Page 7 of Peak of Love
Kat:Don’t knock it till you try it, sis.
Celina:Sold. Hey, thanks for everything. I’m enjoying my vacay.
Kat:Good. We’re taking the kids to laser tag tonight so we’ll talk to you tomorrow, OK? Remember to relax. Or get excited about kidnapping Italians, whatever.
Celina:Words to live by.
Celina queued the show and settled in. And bysettled in, she meantbecame ridiculously and embarrassingly turned on.
Holy shit! That man’s sex appeal was astounding. Seriously, it needed its own license, it was that potent. And all those searing gazes and lip biting… dang. Wait? What is that… oh! Oh, that’s an interesting place to put her legs. Wait, did he just?! He did. Hereallydid.
By the time the show ended in a heartbreaking cliffhanger, Celina wasn’t heartbroken, she was horny as fuck. Dammit, she didn’t bring any of her toys. She hadn’t started dating—hadn’t even really thought about it—but she had the occasional need for release, which is what battery-operated devices were for. Though even that kind of “self-care” had been a while.
Since Asher, Celina wasn’t inclined to prioritize her physical needs. Of course, she could make time for it. She wasn’t a prude. Somehow, though, getting to that point seemed more trouble than it was worth. Though at the moment, she didn’t think it would take very much effort at all.
She cleaned up and realized tidying up for one person took a lot less time and energy than she usually exerted. Too full to need dinner, she decided she would get ready for bed and enjoy a day of strolling and shopping at Whistler Village tomorrow.
It was after washing her face and brushing her teeth, when the lights in the bedroom were all off, that her sights were drawn to the patio beyond the glass doors. An unplanned dip in a hot tub at night… what a rebellious thought.
Could she? Was it too late to jump in? No, right?
Right! She was a grown woman whose only responsibility tonight was not to drown in three feet of water. There was no set bedtime forthismom! Celina jumped out of bed with exaggerated flair. For someone who hadn’t pursued a spontaneous moment in a long time, it did feel somewhat indulgent.
Mutiny against the routine of motherhood! Hooray!
She crept outside to pull back the hot tub cover and check the temperature. That’s when she noticed that the weather had shifted. It was colder and the air pressure had changed. A dusting of white coated the atmosphere like thick feathers. And yet it remained comfortably warm on the patio, confirming her suspicions that not using this contraption would be a sin against humanity.
It took some bracing to get herself into the red swimsuit. She indulged in an uncharacteristic moment of vanity—more physical self-scrutiny than she’d had in a while—and stared at the full-length mirror. The suit played to her advantage in that its high cut showed off her firm legs. Her breasts had seen better days, though. Breastfeeding two hungry babies for nearly a year took its toll. Still, they were holding up well, aside from the stretch marks on the sides. That’s it. Vanity vent over.
Celina was never very critical of her body. It helped that the only man she had ever been with was the love of her life. Asher was affectionate and thoughtful and generous. Her explorations of pleasure would always be wrapped up in their mutual discovery of love and sexuality.
Now, though? To think that someone other than Asher wouldeversee her naked was beyond her imagination. He had known her body even better than she did.
Shaking off her useless musings, she grabbed a towel. And then, inspiration hit! She needed to hydrate, so she went downstairs to get a glass of water and a bottle of something sparkly. Also, more chocolate-covered pretzels because, of course.
Finally, armed with all the reinforcements a rebellious night required, she sank into the glorious heat. Celina surrendered her sore muscles to the jets, focusing on her lower back and upper shoulders. She finished her water and poured sparkling perfection into the glass before sinking deeper into the massage. Facing outward from the house, she watched in amazement as the vista of pine trees and mountains were frosted by the snow’s illuminations. Heavier flakes blanketed the patio just beyond the overhang that sheltered the hot tub.
Was she in a freaking hot tub in the middle of a winter storm? Yes! Yes, she was!
She wasn’t sure how much time passed before she realized she was a little drunk, somewhat pruney, and still very horny.
Could she? Here?Now?
Celina sat up and steeled her determination. Yes, she could! She was an independent and self-affirming woman who would feel neither embarrassment nor guilt over getting herself off. Italian kidnappers aside, she was way overdue.
As was her routine when she had to “get out of her head,” Celina cued some relaxing music on her phone. She leaned back and listened to the soothing allure of Luther Vandross while moving her hands over her body. Hesitant at first, she unhooked her shoulders to free her upper body. Massaging her breasts, she sighed into the sensation, taking her time to place slow, tight circles over her nipples, rubbing the soft skin under her breasts.
As she moved down her torso, she realized access would be a problem. This was quickly solved by shucking off her bathing suit and flinging the garment to the side of the hot tub.
Oh my god, she was naked. Naked in a hot tub!
Pleased with her indulgent state of sensuality, Celina kept her eyes closed and found the edges of her seam. Using one hand to keep her apex gently open, she used the other to explore. The thing about touching herself, instead of using her vibrator, is that she had to focus intently on miniscule sensations instead of letting a surge of stimulation carry her to climax. She wasn’t always successful without her usual gadgets.
She concentrated on what she used to love about being touched. Celina thought about Asher’s knuckles while her fingers worried the nub in her core. She pinched her clit slightly before releasing and running fingers over her folds. Silky moistness sucked her fingers inward as her mind flashed with images of Asher, of herself under Asher, of the show she just watched, of lip biting and body grinding.
Everything mixed and merged indiscriminately till she was riding her fingers with the languid swirls of her hips. She was very close. Yes, right there. So damn close.Justout of reach…
“Celina?” A man’s deep voice penetrated her consciousness. She stilled her fingers, unsure if she was merely hallucinating Luther Vandross’s singing voice saying her name.
