me feel a little relieved that I finally heard something. The thought of murder on the high seas, a dead body on the cabin floor and a bumbling detective questioning me, made me laugh. I had the tendency to think about the stupidest things, the craziest possibilities and ideas.

  Spotting my laptop on the kitchen counter, I supposed it was the perfect time to send the girls an email, fill them in on the big V and perhaps tell them about my new roommate. A knock at the door stopped me in my tracks and I smiled from ear to ear when I opened it to find the always yummy Philippe with the morning coffee. Telling me my guest placed the order and I smiled.

  I asked Philippe to return with fruit salad and French toast for our breakfast, yes I said our breakfast and sat on the balcony with my cup of coffee and my laptop.

  Morning Ladies! Isn’t it a beautiful day? Well it is here in the middle of the ocean! Lol I’m putting it out there, I’m spending a lot of time with a gorgeous blonde haired god of a man. He treats me real nice and no, I haven’t lost the big V. Unfortunately I’m still cursed. We spend a lot of time together and we made out during a movie last night! Woohoo! Anyway, miss you guys! Love Tandy.

  Surprisingly it wasn’t very long before I got a reply from Tess. I laughed as I read the warnings to be safe, use a condom, go for it and take him deep. That was Tess. I was also told to do a background check, and she gave me a poke about my lack of time zone knowledge too.

  I was smiling as I closed my laptop and spotted Gage standing at the sliding door watching me with a huge dimpled smile. He was gorgeous, his wet hair blowing in the breeze and those blue eyes that put the ocean waters to shame made me weak. But it was that dimpled smile that always managed to melt me into a puddle every time.

  “Have I told you how beautiful you look today?” he asked, as he strolled over and placed a kiss on top of my head.

  I rolled my eyes and Gage’s brows slowly knit together, he glared, pouring his coffee and adding cream. Dragging his chair around the table he sat right beside me, put his arm across the back of my chair and nuzzled his nose just under my ear and sniffed. The puddle that I had previously melted into was now pouring off my seat, and forming a pool around my toes.

  The heat from his skin mixed with the loose damp curls of his hair, which were slipping into the neckline of my t-shirt, had my panties dripping wet. I was having difficulty controlling my breathing. I adjusted my position hoping he didn’t notice my predicament.

  “You smell wonderful, good enough to eat!” His teeth tenderly nipped the lobe of my ear. An electric pulse shot from my ear to my lower region and I nearly moaned out loud.

  “I ordered French toast,” I spurt out, and Gage laughed, knowing he was unraveling me.

  “Mmm, I like my first choice better,” he whispered, and moved in for a second helping.

  I raised my shoulder up to stop him and he sat back with a grin, the man was killing me. I was going to spontaneously combust before his eyes, and I think he knew it, took pride in the fact. The curtain rose and the performance began, the just friends play started with my thunderous applause.

  This friends thing was beginning to get stale, mold was forming along its edge and soon that fine line that we were teetering on would start to deteriorate, leaving us with the decision to find a better footing or take the inevitable leap. My mind had already jumped, lingering restlessly in the air with my heart gearing up to follow.

  “Gage, don’t you think we’re getting a little too friendly?” I tried to play it up with a titter but failed miserably. My breathlessness and the red in my cheeks gave me away, damn my lack of control!

  “Maybe, maybe not,” Gage said as he brushed my hair over my shoulder and twirled a piece around his finger. “Want me to stop?”

  Damn his naughty sexiness, damn his ability to soak my panties in a matter of seconds and damn me for thirsting after him. Did I want him to stop? No fucking way!

  A knock at the door stopped the conversation, thank god. I was saved by the proverbial bell as they say. There was no way that I could have told him to stop; no way could I have formed the words. Darting to the door, I let in the steward asking him to serve on the balcony and went into the bathroom to splash water on my face.

  When Philippe raised the covers from our plates, we looked at each other and laughed. Philippe checked us both out as if we had lost our minds and left without question, counting the large tip that Gage slipped into his palm.

  “Blueberries,” we said, in stereo. Gage picked one up between his thumb and index finger and examined it closely.

  “Gross, what is it about blueberries? They look harmless, but I mean food should never be blue.” He was having a moment, an honest to God moment. The look of disgust on his face made me laugh and I had no time to react, when the little blue ball flew through the air and pinged off of my forehead.

  My mouth fell open. I fixed him with my, you-didn’t-just-do-that scowl and had him squirming in his chair. His lip was quivering as he tried desperately to hold back a laugh and his eyes followed my hand as I picked a blueberry from my plate and let it fly. He ducked it missed, but as he came back up from his hiding spot, I let him have it with the handful.

  The blueberry food fight was over in no time. We snorted as we viewed the mess we made and then proceeded to crawl over the floor on hands and knees picking up the hated fruit before finishing our meals.

  “I have a surprise for you today,” Gage called out, as he washed his hands at the wet bar.

  “I don’t know if I like surprises from you, it doesn’t have anything to do with climbing walls does it?” I asked, impishly. The thought made me cringe.

  “No. I assure you, you won’t be climbing anything…you could always climb up me if you get the urge.” He yelled from the bathroom before I heard to toilet door close.

  I sat and pondered the possibilities. It was too early for a show, we did the casino bit, golf and I had no plans to lie around the pool today as yet. When Gage’s strong arms wrapped around my shoulders and his cheek rested against mine, I no longer gave a damn about surprises, or leaving the room as a matter of fact. The rough stubble on his cheek chafing against mine had me wondering what it would feel like on my inner thighs. I had to pull away, before Gage became aware of how much I wanted to throw him to the floor and jump his bones.

  “You need to get dressed, sweetheart. Up you get.” Gage pulled me to my feet and spun me in the doors direction, slapped my butt and sent me on my way.

  “Where are we going?” I called out, as I grabbed my sundress and panties, forgoing a bra and heading to the bedroom to dress.

  “I booked a couples massage and a few other spa treatments,” he said from the other side of the living room’s wall. I could sense him leaning with a sweet smile on his face.


  “Really? Isn’t that a girly thing?” I asked, with a giggle.

  “No! I was told that it’s a very popular service, a lot of couples do it,” he said defensively.

  “We’re not exactly a couple, Gage,” I said, leaning my forehead on the shared wall wishing I could change that fact, but I couldn’t, so I’d make the best of the time I did spend with my friend.

  “We don’t have to be married to get a massage, but if you’re worried, there is a chapel and the Captain can perform the ceremony,” he laughed, as I joined him in the living room and his eyes drifted over me with a smile.

  “Very nice,” he made a growling sound and followed close behind as I walked by, so close I could feel his body’s heat searing through my dress.

  I turned and put my hand on his chest to stop him. “Let’s go. We don’t want to miss our appointment, right?”

  “Definitely not, we’re going to enjoy this,” he said, confidently. I handed him the card key, he tucked it in his pocket and held the door open grinning as he folded my hand in his.

  Soft, tranquil music played in the background as we walked into the Lotus Spa and the aroma of spices and fruity scents flooded my nostrils. At the reception desk Gage and I stepped toward an overly slender redhead, whose smile brightened tenfold when she looked up and with a French accent she greeted us.

  “You have an appointment, yes?” she asked.

  “Yes, Carter.” Gage handed her the room card and she swiped it, rose from her seat coming around the desk to shake our hands.

  “My name is Paulette. I will show you to your room, this way Mr. and Mrs. Carter.” She walked ahead of us down a long hall and Gage and I elbowed each other at the Mr. and Mrs. reference, but neither of us corrected her.

  She opened a door and ushered us in, walked over to a fancy armoire and then handed us two robes from the drawer.

  “These are to wear after the massage. Disrobe please, you will find sheets on the tables to cover you. Your masseuses will be with you shortly.” And with that she was gone closing the door quietly behind her.

  The room was essentially empty with three dark green unornamented walls, one mirrored. The armoire, two massage beds side by side and a small table with various unmarked bottles were the only things I saw, that and the lack of a dressing area. There was the one door we entered through, which meant no bathroom and no privacy screen. I looked over at Gage who had his back to me, his shirt was off and he was just lowering his shorts, I should have looked away, but I was far too into watching as his lean muscles ripple across his back.

  When his shorts hit the floor, I had to swallow back a moan just as Gage looked over his shoulder. He had a beautiful plump ass, I could picture myself biting into it and he winked when our eyes met, I grinned. I had been caught viewing the nicest ass on the planet, stuck between embarrassed and flustered heat, I quickly turned my back as he started to turn towards me.

  “Need a hand?” Gage asked. I just knew he had a smirk on his face, I could feel my face heat. He was enjoying this as much as me.

  “No thank you, I can handle this,” I said, “you face the wall.”

  “Which one,” he said and I half turned my head so he could see I meant business. “Gage, I’m leaving if,”

  “I’m not looking, I promise. I’ll lie here and face the wall.” I could hear the bed creek as he climbed onto it and after a few seconds he assured me he was looking the other way. I peeked in the mirrored wall to make sure.

  “So what else do you have planned for us?” I asked, as I stripped out of my things and climbed onto the bed awkwardly pulling the sheet over me.

  “Pedicures and a sauna, you okay with that?” he asked. I noticed he was still facing away from me.

  “You can look now,” I giggled.

  “Aww...” Gage pouted and I rolled my eyes at him. “I missed the whole show.”

  “Behave,” I warned, but couldn’t help smiling at the idea of slowly stripping to nothing while he watched.

  There was a tiny rap at the door before it opened and a tall dark muscular man and a very well-blessed blonde woman came in, dressed all in tight white jeans, t-shirts and deck shoes.

  “I’m Lars, this is Elsie. Let’s get started.”

  Just as I thought, he was for me and she was for Gage. We eyed each other and Gage bit his lip wickedly. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud but stopped suddenly when my sheet was lowered to the crack of my ass and something warm poured onto my back.

  I heard a long moan beside me and Gage had the sexiest look on his face, his eyes were closed and his lips slightly parted. Yeah, he was most definitely enjoying the massage.

  I let out the same moan, closed my eyes and let out a deep breath, when Lars started kneading into my shoulders with his strong yet gentle hands. He worked out my shoulders, my back, even the globes of my ass got special treatment. I was far too relaxed to give a damn when his hands slid to my inner thighs and moved up and down my legs, it was kind of hot but not. I certainly enjoyed it.

  When the session was over, Lars covered me with the sheet and whispered into my ear to relax and he’d be back soon. My eyes opened to discover Gage watching me, his eyes were taking all of me in, every detail of my face and he smiled sweetly.

  “How was that?” I croaked out, still too relaxed to make a move.

  “Mmm…It was mmm…” No doubt Gage had liked Elsie’s magic hands.

  “Really, so Elsie did good?”

  “So good…can’t move right now.” He grinned and ground his hips on the table.

  My brows rose when I realized what he was saying. I guessed it was a male thing, get a massage, and get a hard-on. I started to laugh and moved onto my side, resting my head on my hand. The oil on Gage’s skin glistened and the sheet smoothed nicely over his ass, slick with oil. I was enjoying the view very much and didn’t care that he was watching how much I was enjoying it.

  “And tell me, did Mr. Muscle do you good?” Gage asked, with a cheeky smile.

  “It was good, not nearly as good as your massage, but good.” I was teasing him over his predicament, amused that a massage could get him so excited. But then again, all he needed to do was be in the same room and I had a girlie version of a hard-on.

  Lars knocked and peeked in the door. “Your next treatment is ready. You can leave your things here. I’ll wait outside while you put your robes on.”

  “Thank you.” Gage said, and Lars ducked out again.

  “Can you get up now?” I still teased.

  “Honey I have no problem getting up, it’s staying down that I have trouble with.” He laughed and slid off the table pulling the sheet with him. My face brightened warmly and I laughed. Touché!

  “Look away woman.” I was jokingly instructed when I made no attempt to turn.

  Watching his shadow on the wall, I caught sight of Gage’s arm as he grabbed a robe from the chair beside me, but kept my eyes focused on the sexy shadow. I so wanted to peek in the mirror.

  “Okay, I’m going to wait in the hall for you,” Gage called, as he tied the belt around his waist and opened the door.

  “You’re leaving?” I was taken aback; it wasn’t like him to sneak away when the opportunity to watch me came about. Like all my times in the shower when he thought I wasn’t aware of his gawking.

  “I have to.” He winked and smiled as he opened the door and stepped out. It was exciting knowing that I had the ability to rouse him, kind of empowering actually.

  I don’t think I ever moved so fast in all my life. I was off that table and into that robe in record time. We strolled hand in hand behind Lars as he took us for our pedicures. We sat in plush reclining chairs with our feet soaking in warm sudsy rippling water. The tubs vibrated deliciously against the bottom of our feet. It was heaven.

  “I was thinking,” Gage said, with his head relaxed on the chair’s pillow and his eyes closed.

  “Should I be scared?” I asked, when he reached over and entwined his fingers with mine.<
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  “I was thinking we should go dancing tonight.” Gage waited for an answer. I didn’t know what to say, taking me by complete surprise.

  I couldn’t envision him as the Gene Kelly type; gracefully gliding around a dance floor. A vision of him attempting to dip me and dropping me onto my head leaving me sprawled out on the dance floor, now that I had no problem visualizing.

  “Dancing might be fun,” I said, suddenly thrilled at the thought of getting dressed up and Gage holding me close on the dance floor, I’d talk him out of the dipping thing if he made any endeavors to do so.

  “Yes?” Gage asked, sitting forward and waving his hand in my face to draw my attention.

  “Yes, of course,” I said. Gage squeezed my hand and settled back into his seat, keeping my hand in his, I smiled at the attention.

  Passing on polish, I opted for a buffed shine instead, maintaining toe nail polish was not something I relished while on holiday, or ever actually. The nail techs completed our pedicures with a foot massage and I couldn’t help but notice how nice Gage’s feet were. I like men’s feet, remember? And he had nice feet, sexy feet actually. I’d lick those toes, I thought, and laughed, I must be going foot mad, too many polish fumes in the room.

  One of the very efficient staff handed us luxurious bath towels, Gage a much smaller version and sent us into a change room, together. I guess the big mistake was booking a spa day for couples, when we clearly were not. We had to laugh at the situation as we slipped off our robes and wrapped ourselves in towels with our backs turned to each other.

  The sight of Gage with a towel wrapped low on his hips was delightful. For all the time we had been spending together, this was the first time I got a really good look at him. Even at pool side, I hadn’t taken the time to really see him. He slept in his boxer briefs and a cotton t-shirt, so I never noticed his glorious pectorals and perfectly defined six-pack. In fact I hadn’t noticed the tiny loops in his nipples or the tattoo over his heart, written in an elegant font, it said Remissionem. I didn’t understand it, but it was pretty.