Page 9 of Paradise Found
“Does it hurt?” she asked, surprised that her vocal cords worked despite her seized lungs.
“The aloe vera helped a lot.” He reddened further, as if embarrassed.
“I’m sorry,” she commiserated.
“Thing is”—he leaned over as if stating a secret—“I didn’t quite get to my shoulders, so if you’re feeling charitable…”
“Charitable?” she asked, confused.
He whipped off the shirt and stood before her. Did she say confused? No, that wasn’t it. Her brain wasscrambled.
Axel was the epitome of sculpted masculinity: wide shoulders and ripped pecs, abdominal ridges framed by the perfect V of strong hips.
And red. Red everywhere.
She didn’t know if she should drool over his body or cry on his behalf.
“Since you haven’t run away, I’m gonna grab the gel, OK? Don’t move,” he stated chirpily, zipping by her and disappearing into the hallway bathroom.
Upon return, he sat on the sofa and held up the gel.
Oleanna walked over. “Oh, Axel, this is going to blister,” she warned when she got a closer look at it. He must be in excruciating pain. “Hopefully, the gel will keep the blistering to a minimum.”
Oleanna squeezed a green glob between her fingers. She cautiously rubbed at the top of one shoulder and a little over the back. He sighed as her hands moved over feverish, tender skin. A low moan escaped his lips, and her body reacted, every pore alert to his heat, his aroma, and that manly hum of pleasure.
She craved to hear more of that sound as she spread gel to the other shoulder and rubbed. His head lolled forward, his large muscular body melting into a puddle of relaxation right before her eyes.
Without thinking, she spread one hand over each shoulder, careful to keep away from the sore redness. She circled firm fingers around the knots of his upper shoulder blades.
Instead of relaxing further, he stiffened. Appalled, Oleanna realized she forgot herself. She jolted back and made to gather her things, mumbling a vague apology and trying not to die of embarrassment.
Did she justcop a feelof this man? Oh my god, can the ground swallow her up yet?
“Oleanna, please don’t leave,” Axel called, his voice pleading.
“I have to, um, goodnight. I mean bye, Axel,” she stammered.
“Stop, please. It’s not what you think.”
“I don’t think anything,” she screeched defensively and spun around to face him.
He had stepped closer. Axel reached over to graze her elbow. “It’s just that if anyone should get a back rub, it should be you.”
She sputtered through a bubble of nervous laughter. “What?”
“You’ve done so much for me today, so…”
“Axel?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but you are definitely the weirdest guest Kamea Koa has ever had.”
“Awesome,” he blurted without hesitation, making her snicker. “Though now I’m thinking about other guests and I’m not sure I like the idea of that,” he said softly, a worried line creasing his forehead.
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t enjoy thinking of you with other guests in here, that’s all.” Goodness, his sweet honesty was even more captivating than his effortless charm.
