It wasn’t until she was tucked safely into bed that I realized how much worse my back pain had become. My back throbbed in sharp, deep waves, and every movement was painful. I barely made it to the hallway before I had to lean against the wall, holding my side and breathing through clenched teeth.
If this continued, I couldn’t go in to work tomorrow. And I didn’t know how useful a mother I’d be if I was laid up in bed all day.
An hour later, I was sprawled on my couch with a heating pad wedged under my lower back and my laptop balanced on my stomach. I’d been trying to work in case I couldn’t do anything tomorrow, but I was failing because my darn back was hurting even more.
That’s when I heard a knock at our door. It was eight at night, and I wasn’t expecting anyone.
Groaning, I dragged myself upright with a hiss and shuffled to the door.
The woman standing there had sharp cheekbones, wore sleek black activewear, and had a collapsible massage table behind her.
“Lexi Haley?” she asked, looking bright-eyed and perky for this time of the night.
“Yes?”
“I’m Marla. Jonah Walkers sent me.”
I just stared at her. “He what?”
Marla smiled like this was completely normal. “Said you were being stubborn about your back and needed a professional massage therapist.”
“Wow,” I muttered as I stepped aside, wincing.
She noticed my pain immediately.
Pulling a bottle of oil from her bag, she continued, “Full ninety-minute session. He told me to make sure you were pain-free by the time I was done.”
My face burned.
He had noticed. And had sent a professional massage therapist who made house calls.
Marla wheeled her table inside and started setting up with practiced ease.
My phone buzzed with a new email. This one was from Jonah.
Subject: About your back
Lexi,
I won’t have you taking massages from anyone who isn’t a licensed therapist, so I found a licensed professional to take care of your back. Let her fix you. I know it hurts.
P.S.She’s discreet. So if you moan, she won’t tell anyone.
My entire body felt hot, and recalling that Jonah knew exactly how I moaned only made my head spin.
Marla glanced up. “You okay?”
“Yep,” I said, clearing my throat and trying to forget about the unspeakable things Jonah had done with me in bed. “Let’s get started.”
As Marla stepped out of the room, I carefully removed my blouse, slacks, and bra, leaving on my underwear. Moving slowly because of my back, I climbed onto the warm table and positioned myself face down, resting my head in the face cradle.
“Ready,” I called out.
Marla returned and draped a soft sheet over me, exposing only my back and shoulders.
As Marla’s hands got to work, my attention went to the radiating pain in my back, to the deep press of her hands and my thoughts drifted to Jonah.
He had remembered that I had a backache. Even after I’d stormed out of his office after turning him down. He could’ve gone out and found any other woman to take my place. I was pretty sure he had plenty of women on speed dial who would go down on their knees for him. But instead, he was taking care of me.
