Page 78 of Could Have Been Us
“I need a man’s perspective on what things we should offer at the spa. It’s important that we have every angle covered.”
“And your brothers, who are also owners, aren’t inclined to help?”
Stella walks toward me, a slow smile spreading as she moves. “I knew my amazing boyfriend would be the best at this.”
“I see.”
She laughs. “Oh, Jack, stop. I promise it will be great, and you’ll still be brimming with testosterone at the end.”
I grab her by the waist, pulling her onto my lap. My hand moves to her thigh, sliding up. “And naked?”
“If you behave.” Her voice gives her away at the end. She wants me, us, just as much as I do. “Jack,” she warns as I inch higher.
“Hmm?”
“You can’t . . . not . . . this is a real spa, and I don’t want to get kicked out. Wait, are you naked now?”
I laugh and stop my ascent to where I really want to touch her. “Yes. You said not to wear clothes for a massage.”
“Oh, but . . .”
“But?”
She bites her lower lip. “Nothing.”
“Uh-huh. But can we be clear that, after this, we’re even. Right?”
Her lips touch mine briefly. “Okay. If you say so.”
We sit like this for a little longer as she takes in the room. Stella’s head tilts as she stares at something in particular.
“What is it?”
“Oh? Nothing. I’m just curious as to why they set this room up this way. If this were our space, I would want the wall of windows to be the focal point so I would have chairs over there instead of here.”
I turn because I am seated facing away, which at the time seemed fine because I didn’t care about the view. I wanted to look at Stella. Also, I never put my back to a door, but most women don’t think about that.
“Maybe people want to talk?”
“Maybe. Just something to think about. Also, I like the color palette they used, but I think there is a more soothing color than this green. Green is so much of the mountains, so I’d like to have the contrast be a little stronger.”
“No idea what that means.”
She turns to me, brown eyes bright, and I see how much she really loves doing this. “What about you? Do you like this room?”
“Umm, it’s fine. If you are a chick.”
“Yeah, that’s a great endorsement. I think we need to consider all our guests at our resort. If we’re to be a destination for weddings, we need to have an area where guys can chill while they wait or have their own things done.”
“Sweetheart, I can promise this will be the first and only time you have my ass in a spa.”
She shifts, nudging me. “Want to bet on that?”
I chuckle and move her over on my lap more. “Maybe I should make that declaration after we’re done.”
Stella’s smile is as bright as the sun. “You may like this pampered life instead of the dirt and sweat outside.”
“Remember I had a cushy office life once.”
