I’ve always been better with actions so holding her in my arms feels perfect. I trace my hand lightly over her spine, reacquainting myself with her curves. She’s all wound up tight so I start to knead her back in small circles. She doesn’t resist and I’m thanking my lucky stars.
“Come back to my place for a drink,” I urge, letting her know with my hands I’m willing to give and not take. “I promise another blissful massage and that can be it.” Plus if she’s back at my place I’m sure I can get her to open up and tell me what’s up.
She tilts her head up so I’m left staring into those magnificent teal blue eyes of hers and all I see is the sadness almost weeping from her.
“Honey, what happened?”
“Nothing.” She chokes on what I know is a lie, but I’m battling with myself. How much do I want to push her? It`s not like I am going to be able to fix all her problems but it’s killing me to see her look so sad.
I hug her tight and whisper reassuring words into the top of her hair, catching her signature coconut scent.
“You can tell me. I don’t bite. Well, okay I do bite, but if I recall you liked it last night.”
She chuckles and a newfound warmth zings through my heart.
“I like your bite.”
I know then what she’s getting at. She’s willing me not to push, not to ask questions, to play it safe with our bodies loving each other but that’s it. She’s built a boundary, a concrete wall around what she’s willing to divulge and who the hell am I to ask her to let me in. I’m a nobody. A con. A man trying to find his way in the world when he’s been practically left alone all his life. An image of cleaning up my father after one of his drunken stupors hits me. Yeah, I`ve never been able to count on anyone. My grip tightens and instinctively I lean into her warmth.
This time when she leans her head back to look up at me I see the determination in her eyes—she’s locked down tight whatever happened. The vault is sealed.
“A drink sounds great, but I’m holding you to that killer massage.”
I grin. “You’re on. I picked up a red wine from the store for you and I’m praying you like red more than white.”
“You didn’t have to do that and I love any wine,” she says, as I tuck her against me.
“I know. But I’m watching my figure,” I say, patting my stomach.
She laughs for real and I glance over at her to catch her rolling her eyes. “Funny man.”
We ease our way from the room and lock up the building. It’s dark by the front door so I switch on the flashlight app on my cell. We walk arm in arm to my place which surprises me. I thought for sure she’d reclaim her hand for fear of getting caught with me. I find myself tampering down my enthusiasm for her hand in mine. If I don’t watch myself Alyssa will worm her way through my own barriers and I’ve got to keep my poker face in play. I’m making progress with the owners and plan to pop in tomorrow for a quick hi. I’m anxious for the geological work-up to come back and according to Carol that won’t happen until the end of the week. Still. That leaves me with four more days to fill and I can’t think of a better way to occupy my time than to get to know the woman walking with a smile on her lips through the door of my cabin.
I switch on the light and close the god awful blinds. I tell Alyssa about the tour the owners gave me as I pour us each a glass of wine.
“What did she say when you pointed out your cabin?”
“Actually she immediately apologized again and offered to move me. She pointed out that my cabin is the last to get renovated and the new summer staff have been really busy.”
“We have been. We have one staff meeting at the beginning of each week, but after that I hardly see them until Saturday night at the Cave.”
“The Cave?”
She takes a sip of her wine and I can see she’s debating what to tell me.
“It’s just a place the locals and staffers go to unwind.”
I slide into the space beside her on the sofa. “So I take it this is a party place.”
A full grin fills her face, making her look sweet and innocent. She might be sweet, but she’s far from innocent. “Will you take me?” I ask.
“What?”
“The next time you go to the Cave can I come with you?”
“Ah, I don’t think that’s a good idea and honestly it’s not my scene.”
Placing my drink on the side table I lean in to nuzzle her neck. “What is your scene?”
“Less people,” she says, moaning as I make my way from her neck to her sensitive ear lobe.
“Less people is good. I missed you today.” She doesn’t say anything and I’m kicking myself. “Once you finish with your drink it’s massage time.”