“I’m sorry I cussed at you on Valentine’s night, at the Pony. It was self-absorbed, and I regret it. I’d take it back in a heartbeat if I could. That call came and I…”
“Freaked out a bit?” Her tone was soft. Understanding. “It’s in the past. But don’t do it again, okay?”
He nodded. His chest ached at hurting such a caring person, and for the risk he’d taken with her friendship that night. Lots of other people would have cut him out of their lives after that.
After a while she said, “How’s the pressure so far?”
“Great. You’re damned strong for a woman. Do your hands hurt after a full day? Sometimes Chloe’s did.”
Mentioning her name like that seemed normal. Conversational. And it didn’t seem to bother Lucy.
“Yes, sometimes they stiffen up overnight and they’re painful in the morning until I loosen them up.”
“I don’t like the thought of you hurting. Have you been overdoing it with me today?”
“Nope, not at all,” she said as she extended his arm outward and stretched it before working the muscle. “I’m fine. So, you can’t dance?”
It was his turn to blush now as his cheeks heated up. “It’s the truth. I was the shy kid who never went to dances, so I never learned how.”
“Can I teach you sometime? I think you’d be good at it.”
“I’d probably bruise your toes.”
There was a definite undercurrent growing in the room. Neither of them spoke of it but he could feel it and the light in Lucy’s eyes told him she could feel it, too. His cock was still throbbing and the desire was there but something had clicked into place over the course of this odd, embarrassing, yet very stimulating conversation. She’d coaxed that admission about him wanting her, and not wanting anyone else to touch her, right out of him with her touch. She made him bold.
“Lucy, would you consider going out on a date with me and Patrick this weekend? Maybe tomorrow night? I know it’s not much notice and I guess it depends on if we can find a sitter for Patrick Junior. I’m asking you out for both of us. To celebrate your new business and also to…” Suddenly he was at a loss to explain his sudden proposition.
“Celebrate what we have? Whatever it is?” she finally finished for him with a playful, sexy smile as she manipulated the muscles in his hand.
“Yeah.” Another thought occurred to him. “Unless of course you think you might be too tired after your first full day in business.”
“Trust me, after the crazy schedule I’ve been keeping to make everything happen, my day tomorrow will seem like a breeze. I’m used to working full days.”
“Well, all right then. I’ll be on my best behavior. No dickhead comments or anything.”
Her breathy laugh made his cock jump. “Are you even capable of that? What would you like me to wear?”
He didn’t care what she wore as long as she showed up but he could tell she wanted an honest answer. “Dress up for me. Heels. The whole nine yards. We’ll take you to O’Reilley’s Steakhouse.”
“I haven’t eaten there yet. I’d love it. Can you do something for me?”
“What?”
“Hush up and relax. You’ve gotten all tense and you’re undoing all the good I’ve done. Just lie back and let me help you feel better.”
I already do, sweetness. I already do. “Was that Abbott guy making an appointment with you, too?”
She stopped what she was doing and he opened his eyes to find her looming right over him. She didn’t look pissed off, only resigned.
“I have a few male clients, Beck. If that’s a problem, then either tell me now so I don’t waste my time with you, or get over it. I’m a professional. He’s a nice guy but nothing more than a potential client. Don’t mess up what we have going over something like that.” She continued the massage as she added, “And don’t worry about me. I know how to defend myself.”
That got Beck’s attention. “You’ve had to defend yourself against clients before?” That shit’s not gonna fly.
“No,” she replied pointedly. “Not in the possible physical assault sense. But I’ve had to draw the line with new clients who have funny ideas about what my job description entails. And a couple of them have gotten a little ‘handsy.’ They aren’t customers anymore.”
Good! Overpowering protectiveness surged inside of him. “They thought that you offer more than a cure for sore muscles and tension?”
“Yes. I guess they thought my duties might possibly extend to relieving their sexual tension, too. My first clue comes when they ask if I require that they be draped during their massage. Anyone who doesn’t want their nudity covered during a massage is sending a signal I can’t misunderstand. One man asked if I could massage to help with erectile dysfunction.”