Page 13 of Just One Night Together

“Also, gentle, firmer, then harder. Then you back it out to gentle again.”

“Okay. Let me try again.”

“Let’s start with effleurage.”

“Stroking,” she translated and he knew she had been studying.

“Yes. Your movements should be fluid and continuous.” He laid down again. “Start very lightly.”

She slid her fingertips across his back, just slipping them over his skin, and he nodded. It was like a caress, one that sent his mind straight to the gutter. He could imagine her touching him like this in a much more intimate location and knew it would drive him crazy. He was glad to be lying on his stomach.

Maybe Haley wouldn’t notice her effect upon him.

Damon kept talking, so he wouldn’t forget himself and just enjoy. “Now use the flats of your hands, still stroking.”

She did as he suggested, and he almost purred at the smooth feel of her hands on his skin.

“It’s spreading the lotion out really well.”

“Start at my waist, and sweep in to my spine, then up. Make those circles.”

“Should I let my fingertips touch you?”

“Let them curl around me. Your hands should shape to my body. Create as much contact as possible.”

Haley did as he suggested and he closed his eyes with pleasure.

“Make each circle about three times, and gradually work up to my shoulders.” She found the knot behind his shoulders and Damon exhaled with satisfaction as she pressed gently on it.

But he was supposed to be teaching, not enjoying. “What’s your posture like?” He turned to steal a glance at Haley. She was kneeling beside him, waiting for suggestions. “When you press harder, the weight should come from your body, not from the strength in your hands. Try it on one knee, lean into it and keep your arms fairly straight.”

“So I’ll repeat with more force?”

“Twice more, harder each time.” He smiled at her. “I’ll try not to melt away.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I don’t think you can.”

“No. Probably not.” She frowned a little, surveying him. “How much do you work out?”

“A lot.”

“Because you pose for ads for a fitness club?”

“Because I’m one of the partners who own Flatiron Five Fitness.”

“Really?” She must have been startled because she stopped for a moment before resuming her massage.

“Really.” He could feel more confidence in her hands when she continued and a growing ease between them. Massage was doing what it always did, relaxing both participants and building trust. Haley leaned into her strokes more and found her rhythm so well that Damon had a hard time keeping his thoughts on the lesson.

He wanted to feel her hands all over him.

He wanted to put his hands on her.

He forced himself to remember why he was there.

He was already wondering whether there was any chance of him coming back.

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