Page 195 of Trouble from Abroad
I sit, spine straight, my back to Mia.
“Hmm…” The sound isn't quite steady, like even her voice is unsure if this is a good idea. “Would you… mind taking off your shirt? It just… kind of defeats the purpose of the massage if I’m wrestling fabric the whole time.”
This right here—this is the line we cross and can’t come back from. But I’m the one carrying torches and gasoline to erase it from existence. I’m the one lying awake in bed with ludicrous plans to launch that line into the stratosphere.
Shirt is off in a single pull.
Keeping my breath even is the first challenge of the night. I close my eyes and listen to the slick glide of oil warming between her palms.
She squeezes my shoulders too tight, fingers digging too deep.
I grunt.
A groan slips out next. Not the good kind.
Then I mutter, “Jesus.”
“What?” she asks.
I scrunch my shoulders, then wiggle to release the tension. “Let’s try a different technique, okay? This time, use the pads of your fingers, not the tips.” Thank goodness she’s a fast learner. “That’s it.” My shoulders drop instantly.
“Better?” Mia checks.
“So much. You can add aliiiittlemore pressure. Perfect.” I’m holding in moans instead of grunts now. “Focus on your thumbs. Start with small circles, then make them wider.” Mia works on my neck, then across the expanse of my shoulders.
“I like this oil you’re using, Mia. Smells just like your hair.” Her hands stutter for a millisecond—oh yeah, I notice. I wonder but keep it to myself not to throw her offagain, if it’s edible. I’d still lick it off her skin if it wasn’t. Hell, I’d do it even if it were poisonous.
“Ow.” It slips out as I flinch.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. There’s a bump there.”
I turn my head around and see her hands hovering. I take one and set it back on my skin. “It’s okay. It’s a tension knot. It’s where I need you the most.”
“I don’t want to hurt you. This is why you need a professional.”
“You won’t hurt me. I’ll talk you through it.” I reach for her other hand and place it on my shoulder. “Trust me.”
“I’m not sure if I should.”
“But you’re going to, aren’t you?”
“Dr. Cocky much?”
My cockistwitching. So I’ll focus on that damn knot and possibly on some pain to make sure things stay down.
“First, let’s warm up the area. Sweep your palms up and down my back. Make sure you go over the knot with very little pressure.” God, it hurts. When I remember to breathe again, I give her the next instruction. “Now we’re going to pin and stretch. Find the spot and apply more pressure. I’ll roll my shoulders until the knot eases a bit.”
Mia does every little thing that I ask. Such a good girl. I can’t help but imagine all the things she wants to learn, and how badly I want to be the one who teaches her.
“Harder, Mia,” I tell her, but no amount of pain can soften my dick now.
“Wait a minute. You know exactly how to do this, don’t you?”
“Comes with the job,” I grunt out and open my eyes in search of a pillow to cover my lap with. Just my luck.They’re all on Mia’s side of the couch. “It’s a massive part of rehab.”
“Okay, Doctor. So youarefamiliar with the benefits of massage and therefore need no convincing whatsoever.” She presses harder to make her point. I chuckle through the ache. She’s got me there. “It’s a shame you can’t reach your own back.”
“I’d still choose your hands over anyone else’s. Every time. You’re a natural, Mia.”
