Page 73 of Plus Size Player

“I think you like me a little bit.”

Chuckling, he shook his head.

For whatever reason, I didn’t notice that his arm was still around my shoulders until he removed it to open the passenger-side door to let me in. He walked around to the driver’s side and when he got in, he smiled at me. Without a word, he started the engine.

“Where are we going?” I wondered.

His smile grew as he pulled from the parking spot. “You’ll see.”

“Russ!”

“Do you trust me?”

“As far as I can throw you.”

He laughed. “We’ll be there in thirty minutes.”

He got us there in twenty.

11

I didn’t know where we were when we pulled up to the white building with fountains and colorful flowers. It wasn’t until I climbed out the car that I saw a sign.

SERENITY’S WELLNESS RETREAT.

My lips spread into a smile. “What is this?”

“You mentioned you had a big week and I also have a lot going on this week so”—grabbing my hand, Russ brought it to his lips—“I thought we could relax together.”

I licked my lips. “I like the sound of that.”

We walked in and we were greeted by a woman with her hair pulled back into a tight bun.

“Welcome to Serenity! How can we be of service to you?”

“We have a four o’clock appointment under the name Ford.”

Her eyes lit up. “Mr. Long!” She turned and grinned at me. “And this must be Ms. Ford.”

“Yes,” Russ replied. “Thank you for accommodating us.”

“It is my pleasure.” She leaned forward. “And soon to be yours.” She grabbed two wristbands and then gestured for us to follow her. “You will start down here at the showers. Your spa attendant will bring you your robe and slippers and they will escort you to the mud room.” She pointed across the hall to the brown door. “Your couple’s mud bath will take place in here. After that, you’ll rinse off and then you’ll be escorted”—she walked a few steps and gestured to the blue door—“to your ninety-minute couple’s massage. And then you’ll end the session with chromotherapy”—she pointed to the green door—“and refreshments. Do you have any questions?”

I shook my head. “No, I think I got it.”

“Yeah, we’re good,” Russ added.

She flashed a smile. “I’ll let Tessa and Byron know you’re headinginto the shower. They will come to get you to start your experience in fifteen minutes. I hope you enjoy your romance package.”

She took a few steps away to speak into a headset.

I waited until she was out of earshot before I looked up at him. “You got the romance package for us? I think you like me a little bit,” I teased.

He leaned down and whispered in my ear. “I do.”

A chill ran down my spine.

“Go right through these doors,” the woman directed us. “Tessa and Byron are expecting you.”

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