Ivory trails her flour coated fingers up my forearms and back down to my hands. Her thighs squeeze once, twice, three times.
“Ivory,” I say, grasping the tops of her thighs where she sits on the island. “I said I would wait until you gave me a yes. I still mean that but you’re making it very hard.”
“And if I gave you a yes right now?” she asks, moving her nose to nuzzle against mine, up one side and down the other. “Would you follow through?” She repeats the motion down towards my jaw line. Her lips a whisper away from mine. I feel the faint graze of her bottom lip when she asks the question. The million-dollar question. I would never want to deny her. Call me a romantic but taking her on the counter covered in flour is not what I had in mind for our first time. I want to executeMission Super Secret Surprise Spa Dayfirst. I want it to be special.
“I won’t ever deny you.” That's all I can come up with, distracted by her movements.
It’s the truth though. I couldn’t deny her even if I wanted to. She has embedded herself deep into my marrow and I’m a willing slave to her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Preston
Waking up with Ivory wrapped in my arms is sweet torture. When we settled into bed last night, Ivory rolled towards me hesitantly until I opened my arm to her. She tucked herself into my side with her head on my chest. Her glossy brown hair fanned out over my arm. It didn’t take me long to fall asleep with her warm body next to mine. Our positions changed during the night. I woke up spooned behind Ivory. Even in sleep I can’t resist her. Can’t help touching her. When she arched her back pressing her firm ass back into my erection, I almost came in my boxers. I kissed her neck as we whispered good mornings.
Today is the day.
While Ivory is on another call with the union foundation, I’m executing phase one ofMission Super Secret Spa Day. Locking myself in the bedroom, I set up the makeshift spa.
I put a clean sheet on the bed. The massage oils sit on my nightstand for quick access during the massage. The eye mask is on the pillow. Candles are strategically placed around the room. The bath salts and the soap are beside the clawfoot bathtub. It’s not very large but it’s enough for Ivory to get a good soak in. More candles, the mud masks, and sugar scrubs are on the vanity.
Surveying my handiwork in both rooms, it seems like everything is ready to go. I just have to light the candles and run the bath water before she comes in. Unsure on when Ivory will be done working, I leave things the way they are and head back to the kitchen.
“How are your calls going?” Ivory hangs up her call when I reach the kitchen.
“Good. Miller has been helping a lot with the local outreach so he caught me up on everything that he’s been doing.”
“That’s great. What’s new?” Ivory is very invested in the progress we are making, and I couldn’t have done it without her. Literally,wouldn’thave done it if not for witnessing her drive to help people and make a difference.
“We’ve been able to help the local hospital with equipment a lot and then also offer support to local communities. The focus is on families and individuals that are out of work because they’re not essential workers.”
“That’s really good news, Preston. I’m proud of you.”
“What about you? Any update on the applicants for the foundation?”
“Yes! Oh my God, it’s been so successful.” Ivory lights up as she talks. “We have so many applications that we have to recruit more people to help review them. We’re going to have to do another fundraising push. Hopefully it won’t be an issue. There is one rather important large donor that reached out and expressed interest. The girls are helping reach out to him since I’m not there.”
“Hell yeah. Great job!” Ivory beams up at me from her seat on the opposite side of the island. “Are you all done for the day now?”
“Almost. I don’t have any more calls, but I need to send a few emails,” she says, gently massaging the muscle where her shoulder meets her neck. Oh yeah, this massage is going to be perfect. “The emails shouldn’t take long. Why? Do you want to do something?”
“I have another call to make real quick. But, I did have an idea.”
“What kind of idea?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.” Shooting a wink in her direction, I make my way back to the bedroom.
“I guess I’ll be right here when you’re done then,” she calls after me, and I give her a smile over my shoulder.
Dumping the lavender bath salts in the bottom of the clawfoot tub while the water is warming up, I let the tub fill up and light the candles in both rooms. The water plus the lavender salts should ease some of the tension in her muscles. I read that aromatherapy candles also aid in stress relief and calming the body. When it becomes clear that I’m not in fact on a call, I hear Ivory’s voice call, “Preston?” from the kitchen.
“Yeah?” I call back, making sure everything is in place. Muttering to myself, I check off all the items. Candles? Check. Bed? Clean and clear. Towels? Check. Salts? In the tub. Scrubs? On the vanity. Soap? Beside the tub. Masks? Also on the vanity. What am I missing?
Ivory knocks on the door, calling my name again. Shit, music. Quickly fumbling with my phone to turn on some light instrumental tunes before Ivory can walk in here and ruin the surprise, I leave it on the nightstand and dart towards the door.
“What are you doing in there?” Ivory tries to look over my shoulder, but I block her entry into the bedroom door with my body.
“It’s…uh—” I start. “I, um…” Suddenly nervous and a little self-conscious by the grand gesture, I grasp the back of my neck with my hand.Jesus Christ, Preston, spit it out man. I clear my throat and start again. “I have a surprise for you.”
