Page 44 of From Wink to Kink

"All done!" she chirps while I’m still on my knees. “You look great. Smooth as a baby’s bottom. That hunky guy you’re with is gonna love it.”

I manage to lift my head from the table and with one eye see her beaming, proud of her handiwork. “We’re not togeth—" I start to explain. “Oh, never mind.”

She pats me on the back as I crawl off the table. "You did great for your first time!"

I manage a weak smile, feeling like I've just gone ten rounds with a professional boxer. "Thanks," I croak.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine," Sunshine says, handing me an ice pack. "Just pop this on any sensitive areas. Now, let's get you to your massage!"

I follow her on wobbly legs, the ice pack clutched to my... well, you know. We enter another room, and my heart sinks as I see two massage tables. Of course. A couples' massage. Because this day hasn't been awkward enough already.

I hear Chuck's voice in the hallway and panic. In a move that would make Olympic gymnasts proud, I leap onto the nearest table and yank the sheet over me just as the door opens.

Chuck saunters in, looking annoyingly relaxed. "Hey, Brooks! How was your?—"

He stops short when he sees I'm already on the table trying to relax. "Oh, uh, sorry. I'll just..."

I keep my eyes firmly fixed on the ceiling as Chuck awkwardly maneuvers around the room, trying to undress without giving me a show. But as he turns to climb onto his table, I can't help but sneak a peek.

Oh. My. God.

I knew the man was in good shape, he's a professional athlete, after all, but I wasn't prepared for... that. His back is a work of art, all sculpted muscle leading down to what can only be described as a truly spectacular ass.

I quickly avert my gaze as he turns back around, my face burning. Get it together, Ruby. This is Chuck. Your brother's teammate. The guy who, up until yesterday, you could barely tolerate.

"So," Chuck says as he settles onto his table, "where were you just now? I got shuffled off to some kind of facial treatment. It was actually kind of nice, once I got over the weirdness of having goopy shit smeared all over my face. It smelled nice. Still does. Can you smell me from over there? Kind of orangey, huh?”

I snort. There’s no way in fucking hell I’m telling him what I just went through. So, I try to ignore the way my newly sensitive skin is protesting against the massage table, the ice pack strategically positioned on the most painful bits. "Oh, you know. Just... a body scrub. Nothing exciting."

Chuck raises an eyebrow. "A body scrub, huh? Is that why you're clutching that ice pack under there like it's a life preserver?"

Busted. I open my mouth, trying to come up with a plausible lie, when our massage therapists enter the room.

"Welcome, beautiful souls!" a familiar voice booms. I lift my head to see none other than Leaf, our overly enthusiastic yoga instructor, beaming at us. "Are you ready to embark on a journey of relaxation and connection?"

Chuck and I exchange a quick panicked look.

As Leaf and his equally peppy partner start explaining the intricacies of their ‘soul-bonding massage technique,’ I can't help but wonder how I got here. Just days ago, I was a normal girl who’d been dumped by a guy and was looking forward toa quiet librarian retreat. Now, I'm lying nearly naked next to Chuck Newcomb, trying not to think about his perfect butt or the fact that I'm smoother than a dolphin in places where the sun don’t shine.

"Now," Leaf says, clapping his hands together, "let's begin with some deep breathing exercises. Feel your energy aligning with your partner's..."

I close my eyes, trying to focus on my breath and not on the lingering pain between my legs, nor the proximity of Chuck's muscular form.

This is fine. Everything is fine. I'm just getting a massage. With my brother's teammate. After getting all my body hair ripped out.

Just a day in the life of... not me. This is not how I live. I don’t do shit like this.

No, I get up in the morning, take the light rail to work, shelve books, go home, and do it all over again the next day.

As Leaf's hands start working on my shoulders, I make a silent vow—if I survive this massage without completely embarrassing myself, I'm never setting foot in a spa again. Give me a quiet library any day.

Actually, every day. I swear, when I get back home, I’m never leaving again. Travel and adventure are just not for me.

But my muscles tell me otherwise as they are kneaded and pulled, driving away the tension in my body and brain.I like this! they’re saying.I want more! Like I personally get no vote in the matter.

Naturally, I can't help but sneak another glance at Chuck. He catches my eye and winks, a small smile dancing on his mellowed-out face.

Okay, maybe spas aren't all bad. But next time, I'm definitely reading the fine print before agreeing to any "Couples' Serenity" packages.

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