Walking straight into the ocean, Rafe used the cold water to rein in his libido again. This might be the longest two weeks of his life if he didn’t find a way to manage his attraction to Mimi’s sister.
* * *
RAFE WANTED HER. Kelly put her hand over her heart. The very impressive bulge in those loose shorts was impossible to miss.
She stared after him while he all but ran into the waves. His broad back, muscular shoulders and that tattoo of the rising phoenix across his back didn’t help the runaway train her emotions had become. The man was too hot for words.
Was that really in response to her? He’d avoided eye contact with her for most of the class and watched Clifton during the exercises instead. At first, she thought it was because he wanted to see the male version of the moves, but now she wasn’t so sure. Did she have that kind of sexual sway over him? She had to know.
“Rafe,” she called as she jogged out onto the beach.
“Yes?” He didn’t turn around.
“Your massage appointment is set for noon, and I’ve ordered some special oils that soothe aches and pains.”
“Okay.” His voice sounded strained.
She cleared her throat, stifling the urge to smile. Yes, she definitely had an effect on him.
Last night, she’d promised herself she would be a good friend to the marine and get him back into tip-top shape.
But knowing he wanted her as much as she did him—at least she hoped—changed the game entirely.
* * *
AN HOUR LATER, Rafe showed up at the spa wearing a crisp white T-shirt and royal-blue board shorts.
The man could have been a model the way he wore clothes.
Kelly ushered him into one of the Zen rooms, as they called them. She lit a candle and switched on some soothing music.
“Strip down, okay? That way the therapist can work on your hip.”
“Got it,” he said.
“We always ask if you would like a silent massage. Some people like to have only music without any talking so they can relax. Other people need the chatter because they may not be comfortable with someone touching them so—intimately. The choice is yours.”
He nodded. “I like the idea of the quiet one,” he said, his face a mask.
Oh, yes, this would work out perfectly.
“Excellent, so the masseur will be in shortly. When you are undressed and on the table facedown, you can push the button to the right.” She pointed to a small panel next to the massage table.
Then she left.
While he stripped, she changed into a white T-shirt, which she knotted under her breasts, and a pair of short gray workout shorts.
Once the light flipped on above the door, she entered.
Rafe was facedown on the table, a sheet covering his lower half.
Coating her hands in oil and eucalyptus, Kelly smoothed one hand down his back. Two small scars peppered his shoulder and there were three more on the right hip.
Poor Rafe. Most people had no idea how much these guys suffered for their country. Heart swelling with pride, it was all she could do not to lean down and kiss each scar. She moved on to his shoulders, his body relaxed and his breathing slowed. Her fingers dug into the tendons between his neck and right shoulder and she heard him groan slightly as the tension gave way.
When she reached his scalp, he let out a deep breath.
Kelly grinned. That she could bring him such relief was a balm for her soul. Massaging his temples, she felt him jerk suddenly.
“Kelly,” his deep voice rasped.
How had he known it was her?
“Is something wrong?” she asked lightly. “Is the pressure too much?”
“No, I was—uh—just surprised that you were the one doing the massage. I thought you said someone named Mason was doing it.”
“His current client requested an extra thirty minutes. Would you rather have a male? I’m sorry. I would’ve asked if I thought it would be a problem.”
Liar.
“No. That’s fine.” Rafe coughed. “Could I have some water?”
“Sure,” she said as she wiped her hands on a towel. She handed him a bottle of water she’d brought in just in case he needed it.
He lifted his head so that he could drink, and his gaze met her face.
“Hi,” he said. That one word was filled with so much desire that she felt it in her bones.
“Hi,” she said back. “In case you’re wondering about the massage, I am licensed. All the surfers on my pro team are trained so that we can help each other during competitions if we get beat up a little. Competition sites don’t always have chiropractors or massage therapists available.”
He took a long drink and then handed the bottle of water back to her.
“I believe you,” he said before putting his face back into the horseshoe-shaped hole at the top of the table. “If you don’t mind, maybe we could just focus on my back and legs for now.”
“Rafe, if you’re worried about tents rising in the middle of the massage, don’t.” She couldn’t believe she’d just said that out loud. “Massage is a sensual experience. If it makes you feel any better, I can put extra towels over your pelvis, but I need to get deep down into those upper thigh and hip muscles if we want to do something about the source of your pain.”
He didn’t say anything.
“And for the record,” she stated, in her best professional sounding voice, “that happens a lot with me. In fact, it’s more unusual if it doesn’t.”
“You mean, almost every guy you massage gets, uh, aroused for you?” He didn’t sound happy about that news.
“Not for me, silly. It’s the body’s natural response given the circumstances.” She was being clinical, but when it came to Rafe, she was anything but. She couldn’t wait to get her hands on his body.
“I don’t like the idea of you working on guys like that. I mean, it doesn’t seem safe. Some might try to take advantage of the situation and...”
Kelly gave an unladylike snort. “I don’t do happy endings, Rafe. I’m a professional, but not that kind.”
He sighed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply that you were. It’s just that— Oh hell, I give up.”
“Let’s get you back into that relaxed state,” she said as her hands
