“Right, I meant that I would be happy to be your first masseur.”
Chapter Five
Everest
We took our time exploring the grounds, stared at clouds, and said hi to all of the friendly staff and guests we passed. Noting that Penny’s demeanor tightened every time someone approached, I kept greetings short.
I could almost feel her relax with every step.
“It’s so peaceful and happy here. It’s hard to believe I almost didn’t come after I ran into bad weather.”
“It’s a glorious daybecauseyou’re here.” I looked down at her and winked. “Was that too cheesy?”
“It was…” She hesitated, causing me to stop walking, catch her hand, and give her my full attention. “You can be honest with me. I’m not the alpha male type with an ego the width of my shoulders. What were you going to say? It was… cheesy? Come on give it to me.”
Honestly, I wanted her to tell me what she thought. I wanted to learn everything about her. And if it got uncomfortable, I had a joke loaded.
“It was cheesy… but better than a punch in the face.”
“You didn’t!” I shook my head and before I could stop myself, gently booped the end of her nose.
Her shoulders hunched and the smile I’d already come to love warmed her face. The day couldn’t be more perfect.
She said, “I’m sorry. I promise, I’ll stop.”
“Don’t stop being you.” Don’t stop reminding me of the first time I touched you. Don’t stop reminding me of how adorably resilient you are. I chose to keep those last two to myself. “I just couldn’t believe that you stole my thunder.”
Her brows furrowed.
“You were supposed to say, ‘It was cheesy,’ then I was going to do my best LMFAO Sexy and I Know It impression, ‘I’m cheesy and I know it’.”
A blush overtook her cheeks but a split second later she turned at the sound of a cow, letting the animal hold her gaze. “I like how you had that all mapped out.”
“I was hopeful.” I also had a lot more mapped out than the conversation. Our entire lives were mapped out in my mind. I’d already imagined her pregnant with our baby—one of many.
But going back to the original comment, the day truly was glorious because of her.
Motioning toward the petting zoo that she had given all of her attention, I said, “Why don’t we get a closer look.”
“Could we take the long route?” she asked hesitantly.
It took me a second longer than I wanted for it to register that there were too many people at the petting zoo, but I’d accept any reason to give us more time together.
Taking the long way around, we walked in silence until an errant step on her part, and a brush of our fingers, caused her to squeak.
She jerked away and wrung her hands. “Sorry, I stumbled.”
“I’m here to catch you.” I ran my hand up her arm.
Her nervous smile matched my internal agony.
Touching someone when they’re getting a professional massage was so different than otherwise, normally. How the hellwas I going to keep my cock under control while rubbing her body? My game plan grew weaker by the moment.
I planned on thinking of the names of each muscle as my hands passed over them, and identifying tendon insertion points, and relaying any potential causes of normal trigger points, should she have any.
So many people stored tension in the same places. I didn’t want her to ever have another trigger point again. I wanted to single handedly make her life a dream come true.
She would be getting her first massage soon, but I would be dealing with my first conflicted massage. I opted to keep that to myself as well.
