SIX WEEKS LATER
Clearing the steam off the bathroom mirror with my hand, I see myself in a towel. I don’t feel refreshed; I’m not sure I even feel alive. It’s been super busy at work all week, and last night when I got home, I just skipped dinner and went straight to bed. Yet here I am on my day off, and despite a sleep-in, I feel like I could sleep ten more hours.
Sighing, I grab my lotion and get to work on lathering my skin, before adding a few drops of my essential oil blend to my wrist, behind my ears, and then my neck glands. The sudden whiff of frankincense causes a wave of dizziness which is completely strange.
Ignoring it after a few blinks, I finish getting ready and decide to walk around town and grab a coffee. The fresh September air is a welcome relief.
When I arrive at Bear Brew, a grinning man, with eyes that I swear sparkle when he wants something, lands on me.
Bennett looks at me curiously. “Fancy running into you here. I texted if you wanted something but never heard back.”
I glance down at my phone and realize the battery died, and I immediately hold it up. “Sorry, I guess I never got it.”
“I was in town to run errands but need my eleven am caffeine fix,” he explains as someone hands him a to-go coffee. “What do you want?”
“Oh, I think a tea, actually, and one of those granola cookies they make.”
Yawning, I make my way to a table and Bennett joins me. This isn’t crazy for us; coffee and sex are our thing, and in no particular order.
“Kels, you look like a truck hit you. You good?” He gives me a bewildered grin as he takes a sip of his drink.
“Thanks, Bennett, always one with words.” I roll my eyes and sink into the chair. “Such a busy week. Happy to have a day off. You? How is decorating Olive Owl going?” He’s been working on it all week as they get ready for pumpkin season, and it’s kind of cute how excited he gets in the process.
“We have it down like clockwork, so we’re almost done. Knox and I might head to Rooster Sin later for a drink if you want to come… join us, I mean. We know you like to come.” He cocks his head to the side and flashes his eyes at me.
I throw a crumb at him and ignore his crass tease. “All done with preparations then. Must be relieved?”
“Yeah, I am. It’s going to be good.” His tone and demeanor changes to soft and I know the wound in him is still tender, as it’s a link to all the things he did with his dad.
“I’m sure it will be your best season yet,” I assure him as I blow on the cup of tea in my hands. I wait for our eyes to meet because I want him to grasp that I understand.
He wants to make his dad proud, a tribute to him. Everyone in town knows that the Blisswood family is at their happiest during pumpkin season or when a new line of wine comes out. This year shouldn’t be any exception.
“Are you going to make pumpkin cider this year? That stuff is yum.”
A proud half-smile hits his mouth. “With extra rum. Anyhow, if we have a good season then we can maybe look to expand the inn a little more.”
“Sounds like you have plans.”
“If the family agrees, then yeah, I have a few ideas to make Olive Owl even better.” He scratches the back of his neck before checking if he has any coffee left in his cup.
“It’s good to have ideas. Makes you work harder and gives you something to look forward to.” I can easily relate because I’m in the same boat.
“As long as you know plans can change due to fate, then yeah, it’s good.” I hear the somber undertone in his voice.
I push my cup to the middle of the table then abruptly stand and hold out my hand to Bennett. “Come on.”
He looks at my hand then up at me with a grin spreading. “Want to get a coffee and I’ll blow on it for you?”
Laughing at his thought, I yank him out of his seat. “No. I need you to be my guinea pig.”
“I may be on board with this idea.”
“Trust me. You will beg me not to stop.”
He chuckles sinfully as I tow him along.
Bennett stares at me, completely lost, as I get to work on setting the mood in my living room. I light some candles, throw on some soft music, grab my oils, and lay a towel over my rug. I pause and register that this looks bad, as in past-our-boundaries bad. Instead, I straighten my back and throw on a smile to take control of the situation.
“Shirt off,” I order as I continue my organization.
In the corner of my eye, I notice that he’s peeling his shirt up and off.
“So, what are we doing?” he rhapsodizes.
“I’m massaging you because I need to practice if I ever want to add massages to my salon,” I explain and then give him a bright smile when I’m ready, indicating with my hand for him to lie down.
He slowly walks to me, and his look is deliciously sexy. “A massage with a happy ending?”
“No,” I answer firmly. “Any aches or pains that I should know about?”
Bennett’s finger glides along my cheek in one smooth stroke as he passes me. “Not yet.”
Lying on his stomach, he gets into a comfortable position.
“Just close your eyes and let me do the work.”
It only causes him to let a short chortle escape, and I realize that my words today are not my best choices.
Lathering my hands with oil, I touch his lower back. The feeling that I’m doing something for him makes me want to give more. He works hard, he’s there for his sister and brothers, and he only makes me smile. He deserves a little escape and relaxation.
Over the next few minutes, my hands and fingers make patterns along his spine, working my hands away to massage the deep tissue. I study his lines, the firmness of his muscles, and a smile of accomplishment hits me every time a little grunt or groan of satisfaction escapes him.
“Tell me if you need it harder or softer.” Again, I realize my error when he glances over his shoulder and flashes me a look that says, Really?
Continuing on my journey, I explore his back, neck, arms, and I appreciate his exceptional physique more than normal. Bennett is not for the faint of heart.
Over the next twenty minutes, I make a circular pattern, use my elbow, and apply pressure when needed. I do my best to focus on the task at hand, but it’s a struggle.
Part of me feels guilty that, during legitimate practice, I am wet and bothered for my volunteer. But I see this man naked on a regular basis, and I enjoy every second of what that body is capable of.
Deciding that I should wrap this up, I spend the next two minutes with my final movements to bring him back to being centered.
And when I’m done, my hands freeze on his lower back near the slope of his ass, and they don’t move.
“All done,” I swallow.
Bennett slowly turns to his back, and he looks absolutely relaxed and elated. “Damn, you have talent.”
“Thanks,” I brush past his praise. “Let’s get you some water so you don’t dehydrate.” I begin to move but he grabs my wrist then slides up to sitting and is very close in front of me.
“That was amazing, thank you.” He kisses my forehead, a tender soft kiss. He slides his hands along my arms to rub comfort into me. “This is definitely a promising future.”
“I think so. Spa for me and your Olive Owl empire for you.”
Standing up and away from him, I go to my kitchen to grab him some water, noticing my heartrate feels faster than normal. I’m sure the man in my living room would love to take credit, but it feels unique, as if I just had ten cups of coffee. Ignoring it, I return to my living room.
“Shirt stays off?” I look at him, amused, as I hand him the glass.
He’s lying on my sofa completely spent, and he waves for me to join him. “In the last few months, have I ever been quick to throw a shirt on?”
“Good point. Has it really been a few months since we’ve been…”
“Each other’s escape? Yeah.” He’s blunt as he pulls me on top of him until I straddle him and wrap my arms around his neck.
Practice done and now we can move on to the fun part.
“I think you will like the way I show my appreciation,” he warns me as his fingers run up my yoga pants to the heat between my legs and slowly I lose thought. “My tongue needs to taste you, let me make you feel good,” he rasps as he begins to pull on the elastic strap of the waistband, just as his head nuzzles between the valley of my breasts through my shirt.
“That sounds promising.” I breathe out as I move to lie on my back, and he slides down my pants until I’m naked.
“Not a promise, a fact.” He begins to trail kisses up my inner thighs, and I’m melting under every peck of his hot lips. “Now relax, Kels, I’m a man of my word.”
That, I know. He promised me that we wouldn’t screw anything up between us and so far he’s right.
With that thought, I get comfortable just as his tongue swipes between my folds, causing my body to writhe under his mouth. He knows exactly where to touch to drive me wild.
Watching Bennett reach behind his head to pull his shirt back on, I appreciate the scene before me. A man with a satisfied look in his eyes and a smug smirk of accomplishment as he redresses. I stand, holding the throw blanket around my naked body.
“Still going to Rooster Sin tonight?” I ask and yawn.
“Nah, I think I’m too worn out to do much more today. I’ll try and convince Knox to ditch the original plan,” he says as he buckles his jeans. “I’m going to the farmers’ market tomorrow; want me to pick you up some honey from that one stall?”
It’s sweet that he remembers what I told him one time at lunch. “That would be great, actually. I use it to make face masks.”
“Really?” He seems interested.
“Yep, with oatmeal too. I made Brooke and your sister try them last time we had movie night at Brooke’s,” I mention.
He steps forward with half a smile on his mouth. “Bet Lucy loved it. Thanks for letting her tag along with you and Brooke sometimes.”
“Any time, really.”
“I can’t wait for the day New Moon is a full spa. We can set up a deal that I send Olive Owl guests to you for pampering, and you send spa guests to Olive Owl for wine.” Bennett seems serious.
Huh, a good business plan.
Walking with him the short way to the front door, this is where we part ways for the day.
“Well, I guess I will see you soon,” he says.
I lick my lips as it feels like something has shifted but I have no clue what. “For sure.”
His hand lands on the handle of the door, but he stills, and then in a flash he turns and his mouth slams onto mine, causing my feet to stumble back from surprise. Or rather the intensity of his determination to catch me off guard and kiss the life out of me.
My hand presses against his chest to create distance. “What are you doing?” I’m breathing heavy, my heart racing to the sky from nerves.
“Kissing you goodbye.” He has no qualms from the fact that we don’t do this for the hell of it, which is why he kisses me again.
Like a fool, I return the feeling his lips give my own—an ecstasy I can’t admit. I actually groan when I have to break the kiss. “We don’t do this. Not after we…”
That smirk. The devil created it. “Shh, you’re enjoying it.”
He kisses me again, his tongue swiping my own and the angles of our mouth changing because we both seem to want more. But still…
I press above his heart. “This is confusing,” I admit.
Why do I like it so much? What does this mean? Why are we crossing lines?
Bennett steps back and his hooked finger brushes along my cheek as I stand there frozen in shock. “You’re confused? I think I like that.”
“Do it again,” I request without blinking.
He shuts me up with his mouth covering my own and taking all my breath. Something inside me stirs, and it’s new. Wait, no, it’s been lurking inside of me, itching to get out.
I can’t enjoy it for too long, as he slowly pulls away. “We should probably talk about that.” He winks at me and his thumb swipes along the corner of my mouth. “Bye, Kelsey.”
Watching him leave, I stand there lost. I’m sleeping with a friend. That’s it.
Ugh. Why did he have to do that?
Now I feel incredibly dizzy.
Good thing my period is about to start so I can keep him in the benefits waiting bay for a few days.
Wait a second…
Where is a calendar?