The Rub Down (16 page)

“Not sure, mom. Danny is in Philly for a few more days. An issue came up last week when I was there. Then the Boston Strong Gala is next Saturday, then obviously the marathon. I’ll check with Alexa, but how about the weekend after?”

“Sounds great. Be good, and call me later this week to confirm. I love you, son, and I’m very proud of you.”

“Love you, too, mom!”

Luke

Monday came and went quickly. Alexa and I spoke on the phone and texted all day. We talked a lot about the one-year anniversary of the bombing on Tuesday. Discussing the events, and the feelings she was having, helped her overcome some of her fears. Between the anniversary and the ceremonies in honor of the victims and survivors, it was inevitable that she was still scared.

At six o’clock Tuesday morning, I met Alexa at her apartment for our ten-mile run. Thankfully, the weather was much warmer than a few weeks past when I needed winter gear. I donned a pair of shorts, a running shirt, and a zip up, since it was still a tad cool to start. Rain was in the forecast, so I was happy it was still clear. Running in bad weather sucked.

I texted when I arrived, so I didn’t disturb Addison’s sleep. One thing I learned from getting to know Alexa was they never started work before ten. The stores didn’t open before then, and that allowed them to sleep in.

A minute later, a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed beauty opened the door and dove straight at me, wrapping her arms around my waist.

“Good morning, beautiful.” I kissed her like I hadn’t seen her in weeks, not just three days before. She tasted fresh like wintergreen toothpaste, and I couldn’t get enough of her.

“You ready, old man? You going to keep up today?” She was saucy this morning, and nothing was sexier.

“Yes, dear. Let’s do this. I would like to run down Boylston before they block it off for the ceremony, if you’re cool with it. I think it would be good for you to see the finish line before Monday. See the love everyone has for this city. See that we’re Boston Strong, and nothing can bring this town down.” I squeezed her in a tight hug, loving the feel of her pressed up against me.

“I would really like that. Thank you.”

I was worried she wouldn’t want to go down that road with me. She was scared, but she needed the ugly memory replaced with beauty, and I wanted to be there for her.

“I was hoping we could listen to my playlist today. I promise no hard rock. I made it special for this occasion.”

“Did you make me a mixed tape?” she teased, bouncing up and down like a goof. “Are you going to finally give me your letterman jacket when we get back?”

“Wow, you are full of sass today. Do I need to give you some sassy juice?” I joked.

Alexa gave me a sideways glance, looking down at my shorts, and zoning in on my cock.

After a few seconds, I realized what she was thinking. “No way! That is NOT what I meant. Alexa, seriously?”

“Saturday night, maybe? Bill Clinton said oral isn’t really sex. So, it totally works, right?”

Thoughts of her mouth wrapped around my cock flooded my brain. Note, running with a hard-on was not fun.

“Let’s go, dirty girl.”

And with that, I told her what playlist to load up and away we went. First song up was cheesy, but perfection, the theme song to
Rocky
. Then came a classic, “Chariots of Fire.” Each song on the list was more inspirational. Thrown in were songs that made me think of Alexa like “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera.

Once the song registered with her, Alexa looked over at me, questioning my choice. I reached for her hand to give it a squeeze as I mouthed, “You are beautiful,” along with the song.

As we made our way to the bombing site, we took out our ear buds, slowed down to a walk, and grew reverent. I laced our fingers, and we stopped at the finish line together, bowing our heads for our own moment.

Every single emotion rolled through me. Fear, helplessness, pride in my city. Pride for the woman standing next to me, who at that instant, locked her body tight while tears welled up in her eyes. After a minute, I wrapped her arms around my neck while she sobbed into my chest. I held onto her as tight as I could, letting her get it all out. Knowing Alexa as I did, she had been holding in these emotions for a year.

After a few minutes, she tried to move away, but I kept my hold on her.

“I’m sorry. I’m not sure why I keep covering you in snot, but I needed this. Thank you.” She pressed her cheek to my chest.

We stayed at the bombing site for another minute. I said a prayer for the victims, the survivors, and the runners who were going to fight this demon in six days.

We slowly walked away from the finish line, worked our way to a jog, and finally to a full run. Once we were a respectable distance from the site, we reinserted our ear buds and pressed play. The perfect song came on immediately, “Shipping off to Boston” by the Dropkick Murphys. Nothing got the blood flowing like the beat of this song. Didn’t hurt to think of Jonathon Papelbon dancing around the pitcher’s mound like an idiot, either.

By the end, Alexa and I were screaming the lyrics as we jumped up and down on the sidewalks of our city.

The rest of our run was great. The heaviness we carried during the first part had lessened. I felt lighter. Alexa even had a bit more bounce in her steps.

“What time is your appointment today?” I asked as we approached Alexa’s neighborhood.

“I think it’s at four. I have to check my day planner.” She flipped her hand up and planted her palm in my face. “And before you laugh at me for having one, I’m a very visual person and need to see things in print.”

“I wasn’t going to laugh. I make Jessica print out my schedule every day so I can hold it and reference it all day.” I looked up at the sky, trying to picture my day. “If it’s at four, then I think you may be my last appointment. Can I meet you afterward for dinner in your neck of the woods?”

A wide spread smile grew across Alexa’s face. “Sure. Do you want me to wait for you? I could just hang out in the sauna for a bit.” Mischief twinkled in her eyes. “It would be a hardship, but for you, I would totally do it.” Sarcasm flowed in her words.

“No, I think it’s best that we don’t leave the spa together.”
Six more days.
“Once I’m done cleaning up and closing up the office, it’ll be after six. Jess can lock up for me. I’ll take a cab straight to your place. That will give you time to get pretty for me.” I winked, trying to mask how much I hated the precautions we had to take.

“Hey, I always thought I was pretty. Shit, I’m one sexy beast right now. All sweaty and stuff. You telling me you don’t want to get with this?” She swept her arms down her body like Vanna White presenting a new puzzle.

“You have no idea. All I want is to strip you bare the second we enter your apartment. Sweaty is sexy as hell on you. That tight outfit you’re wearing is begging to be ripped off.” I looked over at Alexa and saw her jaw hanging open at my words.

“No one is stopping you, tiger… but you.”

And wasn’t that a pisser.

Moments later, as we reached her apartment door, my desire to do as I said throbbed through my veins and my cock.

“Thank you for the run. You’re stronger than you think. Never doubt it.” I captured her mouth in a searing kiss that would have to hold us off until dinner.

*****

Alexa

The run wrecked me. I never would have had the courage to go to the finish line, today of all days. But he was right. Going there helped. I felt a renewed sense of strength and clarity.

However, the rest of the day, my mood was solemn. The day deserved respect, and I gave it mine as I took a few appointments before heading to The Rub Down.

First up was Mrs. Feldstein. She was one of my favorite people in the world. Not only was she a dream to dress, since she had a great body with lots of womanly curves, but she was genuinely a wonderful person. She personally donated five thousand dollars to my marathon fundraising, and made her husband’s company match it. Rich beyond imagination, she was so down to earth, no one would ever know by talking to her. I adored her.

Having just returned from a trip to St. Maarten, her skin was perfectly bronzed and her natural blonde hair bleached out by the sun. Finding her the right dress for Saturday’s gala would be easy. She chose a simple black dress that hung perfectly over every one of her curves, and then fell straight to the floor. The neckline was asymmetrical, with one shoulder and arm fully exposed, and the other covered. A bright orange clutch finished the ensemble, and she called it a day. We made another appointment for a few weeks later to refresh her spring wardrobe.

Next on the schedule was a royal pain in my ass. And when I said royal, I meant it. Boston was home to a bunch of Middle Eastern oil princesses. Some actually lived in the same building as Luke. Most of the princesses were pleasant, but Dalia was not.

She was spoiled rotten and hated any suggestion I made. Typically, Addison took care of her, but I filled in today since I needed her to finish my dress. While Dalia was in a dressing room at Barneys, I texted Addison and asked if she was always a pain in the ass. Her reply? YES in all caps. After three painful hours, we parted ways. She had lots of bags of clothes that I would have never chosen, but she seemed happy. My guess was she wanted someone to shop with and tell her she looked great in everything. Fine by me, I still got paid.

Since I was only a few blocks from The Rub Down, I headed to Newbury Street to grab a power smoothie before my appointment. A large crowd was gathered for the anniversary of the bombing ceremony. Bowing my head, I said another prayer for all the survivors and the victims’ families.

*****

Luke

Despite my heavy client load, the day went by slowly. To say I counted the hours until Alexa’s appointment would be an understatement. I counted the minutes. Danny’s clients were just as irate he was gone as mine were when I left town. We needed another solution. We needed to send someone else down to Philadelphia to check on the progress.

When I saw Alexa sitting in the Zen room, all my stress and tiredness washed away. If only I could touch her freely. My body ached for her.

“Alexa, I’m ready for you. Come with me,” I called out in the busy waiting area.

“Hey, Luke. Let’s do this.”

Her own yearning for me filled her eyes. Only two more appointments, and then she was mine. She followed me to my room, but that saucy girl’s stare burned holes into the ass of my pants. I glanced over my shoulder, giving her a look of pure lust.

“Stop it, Alexa,” I whispered as I waited for her to enter the treatment room.

“I have no idea what you are talking about,” she said, tucking a stray hair behind her ear, as a coy look danced on her face.

As I closed the door behind us, I grabbed her in a toe-curling kiss. My tongue stroked the seam of her mouth, demanding entrance. She tasted great, and I could have spent the entire hour of her massage loving on her.

She finally broke our lips apart, eyes hooded and panting. “Look who’s talking, buddy. None of that here. Your rules.” She sat on the table with her legs crossed, tempting me even further when the robe split to expose her long, luxurious legs.

“I have a surprise for you today. Elle is joining us to give you a facial while I work on your front.”

Having Elle in the room with us was a great way to keep the appointment clean and professional. Plus, I wanted to pamper Alexa, and Elle was a gifted esthetician. After a few rough years, she finished a business degree at the University of New Hampshire, but as the spa grew, she decided to go to esthetician school. She graduated at the top of her class.

“Seriously? I’ve never had a facial before. How exciting. Thank you, that’s really sweet of you.” Her head tilted to the side and she narrowed her eyes. “And a safe move. Don’t trust yourself with me, tiger?”

“Honestly, no. I’m Superman, but you’re my Kryptonite. I’ll step out and grab Elle, and we’ll be in when you’re ready.” I gave her a quick peck on the top of her head and walked out.

Elle waited right outside my treatment room. “Hey, sis. Alexa’s getting under the covers. You ready for this?”

“You mean, am I ready to babysit your horny ass?”

“Elle, what the fuck. Keep it down. Come on,” I whisper yelled.

“I’m just kidding, big brother. I know you need to keep this on the DL. Relax.”

“I’ll relax when you start using your spa voice, not your outside voice.” I was serious. Alexa and I had two more treatments to suffer through, and then we were in the clear. I didn’t need anyone putting pieces together. It wasn’t as if what we were doing was illegal, or even against moral code, but the spa was my baby, and the last thing I wanted was to jeopardize it.

“She’s probably ready. Are you, big brother?” Elle said sweetly, knowing she’d upset me.

I knocked on the door and opened it after hearing Alexa say to come in.

“Hey, Alexa, how are you?” Elle greeted.

“I’m good, Elle. I’m excited to get a facial, since I’ve never had one.”

“Nice. I’m doing a non-abrasive treatment since you have the big gala on Saturday. We don’t want you to be all broken out or red faced for the big night.” Elle explained everything to Alexa since it was her first time.

While Elle was chatting, I got my oils ready.

“Lex, since Elle is here, obviously I’m going to just work your legs and arms. Elle will massage your neck and upper shoulders during your facial. Do you think that will be enough for today, or does your lower back need attention?”