He snorted. “Oddly specific.”
“You’re an animal guy. I’d figured you’d know exactly what I meant.”
Cute.“You’re right, so I do get it.”
“Okay. Time for Dr. Erykah to fix you up.” She rubbed her hands together with a mischievous grin plastered on her beautiful face.
Why does she have to be so breathtaking even when teasing me?“What are you going to do?” he asked suspiciously. He had to act normal, whatever she had in store. He couldn’t let on to his growing feelings.
She rolled her eyes in the same fashion Cheye often did. “I’m going to get rid of your headache.” She came to stand behind his chair. “Do you trust me?”
“Of course.” Without a doubt. Erykah wouldn’t hurt him ...intentionally. It wasn’t in her nature.
“Good. Lean back.”
Chris did as he was told, startled when his head met the softness of her puffer jacket. He tensed, waiting for instructions.
“Relax,” she murmured.
How could he when this was the first time they’d been so close, besides the occasional comfort hug here or there?
Her warm hands glided down his face, and his eyes closed instinctively. The pads of her fingertips trailed up the sides of his face and settled at the temples. She began making circular motions with the softest touch. Relief crept into his temples, into his whole body. His shoulders dropped from his ears.
AsErykah’s fingers rotated in circles, she slowly increased the pressure. A low moan left his lips before he could contain it. Her hands paused.
“Did that hurt?”
“Complete opposite.” How was his headache already easing away?
She continued the massage.
Chris wasn’t sure how long she worked on his temples, but by the time she stopped and stepped back, his head felt like jelly—in the best of ways.
“Thank you so much.” Chris stretched his neck left, then right, a satisfying crack sounding at each point.
“That’s gross.” Erykah faked a shudder as she sat back in her chair.
“Are you telling me the orthopedic surgeon can’t handle a little neck cracking?” He smirked.
“I can’t stand to hear knuckles cracking either.” She shuddered again. “The sound incites the same reaction as nails on chalkboard.”
“Yet I’m pretty sure you drilled a hole through Tuck’s bone.”
“Couldn’t be helped.” She smiled prettily.
Chris laughed, thankful when the action didn’t set his head off again. “What are the girls up to?”
“Bed. The house has complete silence if you want to sit somewhere warm.” She tugged her jacket closer around her.
Here he was enjoying the balmy temps with just a sweater. Granted, his headache had made him feel overly warm.
“Is it too cold out here for you?”
“Nah.” She shook her head as if she hadn’t just exhibited a sign of being cold. “It’s only forty degrees. We’ll talk about cold when it drops into the twenties with that howling wind. Then I want to take a page out of Baloo’s book and hibernate.”
“Baloo?” He blinked, trying to figure out why that name sounded familiar.
“Jungle Book?”
