The Masseuse

by Marianne Brun

  Then he was inside. They groaned together. He lifted her up slightly and thrust into her. He slid his penis inside her soft center slowly, and she shuddered. He felt wonderful. She tilted her head against the wall as her body trembled and her edges quivered.

  When he pulled out quickly and turned her around, she yearned to feel the force of him. Her body trembled with anticipation as Colin held onto her ass. He entered her and she pushed back on him. Within seconds, he shot inside her with a gasp.

  They left that elevator obsessed each other, both already looking forward to the next time.

  * * * *

  Colin had let Melanie’s scent surround him as they walked to the car park and knew this one was the winner. Everything up to this point had led to her. He realized, as his penis still shuddered from the lingering warmth of her, that because Melanie knew from the first date that he sought her out for an affair, for something that eluded him in his loveless marriage, she pitied him and gave sex to him a lot quicker than had he not been married. Did his marriage status show his level of commitment even when he was fucking women other than his wife? It was wonderful.

  As he kissed Melanie goodbye, she whispered that tomorrow she wanted to fuck in bed and feel the weight of him on top of her. He was so very thankful he realized so early into his married life the magnificent benefits that having a wife brought.

  Kate was asleep on the couch when he arrived home that night. A dirty plate was on the floor beside her. He smiled when he came out of the bathroom. “You okay?”

  She nodded, the lie seen in her eyes and down-turned mouth.

  “Good. I’m wrecked after today.” He climbed into bed and turned off the bedside lamp so he left her in darkness.

  * * * *

  Melanie had walked away from that elevator with the feel of Colin lingering inside her. When she arrived at her car, she’d debated whether to ask him to sit in the driver’s seat so she could work him into a frenzy again and let him touch parts she was sure were never touched before. She’d felt her body was about to explode for this new man in her life and didn’t think there was anything wrong with addiction.

  A year later, she felt frustrated. She had given Colin everything. For months she had listened to the sadness and defeat in his voice when Kate was mentioned and to his promises that someday soon they wouldn’t have to hide their love. They could live together and he would never have to go home to a stranger. She had trusted him.

  A woman—presumably Kate—answered the phone. “Hello?”

  “Mrs. McKenzie?”

  “Yes.”

  “I am ringing from the electricity board. I’m afraid there’s been a computer crash. I need to make sure names fit the addresses we have here.”

  “It’s Sunday.”

  Melanie’s mouth turned upward in silent mockery of the soft annoying tone that reached to her. “I know, I’m really sorry. This won’t take long.” She prayed Kate wouldn’t give the phone to Colin. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to keep this up. “The name here is Colin McKenzie’s. Am I right?”

  “Yes.”

  “And the address is…”

  Kate told her.

  “Thanks.” The business in her voice was gone and left something curt and rude in its place as the phone went dead.

  * * * *

  Kate put the phone down reluctantly. There was something too abrupt about that call, though she didn’t know if she was being sensitive.

  “What is it?” Colin asked.

  She shook her head. “The electricity board wanted our address.”

  He lay on the bed now, looking at her with soft eyes, and she knew he didn’t care about the phone call. There was interest in his gaze that she hadn’t seen in the last few years and it thrilled and saddened her. She wished it had happened sooner. She wanted to get away from it now but forced a smile. “Are you hungry?”

  “Starved.”

  “Okay, I’ll fix something. You need to wash that moisturizer off.”

  He laughed. “I suppose.”

  She watched her husband walk naked to the bathroom. He was in good shape, his buttocks firm and his arms and shoulders muscled. Still, desire for him could not be resurrected. Instead, she thought of Christian. Though she had been intimate with Colin, it was the artist, a stranger, who allowed her seduction to happen by holding aloft his perception of her and pointing out her beauty and strength.

  Kate got off the bed and donned a nightgown over her guilt. She knew she shouldn’t let Christian come between her and her husband who, though distant and silent, stayed with her when she was a gray, depressed outline of her former self. He’d never considered leaving her, and just because he found it difficult to look at the woman he loved when she was hurting so badly didn’t mean he was a bad man. Colin was her husband. Christian was only a fly-by-night client who meant nothing to her.

  Colin came out of the bathroom, whistling a tune with a towel wrapped around his waist and threw her a smile she caught as if it were a bunch of flowers.

  “I’m sorry,” she said.

  “For what?”

  Christian’s face was in her mind and she shook it away. “For not being here for you.”

  He threw off his towel.

  Her gaze went to his limp penis and back to his face. “Can you wait just a little while longer?”

  “I can’t really complain now, can I?”

  Something dropped in her stomach. “You don’t want to make love?”

  He froze, narrowing his eyes. Her body tensed with his anger before it was burst by his breath. “Of course I do.”

  She wanted to believe him. “I’ll start breakfast.” She turned.

  His response—”Good”—was forceful.

  They ate breakfast without the giggles of previous years, and Colin sat back in his chair and let Kate serve him as if it had become the theme of the day.

  * * * *

  Christian waited outside the parlor for the blond girl he’d seen leaving with Kate yesterday, but Nikki saw him first as she was going inside. She ambled over to him. “Jade isn’t here today.”

  “I’m waiting for someone. I think her name is Sarah.”

  He saw disappointment flash in her face. “She’ll be finished soon.” He couldn’t mistake the anger in her voice. He thought it was because of concern for Jade and it gave him hope.

  Christian smiled. “Maybe you can help.”

  “I doubt it.” But Nikki didn’t move and he told her his idea. He saw her lovely blue eyes soften. When he’d finished, a smile spread across her face. “I’d kiss you, only for Jade.”

  He laughed with delight, like a lovesick teenager.

  “I think it’s brilliant. I’ll tell Sarah.”

  Christian felt lighter, as if sharing his plan with the small, voluptuous girl had broken a spell of defeat. He turned to walk away.

  “Wait.”

  When he looked at Nikki, the ease in her face was gone. He could tell by her eyes and the tightness of her fingers clutching the strap of her bag she was uncertain. It made him worried. “What?”

  “She’s in a relationship, I think.”

  He nodded slowly and with effort.

  “But it’s not a good one.” Nikki stepped closer to him, as if there was chance of eavesdroppers. “Her partner isn’t nice to her.” She smiled. “Things like that are noticed here quicker than at an office.”

  “I suppose.”

  “Anyway, I think that’s why she’s here.” She didn’t wait for an answer and surprised him with the abruptness of her retreat. He stood still, in case something else would pop into her mind. With the door opened, she glanced back at him. “If Sarah doesn’t want to do it, I will.” Her wink made him laugh.

  * * * *

  Melanie rang again. “Did you do it?”

  “Who is this?” Colin’s tone was brusque.

  “Don’t play with me. Did you fuck your wife? Is one woman not enough for you?”

  “I’m sorry I think you have
the wrong number.”

  “Answer me!”

  Kate looked up from her breakfast. “Everything okay?”

  He nodded. Into the receiver, he said, “No.”

  “Is that an answer or a refusal?”

  Colin hung up, but the phone rang again before he had reached his chair. He hurried to answer under Kate’s suspicious gaze. “Hello?” He was angry and impatient now. “I told you already. No. Not here.” He smiled. “You’re welcome.” He put the phone down. “Wrong number, but whoever it was wouldn’t believe me.”

  He tried to sound nonchalant. “How about a day out to make up for yesterday?” It was an effort not to look at the phone as he went to the sink. It felt like an extra presence in the room.

  “Okay, I’ll get dressed,” Kate said and received a stiff nod in answer.

  Colin took deep breaths. He felt the tightness of his jaw as the white walls moved in on him. Why had he lied to Melanie and let her believe he wanted a relationship? Shit, if she was ringing him now to check up on him, what would she be like if he was living with her? He’d suffocate and have panic attacks again. Bloody women, though a little voice whispered it was fault. When Melanie was beside him, he forgot everything except the feel of her, so when he’d talked about their life together, he almost believed it.

  Until her voice broke through his bubble today. The anger still lay on his skin like an extra layer but it was malice keeping his lips fastened, as if her spite could crawl out from between them. He knew the best thing would be to distance himself until her attentions fizzled into nothing but air and empty promises.

  “Ready.”

  He turned to his wife. If Kate got worse, if his rejection made her reel backward and need psychiatric help, he’d feel too guilty to carry on the affair, and he and Melanie would have to cool it off for a while.

  He smiled. “Will you get the car out of the garage? I just need to call work.”

  “Okay.”

  With the sound of the garage door rising, he dialed Melanie’s number. “I couldn’t talk earlier.”

  “Why, were you busy at it?” Her venom slid down the line and bit him on the face.

  “No.” His anger masked his disdain for her. “If you must know, I couldn’t make love to her, not with you in my head, but my rejection made her worse. Melanie, she’s talking about suicide. I have to keep a good eye on her all the time. I don’t know what to do.”

  “Leave her. Come to me.”

  “Didn’t you hear what I said?”

  “Yes, I heard you.” She sounded placated for now.

  “I’ll call you as soon as I can.”

  * * * *

  Colin and Kate sat in the cinema. She imagined him moving his hand up her skirt and stroking her panties, and she felt something stir inside. With the shadows around them and their breathing coming out of the dark like hands, she believed it was as close to arousal as she’d come to in the last two years.

  She wanted to bring Colin’s fingers to her and have them open her up. The idea made her nipples tingle, though she knew while the movie played as a mere backdrop to her body, the excitement was as much from the knowledge that guiding him into her was the last thing she would do.

  Since Colin had gotten into the car, she’d felt the familiar distance with him. But this time, instead of blaming herself, she saw the almost parental pat on her knee, his annoying smile and the lack of touch when walking as deliberate. She was still the woman who had taken his penis into her mouth and rubbed her body all over him. She had not changed. He was trying to sabotage her confidence. With this realization, she played with the idea of his tongue on her and sat forward in the seat, letting herself get lost in imagined kisses between her legs because she knew it would never happen.

  After the movie, they had dinner out and talked like old friends who had lost touch. They got home late. The street was dark and empty. Kate yawned as the front door opened. “I’m tired. I’m going to have a bath and go straight to bed.” She pecked his cheek and felt his bewildered gaze on her back. Not long ago, she would have waited in the kitchen, hands wringing, for him to lead her to bed.

  * * * *

  Melanie waited outside Colin’s house.

  He lived on a nice tree-lined street. The houses were big and each one was different, not like on Melanie’s little road. She imagined herself inside. She and Colin would make love in every room.

  After two hours, she had persuaded herself it was a good sign Colin and Kate were out. His wife needed help and they went to get it. If he had lied and the couple had made love the night before, wouldn’t they want to spend today in bed, re-discovering each other? She wouldn’t let him out of her grasp after so long without his touch.

  The regular twitch of curtains in a neighboring house didn’t seem like something to worry about. She discarded the movement as she started the car.

  Once at home, she paced the floors, wondering where Colin was. Her two hours of convincing had disappeared, as if it was rubbish thrown out of her moving car. The phone sat dead and useless by her bed. By eleven, she’d given up on him calling.

  Chapter 13

  Colin had been waiting in the car park for twenty minutes by the time Melanie arrived at eight the next morning. She looked gorgeous in a white jacket and a tight black dress clinging to her like a sex-starved man. “Wow,” he muttered and his penis twitched. He was here to tell her he couldn’t see her today but he realized cooling things down would be hard. He wanted to feel the fullness of her breasts now.

  She slammed her car door on his compliment. “Have a good night?”

  “No.”

  Melanie stepped closer to him. He couldn’t tell if she wanted to kill him or fuck him. She took hold of his tie and went on her tiptoes. “Good.” Her breasts rubbed against his chest. “Why don’t I help you forget all about it?”

  Her hand dropped. “What?”

  “Melanie, I have to go straight home.”

  She stepped backward. “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying she’s really bad. I can’t see you for a while. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if she did something stupid.”

  “How long are you going to give her?”

  “It’s not as easy as that.”

  “What is it then? Is it over between us?”

  His gaze drank her in and sensed the danger. “No, I just need a few weeks.”

  She smiled and bridged the distance between them, brushing his penis with her hand. “I could get out early.”

  “Melanie!”

  Her eyes burned. “If you expect me to wait silently in the background for a few weeks, don’t you think you should leave me with something to keep me going?”

  “When you put it like that...” He smiled and brought his hand to her breast. He brushed it, and her nipple rose beneath the fabric of her dress.

  “Good. I’ll call you—” Her gaze flicked over him and he felt it stain his crotch. “—on my way down from the office.”

  Colin watched her walk away and took a deep breath. That was easier than he’d expected. He planned to wait a few weeks, then a few more weeks, until Melanie lost patience with standing on the sidelines.

  A woman had joined his same gym a month ago. She had long legs and curly black hair and he’d noticed her checking him out a few times. He’d already imagined spreading her legs and finding that wonderful space between them. He thought she would be tight and firm.

  First, he was due a holiday from work and this would be a good time to take it. After tonight, he needed to stay away from the temptation of Melanie. He might even talk to his old psychiatrist about Kate. With the new tension in her, she probably needed some antidepressants. At least, that was what he intended to tell the doctor, and he was sure he could convince Kate.

  Time for a change all around.

  * * * *

  Nikki had asked Arlene to cover for Jade’s shift at the parlor. Arlene had refused until she was told the reason. She liked Jade well enoug
h to help her and forgo sleep. Mornings were not Arlene’s best part of the day, though she woke up extra early to take advantage of the man beside her.

  Zach got into town two days ago and he was the love of her life, though she’d never tell anyone. The fact she was twenty-five and he was forty with a sagging belly was not the reason for her secrecy. She just didn’t want to admit she loved one man.

  She met him on holiday in Thailand, and he treated her like a queen. The first day he approached her, she’d indulged him and let him rub sunscreen on her and found the hours passed quickly in his company. He made her laugh more than anyone she’d ever known, so when he asked her out to dinner, she accepted with a shrug.

  He had light hair and blue eyes. There was nothing handsome about his face. Rather, he was homely, and she was comfortable in his presence from the first. Even with his appreciative glances followed always by an apologetic smile, she forgot her body and relaxed in his company. She let herself be known for once.

  After dinner, she went up to his room out of habit and was shocked by his tenderness. He undressed her slowly and kissed every part of her body, from her shoulders to her toes, with such sweetness her lips trembled. She was delighted with the thickness of his cock and moved toward it, but he wouldn’t let her touch him. He pushed her back on the bed and kissed her, then moved down her neck to her breasts and nipples. All the while she felt the tease of his penis on her legs. Zach passed her crotch with merely a stroke before covering her legs, so by the time he moved back to her pussy, she was wet with anticipation of his touch. His mouth made her moan.

  After she’d quivered and spasmed with his tongue, he sat on the bed and positioned her on top of him. She moved over him slowly and, for the first time in her life, really felt like the penis inside her was the only one she needed. That night, she discovered what it was like to make love. In between sex, they lay on the bed, limbs entwined, drinking wine and eating chocolate, and she laughed until her stomach was sore.