Page 7 of Your Two Lips
Carrie’s boyfriend,Dan, and his friends joined ReeAnn on her walk back from the restroom. As they approached, one guy heading this way made a blaze of sparks tingle everywhere. That was new.
This guy was not just good-looking. He was tall and big and all man, with an intense, almost angry regard. His dark hair was cut short but shaggy against sun-bronzed skin, probably from working outside, and his faded blue T-shirt stretched across a broad and muscled chest beneath his unzipped hoodie. What I could see of his jeans hugged solid thighs, and my pulse raced at the thought of what it would feel like to sink into a soft bed with all that man over me. The flutter in my stomach shifted straight to my core.
I hadn’t slept with anyone since Joel. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I couldn’t get my anxiety under control when the opportunity presented itself. I had baggage about sex. That was an understatement.
It was beyond frustrating. Endometriosis pain had seriously impacted my sexual experience and confidence, and I needed to do something about it.
I couldn’t be someone’s forever girl. Contrary to Joel’s mother, I would never trap a man into falling for me. Have him give up the chance for a biological family, the chance to see a reflection of himself and his partner in a new life. Instead, I’d concentrate on sex. That would be enough. The new me was going to be asex goddess.
Orgasms with my favorite vibe were fine, but I wanted more. To be filled by a man, consumed by him, and know I consumed him. Damn, I really wanted that, but my uterus-free self resisted. As they say, I needed to get back on the horse, and I pictured straddling that broad, imposing body.
Giving ReeAnn a quick smile as she hopped onto the barstool, I realized Mr. Big Man’s intense gaze had landed on me. His blue eyes blazed, and I sucked in a breath. My nipples pebbled. He noticed.
“Dan, this is Emily. She mountain bikes.” Carrie bounced in her seat, pulling my attention away from Mr. Big Man. “She’s joining the ride this weekend. Isn’t that great!”
Mr. Big Man stiffened. What was that about?
“That’s awesome, babe.” Dan shook my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Emily.”
“Thanks for letting me tag along. I’ve been biking for about a year, but I think I’m getting there.” I sat straighter in my chair.
“There’s a lot of different level trails, something for everyone,” he said, then punched Mr. Big Man in the arm. “Some folks like Finn here have been riding a long time and go a little harder.”
Finn. Mr. Big Man. His eyes held mine with a severity that had me wanting to know all about him going harder. What was happening to me? I didn’t have those thoughts, at least not in a bar with my nipples standing at attention.
The taller of the man-trio stepped closer, tucking a long arm behind Carrie to lean against the bar. This guy had to be Finn’s brother. They had similar features, but his face was more angular, whereas Finn had a square jaw, with a bit of scruff. This guy’s short hair was coiffed with product, and his Burberry oxford shirt with scuff-free work boots said a little less outdoor work for him.
“Emily, this is Lucas Bakker, Finn’s brother. Lucas, Emily Rutherford.” Carrie gestured between us. “Emily works at the spa. Lucas is too good looking for his own good.” She winked.
Dan chuckled and ordered a couple of beers. “Luc is buying,” Dan told Jake, who then gestured to Finn. He shook his head.
“Carrie, you flatter me.” Lucas smiled, and wow, those were full wattage dimples. He edged closer. “It’s nice to meet you, Emily. What do you do at the spa?”
“Massage therapy.” I stared him straight in the eye, daring him to make a comment about happy endings or needing a massage in one particular place with an ache.
“Why Perry Harbor? Your boyfriend with the refinery?”
Carrie jabbed Lucas in the stomach, and he exaggerated the impact. “Nice with the romantic status question, Luc.” My eyes darted to Finn, who snapped his gaze away.
“No boyfriend,” I said. “I grew up in Seattle. We vacationed here when I was younger, so I jumped at the chance to live here. What’s the saying, work in a vacation town, and it feels like you’re always on vacation.”
Lucas moved his head from side to side, considering. “I can see that. I grew up here, but I live in Seattle.” His eyebrows furrowed together. “Emily Rutherford … you look so familiar.”
My heart skipped a beat. Silently, I prayed Lucas wasn’t a friend of Joel’s, though he certainly looked the part.
“Man, that line never works,” Dan said.
“Maybe not for you, but I’m serious. Rutherford, are you related to the Rutherfords funding the chemo centers for The Hutch?”
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center had been the hub of our world while Mom was sick. The downtown campus was near the Lake Union waterfront and the sprawling headquarters for a couple of worldwide tech companies. Traffic. Nightmare. Recently, Dad helped fund the installation of neighborhood treatment sites away from the city traffic.
I recalled my press-worthy blurb. “My family is very passionate about making cancer care as accessible as possible, and I’m proud we could be involved. I collaborated with the team to design the interiors, including small massage rooms. Regular massage a few days after some treatments can help with recovery.”
Lucas halted his sip of beer. “Idoknow you. Well, I’ve seen you. The company I used to work for sponsored that effort along with other big tech companies. You spoke at the gala that year. You were with Joel Carter?”
I held my smile. “That’s right, but Joel and I split over a year ago.”
“Oh, small world.” Lucas shook his head and took the sip of beer, the flirty fire in his eyes fading.
