“You shouldn’t. We’re talking about a serious issue that has to be addressed and taken care of, no holds barred,” he said.
“Until they walk out.”
“There is that.” She chewed on her lower lip, then clamped it between her teeth. Not having a plan for the evening was really doing a number on her. “If you bite your lip any harder, you’ll hurt yourself,” he warned. She needed to loosen up or tonight would be off to a bad start. But how to calm her down?
As he signaled to turn into the restaurant parking lot, he figured out exactly what she needed.
By the timeBlake turned into The Sea Captain’s parking lot, Vi was so nervous she felt sick.
“Hey,” he said and reached for her icy hand. His fingers were warm and the reassuring squeeze comforting. “You’re freezing cold. Why didn’t you turn up the heat? Never mind. Listen, no matter what happens tonight, no one will die from it.”
The instant he released her, she missed his grasp. “No, but the consequences could be?—”
“Survivable,” he cut in. “Ease up on yourself, okay? I can help with that.”
Desperate to relax, she glanced at him. The steady strength she saw on his face soothed her nerves a fraction. “How?”
“Would you mind if I massaged your neck and shoulders?”
Rose swore by massages, but Vi had never had one. She wasn’t sure what to make of the offer. “I hardly know you.”
“Don’t tell me you’re afraid of me. I’m not a big, bad wolf, I swear.”
“I know that. You can’t exactly give me a massage in a public parking lot or inside the building. It won’t be dark for hours yet, and people would see us.”
He drove around to the far side of the restaurant where there were no other vehicles. “Now, we’ll be out of sight.”
Still undecided, she nibbled her lip. “Is it okay to park here?”
“I don’t see any no parking signs.” He drove past any windows and pulled to a stop.
Blake seemed like a decent guy, but for all she knew, he was a person who changed quickly and could be trouble.
“Hey, you need help and you need it now. Let me take your mind off your troubles. If what I’m doing hurts or scares you, say so and I’ll stop. You have my word on that. No matter what, I’ll finish by five.”
He looked straight into her eyes with such earnestness, she gave in. “All right.”
“Great. I can’t do this in the front because of the center console. We should move to the back.”
“This sounds like the old teenage excuse to make out.”
“Does it?” His lips twitched. “The thought never crossed my mind.”
She laughed at that and felt better. They climbed into the back, and she slid smoothly across the leather seat. “Now what?”
“Take your jacket off so I can do this right.” She did, and he spoke again. “Now turn your back to me and let your head fall gently forward.”
“Like this?” she asked, glancing at her lap.
“Perfect.” His hands felt wonderful, so good she actually groaned. Instantly he stopped. “Does it hurt?”
“The opposite. Keep going.”
“Your muscles are all knotted up,” he said after a minute. “When was the last time you had a full body massage?”
“Never.”
“Why not?”
