Creatively Crushed (Reckless Bastards MC 6)

The sound that came from the back of his throat was downright sensual, like the sound a man makes when he first slides into a moan. Satisfied but hungry for more. And all I was doing was massaging his temples. His hands floated back like a baby’s, fingertips brushing the sides of my arms as if I wasn’t already too aware of him.

“Holy shit.” His hands gripped my wrists as my fingertips lightly pressed into his head.

I ignored his touch and the heat it sent through me and kept going because Cross needed this. He would never admit it, at least not to me, but he didn’t have to. “Relax, Cross.”

“I am.”

“Relax completely. Hands too, down at your sides. It’s more effective, trust me.” Not that he owed me trust but since I had his head in my hands, he didn’t have a choice.

“Sorry.”

“It’s fine. Relax.” He finally did and I was able to focus, sliding my fingers down the back of his head to his shoulders which were as hard as granite. The man carried his stress everywhere and there was a lot of it.

“Moon,” he groaned again and I felt my nipples harden and I just hoped he couldn’t see the effect that deep, gravelly voice was having on me. “Fuck.”

I gave him at least five solid minutes on each of his shoulders until every lump and knot was gone. He was practically boneless when I stepped back with a satisfied smile. “Better?”

“Hell yeah. Thank you, Moon.”

“I’m just glad I could help.” I wasn’t expecting anything from Cross, but the fact that I could help another hurting soul, even temporarily, meant something to me.

“Where’d you learn all this anyway? Massage expert? Medical professional? What’s next? Ninja?”

A laugh spilled out of me at his words. “Ninja? I wish. Despite the graceful woman you see before you, I am the exact opposite of a ninja.”

“But?” He looked up at me, a mischievous grin lighting up his face.

“I used to be an EMT when I lived on the east coast and then later I got into alternative and holistic medicine.”

“Because of Beau?”

He was perceptive. “I already had an interest, but it kind of went into overdrive after his asthma worsened.”

“Nothing wrong with protecting your kid. It’s your job.” He said it with such conviction I knew there was a story there but now wasn’t the time.

“Agreed.” I stepped around to put some distance between us, until the intimate little bubble we’d found ourselves in quietly burst. “I have some things I need to take care of,” I told him and pushed at his shoulders when he tried to stand. “But you should take fifteen or twenty minutes to lie there and relax. And then you can leave and ruin all of my hard work with your stressful life.”

He smiled a half-smile, looking so handsome I had to look away. “Thanks Moon.”

“I’m glad I could help. Take care of yourself, Cross.” Even though we weren’t actuall

y friends and barely even acquaintances despite how many times we’d crossed paths over the past few years, I really hoped he’d take care of himself.

Chapter Seven

Cross

Spending time with Moon had been unexpected but nice. I thought I’d just stop by her shop and offer up an apology, which she would give me a hard time about, and then be on my way. But Moon wasn’t just some flighty hippie chick, she was a good woman with a good heart. Even though I’d seen the heat in her eyes more than once in the hour I’d spent with her, she’d never made a move or even flirted with me.

Hell, I was pretty sure a few times she was treating me like her kid and instead of pissing me off, it amused me. Fucking amused me, which I didn’t even think was possible anymore.

I left her place feeling more relaxed than I had in a long damn time. As I rode back to the clubhouse, I thought about how I’d never been more grateful for someone to touch me. The pain in my neck and shoulders was gone. My head felt clear, I was focused.

Her hands were fucking magic. I hadn’t felt this good in years. Well, since Lauren, anyway.

When I pulled up to the clubhouse there was a white fucking station wagon with a Mayhem city logo on the front door.

What the fuck were the fucking paper pushers doing here now?