“No need. We do not think clearly when in pain.”
“Still, I’m sorry.”
“And still unnecessary, but your apology is accepted,” he said, his hands gently kneading her calf and foot then sliding up to her knee.
Maria jumped, the muscles even more tense than she’d realized. Zepharos nodded.
“As I suspected. I may have pushed you too hard.”
“I’ll be okay.”
“Yes, you will. But this is partly my fault. Here, lay back. I will work on your muscles while you rest.”
“You’ll what now?”
“Do not be alarmed. I actually trained as a masseuse for a while,” he said, his hands moving over her body with smooth strokes, somehow knowing exactly where her aches and pains were hiding.
Maria bit back a moan, the snarky comeback on the tip of her tongue melting away as he worked his magic.
Damn, heisgood,she marveled, feeling like she was floating in a pool as his hands slid over her body, manipulating her muscles in the loveliest way. She was going with the sensations, a warm glow slowly building in her belly as the feel of a man’s strong hands gripping and kneading her body triggered a knee-jerk reaction deep inside her.
His hands slid up her legs, forcing the blood to move and the lactic acid to break up and dissipate as he stroked her with those amazing hands. Up he went, fingers pressing her hips, trigger points where tension she didn’t even know she’d been holding it suddenly released with an audible pop, the rush of sensation to her legs overwhelming in its intensity.
“It’s just the nerves releasing,” he said, noting her reaction. “There was too much compression from tightness. But if you want me to stop, I will stop.”
“No, keep going.”
He did just that, his hands sliding up her sides, fingers under her body, pressing her lats while his palms and thumbs stretched her abdomen and rib cage with the most incredible technique she’d ever felt. It was as if all her organs were suddenly flush with renewed blood flow, her tension washing away.
She realized a moment later that he had paused. Maria opened her eyes and gazed at him. He was staring at her chest. At the bare flesh he’d uncovered. She felt her nipples harden immediately as her cheeks flushed.
His own cheeks darkened. “Sorry. It’s just—never mind.”
“What is it?”
“Nothing,” he replied, pulling her top back down, covering her straining breasts. “Roll over.”
She liked the sound of that, the unexpected arousal still rumbling in her belly.
What the hell’s wrong with me? Not appropriate, Maria!she chided herself.
“Sure. Okay,” she said, moving under his guidance.
“Yes, like that. I’ll work on your back.”
And that he did, but his hands did nothing more. He was the picture of respectful behavior, save that one momentary slip. The intensity of his stare had jarred her, but for whatever reason Maria still felt utterly unthreatened.
He worked her over for nearly an hour until her body felt like a relaxed blob of Jell-O. He was radiating heat, the effort of his massage getting his blood pumping while putting her at ease. And now with the sun gone, a slight chill was in the air.
“You shiver,” he noted. “I apologize that I was unable to procure proper covers. That would have raised suspicions. But I will share my warmth, if you wish.”
“Okay.”
Zepharos lay down behind her, the big spoon to her little one, wrapping her up in his arms, his body heating her better than any electric blanket ever could. Maria shifted position, nestling back into him a little more. The feeling of his cock moving from the contact was unmistakable, but unlike so many men, his hands did not start roaming, nor did he press his hips forward to grind into her. In fact, he actually pulledbackslightly.
Not your average guy, she mused as she began to drift off to sleep.Not by a long shot.
CHAPTER FIVE
