Her lips pinched in the most adorable way. “A minor technicality.”
If I weren’t so curious about what was coming, I would’ve ended this doctor-patient game she was playing and crushed her against my chest in that moment. But I was curious.
“Now,” she said, once my shirt was off. Her eyes didn’t leave my chest, and I saw her breathing change. It was the fucking sexiest thing she’d done yet. “Sit down, so I can take off your boots.”
For a moment, I stood in front of the girl in the Indian poncho, denim cutoffs, and possibly nothing else, contemplating all the things I wanted to do to her. After another beat, another damn sexy blink, I sat on the bed.
She started to breathe, and a grin curled the side of my lips. Her eyes moved from my mouth to my chest, and I noticed her slim hands tremble as she caught the heel of my boot.
“I have a boot jack over by the door,” I said.
“I’ll use it for mine.”
Stepping in front of me, she caught my heel in her palm and pulled. A sharp tug, and the boot slid off my foot. While she carried it to the door, I reached down and pulled off the other one. A small frown creased her eyes when she walked back to take it from me. She carried the second boot to the door, and I quickly slid my jeans down and off.
This time when she turned back around, her pink mouth dropped open. She closed it fast, but I almost laughed as she visibly fought for control. She hadn’t touched me yet, and my muscles were already relaxing.
“Okay, then.” Her voice wavered just a bit. Lifting an arm, she pointed to the mattress. “Lie on your stomach.”
“I thought massage therapists used special tables.” It was a stall. I wasn’t quite finished watching her squirm.
“We’re having to make do. Now lie down.”
No one told me what to do. It was that simple. But her standing here in front of my bed, tentatively giving me orders, was a definite turn-on. I followed her cute demands and whipped the covers back before sliding across the cool mattress.
Relaxation settled over my shoulders. I heard her use the bootjack to slide her first boot off. A thump and a shush later, I knew she’d removed the second. She didn’t come to me right away, though. Soft noises, the sound of heavy cloth hitting the floor preceded the indentation of the mattress, the movement of her climbing up the bed beside me.
My eyes were closed when she touched me the first time. Warm hands slid back and forth across my lower back. It felt so good.
“I’m going to do deep-tissue massage, but I need you to tell me the extent of your pain. Is it from an old injury?” Her touches turned deeper, kneading as she spoke. It was painful, but I could feel the ache releasing. “I’m assuming since you can ride, it’s not delicate.”
“Nothing on me is delicate.” My voice was muffled from lying on the mattress.
“Do you mind if I remove your boxers?”
Yes. I minded very much. I wasn’t sure I’d have the strength to stop myself if things went further. “No,” was what came out of my mouth.
With delicate movements, she slipped off the bed, taking the boxer briefs I wore with her.
* * *
Mariska
If you asked where this sudden surge of bravery came from, I’d have to be honest. I had no fucking idea. Stuart rode into the barn looking like sex on two legs... very tired sex on two legs, but sex on two legs all the same, and I made up my mind. After the way he kissed me yesterday, I didn’t care what type of bullshit line he tried to spin, Stuart Knight was in the same space as me. He was fighting hard, but he wanted this.
Now I was in his bedroom ordering him around, and he was actually allowing it. Humoring me, more like it. Not for one minute was I suffering from the delusion that this man took orders from anyone. Still, for whatever reason, exhaustion or simple curiosity, he let me take the lead.
Once his shirt was off, I couldn’t hide the hitch in my breath at the site of his lined torso. Ridges crossed his abdomen, lines stretched across his broad shoulders and down his arms. He lay on his stomach across the mattress, and it was all I could do not to run my tongue over every inch of his beautiful body. Instead, I quickly took off my boots, and for increased mobility (yes, that was my excuse), I removed my denim shorts.
Lightly I smoothed my palm across his lower back, trying to remember the touches I’d learned in the few massage therapy classes I’d taken. Why hadn’t I taken more? Kneading a little harder, I knew I had to get lower, down into the pelvic area to give him relief.
“Do you mind if I remove your boxers?” My voice was breathless and trembling. Those snug, dark briefs didn’t hide much, but I knew once I saw that ass, I’d be a goner.
“No.”
One word. He’d sounded almost as cautious as me when he said it. Closing my eyes, I shook myself. Now was the time. This was my man. If I was going to make it happen, if I was going to make any of this make sense, from the day I left Bayville to this moment, I had to go for it. Fate had dropped this opportunity straight in my lap.
Inhaling a quiet breath, I gently pulled the waistband out and lowered it down his legs. I knew what was on the other side, pressed between his pelvis and the mattress, and I didn’t want to hurt him. Miraculously, I got his underwear off, and