His Curvy Flower (Security Guards of Appleridge #2)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Sadie

I wiped my hands on my stretchy black pants for the millionth time as I stared at the clock on the wall, the ticking hands causing my nerves to soar through the roof.

Ever since I was a little girl, I’d always hated clocks. Watching the time tick away while hoping it would slow down so I didn’t have to leave school yet or so that my father wouldn’t come home and hit my mom while I hid under the covers with headphones on.

Acknowledge the memories and move on, Sadie.

My childhood didn’t get any better. My father took off, my mother ran through guys and drugs, and I pushed my way through high school somehow.

But I finally left my past behind after graduation, moved far away, and worked hard to put myself through massage school while living in a crappy studio apartment. I browsed jobs for months before graduating, and when I saw the listing for a new spa in a small mountain town, I jumped at the chance.

A new town, a fresh start, and a brand-new career.

Yet I couldn’t stop looking over my shoulder.

On top of that, I was afraid I wouldn’t be good enough for my first client. If I lost this job, I didn’t know what I’d do.

There was rent for the cute cabin I just moved into and the car I managed to lease before arriving in Appleridge. I needed a steady cash flow for my bills as I vowed to myself after securing my massage license that I would never live without a way to pay my bills. I would work as hard as I needed to be independently successful. I would rely on only myself and no one else.

And I would pray every night, like I have since I left my childhood home, that my mother and her disgusting boyfriend wouldn’t find me and destroy me for the money I stole from them.

Trust me, it was the last thing I wanted to do. I vowed to never steal again. But I didn’t see another way out.

“Sadie?” Lacey called as she knocked on my slightly ajar door.

“Yes?” I shook out my hands and wiped them on my pants yet again.

“Your client is here. Shall I send him in?”

“Yes, please. I’m ready for him.”

“Perfect.” Lacey smiled before disappearing back down the hallway.

Shit, shit, shit. Here goes nothing.

A few moments later, a tall, burly hunk of a man stepped through the door, and I nearly gasped out loud. His presence filled the entire room, and he looked like a giant compared to me.

Sleeves of tats covered both his arms, and I wondered if he had more under his tight T-shirt that showed off all the ridges and valleys of his delicious muscles. He even looked amazing in his jeans, and shit, I couldn’t stop staring.

If someone were to describe the definition of a mountain man, it would be him. All the way.

He cleared his throat, and I realized I was staring without saying anything.

“Hi!” I croaked. Why is my voice cracking? What the fuck? I held out my hand. “My name is Sadie, and I’ll be your massage therapist today.”

His large hand swallowed my much smaller one, and when our skin touched, a spark ran up my arm. “Arlo. Nice to meet you.”

Holy shit. If I thought he was hot, it was nothing compared to his voice.

“I’m going to step out so you can undress. Everything off except underwear, then lie down on your stomach on the table. You can drape the sheet over your backside if you’d like or I can.” My voice shook with nerves, and the words spilled out of me so fast I sounded like I was on speed or some shit.

Arlo chuckled low and stared at me with such intensity it took my breath away. “You don’t have to leave,” he said. His eyes stayed locked on mine as he slipped his T-shirt off and threw it onto a nearby chair.

I couldn’t help but gape at his gorgeous chest and abs. It was sexier than I could’ve ever imagined. His tattoo sleeves didn’t stop at the tops of his arms but instead ran over his shoulders and down his chest, the intricate designs swirling together seamlessly.

His pants went next, and I didn’t miss the shit-eating grin plastered across his face, his amusement evident.

“You know, when my buddies told me about this spa and how good the massages were, they failed to mention how gorgeous the massage therapists are. Short and curvy with blond hair and blue eyes? Have I died and gone to heaven?” Arlo stood now in only his boxers, and I couldn’t help but notice the large bulge in front.

I flushed, the heat creeping up the back of my neck and extending into my ears. “Well, it must be your lucky day, Arlo, because you’re my very first client.” I flirted back, enjoying the way it made me feel inside. Giddy and tingly and unlike anything I’ve experienced before.

“Really? As in, this is your first day? And I’m your first appointment?”

“Yes.” I gestured toward the table. “If you lie down, we can get started.”

But instead of moving toward the table, Arlo stepped closer to me. “I’d like to get started. But I’m afraid there might be a little problem.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?” My breathing picked up speed along with my heart rate.

Arlo towered over me, and all I could think about was what it would be like to climb him like a damn tree.

My ears burned hot. They must be a deep shade of red by now.

Why was this guy making me feel this way? I didn’t get feelings like this…

A deep ache settled between my legs, and I wondered where these feelings came from and what they all meant. They were confusing and unsettling, yet I couldn’t lose this job, so like always, I pushed them to the side and tried my best to focus.

“I’m afraid I won’t be able to control myself if you put your hands on me.”

I swallowed hard.

How do I even respond?

“Do you…do you not want the massage, then?” I asked because what else could I say?

“Of course I do. But I also want something else.”

“What’s that?”

“You.”