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“Mm.” Jake lay on the massage table facedown as Rayne’s soothing hands roamed his calf. “Yes,” he mumbled into his arm, tingling.
“Feel good?” She applied pressure to his ankles.
“Ooh.” He raised his head. “Damn.”
“That’s a pressure point.” She caressed the bottom of his foot. “You’re tense today.”
“Am I?” He straightened the towel on his waist, fighting his determined erection.
“Yes, you’re tight everywhere.” She moved to his other foot. “Even in your toes. Is something wrong?”
“No.” He laid his head over and moaned. “Your hands are magic.”
She grinned. “You’re not the only man to say that.” She got the bottle of coconut oil and drizzled it in the crease of his back. She pressed her palms against his skin and dragged them to his shoulders.
“Jesus.” His toes spread out. “Oh.” His stiff middle nudge against the table. “Um...”
Rayne stopped. “Something wrong?”
He pulled the towel over his underwear. “You mind if I turn over?”
“I need to get your back since you’re so tense today. What’s wrong?”
He fidgeted, holding the towel. “It’s embarrassing.”
“What is it?” Her ponytail shook when she spoke. “You can tell me.”
He rolled over, his crotch protruding from underneath the towel.
She glanced at it then delivered a sweet smile. “Is that it?”
“Isn’t that enough?” He avoided eye contact.
“Jake, that’s normal when you get a massage. It happens to men all the time.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t make it any less embarrassing.”
She held her hip. “I’m not offended or anything.”
“It felt so good, you know?” He propped his leg up. “I couldn’t control it.”
“And you don’t have to.” She touched his knee. “I want you to be comfortable around me. In fact, I’m kind of flattered.”
“Flattered? You think that’s appropriate to say?”
“I was trying to relax you.”
“We need to make sure the conversations stay professional. I shouldn’t have even told you about the...” He gestured to his crotch.
“No, you did nothing wrong.” Her face turned red. “It won’t happen again.”
“You’re blushing.”
She touched her cheek. “Guess I’m the one who’s embarrassed now.”
The doorbell rang.
“Who is that?” Jake clenched the towel. “Yes?” he shouted.
“It’s me!” Lisa answered. “May I come in?”
So much for trusting me.
“You have a key,” he yelled. “Come on in!”
Lisa walked in wearing a bright yellow blouse and snug, maroon slacks. He loved how her dark skin glowed in bright colors, but it didn’t change the fact she’d come there to spy.
“Hey, honey.” She hurried to him and gave him a huge kiss.
He crossed his legs to hide the erection. If she got wind of it, he’d never hear the end.
“Ooh.” Lisa put her arms around his shoulders. “I love you smelling like coconut. Good enough to eat.”
“You look beautiful, but what are you doing here, Leece?”
“No reason.” She clasped her hands, acting innocent. “It’s my break, and I missed you.” She caressed his hair. “I can’t check on my man?”
“Sure if that’s the real reason you came.”
“What else would be the reason?” She waved to Rayne without looking at her. “Hey,” she said in an unyielding tone.
“Hello,” Rayne answered just as discourteous. “We have to finish our session.”
“Am I bothering you, Rayne?” Lisa asked. “You can go on while I’m here, can’t you?”
“No, she can’t,” Jake said. “I wouldn’t feel comfortable with you watching.”
“I’m your girlfriend. Is there something you two do that I shouldn’t see?”
“Why don’t you get over yourself, Lisa?” Rayne barked, surprising Jake by the outburst. “I’ve tried to be nice to you but I’m over it because you don’t wanna be nice.”
“Who do you think you’re talking to?”
“Ladies, please.” Jake sighed into his palms. “Rayne, let me talk to Lisa alone for a sec.”
She twisted out the room, putting more rhythm into her walk than usual.
“Did you see that heifer?” Lisa pointed to the doorway. “Who does she think she is?”
“She shouldn’t have come at you like that but she has a point. She’s tried to be nice and you won’t let her.”
“Bullshit.” She scrunched up her face. “I’m tired of you defending her. And why may I ask are you naked?”
“I’m not naked.” He put his hands in his lap. “I have underwear on.”
“Do you usually take off your clothes?”
“How would I get a massage if I didn’t?”
“Wow.” Lisa tapped her foot, suspicion in her eyes. “Maybe I should’ve been coming to these ‘sessions’ sooner.”
“I can’t believe you’re acting like this. What’s happening to you? Did you come here because you’re suspicious of Rayne or me?”
Rayne walked back into the room. “I don’t think Lisa even knows what she has a problem with.”
Lisa chuckled. “Excuse me?”
“You’re so sure I’m up to something but when someone is suspicious it’s because they’re doing something they shouldn’t be,” Rayne said. “Is that what’s happening, Lisa? Are you guilty of something so you can’t trust Jake?”
Jake wondered the same.
“You don’t know me, Rayne.”
“I could say the same to you.”
“That’s the problem.” Lisa approached her. “Yet you’re worming your way into every aspect of our lives.”
“I went bowling with you guys one time.” Rayne held up her finger. “I don’t see this ‘worming’ you’re talking about. I’m here today because this is my job. You’re the one who’s sneaking around to trap someone. You’re wrong about me and only making yourself look stupid.”
“Did you call me stupid?”
“Lisa.” Jake grabbed her hand. “You need to go right now.”
“Jake.”
“I’m getting sick of this.” He let her hand go.
“I’m looking out for you.”
“I’m a grown man.” He held his breath to keep from shouting. “And I get so tired of people thinking because I’m in a wheelchair that I need to be coddled.”
“Jake.” She placed her hands upon his cheeks. “I’m not trying to do that, but you’re not listening. My intuition is telling me that Rayne is trouble.”
“Yeah,” Rayne said. “My intuition is telling me you’re full of—”
“Rayne.” Jake lowered his head. “I’ll see you later, Lisa.”
“I’m not the bad guy here.” She went to the door. “I’m doing this out of love.” She pointed to Rayne. “I’ll be watching you. Count on it.” She left.
“I...” Jake lay over, exhaling. “Lisa has never acted like this.”
“It’s understandable.”
“All you’re trying to do is your job, and she’s not making it easy.”
“Now you’re even tenser.” Rayne spread oil on his thigh. “Try to get rid of that negative energy.”
“Oh.” Within minutes, his anger toward Lisa subsided, and he drifted in heaven. “You’re sweet to put up with this drama though.”
“I can’t blame Lisa.” She walked to the other side of the table and stroked his other thigh. “If you were my man, I’d be acting the same way.”