Eloise appeared in the doorway and I held up a finger to wait just a second. She nodded and headed to the door to wait. I turned my attention back to Stefan and felt my breath hitch as I saw how intently he watched every single move I made.
"I'll be right back."
"I'll be here." How words as simple as that could make my heart crumble, was absolutely baffling.
After letting Eloise out, locking the door behind her, I made my way back to Stefan. I was nervous to be alone with him but relieved there were no prying ears listening to every breath we made.
"So, what are you looking to have done tonight?" My voice shook as I tried my best to remain professional.
"Just cleaned up. Little off the top and a little more off the sides. Whatever you think would look nice. I trust you."
I cleared my throat to dislodge the nerves caught inside, sucked up my strength and began.
"Go ahead and lean your head back into the sink." My voice stammered, and I hated it. This was what I devoted my life to doing. Yet, as soon as Stefan walked in, I began acting as if my instructor was there critiquing every move I made.
"Is the temperature okay?" I let the warmer than usual water graze against his head. Most times I made the water lukewarm, and adjusted from there, but I knew how Stefan had always preferred his showers to be almost scalding hot. Just as I always had. The sound of a pleasing groan that emerged from his chest told me I was right in my assumptions. But the little sounds of appreciation he made were distracting as hell. I needed to seriously focus my attention on anything else, or I would undoubtedly make a bigger fool of myself.
Stefan's blue eyes flickered open and met mine. "It's perfect," he whispered out. I nodded, bit down onto the inside of my cheek, and tried ignoring the way he watched me.
My hands guiding the water around his scalp, without letting any drip onto his face or clothing. I lathered my hands up with our male two-in-one specialty product. Before scrubbing it into his hair, I blew out a breath my lungs were holding in.
Anyone who received a wash during their appointment always received a soothing head massage. There were people that came in just for the shampoo and a blowout. It was exactly the relaxing break they needed from their busy week. I found myself hesitating because in all honesty, it was very difficult being this close to him, and at this point I had hardly touched him. Without stalling anymore I began moving my fingers, and the product around every inch of his head.
Stefan tried to keep his eyes locked onto my face but a few moments in and the sensation overtook him. His eyes rolled back and another even deeper purr from his chest sounded. The pure animalistic, rather erotic noise was almost impossible to ignore. As my hands rubbed and massaged I found myself, for the first time, being taken over by the feeling. Having his hair wrapped around my fingers felt wonderful. That, combined with the soft hums from Stefan, made this lather last five minutes longer than every other time. Finally pulling my hands from his scalp I turned on the water and rinsed until all the product was gone.
Stefan's eyes closed as the water washed over his hair. The way he laid there peacefully reminded me of the times I used to watch him sleeping. The look of serene beauty was almost impossible to tear my eyes away from, then and apparently, even now. The hose no longer touched his head and slowly his eyes fluttered open to meet my staring gaze.
Quickly my eyes darted away from him, as my hands reached for a soft towel.
"Can you please sit up just a bit?" My voice shook, as I tried to hold in my embarrassment from being caught.
Stefan did as I asked, and somehow refrained from even smirking about my obvious nerves. This was so unlike him, making me realize just how badly he was holding up. I rubbed the towel over his head, drying the length and swiping up the drippings from his neck.
"We can go back to my chair now."
"Alright," we stood and as I turned back to throw the towel in the hamper, Stefan looked my way. "That felt incredible, by the way."
I smiled. "We like to make everyone's experience at Bella Donna a pleasant one."
"Well, so far you have done just that."
The feeling of my cheeks growing hot under his praise made me look away once more. Hearing anyone say they were happy with our salon, our services, or anything else of the sort reaffirmed what we did every day. It was a compliment of the highest order in our minds, but none made me feel the way Stefan's approval had. We made our way back to my station, he took a seat in the chair as I readied my shears and razor.
"Before I start, is there anything you don't want me to do to your hair?"
Stefan shook his head, with his eyes staring at me through the mirror. "I trust you."