“How about we end by playing one of your songs?”
“The instructions say something soothing,” she murmured wryly, indicating that although she’d put her album to bed, she hadn’t made peace with it. “The sound of chimes should work.” She set her phone aside. “Ready?”
He nodded and they leaned forward until their foreheads touched. “Step two, synchronized breathing. Why don’t you keep breathing and I’ll match your rhythm.”
“Does this seem like a lot of work?” she asked in a somber tone. “Like maybe we’re overthinking it?”
“We’re new to the process. By that I mean we haven’t really taken the time to get to know each other like this.” Their relationship thus far had been more like a mad dash, not a marathon they’d spent months and months training for.
“I guess.” She lapsed into silence for a few seconds and breathed. Just as he was finding her rhythm, she spoke again. “Eyes open or closed?”
“It depends if you’re ready to try soul gazing.”
He hoped she was. This felt important to him in a way he couldn’t explain. As if their failure to connect through these exercises would mean their relationship was doomed. Day three’s date night had demonstrated that they continued to fail at communicating. If they couldn’t connect, they couldn’t communicate. At least not on the level they needed to at this time.
“Are you ready to try soul gazing?” she asked. Her tentative tone made him want to reassure her.
“Why don’t we try eyes closed for seven synced breaths. Once we’re breathing together, see how you’re feeling and if you want to open your eyes.”
“This New Agey side of you is so unexpected,” she teased.
He gave her a playful growl. “Shut up and breathe.”
* * *
Today was day six of the plan. They were supposed to have sex. Ever since Mia pointed out that this was the day they were supposed to engage in a spoiling session for her, Melody had been both excited and terrified of what was to come.
“You realize you’re in charge, right?” Mia had said as they were leaving the studio and heading to their cars. “You can do as much or as little as you want.”
“But I’m sure Kyle’s expecting sex.”
“This is a spoiling session for you. He gets his turn on day eleven.” When Mia had reached her car, she opened the trunk, pulled out a tiny bag and handed it to Melody. “A little care package.” The contents were wrapped in tissue. “Wait until you and Kyle are together and then open it.”
“Is it like edible body paint or something?”
“It’s a surprise. I think it will help.”
“Thank you.” Melody had given Mia a hug and headed off to her car.
Kyle had insisted on a romantic dinner before they got down to her spoiling so at least she had some time to think about what she wanted. The possibilities were endless. She could chicken out and ask him to snuggle her. She could go all in and insist they could make love. Or it could be something in between.
Every inch of her skin tingled at what was to come. Kyle never disappointed in the lovemaking arena. She was in for a fantastic evening regardless of what she chose. But it was asking for what she wanted that was the real sticking point. Why did that make her so uncomfortable?
She texted him before leaving the parking lot so when she approached the front door, it swung open and he appeared on the threshold. Even though he didn’t touch her, her body went up in flames from the sheer heat of his gaze. She held out the bag Mia had given her as if something as insubstantial as brightly colored paper could act as a shield.
“What’s that?” he asked, snagging the bag from her fingers as he drew her inside.
“Something Mia gave me. It’s for both of us. She told me not to open it until I was with you.”
“A massage oil that heats up?”
“I guessed edible body paint.”
“Painting you with my fingers sounds like a wonderful idea.” He brushed a kiss across her lips, leaving lingering traces of his smile behind. “I’ll break out the plastic sheets.”
His kiss had short-circuited her brain. How could the simple graze of his lips awaken such longing inside her? Her feet moved automatically as he guided her deeper into the house.
“Wait.” She put on the brakes and stared at him. “You have plastic sheets?”