Sasha laughed softly. "Tessa is very much a romantic. And I think since she's living her very own fairytale these days with Ian, she wishes everyone could be as happy as the two of them are. But I'm glad that I've been able to help you, Matthew. Because like I told you at the wedding back in June, you're much too kind of a man to ever be unhappy."
"Speaking of making me happy." He brought one of her hands to his lips, pressing a kiss to the palm. "It would make me very, very happy if you'd agree to spend the night. I'll drive you home in the morning, whatever time you might need to be somewhere."
She hesitated. "I don't teach class until late afternoon, but I do have an early massage appointment scheduled at the studio. But I don't know, Matthew. Sleepovers aren't usually my thing."
"Please?" He pretended to beg, giving her his best puppy dog eyes, until she couldn't help herself from laughing.
"It depends," she teased. "I can't start the day without a cup of herbal tea, so if you don't have any on hand, the deal is off."
Matthew grinned enthusiastically. "I've got about a dozen different varieties, actually. They're, uh, for you. Not that I expected this to happen," he explained anxiously. "I just thought you might have wanted a cup after the massage."
"That was really sweet of you," she assured him, cupping his cheek in her hand. "And speaking of the massage, we need to talk about that for a minute. Given what just happened here, there's no possible way we can continue to have both a professional and a personal relationship. That is, assuming you want to continue to have a personal relationship with me."
"God, yes!" he was quick to exclaim. "I mean, you aren't seeing anyone else at the moment, are you?"
"No." She hesitated a moment before explaining, "I don't really do relationships per se, I'm not sure I really know how to. But I do like you, Matthew. A lot. And I like the idea of spending time with you, getting to know you better. I have no idea how long it will last, or where it's going to go, but I'm open to figuring that out. However," she added a bit sternly, "I can't continue to have you as a client and a lover at the same time. So this is how it's going to go. One, I either refer you to another massage therapist - and I know several who'd do a great job for you. Or, two, I can continue to do your massages but only here in your home. And without any sort of payment. There's no possible way I can ever take money from you again. Including tonight's appointment."
Matthew frowned. "But that hardly seems fair. I mean, you'd be out the income for that ninety minutes you'd be spending on me each time."
She shrugged. "I can afford it. Otherwise, if it bothers you that much, you can use another masseuse."
"No." He shook his head. "You're by far the best masseuse I've ever had. I don't want anyone else. So, fine. We'll do it your way." He waggled his eyebrows at her lasciviously. "I'll just have to think of some inventive ways of paying you back. Now, what's your decision about spending the night? Yes or no?"
Sasha glanced at the huge, king-sized bed and the ultra-lux Egyptian cotton sheets longingly. Her own, much smaller bed back in her room was nowhere near as comfortable, and much lonelier to boot. But it had been a long time since she'd spent the entire night with a man, and her long-honed tendencies to shy away from commitment were tough to break.
"I don't know, Matthew," she fretted. "It might be a little too soon for that. Everything is happening so fast."
But he was evidently too stubborn to give up without a fight. He took her by the hand and urged her along with him until they were standing in the doorway of his en-suite bathroom.
"Remember you told me that I should buy those bath salts? The ones you swore would relieve my stress?" he inquired.
Sasha nodded. "The ones with lavender and clary sage? What about them?"
He pressed a switch, turning on the muted overhead lighting. "What say we try them out?"
She gasped audibly at her first sight of the enormous whirlpool bathtub, more than large enough for two people, and so tempting that she heaved a little sigh of surrender, giving him a mock glare.
"You can play dirty at times, can't you?" she scolded. "You knew somehow that I wouldn't be able to resist the thought of soaking in this tub. Fine. You win. I'll stay the night. Though I might fall asleep in that tub."
Matthew came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist as he nuzzled the side of her neck. "You can sleep wherever you like," he murmured seductively. "Just as long as it's next to me."
Chapter Eight