Serenity (Inevitable #5)(33)

She shook her head. "I'm not here to lecture you, Matthew," she told him gently. "That's not my place, after all. But if you'd ever like advice about changing your diet and other habits I would be more than happy to help you with that. You know how to get in touch with me now."

"Speaking of which, I definitely want to set up another appointment. As soon as you can fit me in. Do you have your appointment book nearby?"

"The front desk handles all of that," she corrected. "On your way out you can have Willow check to see when my next open time slot is. I'm guessing not until sometime next week, unless there's been a cancellation. And I'm glad that you've decided to book another session. As I mentioned, it's probably going to take several appointments before I can really make some progress. You've got some real tough knots there."

He gave her a lopsided smile. "Think we'll have to call that Shibari master in to get them untied?"

Sasha laughed in delight, her green-gold eyes sparkling. "You remembered that from the wedding, did you? But, no, I think I can handle these particular knots on my own. Now, please take good care of yourself until our next appointment, hmm? Try to eat a real vegetable or two, drink some nice cold-pressed juices, and maybe cut back just a little on the whiskey. I understand that this is a very stressful time for you, but there are many other methods beside alcohol that can help relieve that."

Matthew bit his lip, forcing himself not to utter the very suggestive phrase "You mean like sex" in response. Instead, he merely nodded and held out a hand to her.

"Thanks again for fitting me in today," he told her earnestly, then had to fight off the really dirty image of how snugly his cock might fit inside that taut, slim-hipped body of hers. "I didn't realize how badly I needed that massage until I arrived."

She smiled as she gave his hand a brief, reassuring squeeze. "Most people don't. And even though you're a few months late, I'm very, very glad that you came in today, Matthew. You've taken the first step in helping yourself get through this difficult time in your life, and I hope that you'll continue to take better care of yourself. Starting immediately. FYI, one of those health food stores I recommended is just across the street."

The urge to pull her into his arms and give her a quick hug was strong, and he guessed that she wouldn't resist such a gesture. She was by nature a very nurturing person, caring and compassionate, but in the end he fought off the temptation - largely because his motivation in holding her in his arms had absolutely nothing to do with comfort and instead everything to do with sexual attraction.





Chapter Six




Early October, Marin County



       
         
       
        



"Want to talk about it, niná? And before you try and bullshit your Tia Linda that it's nothing, forget about it. I can always tell when something's going on in that pretty head of yours."

Sasha smiled at the woman who sat in the chair to her right. "Of course you can. And I wouldn't dream of denying it. You were the one who taught me how to pick up on that sort of thing, after all. As for what's on my mind this afternoon … would you believe me if I confessed that it was a man?"

Linda Vargas gave a hoot of laughter. "I'd believe you, niná, but only because I know you never lie about anything. But I will admit to being surprised. Who is this mystery man responsible for that very intense expression on your face?"

Sasha took a sip of the herbal tea that her aunt had brewed just a few minutes ago, then set the hand painted ceramic mug - one of Linda's creations - on a low table. "A friend of a friend. And also one of my massage clients."

Linda made a clucking sound of disapproval. "Sasha, you aren't sleeping with a client, are you? Not that I'm a prude by any stretch of the imagination, but that's a bit on the unethical side."

"I'm not sleeping with him, Tia," she replied. "You know me better than that. But that doesn't mean I haven't thought about it. He's - well, not exactly my type, but that doesn't seem to matter much where my hormones are concerned. The first time I met him I felt this sort of connection with him. Even though he happened to be a married man at the time. Still is, legally."

Linda's scowl was positively ferocious. "So not only is he a client, but a married one as well? Sasha, you are a beautiful, accomplished young woman. You could have most any man you wanted. So why are you craving the forbidden all of a sudden?"

Sasha smiled and patted her aunt on the forearm reassuringly. "You should know better than anyone, Tia, that you can't control the way you feel about someone. And even though nothing has happened between us, Matthew is technically single nowadays. He filed for divorce a few months ago and moved out on his own. And to hear him talk about it - which he seems to do every single time he comes in for a massage - he considers his marriage to be over."