Page 66 of Vas

Vas came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her middle and placing his head alongside hers. “Not quite.” His accompanying chuckle sounded downright devilish.

She spun in his arms, a frown pulling at her brow. “What else are you up to?”

He lifted her off her feet and walked them to the bed where he sat and maneuvered her to straddle his lap. His hands landed on her ass. “I signed you up for a whole beauty package. I’m not sure what everything the lady sold me on is, but she assured me you’d get the full treatment. Hair, nails, face—”

She stopped him there, placing her fingers to his lips. “Vas, that’s too much.”

He nipped her fingertips before moving his head aside. “Are you saying you won’t enjoy it?”

God, no. It did sound wonderful. She’d never had a facial or a pedicure, and the only time she’d had her nails done was for her prom. She did get her hair cut regularly, but nothing that she spent a lot of money on. “I’m not saying that, but this room is enough. Hell, we can go swimming in the tub. You don’t need to spend any more money on me.”

“Let me ask you something. If you could do something that would make me happy, would you do it?”

She had a feeling she was walking into a trap but she answered truthfully anyway. “Of course.”

“I’ve never had this,” his hands squeezed her ass, pressing their bodies closer, “someone to spoil. And I’m discovering, I very much enjoy doing things for you. You’re not going to deny me that are you?”

Yep, she’d been right. He’d maneuvered her into a corner. She plopped her forehead to his shoulder and huffed, “That’s not fair.”

He rolled them until her back hit the bed and he hovered over her. Elbows planted on either side of her, he cupped her cheeks in his hands. “You might not think it fair, but we're both giving our best in this relationship. Those things being different doesn't make them unequal. I’m giving you my protection, my loyalty, and every ounce of my attention because it’s important to me that you’re safe, and I want nothing more than to make you happy. You give me your time and your sweetness, but what I’m also asking for is that you allow me the pleasure of spoiling you. Can you do that for me?”

“But what you give is so much. Far more than what I can give you in return.”

“Sweetheart, you’re not paying attention. It’s easy for me to throw money around, but I know you, and you having to sacrifice your principles to yield on that point is a huge thing. Trust me, I’m getting far more out of it than you.”

She thought about that—reallythought about it—and realized what he said was true. It would take time to adjust her way of thinking, but, for him, she was willing to try. “Okay, I understand. I can’t promise it will happen overnight, but I will make an effort to accept what you give me without making a fuss.”

He tenderly brushed the apple of her cheek with his thumb. “Thank you, sweetheart.” Then he gave her a wicked grin. “Now it’s time for your appointment.”

Anna had never felt so pampered in her life. After Vas had dropped her off at the spa with a kiss and promise for her to text him when she was done, she was escorted to a private room complete with refreshments. Soothing music played in the background as she sipped on sparkling water and nibbled on finger sandwiches while her feet soaked in warm water and a technician filed her nails.

The door opened and a woman in a white smock entered. “Ms. Hayden?” she asked, looking down at her clipboard.

“Um, yes.”

The woman smiled. “I’m here to give you your facial.”

“Oh, okay.”

Having never had one before, Anna felt a bit awkward not knowing what to do or what to expect until the esthetician laid the process out for her step by step.

Anna leaned her head back and closed her eyes, feeling a cool liquid swabbed over her forehead, along her cheeks and across her jaw and chin. And then came the massage. She could get used to this. Which was a jarring thought in light of her recent discussion with Vas. Guilt instantly raced through her at the idea she was taking advantage of his generosity, but even though it went against her basic instincts, she pushed it aside, reminding herself Vas wanted this. She’d promised him she would try, and she would, but that didn’t mean she would ever start taking his generosity for granted. She would just have to work harder coming up with new ways to makehimhappy.

Mani, pedi, and facial done, Anna was taken to the salon and introduced to Stephanie, the woman who would cut her hair.

She looked at Anna with a critical eye. “You’ve got a lot of natural wave in your hair. A layered cut would give it more lift—make it lighter and not so heavy.”

“I’m not sure I want to do anything so drastic.”

“Hang on.” Stephanie pulled out her phone and started flipping through it then showed Anna a picture.

The style of cut was cute and not too drastic, leaving the length so she’d still be able to wear it up for work. Anna would be the first to admit she was a creature of habit and had been getting the same haircut for years so maybe itwastime for a change.

Before she could chicken out, she blurted, “Let’s do it.”

The woman smiled. “Great. Come on back and we’ll wash your hair.”

Forty-five minutes later, the stylist swept the plastic cape off her shoulders. “What do you think?”

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