while you’re napping,” I answer Gem.
“Perfect! Conner, were you wanting to…nap too?”
Nora’s face reddens as Conner wraps his arm around Gem’s waist. I grin.
Sweet. Innocent. Nora. Man, you’re adorable.
Conner yawns dramatically. “Yeah, I’m exhausted. We’ll catch up with you guys later tonight. Maybe grab some drinks or something?”
“Sounds good,” I return. “Have fun…napping.”
With a deep chuckle, Conner guides her to the elevator. “We will.”
There’s a heavy silence that’s laced with a bit of awkwardness as Nora rocks back on her heels. “So, umm…do you want to try the couple’s massage thing? Or we could just meet up later? Or maybe hang out by the pool for a little while?”
“You look like you’ve already gotten a lot of sun today,” I point out while simultaneously biting the inside of my cheek to refrain from suggesting we take our own nap. “Or you could just be blushing because you know your friend is about to get laid, but I’m good with anything. The couple’s massage could be interesting.”
“That’s kind of what I was hoping you’d say. I am a little sunshined out for the day, but you totally nailed it. I don’t really want to go to my room and possibly hear my best friend sexing it up with my cousin so….” She shivers.
Unable to muffle my laughter, I lead her to the lounge area. “Yeah, I’m not sure I’d want front row seats to that either. Come on. Let’s go get our muscles loose.”
When we reach the room, I notice that we must be a few minutes late because they’ve already started. There are a bunch of yoga mats splayed out on the floor, and the tables have all been pushed aside to make room for the class that’s in session. In the center are a girl and a guy. The guy isn’t wearing a shirt but has gray joggers covering his bottom half, while the girl is in a white tank top and gray yoga pants. The whole thing is very granola, and I look at Nora with wide eyes.
“You sure you’re ready for this? We can go if you don’t feel comfortable,” she whispers before grabbing my hand and squeezing. She probably doesn’t even notice she’s done that, but it makes me smile. It’s not the first time I’ve seen her read someone’s emotions before making it her personal mission to take care of them, but I like being on the receiving end of her efforts.
“Lead the way, Pretty Girl.”
At the edge of the room, there’s an empty yoga mat, and Nora mirrors the other couple’s stance by kneeling at the front of it. Following suit, I slide behind her, then put my hands on her shoulders.
The male instructor nods his approval before walking over to us and squatting low. “Thank you for joining us. Right now, we’re working on a simple relaxation technique that involves rolling your thumbs along the base of the skull. We recommend you strip down to your swimsuits to allow for a deeper massage, but no pressure.” Handing me a small bottle the size of travel shampoo, he adds, “Here’s some massage oil to help prevent too much friction.”
Glancing over her shoulder, Nora listens to his instructions before slipping the white cover-up over her head and folding it beside her on the edge of the mat.
She’s trying to kill me. That’s the only possible explanation for the torture I know I’m about to go through. Subtly, I rearrange my stiffy before recognizing that I’m in a pair of board shorts. Hiding this monster is going to be an issue, and willing it to go away is a wasted effort as I take in all the silky, smooth skin on full display.
And I get to touch it.
With another look over her shoulder, Nora asks, “So uh…we gonna do this, or…?”
I chuckle. “You have no idea how many ways I want to answer that question.”
She rolls her eyes. “You know what I mean.”
Squeezing a dime-sized amount of oil into my hand, I rub my palms together then dig my thumb into the base of her skull. Nora’s dark brown hair is pulled on top of her head in a sexy messy bun that gives me plenty of access to her neck and spine. Goosebumps race across her bare skin as I rub in a circular motion, daring me to lean forward and press my mouth to them.
The male instructor prevents me from moving forward with my plan as he advises, “Now, I want you to continue