“Not even a look?” she breathes.
“Nope.”
“A blink?”
“Like a goddamned statue. I swear, I was more turned on by me than he was,” I growl. “But I couldn’t help it. I got a look at my tan in the mirror, and it looks great. I didn’t even know I could go this shade of golden—”
“Han, focus! This is a major setback. You can’t keep him off balance if he isn’t paying attention.”
Yeah, tell me about it.
“Look, I’m just going to spend the last seven days reading or something, and then I’ll revisit and revise, okay? I’m tired of throwing myself at him. It’s getting goddamned embarrassing. I got more heat from the swimming instructor this morning, and she’s a woman!”
That had been really awkward, because despite loving my husband, that woman is really hot. Like, Cindy Crawford hot, and I’m only human. I have eyes. And I’m feeling a little vulnerable, so turning her down had gone against the newly awakened needy side of me.
“You got hit on by a woman! Really?” she squeals, and I practically see her salivate. “What was that like?”
“I dunno, like seeing the brand of lollipops you like but being offered strawberry, which is still good, but nowhere near as yummy as cherry.”
God, what am I saying? Am I really describing girl-on-girl flirting by using lollipop references? I’m pathetic.
Lena giggles, and I realize she’s trying to distract me long enough to pull me from the doldrums. Clever girl. I start giggling too, and soon I feel better enough to consider my options, misery-free.
“Thanks for that. I was getting ready to fling myself into the ocean, and at the speed this tub is going I’d be chum. So, what should I do?”
“Hmm, ever had a massage?” she asks, throwing me for a sec.
“Huh? Yeah, once. This tiny Korean woman went Bruce Lee on my ass. I couldn’t sit without crying for three days. What do they eat? Spinach?”
She laughs a little before hmm-ing some more.
“The cruise offers in-room massage to the guests, right?”
“I think so.”
“Then here’s what you do.”
***
I know what heaven feels like. It’s strong, capable hands sliding over your skin in an oily glide that pulls the tension out of your muscles a finger stroke at a time.
After Lena’s call I’d gone back inside and ordered a massage, fully intending to strip down in the presence of my husband and make him watch while a buff, extremely sexy but gay man runs his hands all over me.
When I’d come back out of the bedroom, he’d been gone, along with his laptop and my last drop of ego. I’d intended to cancel and sit on the deck, fuming for a couple of hours, when there’d been a knock and Fabio’s twin brother Gorgeous had walked in, crowing about how toned and fabulous I am.
So sue me, I need a little boost right now, and if it takes a gay hunk running his hands all over me to get me there, I am so there.
“You have amazing skin, Han. So smooth and silky,” he croons, hitting a particularly tender spot on my upper thigh.
“God, do that again and I’ll give you anything you want, hot stuff,” I groan, pushing into his strong hands.
Bliss, bliss, bli—
“Get your goddamned hands off my wife!”
I rear up to see Greg stalking our way, his fists clenched at his sides, with a look so murderous I flinch before indulging in a silent fist pump. It’s not until I realize his intent that I swing up, truly afraid for poor Gorgeous.
“Greg, stop!” I yell as he grabs the frightened behemoth by the collar and tenses. “He’s just the masseuse! And he’s gay!”
I’m up and off the table by this time and hanging onto his right arm for dear life when he freezes and glances down, his eyes going molten.
“Cover yourself.”
I look down and gasp, diving for the towel on the table, my cheeks heating so quickly my hair fizzles.
“Sir, I—”
“Get your shit and get out.”
I watch as poor Gorgeous scrambles for his kit, not even folding the table down properly before running from the suite so fast I see streaks of smoke funnel out behind him.
That leaves me alone with Greg, and I cringe before peeking up at him fearfully. His eyes…I have to look away they hold so much rage, and at the moment it’s all directed squarely at moi.
I want to run and hide and hope he calms down enough tha—
Wait a minute! It worked!
“Do you want to tell me why another man had his hands all over my property?” he asks so quietly I quail at the violence inherent in his voice.
I’m happy I’ve managed to shake him a little, but I’d never expected this level of anger, and now that I’m faced with it I’m at a loss as to how to respond.