Page 22 of The Shame Game

Her belly gave another little flutter, and she could tell by the way his eyes gleamed that he knew it. “You’re such a pervert.”

He put the plates on the coffee table and leaned down to kiss her, hard and quick. “That’s why you love me.”

“Well, it’s one of the reasons,” she admitted breathlessly when he lifted his head.

He laughed and handed her a fork, kissed her again, and sat down beside her. “Come on, let’s eat. Then you can pick out a movie to fall asleep to.”

She snorted out a laugh and ate.

* * * *

She did fall asleep during the movie, but she’d pickedThe Fugitiveso James wouldn’t mind sitting through it without her, and she woke the next morning to breakfast in bed. James had said he wanted her well fed, and he’d made French toast and bacon to prove it.

Breakfast over, he nudged her to take a long bubble bath, and when she got out, Sadie was already in the bedroom, her portable massage table set up and waiting.

Amanda climbed onto the table. “I can’t believe he did all this.”

Sadie let out a sigh and draped the sheet over Amanda’s lower back, her topknot of ginger hair gleaming in the light of the half-dozen candles flickering around the room. “He’s so sweet.”

Amanda wiggled into place. “He’s softening me up to do horrible things to me. He didn’t tell you what he’s up to, did he?”

“Of course not. All he told me was he wanted you relaxed and feeling good.”

“Figures,” Amanda muttered.

“Any injuries or sore spots I need to be aware of?”

“Not really,” Amanda said, already relaxing into the table. “I carry my stress in my shoulders, so they’re probably in knots.”

Sadie laid her hands, slick with warm oil, on Amanda’s bare shoulders. “Work making you crazy?”

“Always,” Amanda mumbled, grunting a little at the strong press of Sadie’s hands. “God, that feels good. You can go a little harder.”

“I don’t want to tear you up too much,” Sadie told her. “This is supposed to be a relaxing massage, not deep tissue torture.”

Amanda sighed. “Fine. But I’m coming to see you next week so you can dig in.”

“Up to my elbows,” Sadie promised with a laugh.

The rhythmic strokes were hypnotic, and Amanda found herself drifting. She roused when Sadie whispered that it was time to turn over, then blissed out again while Sadie worked on her feet, legs, arms and neck.

She blinked back to reality when the music shut off. “Whoa.”

“Yeah, you dropped out.” Sadie laid a hand on her shoulder, covered now in the light, soft sheet. “Take your time getting up. No fast movements. There’s a bottle of water on the dresser. Drink it all. James said to meet him in the basement when you’re ready, and he left you a robe on the bed.”

“Okay. Give me a second and I’ll get up so you can gather up your stuff.”

“No rush. When you go down, I’ll pack up and get out of your hair.”

“I’d invite you to stay for lunch, but I have no idea what he’s got planned.”

“Whatever it is, I don’t think I’m invited,” Sadie said with a low laugh. “Take your time, okay? I’ll be in the kitchen.”

“Thanks,” Amanda said again, and pushed herself up to sit on the table as the door shut quietly behind Sadie. She picked up the water and drank deeply, then slipped off the table and balled up the sheet for the hamper. The robe James had left behind was one of his, the soft cashmere one he’d had forever and hardly ever let her wear because he said he had to have one robe she didn’t steal. It was thick and soft, wrapping around her like a big, gentle hug. The pale blue color was nearly the shade of James’ eyes, and when she buried her nose in the lapels, it smelled like him.

She carried her water with her down the stairs, sipping steadily. She poked her head into the kitchen to let Sadie know she was clear to gather up her things, gave her a quick hug, then continued down to the basement.

James was stretched out on the sectional in a pair of jeans and a cable knit sweater, the fireplace behind him crackling away. His feet were bare. He looked up with a smile. “Hello, love.”

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