CHAPTER 12
RIA WAS FASCINATED with the breadth of Phoenix’s shoulders—the strong platform and hard ridges of his back. She smoothed her oil-slicked palms over his skin, applying the proper amount of pressure with her fingers to receive an instant sigh of pleasure from him.
“You weren’t kidding. You have amazing hands, but then again, I didn’t doubt it for a second.”
She smiled. “Your muscles are a little tight. Are you tense?”
“Some. I’d guess some tension comes with my job,” he admitted, but didn’t divulge that he had lots of stirring below the waist that was making the position he was lying in bothersome.
“You should indulge yourself in a massage more often. Studies have proven that a weekly massage can make people more productive.”
“I could go for this.”
Wanting the best position to use her strength, she slid over top of him, placing her knees on either side of his hips, his firm bottom underneath the apex of her thighs. Although she’d given lots of massages, she’d never quite had the same responses in her body as she did now. Sweat beaded on her forehead and her nipples tightened unexpectedly. Her core trembled and her breathing became ragged. She suddenly needed a drink of water. Reaching for the unopened bottle, she uncapped it and drank thirstily.
Pouring more oil into her palms, she warmed it, then placed her hands on his slender waist, gliding her fingers upward and then down. Caressing the muscles, she followed the thick curve of his bottom. He jerked and she laughed. “Relax,” she urged, loving the fact that she could make him squirm. “You have a nice tush, but I bet you’ve been told that a time or two.”
“Thank you.” His voice was husky.
She wanted to stay longer on his derriere, but she didn’t want to come off as creepy, so she slid her hands lower and focused on the wiry muscles of his thighs and thick calves, enjoying how the crisp hairs tickled her palms. She felt his body relax under her hands as the soft, gentle music played in the background. The scent of his skin and the oil mingled, teasing her senses. She bit her bottom lip to keep from making any sounds of pleasure as she worked.
He moaned in delight. “This. Is. Amazing. I’m all mush.”
“Aww, exactly where I want you.”
“Are your hands getting tired? I’m starting to feel a little guilty.”
“I’m fine. I’m used to this.” But not entirely. She’d never been so sexually charged with a client.
Sliding off him, she said, “Turn over.”
“What?”
“You heard me. We can’t have one side of you relaxed and the other hard.” His hiss of breath told her exactly what she’d said. Her cheeks warmed, but she didn’t regret a word.
The mattress springs resisted under his weight as he rolled over and when he was in place and she had more oil on her palms, she ran her hands over his shoulders, concentrating on the hollow between his collarbones, then digging her fingers in to his chest muscles to ease the tightness. Slowly she ran her hands down his pectoral muscles, feeling his flat nipples peak under her explorative fingers.
“Do you like this?” she asked.
“Sweetheart, I think you know the answer to that. One question, is it normal for men to get…well, excited when being massaged?”
She had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. “I’ve heard that can happen.”
“That’s a dazzling smile you have there,” he teased. “Is it normal for all massage therapists to wear a smile that bright?”
“No. There’s just something about you, Sheriff Cade.” She could barely fill her lungs with much needed air. “I might be divulging too much. I’m immensely enjoying myself.”
“Go on, darlin’. See me with your hands. I love watching you explore me.”
“Then I want to start at the top. I know I started this the other day, but I could have done much more.” She brought her hands up to his hair and slid them through the thick mass, feeling the strands turn wavy under her touch. She brought her fingers down his forehead to his eyebrows and rubbed her thumbs along them. Most men had busy brows, but his were perfectly shaped like his body. Gently and carefully, she touched his lids that were closed. His lashes reminded her of a butterfly’s wings. As she had found out the other day, his nose had a bump at the bridge.
“My broken nose,” he mumbled.
“There’s just a slight bump.” She continued running her fingers down his cheeks and the thin layer of beard rasped against her sensitive skin. “Did you shave today?”
“Yes, but I can shave in the morning and by noon I have whiskers. Sometimes I’ll let it grow into a beard. It’s just easier.”
“I bet you look badass without one, but with one I imagine you look like a savage warrior.”
“Okay, you might be trying to give me a big head.”
His lips were curled into a smile and she explored how the upper lip was thinner than the bottom. Using the tip of one finger, she slowly followed the plump curve to each corner. Her next spot on the human map was his neck. Long and lean, she felt his Adam’s apple move. Gliding her hands lower, she was back on his chest and she made several broad swipes across the large span before finding her way to his flat stomach. Many men his age started to get soft around the middle, but not Phoenix. He had a six pack and she enjoyed dipping her fingers along each smooth ridge, writing him to heart. Her fingers trembled because just a few inches lower and she’d find out a lot about this man, probably more than she should this soon. Her fingers ached to explore all of him, wondering if he had an erection as he’d insinuated that he did.
Running her hands down his thighs, she massaged the muscles.
“I have an idea. I don’t have your talents, but I want to massage you.”
Her heart leapt almost out of her chest. “You want to give me a massage?” Her shaky voice sounded like she’d run a marathon.
“Yeah. You can trust me.”
His soft voice swirled cotton candy in the pit of her stomach. How could she deny him? After all, having his large, warm hands on her body would be the highlight of her day…month. Year. Ever. And yet… “I-I don’t know…”
“If you don’t feel comfortable—”
“No, actually I do.”
He jumped up from the bed and she heard him wobble. “This is like getting a work out. My muscles are like jelly.”
She smiled. “I’ve heard that before. Turn your head.”
“For what?”
“So that I can undress for my massage, silly.”
“Okay. You’re clear.”
Ria hurriedly removed her top and bottoms, but left her bra and panties on. Laying down on the bed, the sheet and towel were still warm from his body. How does someone stay so warm all the time? “Okay,” she murmured.
~~~**~~~
Phoenix looked down at the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes upon. She was lying stomach down on the bed, her long hair held in an elastic band and the ends spread over the pillow. She looked so tiny on the bed, from her shoulders, slender back to the flare of her hips. He stared at her firm bottom in the red panties for a good, long three seconds before he realized he was taking advantage. He inhaled sharply, the scent of lotion lingered in the air.
Scanning the array of bottles on the nightstand, he picked one up and smelled it. Then another, and another until he found a light lemony scent that he liked. Pouring a good amount in his palm, he remembered how she had warmed it in her palms first, but it took him longer because he’d poured a bit too much.
He started at her shoulders, keeping in mind that he weighed a good hundred pounds more than her and he didn’t want to hurt her. He gripped her muscles and massaged gently. He took his time caressing every inch down to the indent of her luscious hips. He wanted to grip her bottom tightly, maybe even smack it once or twice teasingly, but he resisted the masculine urge and moved to her toned legs that were amazing.
A few minutes later, he asked, “Ready to turn over?”
Without any reluctance, she turned for him and he sucked in his breath. There was never a more beautiful woman. Her skin was flushed pink and the thin bra didn’t hide the thickness of her erect nipples.
“I don’t think I’m much good at this, Ria,” he pushed through tight lips.
“Why?”
“Because I can barely breathe.”
“My heart is beating wildly,” she said in a soft, seductive tone.
“Can I kiss you?”
“Yes.”
He lowered himself to the bed, stretched out beside her, skin to skin, and settled his lips on hers. He heard a slight moan as her mouth opened under his tongue. He took advantage of the opening and plundered his tongue into her sweetness. He licked the roof of her mouth and suckled her tongue, learning her every quiet moan and whimper. Lifting his chin, he stared down at her, taking the backs of his knuckles and sweeping them along her delicate cheek. Her skin was soft like satin.
Wrapping his arm around her tiny waist, he turned them both until she was on top of him, straddling him. He wanted to give her complete control. They’d only go as far as she wanted—how fast she wanted. He was at her mercy and he’d never been happier.
He liked that she didn’t pull back or hesitate, but rather lingered in his embrace as if she belonged there. She did belong there…with him.
Phoenix ran his fingers down her slender neck, pausing a second at the dip between her collarbones, then continued to the valley of her breasts and to her rounded stomach, twirling the tip of his finger into the well of her belly button. She sucked in a breath, giggling. “Are you ticklish?” he asked.
“Yes. And hypersensitive.”
He’d keep that in mind for later, but right now he didn’t want her laughing.
She leaned into him, settling her mouth on his and dipped her tongue into his mouth. His body grew harder and tighter and he wanted nothing more than to take her here and now, but she deserved more. He wanted to take things leisurely, at her pace, until she was a melting pot of female and musk, ready for his taking.
He pulled back an inch. “You kiss like you give massages.”
“What?” Her brows scrunched in confusion.
“Your movements are sweltering and skilled. I don’t think I’ve ever been kissed with such seduction or intimacy before.” He was probably an idiot to want to talk while he should be enjoying more of her delectable kisses, but he liked everything about her. He couldn’t get enough. He realized very quickly how much he liked being near her, wanting to be more than the Sheriff and more of her lover. He’d never been much of a romantic, but there was something right about them when they were together…like he was finding his way home after being lost in the dark. “Jamie was an idiot.”
“I think we’ve already established that fact.” She smiled.
“No, really. What man could have you and give you up?” He planted a kiss on the dimple of each cheek. “I mean, I can’t say I’m always good about picking up after myself and I’ve been known to leave my boots out, but I could learn to be tidier. It’s all about adjustment, compromise.”
She kissed his cheek. “You’re right, but as my mom told me, “we can’t teach an old dog new tricks’.”
“That’s not true. As a kid we found a stray that had no manners, but we taught him to be the best damn dog ever.”
“Are we really having this discussion right now?”
“I guess I’m a little rusty with all this.”
Her laughter was cut off by his mouth on hers again. He used his fingers to tilt her chin to give him better access of her luscious lips. Their tongues tangled, a dance of sort. He devoured her, loving her taste and the delicate moans of enjoyment.
“I love those little whimpers you make,” he said against her lips. A look of sadness crossed her beautiful face. “Did I say something wrong?”
“Am I too loud?”
“Is that what Jamie accused you of? Being too loud?”
“Once.”
“Didn’t we agree he’s an idiot?”
Her smile returned. “Yes.”
“Although you can’t see me, I feel as if you look at me and see straight into my soul. You have magical powers over me, darlin’.”
“Sometimes a woman doesn’t have to see with her eyes, but she can see with her heart.” Her bottom lip puckered ever so slightly. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said that.”
He cupped her cheek. “You can tell me everything and it’s safe with me.” He brought his lips to hers and the kiss became something more than just two people coming together. There was a linking of souls. “You’ve taught me to be aware of things around me, not just the things I can see, but to pay close attention to the scents and feelings. Just like you, not only are you beautiful to my eyes, but you’re even more beautiful to my touch. Your skin is so smooth, reminding me of silk.” He used the backs of his knuckles to run down her cheek and neck. “You smell like a flower garden on a spring morning. The sun on a cold, wintery day,” He opened his eyes and saw the mysterious moisture glistening in her eyes, making them brighter. “Hey, what’s wrong.”
“Your words. So sweet.” There was a moment of silence and then he glided his fingers over her cheek again. “You come across as this tough, hard lawman, but you really are kind and caring.”
“Shh. Don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation to uphold.”
“Sure, but this side of you makes you who you are, good at your job. You are wonderful.”
He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his bare chest. “This is all bewildering.”
“What?”
“You and me. We just seem…”
“Right.”
“Yeah, right. I like this feeling.”
“I like this feeling too,” she said against his shoulder.
“Okay, listen…” He turned, laid her next to him and he lifted himself on elbow so he could look down at her. “Don’t take this wrong, but I can’t do this.”
She blinked. “You can’t? Talk?”
He gave his head a shake. “No. The sex part.”
“I-I thought you could get…you know, hard…”
“Wow. This isn’t heading the right direction. I’m not saying I have a dysfunction. You see, my ex and I met, had sex the first night, married two months later, and then bam. We had stopped like a hamster on a wheel and realized we didn’t belong together.” He needed her to understand that he didn’t want to rush things between them. Anything meant to be could handle going slow. He didn’t want to end up in another relationship like the one he had with Katy where sex was so good they ignored the issues outside of the bedroom. Or the meaningless flings he had with women who’d satisfied his sexual desires, but nothing more.
Phoenix didn’t want to do anything that Ria would regret. “It’s not that I don’t want to be with you, because I do, more than you could imagine, but it can’t happen. Not tonight.”
“Uh…okay.”
He got up, which was the hardest thing he’d ever done. “Like I said, this is not about you. It’s about us. If I didn’t want more, I’d stay here with you and take you all night long. But I don’t think that’s what you want.”
“I don’t?” She sat up on the bed, confusion marring her features.
“No, I don’t. I think you want a man who can prove he’s more than just an ass who wants you for temporary pleasure. You don’t want a man who wants to jump but one who wants to ease into things.”
“Right now, yeah, I want you to jump in,” she admitted.
He bent over and kissed her fully on the lips until he felt her relax under him. He pulled back, wanting to kick himself in the ass. “Just think of all the fun we’ll have in getting to know each other. Just think how much fun you’re going to have falling head over heels for me, sweetheart.”
“You want me to fall head over heels?”
“Yeah, I do. I’m going to work to show you that I’m the man that’ll pick up his shoes. Put things back where they go, like your phone, so you can find it. I’ll be the man who proves to you every day that you’re special.”
“Keep saying things like that and you won’t have to do much.”
He laughed. “I’m heading to my bedroom now. I hope you sleep well and have sweet dreams about me…us.”
Stepping out into the hall and closing Ria’s door behind him, he looked down at the part of him that was still saluting. “Sorry, buddy, but when the time comes, it’ll all be worth it.”