Chapter 11
I didn’t know where we were when we pulled up to the white building with fountains and colorful flowers. It wasn’t until I climbed out the car that I saw a sign.
SERENITY’S WELLNESS RETREAT.
My lips spread into a smile. “What is this?”
“You mentioned you had a big week and I also have a lot going on this week so”—grabbing my hand, Russ brought it to his lips—“I thought we could relax together.”
I licked my lips. “I like the sound of that.”
We walked in and we were greeted by a woman with her hair pulled back into a tight bun.
“Welcome to Serenity! How can we be of service to you?”
“We have a four o’clock appointment under the name Ford.”
Her eyes lit up. “Mr. Long!” She turned and grinned at me. “And this must be Ms. Ford.”
“Yes,” Russ replied. “Thank you for accommodating us.”
“It is my pleasure.” She leaned forward.
“And soon to be yours.” She grabbed two wristbands and then gestured for us to follow her.
“You will start down here at the showers. Your spa attendant will bring you your robe and slippers and they will escort you to the mud room.” She pointed across the hall to the brown door.
“Your couple’s mud bath will take place in here.
After that, you’ll rinse off and then you’ll be escorted”—she walked a few steps and gestured to the blue door—“to your ninety-minute couple’s massage.
And then you’ll end the session with chromotherapy”—she pointed to the green door—“and refreshments. Do you have any questions?”
I shook my head. “No, I think I got it.”
“Yeah, we’re good,” Russ added.
She flashed a smile. “I’ll let Tessa and Byron know you’re heading into the shower. They will come to get you to start your experience in fifteen minutes. I hope you enjoy your romance package.”
She took a few steps away to speak into a headset.
I waited until she was out of earshot before I looked up at him. “You got the romance package for us? I think you like me a little bit,” I teased.
He leaned down and whispered in my ear. “I do.”
A chill ran down my spine.
“Go right through these doors,” the woman directed us. “Tessa and Byron are expecting you.”
“See you on the other side,” Russ said with a wink before disappearing through the door.
Biting my lip, I walked into the shower room.
“Oh, wow,” I mumbled as I eyed every amenity I would need to shower.
I expected them to have a towel and soap.
I didn’t expect them to have different types of luxury bath products.
They had it all! Impressed, I grabbed the moisturizing soap, shower cap, disposable shower shoes, and facial cleanser.
Stripping off my clothes and removing my shoes, I put it all in a locker and then went into the first stall with just my bath products.
My hair and feet were protected as I stepped into the rainfall shower.
I hate these, I griped silently.
The water felt good, but I didn’t know if the shower cap was going to be enough protection for my hair. Trying not to focus on that, I lathered my body and got myself clean. I didn’t think I was taking too long, but I heard a soft knock against the stall’s frame.
“Ms. Ford?” a woman called out.
My washcloth stopped mid-swipe. “Yes?”
“I have your bathing bottom, robe, and slippers. Your mud bath is awaiting you.”
I rinsed off and then quickly dried before wrapping myself in the towel.
It didn’t quite cover my entire body so when I stepped out of the shower stall, I had my right breast in my hand to give a semblance of modesty.
I exchanged my shower shoes for white terry cloth slippers and my towel for an oversized terry cloth robe.
I wiggled into the white swim bottom. The elastic bit into my skin, but overall, it fit.
Once I was fully covered, the petite woman with her hair in a slick bun flashed me a smile and picked up my shower shoes. “I’m Tessa. I’ll be your guide for today. Anything you need, let me know.” She handed me a swim cap. “For your hair.”
We headed out the door and met Russ and his guide in the hallway.
We were taken into a room with lots of greenery hanging from walls and draping from the ceiling.
The space wasn’t that big, so the décor truly looked like a rainforest. The sound of heavy rain, waterfalls, and exotic animals only added to the illusion.
The lighting was dim, with uplights strategically placed to illuminate the greenery.
In one corner of the room, two huge stone beach chairs sat in a glass enclosure.
In the center of the room sat two long, white, oversized tubs elevated on a platform and surrounded by large gray stones and plants.
It was beautiful.
We were ushered around to the other side where there was a small stone bench. There was also a stone trail that led to the corner of the room. I didn’t know what to expect but I was grinning.
“These are your mud baths,” Tessa told us.
“A mixture of hot mineral water, clay, peat, and volcanic ash make up the mud. These ingredients are known for their traditional health-giving properties. It’s heated to about one hundred degrees, and you will instantly feel the soothing effects.
We will give you your privacy while you remove your robes.
Once you’re settled in the mud, we will be back to get you started. ”
“Is my hair tucked in?” I asked after putting on the swim cap. I turned in a circle so he could see.
“Yes.”
As soon as the door closed behind our attendants, Russ took my hand. “Let me undress you.”
Turning to face him, I held my arms out and allowed him to untie my belt. When my robe parted, I watched Russ’s eyes darken. When our eyes locked, he stepped a little closer and placed his hands around my neck. He licked his lips, and his thumb applied slight pressure to the center of my throat.
I swallowed hard.
He ran his hands down my chest, belly, and hips before grabbing my ass. Taking his time, he worked his way back up, over my breasts, before wrapping his hands around my neck again.
“Nina.”
The sexy rasp in his voice as he uttered my name caused me to clench. My nipples were rock hard.
“Russ,” I responded quietly.
“Mmm.”
The soft moan he let out curled my toes in my slippers.
His fingers seared my skin as he moved them over my shoulders, pushing my robe off. He let it fall down my arms and when he bent down to pick it up, he was eye level to my throbbing pussy. He planted a kiss at the apex of my thighs, and I instantly wished I didn’t have the bikini bottom on.
“Russ,” I gasped.
“Don’t say my name like that.” He kissed me in the same spot but for longer. “We still have like three hours until we get to the hotel.”
“Then stop teasing me,” I whispered.
“Then stop saying my name like that.”
He slowly stood, tossing the robe onto the stone bench next to us. He stepped back, eyeing me up and down.
My heart pounded in my chest under his gaze.
“You know why I like being with you?” he wondered as his hands caressed my skin.
I exhaled as his fingertips skated over my breasts, lingering on my nipples. “Why?”
His hands traveled over my belly before circling around to my ass. He pulled me into him, and I felt his bulge. My lips parted and I was momentarily distracted.
“Because you feel good,” he answered, pulling me back to the conversation.
“I feel good,” I repeated softly.
“You’re—”
“Are you ready for us to come in?” Byron interrupted as he cracked, then knocked on the door.
As if a starter pistol went off, we startled apart.
“Give us a few more minutes,” Russ immediately shouted back, taking off his robe and throwing it with mine.
Damn.
The swim briefs Russ wore stretched deliciously over his erection, constricting him from displaying the full length and girth of his dick. The bulge showcased what I planned to sit on before the day was done.
“Get in first,” Russ commanded, snapping me out of my trance.
My gaze shifted from his dick to his eyes to the mud bath. I nodded.
We went as fast as we could, but we had to slowly ease our way into the mud. It wasn’t scalding hot, but it was an adjustment. It didn’t take long to shift from hot to cozy.
Russ and I were barely submerged when Byron knocked again. “Permission to enter?”
Checking to make sure my body wasn’t exposed, Russ called out. “Yes!”
My headrest faced the east wall and Russ’s headrest faced the west wall so when we sat back in the tubs, we could see each other. Sitting in mud up to our chin, we grinned at one another.
Tessa and Byron came in and situated themselves beside our respective tubs.
“Your bath is an opportunity to relax, release, and rejuvenate,” Tessa started.
“The heat draws out impurities and toxins, thereby nourishing your skin. The regenerative and antiseptic properties of mineral-rich mud leaves you with softer, fresher skin. Soaking in this mud and its minerals can help alleviate aches and pains, as it relaxes sore muscles and joints. The soothing properties also do wonders for your mind. As your body releases, your mind also releases and detoxifies. For the next fifteen minutes, you are urged to let go of everything and allow the mud to work. Are you comfortable? Is it too hot?”
After we answered her, she nodded. “Your time starts now.”
They stepped away from the tub, and due to the platform and where they were hiding, I couldn’t see them.
I looked over at Russ and he looked just as confused as I felt.
I lifted my eyebrows to communicate silently, and he smiled.
I was sure he had no idea what I was trying to say, and that made me smile back.
The rainforest noises echoed through the room, and I suddenly felt extremely relaxed. Closing my eyes, I allowed the nerves surrounding the exclusivity with RLF to fade away. I didn’t fall asleep, but I felt like I wasn’t fully conscious.