Page 78 of Paparazzi Perfect
“That’ll be amazing, Miki,” I said drowsily.
She pulled open the bedside drawer, took out a bottle, and gave it a shake. “I’ve got my final practical exam next week! What do you say? Are you up for a massage? I could use the practice.” She opened the bottle and inhaled the scent. “Mmm, so good. It’s the new lavender-coconut oil I’ve been wanting to try.” She leaned closer, holding the bottle out to me.
“That’s low-key heavenly.” I breathed in the heady fragrance. “And if it’ll help you pass your exam, then yeah, sure. But heads-up, I might not stay awake.” I stifled a yawn.
“Thank you so much. I do not want to fail this exam.” She spread a towel out on the bed. “I’ll just do your back. Just take your dress off and lie on your tummy on the towel.”
I pulled off my dress, tossed it on the floor, and lay as instructed.
Miki lit what was left of the candle on the bedside table, then turned out the light. She poured the oil into her hands, rubbing them together until the oil was warm.
The intoxicating scent of coconut filled the room.
Her hands glided gently along my back in long strokes. As she worked her way upward, I felt my muscles relax. When she reached my shoulders, she applied just the right amount of pressure, kneading out the knots of tension. I let out a light sigh.
After a while, her touch lightened, then slowed to a stop. I opened my eyes. “Wow, that was amazing.”
“Glad you liked it. I hope I’m good enough to pass the exam,” she said, standing.
“I think it’s safe to say you’re going to nail it.”
“Thanks.” She smiled. “The only trouble with being a therapist is that you never get a massage yourself,” she said with a laugh, pressing her fingers into her shoulder.
I glanced at her. “I mean, I’m no therapist, but I could try, if you want,” I offered, stifling another yawn and wishing I could just curl up and go to sleep.
“Really?” She slipped off her top. “That’d be seriously amazing.” Her skirt fell to the floor, and she lay face down on the towel.
Warming the oil in my hands, I rubbed both palms upward along her back as the candle flickered and then went out beside us. Fighting a yawn, I willed myself to stay awake as I pressed and kneaded the same way she had. When my hands started to ache, I paused for a few seconds, then lifted them off her back, wiping them on the side of the towel.
Miki rolled over and sat up.
I finished wiping my hands. As I looked up, Miki’s outline drew closer. Her lips pressed against mine.
I froze before pulling away, my limbs weak. “Miki.” I shut my eyes and shook my head slowly, trying to steady myself through the dizziness. “I’m with Karson,” I whispered, almost to myself.
Then I heard a noise on the other side of the room.
My blood ran cold…
Someone’s in here!
***
Covered in oil, wearing only my underwear, I sat motionless on the bed in the pitch-dark. In the silence, I strained to hear the sound again.
“What the hell?” A familiar voice cracked the silence like broken glass.
“Karson!” I drew in a sharp breath. “What?” My hands flew to my cheeks.He can’t be here. That’s not possible.
With a look of alarm, Miki slunk into the bathroom.
“I called out to you, but it’s becoming clearer why you didn’t hear me. And why was your door open in the middle of the night? I thought there must have been a break-in. Why were you twokissing?” he growled.
My gaze moved to the dark outline of the door, then back to him in confusion.
He took a couple of steps then switched on the lamp. The light cast a soft glow over the room as my heart sank in despair. Raking a hand across his forehead, he shook his head as he scanned the room until his gaze settled on our discarded clothes on the floor.
“What’s going on, Ivy?”
