Page 62 of Christmas Crisis
“I really am tired. The past few weeks of being on edge are catching up with me.”
He stepped behind where I sat at the dining table and began massaging my shoulders. “Are Marley and James home?”
“They have a PTA meeting at the school, and then they’re doing date night at The Landslide.” As his fingers worked the tension from my sore muscles, I barely suppressed a moan. “I was going to make spaghetti for us, if that’s okay?”
He pressed his thumb into my deltoids. “Spaghetti works. But you're clearly beat, so I’ll be doing the cooking.”
“Thanks. I’ll make the salad, though.”
I breathed deeply as he continued the massage, thinking about my day.
Prior to all this, I hadn’t been in tune with my coworkers—still exudingnew-kid stinkaround the office. Based on the reception I’d received in our online meetings over the past few days, working remotely hadn’t helped matters, except for the few folks who hinted they’d love it if I brought Stone around.
Leo’s magic hands helped ease some of the stress. My muscles turned to jelly as he worked his fingers down the center of my spine between my shoulder blades, the heat of his palms penetrating the thin material of my T-shirt.
His touch soothed my nerves. I’d missed him while he’d been out working with Kasen. I was used to Leo always having my metaphorical back. It was even better being in the same room with his hands on my literal back.
“I can’t believe how tight you are,” he murmured, close enough that the hairs on my neck stood at attention.
His index finger found a knot, and I couldn’t stop my soft groan of satisfaction as he worked it out.
“Good?” he asked with a smile in his voice.
“Mm-hmm,” I drawled. “The only way it could feel better is if you were doing my whole body.”
His hands stilled for a moment before moving lower. I tilted forward in the chair to give him better access to the middle of my back.
“Is that something you want? … Or need?” he asked. “Would it help you if I did this…everywhere?”
He sounded so unsure, and I had no idea how to read it.
Why would he be hesitant when physical touch didn’t affect him? He was acting as if I’d suggested somethinguntoward.
I pushed back my chair, and he stumbled. “Leo, it just slipped out.” I forced a small laugh. “Because you totally turned my stiff shoulders into a puddle of goo. There’s no day spa in Coleman Creek, so it’s not like I’m used to getting massages here. Don’t worry about it.”
He grabbed my shoulders. “You don’t need to take it back. It just surprised me, is all. But I’m happy to give you a…more comprehensivemassage if you think it will help. I played football in high school. I lived for the trainer rubdowns after tough games.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yes, Panda. I’ve never given anyone a full massage before, but I’m sure I can do it. And if it makes you feel better, I’m happy to.”
His words were soft, but his gaze was sharp. With any other man, I’d call the glint in his eyesheat, but with him—
Leo didn’t desire me.
And yet—
He was also the same man I’d shared a bed with after Marley and James’s wedding. The night I’d been trying to forget for five months.
A shiver rolled down my spine.
I wasn’t going to overthink it. I wanted his hands on me. That was all I needed to know.
“I’d love a massage.”
5 MONTHS AGO - JULY
“Explain it to me again.”Sitting on Marley's couch, my voice was calm, but underneath I seethed. If Stone looked carefully enough at the tablet screen, I was certain he’d see smoke coming out of my ears.
