Arrested Pleasure (11 page)

"I'm sorry, honey. I wish the old man hadn't died so soon. He'd tell Isaiah where to go with his demands."

Cassie nodded, the first trickle of tears beginning to form. "I know. But he's not here."

"Yes, and I'll do anything I can do to help you."

"I realize you will, and I appreciate everything you've done to support me."

Cassie gave Lola a watery smile. "Now, go home and feed those cats of yours. I'll see you tomorrow."

Lola laughed. "Okay. I'll be back in the morning. Take care."

Cassie followed her progress as she stepped out into the rain. She opened her umbrella and hurried up the street. The rain made the day gray and gloomy—like Cassie's mood.

She continued to work on the reports. Becki finished with her patient just as her next one came in. The spa remained quiet with the steady rain acting as soft music in the background.

Cassie cursed as she scrutinized her bank records for the fifth time. There had to be some way to cut corners and prove to the banks she stood financially solvent.

Engrossed in her task, she didn't hear the front door open until a voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Cassie?"

A gust of cool air hit her as she glanced up. Gabe Banks stood at the open door, staring at her. Her heartbeat revved to a pounding beat. Damn. He seemed sexier than the last time. Tall, dark, and brooding, sharp in jeans and a long-sleeved blue shirt.

"Uh, hello," Cassie greeted him, rising from her chair. "Can I help you with something?" She ran her hands down her thighs, trying to contain her nervousness. She quite hadn't gotten over the last time they'd spoken.

He sent her a wary, lopsided grin. "I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop in to find out if you'd be able to work me in." Gabe's gaze swept the room. "Where is your receptionist? I'm surprised she's not here guarding the front door."

Cassie smiled at the apt description of Lola.

Gabe had returned—and wanted another massage. She hesitated, realizing Becki, her last therapist, was scheduled to leave after she finished her patient. But . . . could she give Gabe a massage knowing what her reaction to him might lead to? Her body shivered in sexual anticipation.

"We've had a lot of cancellations because of the weather. I sent Lola home a bit ago." She nodded toward the light mist still falling outside. "It didn't seem feasible to have her stay."

He glanced around at the empty reception area and frowned. "You're alone?

Aren't you aware that leaves you vulnerable to robbers?" His voice sharpened as he said the words.

The truth of the matter was during the time she'd been open, no one had ever attempted to rob her. The place was broken into once, but she'd installed a burglar alarm afterwards to help solve that problem. Plus, once Becki left, she planned to lock the door and feel as secure as being in a Brink's vault.

"I've never been robbed, and with the constant road traffic outside, I'm safe," she replied as she made her way to the reception desk. "Becki is still here with her customer.

Once she leaves, I'll close."

He nodded, but he still didn't appear convinced. "All good and dandy, but one can never be too sure."

"It's my business, Mr. Banks." She didn't intend for him to dictate how she ran Casa de Massage.

Gabe blinked at her vehement response and then shrugged. "Okay, you're right."

He rubbed his neck. "What I came by was to ask if you can work me in for a massage."

Cassie hesitated. This would mean being alone with Gabe for however long the massage took. She glanced at the clock. Becki would be out any moment, and then she would be gone. Cassie could logically tell Gabe it was too late, but in the back of her mind she knew any little bit would help her financially. He didn't strike her as a rapist or serial killer. But then, notorious serial killer Ted Bundy hadn't set off alarms in his victims on first glance.

"Well, I suppose—" she began, but was interrupted when Becki returned with her patient, Gemma Rawlings, trailing behind her.

Becki smiled at Cassie, giving Gabe a questioning look while she chatted to Gemma about the weather and the massage.

A retired schoolteacher, Gemma recently started visiting the spa after straining her back playing tennis. "Just a few more visits and that lower back pain should be gone. Let me check when I can get you in again," Becki told Gemma. She punched in a few keystrokes on Lola's computer and peered into the monitor. "How about next week on Thursday at the same time?"

"That sounds good." Gemma glanced over at Gabe and stopped talking. "Hey, I know you. Aren't you—?"

"Hi, Gemma. Yeah, it's me. Gabe. How're you doing?" Gabe shook the woman's hand.

Gemma gave him a pleased smile. "I'm doing well. I hope to get better"—she nodded at Becki—"and then plan a cruise for September. Retirement has been wonderful."

"You look good. Have fun on the cruise. They're fun from what people say."

Becki handed Gemma an appointment card, smiling as she listened to the exchange between the patients. Cassie also watched the interchange, curious that Gabe and Gemma knew each other.

"Thank you. My granddaughter is going with me." She grinned at Becki. "Thank you, dearie. And now I need to go. My friend is waiting for me." She glanced at the wet streets. "We've planned to go out to dinner at the Terrace Garden Restaurant, but I'm not sure I want to now."

Gabe walked her to the door and opened it. "Eat inside and enjoy the view of the falling rain from a window. Have a good evening."

Stepping through the door, Gemma paused as she smiled up at Gabe. "I will. One of the things I miss about teaching is seeing people like you every semester."

She started to say something more, but Gabe interjected. "Good times, for sure.

I'll catch up with you one of these days."

"You do that, Gabe." She waved at Cassie and Becki and left.

"Well, I need to go," Becki said, reaching under the counter for her purse. "I made a hair appointment, and with the traffic being slowed by the rain, I better run."

"Oh, okay, see you tomorrow," Cassie told her, alert to Gabe's presence off to the side. She hadn't responded to his request for an appointment, yet both were conscious she was now alone.

The door jangled and a gust of cold air swept into the room as Becki exited.

Cassie shivered, but not from the cold outside. An awareness of being alone with a man she found sexually attractive flowed through her. She kept her back to him, watching Becki walk away.

"You never answered my question," he softly said from behind her. "Can you work me in for a massage?"

Oh, I would love to work you all over,
her traitorous mind taunted her. Surely a man who knew Gemma Rawlings, a sweet, kindly lady, wasn't a rapist. The thought of being alone with him made her pulse race, her nipples tighten, and a moan of desire almost escaped her lips. Her decision made, Cassie locked the door. Taking a deep breath to bolster her nerves, she turned around to face Gabe.

She smiled as she replied, "Sure, I'll do you."

* * * * *

Gabe's heart began to throb, as did other parts of him. Cassie looked sexy as hell leaning against the glass door of Casa de Massage. When she offered to "do" him, he thought she only meant the massage, yet he sensed more. An undercurrent of sexual desire flowed between them.

He glanced at her from head to toe, then finally returned his attention to her face and smiled. "Good. I do appreciate you're taking the time to work me in."

"I'm sure you do." She pushed her body away from the door. "Follow me, and I'll show you where I want you."

Want you.
The innuendo sent his lust skyrocketing.

Gabe trailed Cassie, watching her hips sway seductively as they walked down the darkened hallway. The heavy cloud cover outside had muted the lighting in the room.

"Here." She opened a door and ushered him into the same room they'd been in the other day. Cool air hit Gabe, and he suspected he'd probably freeze his balls off once he shucked his clothes.

He bet it wouldn't take long for Cassie to warm him up.

"I'll give you a moment while I make sure everything is secure. That'll give you time to get out of your clothes." She motioned to the towel-clad table that was the center of the room. "I hope you enjoy your massage."

The smile in her eyes contained a sensuous flame, and his groin began to burn as the throbbing increased. Suddenly he didn't know whether he wanted to be down to the thin barrier of his briefs in front of her. While he lusted after her, he had to remind himself he was on business, even if the job was an undercover assignment.

"I'll be back," she said, before turning around and exiting the room.

Gabe watched her leave, his mind swirling with mixed emotions. He wanted to prove Cassie ran a legitimate business that provided nothing more than massages. He didn't buy the accusations of impropriety. After discussing the case with their bosses, they agreed Gabe would be the one to make contact. Both Chaz and he had ruled out wiring him, as it'd be impossible to place the wires on Gabe in a secure way. Instead, he planned to play things cool and find out if she propositioned him beyond the massage services. He hadn't banked on his desire for Cassie to burn out of control once again.

Climbing onto the table, he sat for a moment, concentrating to get his cock under control. Damn, Cassie was hot, the way her gorgeous body swayed as she walked down the hallway. He'd sworn her tits had tightened as she looked at him a few minutes ago.

But what really turned him on was the way she blew hot and cold. Her behavior left him hotter than an out of control forest fire. He always liked to be the guy chasing the girl, and she certainly didn't make it easy for him.

However, if he didn't get his libido under control, he might ruin the investigation and send it up in smoke.

Gabe started to sit up, the towel over his groin, but paused as the door opened.

His gaze met hers as she stood at the entryway. The darkened hallway behind her contrasted sharply with the muted light in the room, silhouetting her body, making her appear almost ethereal and innocent.

Somehow, he didn't think Cassie was an innocent in the act of sex. .

She licked her lips, making him conscious for the first time that she appeared nervous. Up until now, she'd been very much in control of herself. Now, he wasn't sure.

The door clicked behind her. Instead of coming over to him, she turned around to face the counter. "You'll need to turn over onto your stomach." Her voice sounded hoarse in the quiet room.

Gabe stretched his long legs and eased down onto his back. "Maybe I want us to take up where we left off last time."

Her back stiffened. He'd hit a nerve. Slowly, she turned to face him. Dark eyes flared with an unfathomable emotion.

"Whatever you wish."

He'd expected anger, but instead a small smile quirked the ends of her mouth.

She'd gotten into the mood of the moment—relaxed and flirty.

Cassie picked up a tube of oil, squirted some onto her hands, and rubbed them together. All the while, her gaze never left his. The throb between his legs grew, the pain burning in intensity.

He shifted, lowering his head to the headrest and closed his eyes. Even without seeing her, he sensed her movements around the room as she circled the table he lay on.

He inhaled the sweet smell of her fragrance.

He nearly jerked off the table when she touched his legs.

"Easy does it," she murmured, her voice sounding husky.

Willing his body not to react, he tried to relax. Her hands felt good on his skin.

They were slippery, yet warm. She rubbed his legs gently at first, then harder. Her light strokes sent the nerve endings in his legs tingling as sparks shot straight up his legs.

Arousal spiked at every touch, even though all she did was harmlessly knead him.

"Have you had massages in the past?" Cassie's soft question startled him. He opened his eyes and turned his head. Her dark brown gaze met his, but she didn't stop her gentle pressure.

Gabe soaked every essence of her presence. The muted light of the room set an erotic mood, as did the touch of her hands on his skin. .

He shook his head. "No, never had one before, but I knew what it entailed." He lowered his head, letting his body relax. "You're good."

"Mmm . . . Thank you," she murmured. The tempo of the music changed, and he recognized the tune as
Bolero
. The choice surprised him, and he wondered if she'd deliberately programmed the music for their massage. He wasn't sure when she'd had time after they'd entered the room.

"Have you done this"—he groaned as she hit a tight spot—"long?" She seemed good at her job, and he wondered if she'd always been a massage therapist. The reports didn't say much except she'd been in business for a few years.

She shifted away, and he opened one eye to find her squeezing more oil into her hands. She moved back, picking up his arm, before replying to his question.

"I realized when I turned sixteen what I wanted to do. After I graduated from high school, I immediately signed up for the course, graduated, and then worked across town at another spa. A year or two later, I started looking around for a place of my own." She gently rubbed his arm, letting the oil soak into his skin. "I found this property for rent one day, and the owner gave me a good deal. The job took me weeks, but I fixed the place up and opened to a nice crowd."

He soaked in her words. Sounded like she'd thought a lot about what she wanted to do before she made the plunge into self-employment. "This isn't exactly a crime-free part of town."

She dug into his shoulder, and he nearly jerked as the pain radiated in his neck.

"You sound like my father. If he had his wishes, I'd be doing massages at a resort in Lincoln City." She shook her head. "No thank you. I love my place here. We've had few problems, but my neighbors are protective of each other. I'm willing to say I'm safer here than I would be elsewhere."

Gabe assessed her words. He couldn't see her at the beck and call of bored socialites as she worked out the kinks of too much lifting of champagne glasses while providing idle chitchat. She appeared at home in this darkened room filled with the smells of incense and scented oils. And her perfume.