Six
Emerson
When we got to the posh, spacious cabana Fray had reserved, the loungers were pushed to the side and two tables with thick pads on them were in the center.
“Couples massages,” he told me. “I thought it would be a great way to start the day. They have some world-class massage therapists on staff, which is good because you deserve only the best.”
“I’ve never gotten a massage,” I told him.
“Well, you’re in for a treat,” a male voice said from the open front of the enclosure. When we wanted to be alone, a pair of curtains could be pulled over it for privacy, but right now, a blond, tanned guy in a white tee and floral board shorts stood there.
“And you are?” Fray asked, sounding unwelcoming. His body went rigid, and he stepped closer to me. Any minute, I expected him to jump in front of me as if dodging a bullet from the surfer dude before us.
The blond man seemed unfazed, a wide grin stretching his face. “I’m Shane. I’m here for your massage.”
“No, you’re not,” Fray growled. I gave him side-eye because what the heck .
“Fraser,” I muttered through my teeth. “Don’t be rude.”
“He’s not touching you,” he replied back, not so much under his breath.
Shane’s brow furrowed, and he lifted a tablet I hadn’t noticed.
“Uh…” He clicked his tongue in a random tune as he surveyed it. “Two massages. I’m supposed to do yours,” he glanced at Fray, “and my partner, Millie, who should be here in a minute, is doing Ms. Blake’s. You are Mr. Cassel, correct?”
Fray gave a chin lift.
“Don’t worry, dude. I might look tough, but I’ll be gentle,” Shane teased.
My guy shook his head.
“Hey, can we have a sec?” I asked the masseuse.
“Of course. We’ll be ready to get started in a hot minute. You two need to…” He made a quick motion over his sternum and clicked again. “Get naked on the top then climb under the sheets, face up. Be back in five.”
He drew the curtains, enclosing us in shadows.
I closed the distance between me and Fray then draped my arms loosely around his waist. “Relax. He seems harmless, and I bet he’ll be completely professional. He wouldn’t be top-rated if he was on the make.”
“You’re right. Thinking of another man near you just brings out my inner caveman.”
“I don’t mind, but maybe dial it back a little.”
“No promises, babe.” Fray bussed his lips over mine, and I hummed. I really liked when he did that. In fact, truth be told, I kind of looked forward to going to bed tonight and pretending as if I wouldn’t end up all tangled up with him again by morning. Waking in his arms had been shocking, but it was also…life changing. As in…I wasn’t sure how I’d recover from him after this cruise. He’d been filling my thoughts since New York. Now, my imaginings had taken a turn for the steamy. Well…steamier.
Still…
“Turn around,” I murmured, letting him go.
“What?”
“If I’m taking off my shirt and bikini top, you’re not watching.”
“I could help.”
“We’re not there yet,” I admonished.
He looked hopeful. “But we will get there.”
Probably. Likely. Hopefully.
Soon.
I smiled and twirled my finger for him to turn. “Maybe. But for now, turn around.”
Instead, he grabbed me and kissed me hard and fast, leaving me breathless. “I’m turning your maybe into a ‘hell, yes.’ I promise you that.”
I swallowed hard, my thighs pressing together as I tingled. Fray’s eyes were full of heat as he turned, his gaze staying on me until the very last moment. I watched his back and the play of powerful muscles there as he stripped off his own tee. Holy back porn. I never knew how stunning a fit torso could be from this direction. Wide shoulder, muscled, slim hips with low-riding shorts.
“Ready?” he asked.
Take me. Take me now…
“Um,” I squeaked. “Nope.”
“You okay?”
“Uh-huh.”
Except I still had to take off my clothes and lie under a thin sheet with my nipples as hard as little rocks. Damn. It.
Turning, I stripped off as fast as possible then dove under the sheet, crossing my arms over my all-too-perky breasts while I waited for Millie and Shane to come in.
“Okay,” I told Fray, closing my eyes. “It’s safe.”
“What are you doing?” he asked. His amusement was hard to miss. Apparently, he was checking my position, but I refused to open my eyes to glance over at what he was doing.
“Waiting.”
“Is something wrong?”
Yeah, I don’t want you to see my nipples.
“I’m cold.”
“It’s eighty degrees,” he countered.
“Just shut up and get under your sheet,” I growled.
Fray laughed. Instead of doing what I said, he came toward me, startling me when his lips brushed over mine. I hadn’t realized he was that close. He squeezed my forearm then feathered his hand down over my hand. I startled again when his thumb caressed over my cheek. I opened my eyes, my breath shuddering, and stared up into his warm, dark-chocolate gaze.
“You’re a treasure,” he murmured. “A refreshing change from—”
“Ready?” Shane called, interrupting.
“Sure,” Fraser called. I bit my lip, watching him climb onto the other bed.
The two masseuses entered, and what followed was a blur of melty pleasure. The lighting remained low, and they played soothing wood pipe music while their magical hands rubbed every bit of tension from our bodies without getting too intimate.
I was a pile of boneless mush when Millie murmured she was done, to have a wonderful day and to make sure to stay hydrated. Vaguely, I heard Shane speaking to Fray, probably telling him the same thing.
“Oh my God, I don’t want to move,” I moaned once the pair left.
“We can stay here all day.”
“Nah…” I levered myself up slightly before I remembered I was naked from the waist up. I dropped back down and looked over at Fray to find him watching me avidly with a smirk.
“Close call,” he teased.
“You’re a perv.”
“Yep.”
“Stop looking at me and get dressed. You have a busy day planned for us, and I intend to enjoy it all, so I can sleep like a rock tonight.”
“I’m sure I can help tire you out if the fun, sun and island pub crawl don’t do it.”
“Maybe—and this is just a suggestion—you should dial it down a couple notches.”
“Mmm…no. This is part of the cavemen, and we’ve already established he can’t be dialed back.” He tossed back his sheet and pretty much vaulted from the table. After a quick press of lips to my temple, sending a shiver of pleasure down my spine, he scooped up his shirt and shoes then left the cabana. I waited a few moments then slipped off my own table, got dressed and joined him.
Fray grabbed my hand, twining our fingers. “Off to get our buzz on and explore.”
“After you—and I’m not getting drunk.”
He leaned in and kissed me, and I realized he’d been pretty free with them today. And I’d let him…enjoying his lips way too much.
“Of course, you’re not,” he agreed. “That would ruin tonight’s fun.”
Tonight’s fun? What?