Page 81 of It Started at the Lake

I stare at my left hand. The indent from where my wedding ring used to be is still there, though barely. But the band of light skin is now as dark as the rest of me from being out in the sun the past month and a half. “I barely took my ring off before I came here. When I touch it, it’s mostly the phantom feeling of being naked or forgetting something. It’s not always because I’m thinking of Jen, though, and it doesn’t feel as odd as it used to.”

Which I’m taking as a good sign. If I don’t notice as much as I did, my focus is no longer on my past.

“That makes sense. Thanks for telling me.”

“I’m an open book where you’re concerned, Mils.”

“Same for me. Whatever you want to know, please ask.”

“Oh, I will.” I grin at her, thinking of all the awkward questions I plan to ask her in the days to come.

She points at my face. “Your mischievous smile has me second guessing my offer. For now, can you go back to that spot in the middle of my foot? It needs a little more of your expert touch.”

I smirk. “My expert touch?”

“Stop it. You know you’re good at this.”

Jen trained me well. “I am. Is there anywhere else you’d like my expert touch to handle?”

Millie bites her lip and nods. “Eventually everywhere. For now…” She crooks a finger, telling me to come closer to her. “I think it’s my turn to massage you. Shirt off, professor.”

Heat simmers in my veins. Tingles and tightness take over my core. “As you wish.”

CHAPTER 37

Camille

My eyes stay trained on Bennett’s chest. His glorious, broad, perfectly sculpted chest. I will never tire of seeing him shirtless.

Rolling over, I pat the bed. “Lie here face down,” I say in a breathy voice. Yeah, him half-naked makes my heart pound and my lungs stop working.

Bennett moves into position, his athletic shorts riding low on his hips as he moves into place. I straddle his legs. Examining his back, I’m entranced by the divots on either side of his spine. Without questioning how low I’m touching, I trace the outlines with my fingertips.

Bennett shivers, goosebumps erupting over his skin. “Those aren’t my shoulders.”

“You wandered up my legs. It’s only fitting I get to do the same.”

“Millie,” he growls in the most delicious manner. “I only have so much restraint.”

And? I’m a cactus in the desert, desperate for a raindrop but preferring a downpour of his lips on mine.

But I relent. Scooping out a few tablespoons worth of body butter from the container, I work on rubbing the lotion all over Bennett’s back. His muscle definition is out of this world, but under the surface are a lot of knots. My hands aren’t as strong as Bennett’s, but I’m able to use the heel of my palm to dig into the points he’s holding his stress in. “When was the last time you had a massage?”

His face smashing into the pillows muffles his response. “I don’t remember.”

“I have one of two suggestions for you then.”

“Hmmm?”

I move over to his other shoulder, feeling for tight spots. “You go see a massage therapist more often, or you let me help you relieve some pain once a week.”

“I choose you.”

I choose him too. “So I don’t suck after all?”

“Uh-uh.”

“Good to know. I’ll be quiet now, since that's what you asked for.”

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