The Rub Down (17 page)

Dear God, please say no. I just can’t.

“No, it feels okay today.” She laid her head down on the table.

“Okay, let’s do this. What music do you want today?”

“Dave Matthews?”

She really was my dream woman. I loved his music. He was my go-to when I needed to chill out and think.

The rest of the appointment went smooth. The sexual tension that usually crackled between Alexa and myself was there with every stroke. That fact wouldn’t have changed if the Pope was in the room with us. Elle, however, provided a great distraction. She and Alexa talked about fashion, celebrity gossip, and other girly stuff while I massaged the best pair of legs I’d ever seen. But I was becoming partial to them.

When the hour was over, Alexa’s face glowed, and sadly, it wasn’t because of me, but I was thrilled to see her gorgeous smile anyway.

“Thank you, Elle, for the facial. That was amazing. My face feels great. My skin is so soft.” Alexa rubbed her hands over her cheeks.

“Anytime. You have beautiful skin. I hope you’ll still come in after the marathon. I know you won’t be seeing this jerk, but I’d love to still treat you. I don’t have a rule against dating clients.” Elle winked at Alexa and walked out.

“How did that feel, babe?”

Alexa was still naked, a fact that wasn’t lost on me.

“It was great. Thank you for thinking of it. It was nice to get to know her better, but more importantly, I was distracted from wanting to jump your bones.”

“Yes, it helped me, too. Okay, I’ll leave. Take your time and come out when you are ready. Then I’ll meet you at your place in a little while.” I had nowhere near my fill of her for the day, and was dying to kiss her with wild abandon.

Alexa

After my amazing massage and facial, I headed to the locker room, and changed out of my decadent robe into my street clothes. I wished Luke and I were able to leave the spa hand in hand. We weren’t exactly sneaking around, since the important people knew we were together, but I still hated hiding.

I hurried home to shower and clean my place before Luke left work. It was the first time we would hang out at my place. Ours was nice, but we could be slobs if we were both running all over the place with clients like this week and last. Addison also went all crazy artist on me when she designed.

“Addie! Addie!” I breezed through the door.

“Girl, you have got to stop running in here like your panties are on fire. It’s getting old. What’s got you in a tizzy this time?”

“Luke will be here in about an hour to hang out, and I don’t want him to see the dress. I want it to be a surprise. Can we move you into your room for a little bit?” I pleaded.

“Sure, just help me. What are you guys doing tonight?” Addison inquired as we loaded our arms with the material. The color she chose was stunning, and the fabric was luxurious. I couldn’t wait to see the final product.

“Not sure. I’m starving, so I’m sure we’ll grab dinner.”

“Cool. Try the new place on Tremont Street. The menu looks delish. I’ve been meaning to go, but haven’t had a chance yet,” Addison suggested. “Now, go shower. I’ll finish moving this stuff.”

Around six thirty the doorbell rang. When I opened the door, Luke looked sexy as hell in his scrub pants and TRD shirt. He wore his glasses again, making him look downright edible.

“Hey, there. Come on in.” I pulled him into a hug, offering him comfort. “You look exhausted. If you’re tired, we can do this another night.”

“Absolutely not. I’m tired, but I want to hang with you.” He wrapped his arms around me and laid his head down on mine. “Do you think we could order in instead of going out? I just want to park my ass on the couch and have you cuddle up on me.”

He didn’t have to ask me twice.

“Sure. I’m going to change out of jeans into comfy pants, since I’m not seeing other humans tonight.”

“You going to slip into something more comfortable?” Luke wiggled his eyebrows at me.

“Yup, sweats!”

“Sexy. What do you want on your pizza?” Luke asked.

“Pepperoni is my favorite, but I could do anything right now I’m so hungry.”

“Pepperoni is perfect. Sorry, I’m being lame, but today was really long. How do you run that far every morning and not pass out at seven o’clock?”

I pushed Luke down on our couch. He got up to run just to be with me, and I felt awful, but it kind of made me fall even harder for him.

“Before I started talking to this hot guy every night before bed, I was passed out at seven. Okay, you order. I’ll be right down.” I winked at him as I ran up the stairs.

*****

I loved going out to restaurants and bars to hang out with friends. But eating pizza, drinking water, and snuggling on the couch in my comfies under my favorite blanket with Luke? The absolute best way to end a day. With my head resting on his chest, I fit perfectly right under his shoulder, and as we watched mindless television, I lightly caressed his arm. Every time I touched the palm of his hand, he tried to stop my motions, but I wanted to feel him. His arms were hard muscle, but the skin and hair were soft.

Addison stayed in her room most of the night creating my dress and giving us privacy, but she popped into the kitchen for a slice of pizza. I appreciated it more than imaginable. It felt great to be a couple just touching and kissing without any worry.

We dozed off wrapped in each other’s arms. Our legs tangled, making it hard to tell where he began and I ended. It was a feeling I wanted to get used to, to fall asleep and wake up together every day.

Both of us jolted awake when the news clicked on—louder in volume than the previous show. The newscaster reported live from the marathon finish line, where more ceremonies to commemorate the anniversary had taken place tonight. Her update came from under a large umbrella while rain poured down around her.

“Police have evacuated the area after two backpacks were spotted near the finish line, reminiscent of last year. A barefoot man, dressed in all black and wearing a black veil, was acting suspicious, and when asked what was in the bags, he said rice cookers, the same devices used by the bombers one year ago today.”

Luke sprang for the remote on the table to turn off the television. “You don’t need to watch that.”

“Luke, please, turn it on. I need to know what’s happening.”

“Lex, look at me. The incident happened earlier tonight. The bomb squad has probably disposed of the bags. It was just some asshole trying to scare everyone.”

“Well, he fucking succeeded.”

*****

Luke

Alexa’s face filled with terror. Her body shook, and her breathing was erratic. No one who knew me would call me a violent person, but in that moment, if I could get my hands on that man, I’d beat the shit out of him for affecting Alexa and scaring our community again. I wanted to wrap her in my arms and kill anyone who threatened to do harm to her.

“This morning really helped me. I was putting my fears behind me, and now this! Luke, how am I going to run on Monday?” Tears streamed down, and she looked up at me with complete despair written on her face.

“Baby, you can do it. I know you can.” Picking her up, I settled her in my lap. “They have increased security for Monday. Checkpoints will be up. More uniformed and plainclothes police than you can imagine will be placed along the route. You’ll be safe, sweetie.” I wiped her tears away.

“Maybe I just won’t run. Children’s Hospital has the donation. I’m good with that.”

“Lex, you’ve been training for months, on top of all your training last year. Don’t quit now. You’re only letting the terrorists win if you let fear rule your decision.”

“Will you be there? At the finish line?” Alexa said between hiccups as she calmed down.

“Do you want me there?” I stroked her cheeks, clearing her tears.

“Yes, I know that doesn’t make sense since I’m scared of more bombs, and if you’re there, you’ll be in danger, but I need to know you’re there as I cross the finish line.”

“Then I’m there, babe.” The panic in her face drained away. “Do you want me to come to the starting line in Hopkinton? Or Heartbreak Hill?”

“No, I know you need to work. I won’t cross until after two thirty, so there’s no need for you to take the whole day off.”

“Lex, you are more important than my clients.” I’d never said those words before, but everything with Alexa felt natural, including my feelings. Being with her wasn’t work. Every conversation, every touch, every kiss felt right.

At this revelation, I cupped the sides of her face and brought our lips together in a sweet, sensual kiss. I tasted the saltiness of her tears with every lap of my tongue.

After we broke apart, Alexa looked up, her gorgeous blue eyes pleading with me. “I know we can’t have a sleepover, but will you come up and tuck me in?”

There was no denying her. Ever.

“Of course.” I stood and reached for her hand. “Show me the way.” I followed her up the spiral staircase and down the hall into her bedroom.

The room was exactly what I imagined, simple and cozy. The walls were a soft blue. A queen size bed in the middle of the room was covered in a stark white down comforter that looked like clouds, and a bright blue blanket draped the foot of her bed. Black and white framed photography hung on the walls. In the corner, a pile of clothes concealed most of a blue velvet, wingback chair.

“Here we are. My lair. Sorry it’s such a mess. I’ve been slammed this week with clients and training. Let me clear this off, and you can sit while I brush my teeth and wash my face.” Alexa picked up the clothes and threw them into her closet.

“Come here,” I said as she walked past me to the bathroom. I wrapped my arms around her waist, bringing her flush against my body, and looked down at her beautiful face. “Please, don’t quit. I know you can do this. I know you’re bigger and better than your fear.”

“Okay.” She took a deep breath and nodded.

I placed a chaste peck on her cheek, spun her around toward the door, and patted her fine ass. “Good, now go hurry up. I want to kiss you senseless before you fall asleep and dream of me.”

After she returned from the bathroom, I did just that.

Alexa

The rest of the week leading up to the Boston Strong Gala went by like a flash. Work proved to be a great distraction from my own thoughts of the race, the gala, and Luke.

Oh, Luke. After I came out of the bathroom Tuesday night, I crawled into bed, held back the covers, and motioned him over. He slipped off his sneakers and slid into bed with me. While he was completely clothed, I wore skimpy hot pink and black striped boy shorts, and a tight black tank. Facing each other, our smoldering gazes locked. Full, lickable lips were more than I could resist, so inching closer, I pressed my mouth to his. Our breath mingled. Our hearts raced together, and though no words were spoken, everything we felt was expressed. With the slightest of movements, Luke deepened our connection. A slow, sensual kiss like none we’d shared, it meant something more. It washed over me, sparing nothing. Luke captured my heart and took control of my body.

As the kiss continued, hands roamed over heated flesh. Needing to feel his skin, I skimmed my fingers inside his shirt, and drew my nails down his warm back. A moan rumbled deep in his throat, stirring me further, making me frantic for more of him. Impatient hands grabbed the hem of his shirt and brought it over his head, breaking our lips apart.

Luke was as desperate as I was. His fingers slipped under my tank top, teasing and taunting the underside of my breasts. I wanted nothing more than for us to rip our clothes off and explore every inch of each other, his hard cock, sliding in and out of me. I wanted all of him. Not only a part of him.

“Alexa, God, you feel too good. I have to stop.” He pulled away from me again.

Those were not the words I wanted to hear, and even though I understood, I was wound tight and desperate for release from him. Fuck, waiting seemed so silly. The marathon was less than a week away, and only one massage appointment remained. But I refused to beg because I knew, once we were intimate, it would make all this waiting worth it. It would be amazing, earth shattering, in fact.

Taking a deep breath to slow my pulse, I honored his decision, and dimmed down my touch. Luke insisted on rubbing my back. It wasn’t a massage, but soft caresses that helped me unwind after such an emotionally draining day. Sometime after I fell asleep, he left my bed.

Instead of dreaming of Luke like I hoped, nightmares raged on all night long. Images from the bombing played like a movie in my mind. Instead of strangers, it was my loved ones in the pictures. Luke in a wheelchair, legs mangled, as he was pushed toward emergency personnel. My parents running frantically away from the bombing site. Addison’s body, bloodied and lifeless, on the street. And once again, I was stopped at Mass Ave, completely helpless and clueless to my loved ones’ pain.

Wednesday morning dawned with a tear-soaked pillowcase, and my heart beating dangerously fast. Even though it was only five in the morning, I knew my dad would be awake, so instead of struggling to go back to sleep, I called him. He didn’t understand why I begged him and mom not to come to the finish line on Monday, but he begrudgingly agreed. My obvious fear and panic alarmed him, and he insisted on remaining on the phone with me until I calmed down. He always knew how to bring me down to earth.

*****

Luke and I made a point to talk every morning and night, and I loved that his voice was the first and last I heard of each day. I looked forward to when I could see his face each time, too. In such a short period, he’d come to fill such a huge part of my life. Just four and a half weeks ago, I had never even heard of his spa or him, and now, he was overtaking my headspace.

When he called Wednesday night, my work, training, and nightmares had caught up to me, but his voice soothed me and lulled me to sleep. That night, I dreamt happy dreams of him.

On Thursday, my last official appointment with Luke was uneventful. Even without a chaperone, we behaved ourselves, kind of. In the privacy of the treatment room, we allowed ourselves a hello and goodbye kiss, and he peeked when I rolled from my back to my stomach. He also copped a feel or two of my ass and my breasts. Seemed Luke liked to torture us, I supposed.

As we walked to the Zen room before we parted ways, a vaguely familiar woman rushed out of the waiting area.

“There you are, Luke. I thought you forgot all about our appointment today.”

Luke and I turned our heads toward the girl standing a touch too close to us.

“Theresa, I’m just finishing up with a client. I’ll be with you in a minute.” Luke’s voice was laced with aggravation.

I didn’t know who this person was, but she needed to take a step back and give us some personal space.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was just excited to see you. That’s all.” She directed all her attention to Luke, not even glancing in my direction. It was as if I didn’t even exist.

“Have a seat, and I’ll be with you shortly. Your appointment doesn’t start for five more minutes.”

Theresa pouted, but turned on her heels, and returned to the Zen room.

“Sorry about that,” Luke said, turning his attention to me. “Good luck in the race on Monday. Call us and set up an appointment if you need to come in next week.” He shook my hand and walked back to his treatment room to get ready for Train Wreck Theresa.

*****

Each day, I took at least one of Addison’s clients to give her extra time to work on my dress. Every night, with a glass of wine in her hand and water in mine, she updated me on her progress. By Thursday night, she was far enough along to do my first fitting. The lavish fabric draped over me like a glove, and the cuts and angles accentuated my curves. I felt gorgeous, almost decadent, in it. Since a handful of our clients were attending the gala, Addison’s talent would be displayed before their eyes.

Friday morning, Jeff and I ran for the last time. Even though we didn’t talk much, he was a great coach, and his company was nice to have on the long runs. I was going to miss our time together. Between the talks with Luke and Jeff, I let go of some of my anxiety and fear of running, and used visualization techniques my mom taught me to keep the panic attacks at bay. And it helped to discover that Tuesday’s stunt was some fucking artist doing some kind of performing art. Needless to say, no one thought his art was enjoyable. No one in Boston looked or thought of a rice cooker again the same way, so using it as art was a cruel and sick joke.

*****

The morning of the gala started with a quick two-mile run, which helped calm some of the rioting butterflies in my stomach. While I was out, I picked up my swag bag, jacket, other goodies, and my bib number for Monday’s race.

The moment I walked in the door, Addison took over my life, forcing me on a strict schedule for the rest of the day. Mani-pedi at noon. Hair at two. Makeup at four. By seven o’clock, she had me dressed, sipping water with lime, and covered with a kitchen apron to protect my gown. Luke was due to arrive at seven thirty with the car service. I barely had time to pee all day, let alone talk to him, and I was excited to see him.

Every second of Addison’s torture made me feel like a million bucks. Once Luke saw my dress, it would all be worth it.

*****

Luke

Saturday finally arrived. I spent the morning doing my usual paperwork. Danny was home from Philly, so we got together to discuss TRD business before I had to get ready for the gala. In addition to the spa packages donated to the gala silent auction, all profits on the anniversary and Marathon Monday would be donated to the One True Fund, and after a suggestion from Jess, we decided to make it an annual event. Danny also mentioned matching my anonymous donation to Alexa’s fundraising account.

I felt awful for Alexa. Her whole day was spent rushing around to get ready for tonight. Thank God, I was a guy. I couldn’t go through all the primping girls had to do to go to such an event. I shaved my head and took a shower.

When I walked in my room to dress, a flash of bright color brought a smile to my face. On Wednesday, a messenger had delivered a package from Alexa, and inside was a deep orange tie and a card.

I know it’s cheesy, but we have to coordinate. I have a reputation to uphold! My arm candy has to look good enough to eat. --Alexa

Her note made me smile. I would be her arm candy any day of the week.

At seven o’clock, I was decked out in my custom fit tuxedo, orange tie in a full Windsor knot, and freshly shined shoes. In my arms were twelve long-stemmed orange roses. I was dying to see Alexa dressed to the nines. No matter how many times I asked her about her dress, she refused to tell me anything except Addison was making it and I would love it.

The limo waited outside the building. I greeted the driver, climbed in, and we headed to Alexa’s house. I didn’t care that I was going to be early. I missed her, even though it had only been two days since I’d seen her.

The chauffeur dropped me off at Alexa’s door. He would circle the neighborhood so he didn’t block traffic, while I went to get her.

Addison opened the door, whistling her approval of my look. “Damn boy, you look gooood.” She drawled out the last word.

“Thank you, Addison. Always a pleasure to see you. Do we have a curfew tonight?” I stepped into the apartment and gave her a hug.

“Not tonight. You’ve earned my trust.” Addison gave me a wink, motioning me into the living room. “She’ll be right down. She’s touching up her lipstick.”

As if on cue, Alexa reached the top of the staircase. Her hair was in what I’d heard my sisters call an updo, exposing her long, beautiful neck. Flawless makeup highlighted every gorgeous facial feature, including the neutral lipstick that made her lips look edible. I prayed she packed the tube in her purse, because I planned to kiss it off every chance I got.

My gaze drifted lower to her dress. The beautiful shade of blue enhanced her already stunning eyes. The fabric flowed perfectly over every inch of her tight body. As she walked down the stairs, one long leg swept out of the high slit in the dress. Nude, peep-toe stilettos covered her feet.

I paid attention when my sisters talked fashion. Don’t judge.

By the time she reached the bottom step, my mouth hung open with no words escaping. Addison elbowed me in the side, startling me out of my haze.

“You look breathtaking. Your beauty has left me speechless. Wow.” The words tumbled out of my mouth.

“You clean up nice, too, tiger.”

I was thrilled she approved of my appearance, but honestly, no one was going to notice me with her by my side.

I placed the flowers on the side table before reaching out to pull her to me, but she turned to show me the rest. If I was speechless before, my brain completely short-circuited when I saw the back of her dress… if I could even call it that. Other than a small piece of fabric across her shoulder blades, the entire back was cut out to the top of her ass. Her dimples were on display for me to stare at and touch all night long.

“Holy shit, Lex. That is the sexiest thing I have ever seen. I don’t think I’ll stop touching you all night.” Finally, I wrapped my arms around her slim body, rested my hand on the small of her naked back, and kissed her long and hard.

Fuck the gala. Fuck the agreement.

Addison fake coughed to get our attention. “Now behave, kids. You need to take this princess to the ball, Luke. Stop mauling her in the living room.”

Alexa and I looked sheepishly over to Addison, muttering our apologies.

“The dress is perfect, Addison. It will be by far the most beautiful dress there tonight.” I gave Addison one last hug.

“We need to get going. Addison, thank you so much for all your hard work this week. Love you.” Alexa said goodbye to her roommate, and we headed to meet our limo to start our amazing night.