Page 15 of Married to the Beasts
“What would you like to do today?” he asks, as he threads a black leather belt through the loops on his pants.
My mouth literally waters when I catch a glimpse of his abs, and I can’t believe I’m going to be living with this man. Bliss is staring, too, of course, and looks guilty when I nudge her.
“How long can you stick around today?” I ask her. Our original Vegas plans were to leave today, since she has to work tomorrow.
“I should get on the road by late afternoon, but I can leave sooner if you two want to be alone.” She waggles her eyebrows as she looks between me and Conal, who laughs.
“No need to rush off. How about if you two have a spa treatment, and then we can all go to lunch together? Hopefully your stomach will be ready for something more interesting than toast by then, Hazel.”
As I’m nodding, Bliss says, “That sounds great!”
“Perfect. I’ll arrange the spa. Are you ready to go anytime?”
“Um, before we do … I’ve been getting calls from reporters.” Several more have come in since I finished talking to my mom.
He scowls. “I’m sorry about that. We’ll have to get you a new, unlisted number. Be sure you only give it out to people you trust.”
“Okay.” Another facet of my new life I hadn’t thought about.
“But now …” he smiles. “Let’s get you to the spa.”
Thirty minutes later, Bliss and I find ourselves side-by-side, face down on massage tables in a darkened room inside The Golden Star’s spa. Soft music with flutes and nature sounds is playing, and the blended scent of peppermint, lavender, and grapefruit fills the air. The massage therapists recommended the essential oils specifically for hangover relief, and I’m feeling better by the minute.
“This is going to be your life now,” Bliss says at one point, sounding extremelyblissedout.
“I don’t know about that.” I’d never had a massage before today, and it feels incredibly indulgent, almost to the point of making me uncomfortable, like I don’t deserve this kind of attention.
When the service is over, my body feels completely relaxed, and I could easily drift off to sleep if I didn’t have to get off the table, but we find out Conal scheduled more than just massages for us.
After we wrap ourselves in thick spa robes and slide into the provided slippers, we’re led to another room for pedicures, followed by manicures. I feel like a princess when we’re done.
Two members of the Pythons’ security team—I have hazy memories of them from last night—meet Bliss and me at the spa when we’re done and escort us back up to the suite, where the three Curran brothers are waiting.
Conal greets me with a kiss, and I can’t help but wonder if that will ever feel normal. It’s wonderful, but still doesn’t seem real.
“How was the spa?” he asks.
“Really great. Thank you.”
“Maybe next time I’ll join you.” My hand is in his, and he gives it a squeeze. “Are the two of you ready for lunch?”
Again accompanied by security and using staff elevators, the five of us make our way to an elegant restaurant in the hotel, where we’re seated at a round table in a private dining room with a view.
A server gives us menus, but tells us we’re welcome to request anything, even if it’s not on the menu, and they’ll do their best to provide it.
“Must be nice living this way,” Bliss says after the server leaves.
“It has its moments,” Rafe says. “Good and bad.”
“The good outweighs the bad,” Bron says. “Do you ladies like lobster?”
As Bliss shrugs, I say, “I’ve never tried it.”
“Do you like shrimp?” When I nod, he says, “You should give the lobster a try, or even better, have the steakandlobster.”
“I don't know if my stomach’s ready for steak yet, but I'll try the lobster,” I tell him.
“They’re going to bring you a bib,” Rafe warns, making Bliss giggle.
