My words make her eyes pop open.
“Where are we going?”
I sit on the edge of the lounge. “Well, I wandered off to see if I could get a massage. Those are all booked up except for the couple’s package. I guess you have to spend the rest of the day at the spa with me.”
Her eyes widen. I stare at the little “O” her mouth makes, sweet torture.
“We can’t. I can’t. It’s too expensive!” She yelps in surprise when I pick her up, honeymoon style. “Axel…” she wines. “You don’t have to spend the money.”
“Already done. Text your friends and tell them they can use my cabana.”
“Your cabana?” she repeats.
“Yup. Mine until I check out. In fact, I have some meetings to do tomorrow, feel free to use it.”
“Axel, you don’t have to…”
“I want to. Plus, it’s already paid for whether you use it or not. Have fun.”
I think they would like that since tomorrow is our last full day here.”
I pause at the spa door. The news makes me sadder than I realized. I don’t know why I assumed she would be here as long as my stay. The thought of my next full week in Hawaii without Heaven seems empty. I’m floored at how preposterous that sounds.
I look her in the eyes. “Well, we need to make the most of the time you have left.”
* * *
I rubmy naked arm again. So smooth. Our spa day started with an exfoliating body scrub, then they mummified us in some kind of soothing cocoons. It was all good, but the best part is here—the couple’s bath. I’m relaxing in warm coconut milk waiting for my partner in crime. Heaven is trying to accept that this is a naked event and needs a moment.
I’d happily dropped my robe and climbed into the tub. Too bad she was not around to see me. I wonder if she’s pumping herself up to disrobe in front of me or will she make me close my eyes. I surf in my head to find my chill. The last thing I need to do is greet her with an erection.
I marvel in the beauty of the spa. The earth-toned stones bouncing off the natural beige and tan walls are a subtle backdrop to the various arrangements of plants and flowers. I’m smooth and coconutty and nowhere near focused on my own problems. Heaven is one hell of a distraction.
The subject of my thoughts peeks around the partition. The rest of her body comes into view. She’s still wearing her little robe. I smile as she tentatively moves closer. I’m occupied with each bounce of her naked boobs under the thin material. Every other step reveals her naked thigh. I feel an anticipatory zing hum through my blood. I’ve been seeing both of her thighs the entire day, yet knowing that she’s completely nude underneath her robe is exciting.
“Close your eyes,” she says.
Ah! We’re going the modest route. I thought I’d feel disappointed. I’m not. There’s something sexy about hearing the rustle of her robe hitting the floor. The coconut milk ripples when she enters. The warm liquid swishes around my torso as she sinks further into the tub. The gentle slide of her leg against mine has my eyes popping open just in time to see the last hint of her nipples disappear beneath the cloudy liquid. Heaven wraps her arm around her breast for good measure.
My eyes linger in the area a few seconds longer before meeting hers again. Hers is a mixture of amusement and irritation.
“You peeked!” she accuses.
I don’t have to respond because one of the spa employees floats in like every day is bliss. She blows her blonde bangs out her eyes.
“Okay, you two, You have thirty minutes to relax, bond, and connect as a couple while the coconut milk and essential oils take your skin on a relaxation journey.”
I waggle my brows at Heaven as the lady disappears again. “She wants us to uh…connect.”
Heaven’s peals of laughter echoes in the empty room. “That is beyond corny.”
I smile. Now that the tension is broken, I ask her a question that’s been nagging me all week. “The day we met, you were hanging out at the beach because your friends were snorkeling. Today we’re hanging out while they take scuba lessons. Do you not like water sports?”
Heaven sighs before she answers me. “Aside from cooking, drinking, and grooming; I don’t fool with water.”
I hold my chest like she’d said the most painful thing I could imagine. I love water and almost all water sports. I cannot see myself not wanting to go for a swim or out on my board ever again. I shudder at the possibility.
“Why?” Was the only thing I could say.
