‘It seems so, either that or whale sounds.’
‘I’ll stick to the panpipes.’
‘Good idea. Now strip.’
‘You want me naked?’
‘Yes, I’m going to do everything. Feet, legs, back, shoulders, neck and head.’
‘That sounds wonderful. But you know, any massages I’ve had in the past, I’ve always been able to keep my knickers on. Or at least they give you some paper knickers.’
‘Well I don’t have those. And you can keep your knickers on if you like but I don’t think you’ll feel the benefit when I give you a bum massage.’
‘A bum massage?’
‘Your gluteus maximus and gluteus minimus definitely look like they need massaging.’
She arched an eyebrow. ‘Do they?’
‘Last time I checked,’ he smirked.
‘Very well.’
She started undressing and he watched her unashamedly, making her feel adored. He didn’t make a move towards her but when he spoke his voice was coarse. ‘Lie face down on the bed.’
She did what she was told with her forehead on a rolled-up towel he’d left out for her, so she wasn’t smothered by the pillow. The panpipe music, though cheesy, was actually quite soothing.
‘I have lavender oil or camomile?’
‘Lavender is fine,’ Immy said.
She heard him unscrew the bottle and then presumably rub the oil between his hands. ‘I looked it up and low-concentration oils like lavender are safe for you and the baby.’
She smiled with love for him. ‘Thank you for taking care of us.’
‘My pleasure.’
He rubbed his hands up her back either side of the spine and then out to the shoulders.
‘Oh god,’ Immy muttered.
‘Is that OK?’
‘It’s heaven.’
Xander repeated the action again, his hands the perfect pressure, gentle enough to be soothing and relaxing but firm enough to help ease the knots in her back. She felt all the tension of the last few days drift away and she closed her eyes, relishing in his touch.
‘I hope you’re not planning on sex after this, because you keep stroking me like this, I’ll be asleep in two minutes.’
‘I was under no illusion there would be sex tonight, you’ve worked your arse off all day. I’m doing this because I want to take care of you.’
He started rubbing the tops of her shoulders and neck and she let out a noise of pure pleasure, followed inexplicably by the words, ‘Marry me.’
He paused in his ministrations and, before she had a chance to laugh it off as a joke, he leaned over and whispered in her ear, ‘In a heartbeat.’
Her heart thundered against her chest. She had to backpedal somehow.
‘But maybe ask me again when you’re not addled by dopamine and endorphins and I might take it more seriously,’ Xander said.
