If Not For You (22 page)

My mouth fell open. I fixed him with my, you-didn’t-just-do-that scowl and had him squirming in his chair. His lip was quivering as he tried desperately to hold back a laugh and his eyes followed my hand as I picked a blueberry from my plate and let it fly. He ducked it missed, but as he came back up from his hiding spot, I let him have it with the handful.

The blueberry food fight was over in no time. We snorted as we viewed the mess we made and then proceeded to crawl over the floor on hands and knees picking up the hated fruit before finishing our meals.

“I have a surprise for you today,” Gage called out, as he washed his hands at the wet bar.

“I don’t know if I like surprises from you, it doesn’t have anything to do with climbing walls does it?” I asked, impishly. The thought made me cringe.

“No. I assure you, you won’t be climbing anything…you could always climb up me if you get the urge.” He yelled from the bathroom before I heard to toilet door close.

I sat and pondered the possibilities. It was too early for a show, we did the casino bit, golf and I had no plans to lie around the pool today as yet. When Gage’s strong arms wrapped around my shoulders and his cheek rested against mine, I no longer gave a damn about surprises, or leaving the room as a matter of fact. The rough stubble on his cheek chafing against mine had me wondering what it would feel like on my inner thighs. I had to pull away, before Gage became aware of how much I wanted to throw him to the floor and jump his bones.

“You need to get dressed, sweetheart. Up you get.” Gage pulled me to my feet and spun me in the doors direction, slapped my butt and sent me on my way.

“Where are we going?” I called out, as I grabbed my sundress and panties, forgoing a bra and heading to the bedroom to dress.

“I booked a couples massage and a few other spa treatments,” he said from the other side of the living room’s wall. I could sense him leaning with a sweet smile on his face.

“Really? Isn’t that a girly thing?” I asked, with a giggle.

“No! I was told that it’s a very popular service, a lot of couples do it,” he said defensively.

“We’re not exactly a couple, Gage,” I said, leaning my forehead on the shared wall wishing I could change that fact, but I couldn’t, so I’d make the best of the time I did spend with my
friend
.

“We don’t have to be married to get a massage, but if you’re worried, there is a chapel and the Captain can perform the ceremony,” he laughed, as I joined him in the living room and his eyes drifted over me with a smile.

“Very nice,” he made a growling sound and followed close behind as I walked by, so close I could feel his body’s heat searing through my dress.

I turned and put my hand on his chest to stop him. “Let’s go. We don’t want to miss our appointment, right?”

“Definitely not, we’re going to enjoy this,” he said, confidently. I handed him the card key, he tucked it in his pocket and held the door open grinning as he folded my hand in his.

Soft, tranquil music played in the background as we walked into the Lotus Spa and the aroma of spices and fruity scents flooded my nostrils. At the reception desk Gage and I stepped toward an overly slender redhead, whose smile brightened tenfold when she looked up and with a French accent she greeted us.

“You have an appointment, yes?” she asked.

“Yes, Carter.” Gage handed her the room card and she swiped it, rose from her seat coming around the desk to shake our hands.

“My name is Paulette. I will show you to your room, this way Mr. and Mrs. Carter.” She walked ahead of us down a long hall and Gage and I elbowed each other at the Mr. and Mrs. reference, but neither of us corrected her.

She opened a door and ushered us in, walked over to a fancy armoire and then handed us two robes from the drawer.

“These are to wear after the massage. Disrobe please, you will find sheets on the tables to cover you. Your masseuses will be with you shortly.” And with that she was gone closing the door quietly behind her.

The room was essentially empty with three dark green unornamented walls, one mirrored. The armoire, two massage beds side by side and a small table with various unmarked bottles were the only things I saw, that and the lack of a dressing area. There was the one door we entered through, which meant no bathroom and no privacy screen. I looked over at Gage who had his back to me, his shirt was off and he was just lowering his shorts, I should have looked away, but I was far too into watching as his lean muscles ripple across his back.

When his shorts hit the floor, I had to swallow back a moan just as Gage looked over his shoulder. He had a beautiful plump ass, I could picture myself biting into it and he winked when our eyes met, I grinned. I had been caught viewing the nicest ass on the planet, stuck between embarrassed and flustered heat, I quickly turned my back as he started to turn towards me.

“Need a hand?” Gage asked. I just knew he had a smirk on his face, I could feel my face heat. He was enjoying this as much as me.

“No thank you, I can handle this,” I said, “you face the wall.”

“Which one,” he said and I half turned my head so he could see I meant business. “Gage, I’m leaving if,”

“I’m not looking, I promise. I’ll lie here and face the wall.” I could hear the bed creek as he climbed onto it and after a few seconds he assured me he was looking the other way. I peeked in the mirrored wall to make sure.

“So what else do you have planned for us?” I asked, as I stripped out of my things and climbed onto the bed awkwardly pulling the sheet over me.

“Pedicures and a sauna, you okay with that?” he asked. I noticed he was still facing away from me.

“You can look now,” I giggled.

“Aww...” Gage pouted and I rolled my eyes at him. “I missed the whole show.”

“Behave,” I warned, but couldn’t help smiling at the idea of slowly stripping to nothing while he watched.

There was a tiny rap at the door before it opened and a tall dark muscular man and a very well-blessed blonde woman came in, dressed all in tight white jeans, t-shirts and deck shoes.

“I’m Lars, this is Elsie. Let’s get started.”

Just as I thought, he was for me and she was for Gage. We eyed each other and Gage bit his lip wickedly. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud but stopped suddenly when my sheet was lowered to the crack of my ass and something warm poured onto my back.

I heard a long moan beside me and Gage had the sexiest look on his face, his eyes were closed and his lips slightly parted. Yeah, he was most definitely enjoying the massage.

I let out the same moan, closed my eyes and let out a deep breath, when Lars started kneading into my shoulders with his strong yet gentle hands. He worked out my shoulders, my back, even the globes of my ass got special treatment. I was far too relaxed to give a damn when his hands slid to my inner thighs and moved up and down my legs, it was kind of hot but not. I certainly enjoyed it.

When the session was over, Lars covered me with the sheet and whispered into my ear to relax and he’d be back soon. My eyes opened to discover Gage watching me, his eyes were taking all of me in, every detail of my face and he smiled sweetly.

“How was that?” I croaked out, still too relaxed to make a move.

“Mmm…It was mmm…” No doubt Gage had liked Elsie’s magic hands.

“Really, so Elsie did good?”

“So good…can’t move right now.” He grinned and ground his hips on the table.

My brows rose when I realized what he was saying. I guessed it was a male thing, get a massage, and get a hard-on. I started to laugh and moved onto my side, resting my head on my hand. The oil on Gage’s skin glistened and the sheet smoothed nicely over his ass, slick with oil. I was enjoying the view very much and didn’t care that he was watching how much I was enjoying it.

“And tell me, did Mr. Muscle do you good?” Gage asked, with a cheeky smile.

“It was good, not nearly as good as your massage, but good.” I was teasing him over his predicament, amused that a massage could get him so excited. But then again, all he needed to do was be in the same room and I had a girlie version of a hard-on.

Lars knocked and peeked in the door. “Your next treatment is ready. You can leave your things here. I’ll wait outside while you put your robes on.”

“Thank you.” Gage said, and Lars ducked out again.

“Can you get up now?” I still teased.

“Honey I have no problem getting up, it’s staying down that I have trouble with.” He laughed and slid off the table pulling the sheet with him. My face brightened warmly and I laughed. Touché!

“Look away woman.” I was jokingly instructed when I made no attempt to turn.

Watching his shadow on the wall, I caught sight of Gage’s arm as he grabbed a robe from the chair beside me, but kept my eyes focused on the sexy shadow. I so wanted to peek in the mirror.

“Okay, I’m going to wait in the hall for you,” Gage called, as he tied the belt around his waist and opened the door.

“You’re leaving?” I was taken aback; it wasn’t like him to sneak away when the opportunity to watch me came about. Like all my times in the shower when he thought I wasn’t aware of his gawking.

“I have to.” He winked and smiled as he opened the door and stepped out. It was exciting knowing that I had the ability to rouse him, kind of empowering actually.

I don’t think I ever moved so fast in all my life. I was off that table and into that robe in record time. We strolled hand in hand behind Lars as he took us for our pedicures. We sat in plush reclining chairs with our feet soaking in warm sudsy rippling water. The tubs vibrated deliciously against the bottom of our feet. It was heaven.

“I was thinking,” Gage said, with his head relaxed on the chair’s pillow and his eyes closed.

“Should I be scared?” I asked, when he reached over and entwined his fingers with mine.

“I was thinking we should go dancing tonight.” Gage waited for an answer. I didn’t know what to say, taking me by complete surprise.

I couldn’t envision him as the Gene Kelly type; gracefully gliding around a dance floor. A vision of him attempting to dip me and dropping me onto my head leaving me sprawled out on the dance floor, now that I had no problem visualizing.

“Dancing might be fun,” I said, suddenly thrilled at the thought of getting dressed up and Gage holding me close on the dance floor, I’d talk him out of the dipping thing if he made any endeavors to do so.

“Yes?” Gage asked, sitting forward and waving his hand in my face to draw my attention.

“Yes, of course,” I said. Gage squeezed my hand and settled back into his seat, keeping my hand in his, I smiled at the attention.

Passing on polish, I opted for a buffed shine instead, maintaining toe nail polish was not something I relished while on holiday, or ever actually. The nail techs completed our pedicures with a foot massage and I couldn’t help but notice how nice Gage’s feet were. I like men’s feet, remember? And he had nice feet, sexy feet actually.
I’d lick those toes,
I thought, and laughed, I must be going foot mad, too many polish fumes in the room.

One of the very efficient staff handed us luxurious bath towels, Gage a much smaller version and sent us into a change room, together. I guess the big mistake was booking a spa day for couples, when we clearly were not. We had to laugh at the situation as we slipped off our robes and wrapped ourselves in towels with our backs turned to each other.

The sight of Gage with a towel wrapped low on his hips was delightful. For all the time we had been spending together, this was the first time I got a really good look at him. Even at pool side, I hadn’t taken the time to really see him. He slept in his boxer briefs and a cotton t-shirt, so I never noticed his glorious pectorals and perfectly defined six-pack. In fact I hadn’t noticed the tiny loops in his nipples or the tattoo over his heart, written in an elegant font, it said Remissionem. I didn’t understand it, but it was pretty.

He was nicely sculpted, his arms solid, his shoulders strong. I could only use my imagination as to the secret hidden under his towel, there was a sizable bulge as it was, and he wasn’t aroused. If it was half as beautiful as the gorgeous ass I had been lucky enough to view earlier, then yum!

I was pulled from my thoughts when Gage lifted my chin and smiled into my eyes, god he had sexy eyes. This being half dressed and fussed over with, had me well in tune with my sensuality. My skin tingled with desire.

“See something you like down there, sweetheart?” he asked.

“What does that say?” I asked running my fingertip over the letters of his tattoo. He lifted my finger to his lips and kissed the tip.

“Forgiveness, come on let’s get inside.” he said pulling me by the finger he just kissed. The combination of heat and rolling clouds of steam caught in my airway and I had to adjust my breathing to the change.

The sauna looked to me like a big wooden box with bench seating all around and the smell of damp cedar wood filled the air. There was one other couple sitting on a lower bench having a conversation, they looked up at us and nodded as we climbed to a top bench and sat side by side. The man took a ladle and poured water over hot stones in a crate like thing and steam filled the air, to the point I couldn’t see the couple anymore.

Gage leaned into my shoulder and rested his head on mine. As the couple stood, I looked over and it was then that I realized they were both naked, naked as the day is long. I let out a little gasp and Gage put his hand over my mouth to stifle my laughter. The door opened and a blast of cool air drew in as the couple left.

“Oh my God, were they?”

“Yep, they were in their birthday suits and not pretty ones at that.” He laughed.

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“What was I supposed to say?” Gage continued laughing at my reaction.

“I don’t know, something, anything.” I started laughing and Gage stood, adding more water to the stones, the steam swirled around him in clouds and he looked like he was walking from a dream as he returned to my side.

“Never mind them.” Gage sat silently observing me for many long moments, then grasped my chin between his finger and thumb and closed his soft lips over mine. The salty taste of perspiration on his upper lip mixed with mine and I smoldered into his arms as they encircled my waist.