We settled on the couch to watch an episode of some series Drew was into. I barely paid attention to it because my focus was entirely on Drew sitting so close I could feel the warmth radiating from his body.
“These guys are so funny. I can’t wait for the next season.” Drew chuckled, stretching his arms overhead. His T-shirt rode up, revealing a sliver of tanned skin. I forced my gaze away, swallowing hard. He turned to me with a lazy smile. “Thanks for staying, West. It’s been a while since we’ve done this.”
I nodded, ignoring the pang in my chest. “Yeah, it’s been nice.”
As I shifted to reach for the remote, a sharp pain shot through my lower back, tearing a groan from me.
“You okay?”
“Fine,” I lied, forcing a smile. But Drew knew me too well.
“Bullshit,” he said, his tone gentle but firm. “What’s going on?”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “It’s nothing, really. A little back strain from some stuff I’ve been working on at the Foundation. My back’s reminding me I’m not twenty anymore.”
Drew’s frown deepened. “West, you can’t keep pushing yourself like this. Your work can be physically demanding, and now you’re doing more than paperwork at the Foundation?”
I wanted to tell him I was fine, that he didn’t need to worry. But looking into those concerned blue eyes, I felt my resolve crumbling. “I know,” I admitted quietly. “It’s just… There’s always more to do, you know?”
Drew’s eyes softened, and he shifted on the couch, turning to face me fully. “I know, but you’re no good to anyone if you burn yourself out. Here, let me help.”
Before I could protest, Drew’s hands were on my shoulders, gently urging me to turn around. “Drew, you don’t have to?—”
“Shut up and let me take care of you for once,” he said, his voice a mix of exasperation and fondness.
I hesitated for a moment, then gave in, turning so my back was to him. Drew’s hands settled on my shoulders, and I had to bite back a groan at how good it felt.
“Jesus, West, you’re like one big knot,” Drew muttered, his thumbs digging into a particularly tense spot.
I let out a low moan. “Fuck, that feels good.”
Drew’s breath hitched slightly, but his hands didn’t falter. “Yeah? Good. Just relax, okay?”
I tried to do as he said, letting my eyes close as Drew’s strong hands worked their magic on my aching muscles. Each press of his fingers sent sparks of pleasure-pain through me, and I found myself melting under his touch.
“Lower,” I murmured. “To the left a bit.”
Drew complied, his hands sliding down my back. When he hit a particularly sensitive spot, I arched into his touch with a groan that was embarrassingly close to pornographic.
“There?” Drew asked, his voice sounding oddly strained.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Drew’s hands were doing incredible things to my body, and I was acutely aware of how easy it would be to lean back into him, to turn my head and capture his lips with mine…
As Drew’s hands continued their ministrations, kneading and stroking in all the right places, my body responded. Heat pooled in my groin, and I shifted uncomfortably, praying Drew wouldn’t ask me to turn around. There was no way I’d be able to hide my erection in these jeans.
“You okay?” Drew asked, his breath warm against my ear.
I swallowed hard, nodding. “Yeah, just… It feels really good.”
Drew’s hands stilled for a moment, and I held my breath, wondering if I’d said too much. But then he resumed his massage, his touch somehow even more intimate than before.
“Good,” he murmured so softly I almost didn’t hear it. “I want you to feel good, West.”
Drew’s hands suddenly stilled on my shoulders, and I felt him pull back. The loss of contact was like a bucket of cold water, snapping me out of my heated daze.
“I, uh…I should probably call it a night,” Drew said, his voice uncharacteristically hesitant. “Just remembered we’re taking inventory at the restaurant tomorrow, so I have to go in early.”
I turned to face him, holding a pillow over my lap and trying to ignore the way my body ached for his touch. “Right, of course. Thanks for…you know. The massage.”
