Just One Night Together (Flatiron Five Fitness #3) - Deborah Cooke Page 0,21

sample visit.

That was useless since Haley hardly ever went into the city anymore. She was a little bit insulted, like he was paying her for their night together, but then she turned it over and saw that he’d written on the back.

Introductory Massage Class on Sundays and Wednesdays at 2 PM

In case you’re interested in learning more.

Take care.

—Damon

Not exactly a love letter or an intimate message to leave her heart fluttering. Haley supposed it was a warning. Don’t expect too much.

Or maybe Don’t expect anything else.

She’d already figured out that part.

In fact, that was why she’d made her move.

She had no expectations, either. In fact, he’d exceeded the few she possessed. The sex had been great.

But why leave the card at all? Did Damon teach the class?

Haley frowned at his handwriting. Not scrawled. He wrote carefully and clearly. No embellishment or flair. It reminded her of the writing on architectural plans. A draftsman. She smiled at the very idea.

The last line sounded final, like he had no intention of sleeping with her again, which made sense.

Sex had been good. It had been great. She’d had her lesson and a whole lot more.

The strange thing was that even though Haley had known it would only be one night together, she wanted more.

She thought about that in the shower. Haley usually was content with what she got, but she’d asked for more the night before and it hadn’t been nearly enough. She wanted Damon again.

Maybe being bold and taking risks wasn’t that easy of an inclination to dismiss.

Maybe she was becoming insatiable. The very idea made her smile.

Maybe she could manage to get to F5F for one of those classes.

Damon had helped her and Haley wasn’t sure she’d helped him. She wanted to even the score. He’d given her more pleasure than she’d ever had before and Haley thought the favor should be reciprocated.

Maybe that was why he’d left the card.

There was no way she could go to the class on Sunday downtown and make it back to Queens in time for her shift. She could go Wednesday, though, as it was one of her days off. It seemed like an eternity away, but she doubted she’d see Damon sooner.

Either way, she’d be in Mrs. Perez’s room on Friday night at midnight. She’d see him for sure then, and find out if there was any chance of a repeat. At least, she’d be able to thank him for the lesson.

If he wasn’t glad to see her, she’d tell him she was observing his technique, or working out the schedule for her to help his mom. She’d be sure she had a question to ask him about massage. A really good question. Then if he just answered it, she could walk away without feeling like an idiot.

In the meantime, she had a To-Do list and then some research to do.

Natasha was dreaming of Marco.

It was a delicious dream. The memory of her husband, of his towering size and protective nature, of his tenderness and the heat of his love, made her smile even through the haze of pain and sedatives. He kissed her cheek in her dream, his fingertips brushing back her hair in the gesture she remembered so very well, and tears sprang to her eyes.

She’d been without him for so very long.

Soon, Natasha, he whispered and she knew it was true. Soon, we will be together again.

Natasha yearned for that reunion.

The ward was busy with visitors, because it was Sunday afternoon, and the sunlight beyond the windows of her room was bright. Natasha had asked for the shades to be drawn and the door to be partly closed. Her room was a haven of privacy, the real world seeming very far away.

That brought Marco closer.

Natasha opened her eyes in her dream and her heart swelled at the familiarity of his features. He hadn’t aged in all these years. He was still the same young and strong man who had stolen her heart, the same watchful carpenter whose gaze she’d felt even when she was on stage. She remembered how she had danced better when he was there, because she’d wanted him to see her at her very best.

He smiled and she was struck again by the strong resemblance between father and son. But Damon. He’ll be alone.

Maybe not, Marco replied, his smile turning mysterious. Maybe you can help with that before you come to me.

She had no chance to ask because he faded from view in the way that was so