Ben's hands stilled for a moment on her shoulders, then resumed their gentle work. “I'm sorry you had to go through that.”
Charlie wanted to say something else, wanted to tell him how much it meant that he understood, that he didn't try to fix it or make it better. But his hands were working magic on her upper back now, and her eyelids were getting heavy.
“That feels amazing,” she murmured.
“Good.” There was warmth in his voice. “Just relax.”
His thumbs worked along either side of her spine, firm but careful. Charlie felt her breathing slow, felt the last of the day's tension draining away. The mattress was soft beneath her, Ben's hands warm and steady on her back.
“You're really good at this,” she said, her words slurring slightly.
“Blacksmithing teaches you about muscle tension. And how to work it out.” His voice seemed to come from farther away. “Just breathe, Charlie. Let it go.”
She tried to stay awake, tried to enjoy every second of his hands on her skin, but her body had other ideas. The combination of the long day, the emotional evening, and Ben's skilled touch was too much.
“Don't want to fall asleep,” she protested weakly.
“It's okay.” Ben's voice was gentle. “I've got you.”
The last thing Charlie registered was Ben pulling her shirt back down, his hand lingering for just a moment at the small of her back.
Then nothing.
Charlie's phonealarm blared into the quiet room. She jolted awake, disoriented, still fully dressed on top of the covers except?—
Her boots were off. Lined up neatly beside the bed.
Memory flooded back. The restaurant. The elevator. Ben untying her boots, his hands on her back, his voice telling her to breathe.
Oh God. She'd fallen asleep while he was giving her a massage.
Charlie grabbed her phone to silence the alarm and saw a folded piece of hotel stationery propped against the lamp on the bedside table. Her name was written on the outside in neat, careful handwriting.
She unfolded it with trembling fingers.
Charlie,
You fell asleep around 10:30. I didn't want to wake you—you needed the rest. I let Shane know you were back safe.
Thank you for tonight. For trusting me with your story. For letting me get to know the real you.
I meant what I said about Loveland Pass. Whenever you want to go back and draw, just say the word.
Sleep well. You deserve it.
—Ben
P.S. I left your boots where you could reach them. Didn't want you to have to hunt for them in the morning.
Charlie read the note three times, her chest going tight.
He'd stayed until she fell asleep. Made sure she was comfortable. Told Shane she was safe.
The thoughtfulness of it all—the care—made her throat ache.
She pressed the note to her chest and closed her eyes.
Hide what you love.
