Chapter 18 #2
It was a large living room, bigger than the one she’d grown up with, with two plush sofas and end tables. A giant TV screen was mounted on one wall. The living room flowed into the dining space, with a table which seated six. Off to the side, she saw a small kitchenette.
Sullivan followed her into it.
“A handful of suites have a full kitchen because there are a few people who want to entertain with a catered dinner while they’re here. Others will merely order from one of the restaurants and have that meal brought up so they can eat in privacy. Let’s go check out the bedroom.”
They entered it. Their luggage stood in a corner, waiting for them, and he frowned.
“They should’ve placed these on the luggage stands.” He took out his phone and jotted a note.
She wandered over to the windows, which ran floor to ceiling and saw the same terrific view of the cove.
Then Piper went to the bathroom, which seemed larger than her shared Brooklyn apartment had been.
It had a shower big enough to host a party and a soaking tub which would easily fit Sullivan and her.
She began thinking of the things they could do in that tub.
He stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her, nuzzling her neck. “What do you want to do first?”
Although she would be happy to stay in bed with him the entire weekend, that wasn’t going to give Zane much feedback.
“I think we should get bikes and explore the island,” she told him. “Then come back here and soak in this marvelous tub.”
“You’re on.”
They didn’t need to change since they both already wore shorts. Sullivan had on a Driftwood Bay Pirates basketball shirt he must have gotten from Carson. Piper wore a white tank top and pink sports bra.
“Let’s unpack before we leave,” she suggested. “I didn’t bring much, but I don’t want the dresses I brought for nice dinners to wrinkle.”
Afterward, they headed downstairs to the bike stand.
They pedaled around the island for almost ninety minutes, seeing bits of the golf course and even waving to Keaton and Carson as they passed by the pair.
After they returned their bikes, they cut through one of the pool areas, where Sullivan asked her if she might want a drink.
“I’ll take a pina colada,” she said spontaneously.
He looked at the bartender. “Make it two.”
They sipped on their drinks as they returned to their suite, and then Sullivan said he would start the water for the bath.
Ten minutes later, he climbed in first, setting what was left of his drink on the edge of the tub.
Piper followed suit, leaning back against his hard, muscled chest. His arms went around her, and she closed her eyes, blissfully soaking in this moment.
They finally left the tub, drying off one another, and then retreated to the massive bed.
Sullivan made love to her with a fierce passion, and she lay nestled in his arms afterward, committing this moment to memory.
When lonely times came—and she knew they would—she would close her eyes and transport herself back to this bed, this man’s strong arms encircling her.
Then her stomach growled, causing them both to laugh.
“I guess it’s time to check out room service,” Sullivan said, climbing from the bed and going to the closet to slip into one of the luxurious robes provided by Tidewater.
Handing her the menu, he said, “Look over that and see what you might want.”
Her eyes skimmed it, and she passed it back to him. “I’ll do the chicken fajita salad, with an order of queso and chips. And iced tea.”
He called room service and relayed their order while she climbed from the bed and slipped into the remaining robe.
Their order was delivered in a timely fashion, the salad greens crisp and the fajita meat tender.
“If there’s anything missing from the salad, make a note,” Sullivan reminded.
She did so, noting the guac had been slightly oversalted and that she would have liked a dollop of sour cream to accompany the salad.
“I haven’t ridden a bike in forever. I’m probably going to be sore tomorrow,” he told her.
“Then let’s see if we can book a couples’ massage. I’ve never done that before.”
“Good idea.”
He called the spa and arranged for the service. They went downstairs, and Piper’s eyes roamed the beautiful setting, the faint scent of eucalyptus present and soft, instrumental background music playing.
Two employees appeared and introduced themselves.
They each had a tablet and asked for Piper and Sullivan to mark any areas which might need special attention before leading them to a room with two tables.
Once the masseuses had left, they disrobed and climbed under the sheet.
The table was warm, surprising her, and Piper almost fell asleep before the massage even began.
She forced herself to stay awake, though, and was glad she did so because she enjoyed every stroke. When they dressed again, they were met in the meditation room with tall, cold glasses of water flavored with raspberries.
“Stay here a few minutes and unwind before you hurry back to the real world,” the massage therapist who had worked on her told them.
They idly chatted for a few minutes before they were joined by a woman with beautiful auburn hair and green eyes.
“I hate to intrude. I’m Quinn Walker, the manager of the spa. I just wanted to check and see how your experience was.”
“It was my first massage ever,” Piper shared. “I don’t have anything to compare it to. Does it help to say that I feel boneless now?”
Quinn smiled appreciatively. “A first massage is always a landmark. Did your masseuse listen to any instructions you gave on the amount of pressure or places which needed to be worked on?”
Both of them agreed that their masseuses had been knowledgeable and listened well to their requests. Piper even said that her mother was coming to Tidewater next week and that she would definitely recommend she have a massage during her stay.
“I’m so glad to hear that,” Quinn said. “I know you’ll also be with us tomorrow, so if you want to partake in any other service, please let us know.
” Looking to Piper, she added, “If you’ve never had a facial before, Miss Roberts, I highly recommend you try one. The HydraFacial would be a good start.”
“Why don’t you do that now, honey?” Sullivan said.
His use of the Southern endearment made her heart speed up. “I’d like to if someone is available to take me now, Quinn.”
“I’ll take care of you personally,” the spa manager said.
Sullivan leaned over and kissed her brow. “See you back in the room.”
Quinn led her to another treatment room, just as inviting. For the next hour, Piper was spoiled. When the facial ended, she took the mirror Quinn offered, seeing that she was glowing.
“My skin has never looked better. I could get used to being pampered like this. Unfortunately, I probably won’t be back at Tidewater. I’m simply a local helping give feedback on the resort.”
Quinn smiled knowingly. “I hear you. I may work at Tidewater, but I could never afford to partake in the services in the spa, and I’m paid very well.
I give myself home facials, though. I’m renting an apartment in town.
Maybe we could get together for a girls’ night of pampering.
I’d be happy to share a few tips with you. ”
“That would be a lot of fun,” she agreed. “Could I ask a few friends?”
“The more, the merrier,” Quinn replied.
Quinn took one of her cards and scribbled something on the back. “That’s my cell. Text me sometime.”
“Maybe we could do dinner and then enjoy a night of pampering,” Piper said. “I manage the Bay Breeze Inn. We could meet there. Or actually, my friend Layne’s house is really large. We’ll work it out.”
“Thanks, Piper. It’s nice to meet a local,” Quinn said. “I’ve been so busy setting up the spa, I haven’t really met anyone in town.”
“I’ll text you once this weekend is over. Gotta enjoy all the luxury I can while it’s available.”
Though she would only be in the Bay a limited time, Piper decided it would be good to get together with Quinn, as well as introduce Quinn to her friends.
She returned to their suite and knocked on the door since Sullivan had been the only one to bring a keycard when they left. He opened the door, his hair still damp from the shower he had taken. He was freshly-shaved and the most handsome man she had ever seen.
And he was all hers for the next two days.