One Blazing Night by Jo Leigh

pale blue and the fireplace crackled. Soft music and exotically scented candles completed the atmosphere. “If this were a real couples-massage night instead of a demo,” he continued, taking a few steps toward Sam, “we would have had a soak in that big tub in the master bath first.”
    â€œThat’s right,” Kathy said. “We usually begin each massage with a relaxation soak.” As she went on to describe the possibilities that came with a couples massage, Matt kept his eyes on Sam. Not just because he was hoping to see what was under that Turkish robe. He was watching her for signs of skittishness.
    Her eyes widened, but it wasn’t fear that he saw.
    When Kathy wound up the very long list of available options, Sam said, “That sounds... How long would that take?”
    Matt grinned. “Hey, if you want to try them all, I’m game.”
    â€œNo, I meant if I wanted to try that tech-massage thing and the deep tissue, how long would that take?”
    â€œNinety minutes,” Kathy said. “Approximately.”
    Sam looked at him. “Do you have a lot of spa days under your belt?”
    â€œA few. I know I’m going for the deep tissue myself. What do you say? Willing to give it a shot?”
    Her smile came slowly. “Sure. Why not?” She was almost convincing. “I’ll have that champagne now,” she said before she turned to Kathy. “I’d like what he’s having and the tech, please.”
    â€œAbsolutely. Would you like me to work on you, or would you feel more relaxed with Duncan?”
    She looked down at her bare feet. “You’ll be great,” she said. “No offense, Duncan.”
    The big guy nodded. “None taken.”
    Matt brought her a flute of Perrier-Jouët, along with one for himself. “You don’t have to do this, you know.”
    â€œI want to,” she said with an upward lilt on the last word.
    â€œThen here’s to new adventures,” he said, clicking his glass against hers. They both drank the champagne more quickly than it deserved. When she handed him her empty flute, her gaze slipped down his robe and she wet her bottom lip. This was either the best idea he’d ever had or the worst.
    * * *
    T HERE WAS NO way there wouldn’t be sex.
    Sam knew without a doubt that once she took off her robe and slid under the sheet, the night would end with her and Matt in bed together. Something she’d never thought would happen, but there it was, complete with champagne.
    Which, she had to admit, was giving her courage. The massage might also help relax her—at least, she hoped it would, because she didn’t want to be awkward when it came to... Oh, who was she kidding? Awkward was in her DNA.
    Kathy held up a sheet while Sam dropped her robe and climbed up onto the table. She was a little disappointed that it wasn’t equipped with a face hole, but then she looked left and understood why not. Matt was right there, dropping his robe behind a sheet. When he lay down, their eyes met. Of course. The whole thing was about connection.
    Not only were they looking at each other, but they were both naked.
    She immediately tensed. Kathy’s warm, velvety hands touched her back, and she focused on her breathing: inhale for seven counts, hold for four, exhale for eight. The rhythm of her breathing sent her quickly into an alpha state, where she was halfway between fully awake and completely asleep.
    Everything smelled heavenly, Kathy knew what she was doing, and it was as if Sam had been transported to an alternate reality where she got to look deep into the eyes of the man she’d had a crush on for all these years.
    Of course, every time it occurred to her that she was blatantly staring at Matt, she had to look away. But she couldn’t look away for long. After the fifth or sixth time, he grinned, and she grinned back, and then she let herself stare unabashedly.
    Many long,