Page 34 of Holiday Hook Up

They eyed one another.

“Sure,” said Jillian, checking a clipboard she held in her hand. “Although, there is another couple after you both. It’s Pauline and Evan.”

He put his hand on the door handle, not needing a vision of Pauline and Evan having side-by-side massages. “Five minutes. I’ll be quick.” He paused, realizing how bad that sounded given their wicked smirks. “I mean. We’re just talking. We’ll be on our separate tables face down and ready for you both.”

Jillian and Brooke took a seat in the waiting area, promising to knock before they entered.

They really had nothing to worry about. His temporary loss of sanity was over. He turned the handle and stepped in. There was no way his lips would ever land on Bethany Wilson ever again.

“Adam!”

Shit. Shit. Shit.His eyes were another matter. He immediately shut them, but not before catching a glimpse of Bethany’s curvy, naked backside. “Oh, my God, LB. I’m so sorry.” He kept his eyes closed, feeling for the door handle. “I’ll wait outside.”

“It’s okay. You can look now.”

He counted to five just to be safe before opening them. Bethany had moved onto a table, a white sheet fully covering her as she laid flat.

“I’m sorry,” he repeated.

“It’s fine.” She reached behind her and adjusted her long brown ponytail. “Where are Jillian and Brooke?”

“They’re in the waiting area, giving us a few minutes to get into bed.” He moved over to his table, pulling the sheet back. “Er . . . I mean onto our massage table . . . um . . . separate tables. I’ll slide into this one right here.”Nice going, idiot. Keep stammering like a teenage boy.

Bethany smiled and flipped her head to the side and away from him. “Go ahead. I won’t look.”

For some reason, he was feeling like he wouldn’t actually mind if she did.

Whoa! Rewind.

First, he tried to kiss Bethany and now he wanted her to check him out? Where were these new feelings coming from? Did it have to do with the sexy black lingerie he caught her holding up earlier? He removed his robe and slid onto the table, pulling his sheet over his hips. “Okay, Adam the Elf is decent.”

She laughed and turned her head to face him, tucking the sheet behind her. “Thank you for inviting me tonight. I had such a great time.”

“Glad to hear it.” Maybe she wasn’t mad at his earlier stunt, after all. No need to bring it up now.“I had a total blast.” He rolled on his side, careful that his sheet stayed in place. “And I think being a six-foot-two elf suits me.”

“Well, you did make a rather cute one. It’s a shame there isn’t a reason for you to wear the costume again.”

Shame indeed. He’d love another night like tonight, especially if it involved spending time with his neighbor. She appreciated his goofy side, and he liked that. “We’ve got two more dates. Um . . .” He paused. “Um . . . I mean, two more days until Christmas. I could put on the outfit and stop by your store to greet customers if you wante—”

Jillian and Brooke came in, interrupting his offer. So much for their knocking. He positioned his face down into the headrest, and Bethany did the same. In no time, Brooke’s magical hands were kneading into his back while he relaxed every one of his muscles, breathing in the peppermint scent swirling all around.

And the massage was pretty fantastic. Though he and Bethany didn’t say a word, he stole a glance or two—okay, three—in her direction. She looked utterly relaxed with her eyes closed as Jillian worked on her scalp and then shoulders.

He grinned. The cute freckles that dusted her nose that he remembered noticing the first time they’d met were still there. That freckled-face, fourteen-year-old girl, in the sparkly red sweater and matching red boots, had certainly grown into one beautiful woman.

And she was smart and hilarious, too. He couldn’t remember a time he’d laughed so hard on a date.

Date.He needed to stop saying that word. Tonight wasn’t a date. The only reason she agreed to join him was because Rachel—her best friend—couldn’t.

He tilted his head as Brooke buried her fingers into his hair, massaging his scalp. And what about his ex? Funny how he hadn’t given one thought to his original Holiday Hook Up all evening. He’d call her tomorrow to make sure she was feeling better, but yeah, he was pretty sure the night wouldn’t have been half as fun if Rachel had been his date.

Brooke completed his massage by giving his shoulders one final squeeze. Shortly after, she and Jillian exited the room.

He stared up at the ceiling, not ready for the night to end. “Wow. That was . . .”

“Amazing,” Bethany finished his sentence. “It sounds like you enjoyed your hour, yes?”

“I liked it.” He flipped over to his side. Maybe she liked being here with him, too. She did call him cute. Albeit, a cuteelf. “I think we should do this again soon.”

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