It’s then I notice the stress lines around his mouth.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“It’s nothing, just my ankle. Sitting for any length of time causes it to ache.”
“Still?”
“It only aches when I’ve been sitting for hours. Blood flow or something.”
I push back my chair and tap my knee.
“Put it up here,” I say, scowling when he stares at me blankly.
“Give me your damn leg. You can’t go into the office hobbling or drive, for that matter.”
I watch as he lifts his leg, placing it on my knee.
“Damn, you’ve got a heavy ass leg,” I grunt letting his foot rest on the chair between my legs.
My cheeks warm, but I rub my forehead with the back of my hand.
I roll up the bottom of his jeans and pull down his sock. The surgery scar has faded to a fine white line over the years. Who would have thought coming off your bike could destroy a career?
I move my hands to the aching muscles and knead where I feel the tightness.
Elijah flinches under my fingers.
“Sorry,” I say as I knead a particularly tight spot.
I look up to find Elijah watching me, his eyes shadowed.
“You’re good at this,” he says, almost with a groan.
I continue my ministrations, ignoring the feel of his skin under my hands and the throbbing ache between my thighs.
This is me helping a friend in pain.
I focus on the task at hand, tuning out the distractions his close proximity brings.
When my body can’t take anymore, I pull up his sock and unroll his jeans. Patting the top of the material.
“How’s that?” I say, hoping I don’t sound as breathless as I feel.
I keep my eyes averted from Elijah and spin back towards the desk when he removes his foot.
“Amazing, thank you. You have magic hands,” he says, his voice a little strained.
I look at the clock on the screen and breathe a sigh of relief. Our time is up. It’s close to nine AM.
“Hopefully, you’ll be able to walk on it now,” I say. “You need to get going, or someone might wonder where you are.”
“It’s okay. I messaged Jules. If anyone asks, I have a doctor’s appointment and then I’m popping in to see Gabriel on my way to work. Since it’s something I do regularly.”
“That’s good,” I say, not wanting to turn towards him.
“Pen.” He pauses. “Is everything all right?”
I turn and flash him my brightest smile. “Everything’s fine. I’m crashing. It’s been a long night. The adrenalin is wearing off.”
