Unexpected Adventures Page 7

  “And you are?”

  “If you want me to be honest, then yes. I’d like to think I’m not like other guys when it comes to women, whose first thought is all about sex. But I can think of nothing more appealing than lying naked in bed with you. Among other things.”

  “Why me?”

  My comment clearly stumps him for a moment because he looks thoughtful and remains quiet for a bit.

  “Wow. Gotta think about that one, huh?”

  He surprises me by quickly grabbing my waist and hauling me to him. He has me on my tippy-toes as he leans down close to me.

  “I happen to think you’re a sexy lady who shouldn’t be so hard on herself.” He kisses me. A slow, lingering kiss that has me closing my eyes, savoring its sweetness. “Something about you, Abby, has me wanting more.” More brushing of the lips. “Your innocence, your sincerity, your honesty. All redeeming qualities.”

  “Mmm,” is all I can muster before he releases me. He takes a hold of my hand, kissing the knuckles before striding forward.

  We enjoy the walk in more silence. I cannot say how far we’ve gone, as nothing around us looks familiar. The dogs are scurrying along, enjoying themselves, and before long, we’re back in front of Sherri’s house.

  “That’s probably all these little ladies can handle,” Shaun says as we make our way up the front walk.

  “That was quick, but yes, I agree. I bet their little legs are ready for a break.”

  “So, do you have any pets, Abby?”

  “No. I’d love a dog myself, but I’m always on the go with my clients. I’d hate to think about her being alone all day with no company.”

  “So you’d have a she?”

  “Of course. So she’d be in tune with me and we’d share ice cream during sappy, romantic comedies.” I chuckle.

  “You could always get two so they’d have each other for company while you’re gone.”

  “Ah, and double the trouble when they decide they’re bored and want to start tearing things up.”

  “But with good training, they wouldn’t do that.”

  I laugh. “I suppose there is that. What about you? Any pets?”

  “No. Like you, I’d love a dog, or two, or three. But with my work?”

  “You’re gone too much also.”

  “Yep.”

  “I thought about getting a little one, like one of these cuties. One I could take with me to my clients’ places, but not everyone likes dogs. And then there are allergies to consider.”

  “Yeah, lots to consider. It’s a shame, though. I think you’d be a terrific human for a lucky dog.” He grins.

  “Why, thank you, kind sir.” I mimic a curtsy.

  Once we reach the door, Shaun unleashes the dogs and ushers them inside. Their little paws are heard clicking off down the hallway.

  We make our way into the kitchen where they ended up, licking furiously from their water bowls. Then it’s on to their beds for a nap.

  Shaun and I each grab a water bottle. He leans against a counter, drinking down half the bottle in one swig. I rest against the island, opposite of him.

  “So, ten years at your job. You must really like it.”

  “For the most part, yes. It’s great to have a job that’s exhilarating and one I enjoy. Keeps me young.” He winks.

  “Oh, brother. Yeah, you’re really getting up there in age, at, what, thirty, did you say?”

  He nods his head. “Yeah, most days I feel pretty good. Then there are those days I feel like an old man.” He chuckles.

  “Uh-huh. Well, you keep yourself in excellent shape.”

  “Thanks for noticing.” He playfully strikes a pose, flexing his perfect biceps.

  “How could I not?” I admit before I can stop myself.

  Shaun’s eyes sparkle. “So, you like checking me out, do you?” He sets the water bottle on the counter and takes a step in my direction. Realizing what he’s doing, I sidestep away before he can trap me. I don’t think I’m ready to play cat and mouse in broad daylight with him. Especially knowing what he could do if he caught me. Although I really enjoy what he’s done so far, there’s no telling if Sarah or Denise could come upon us at any moment.

  “Sarah said you already went for a run this morning,” I say as I walk around to the other side of the island from where he’s standing. “Do you run every day?”

  “Almost.” He chuckles, clearly knowing I’m avoiding contact with him. “When my knees aren’t acting up. How about you? What’s your exercise routine?” he asks, sizing me up.

  “Who says I have one?” I say coyly. Am I fishing for compliments?

  “From the shape you’re in, I’d say you do. Unless you’re just a natural beauty whose body stays toned without any effort.”

  Hooked one. Every girl likes to be flattered.

  Still, I blush and thank him. “I love to run. I usually go to Pine Lake Park for my runs.”

  “And I usually go to Golden Gate Park for mine.”

  “Well, we’ll have to hook up sometime for a run together.”

  He’s slowly making his way around the island, his eyes never leaving mine. I stand my ground, bracing my hands on the counter behind me as I watch him. Maybe I really wouldn’t mind letting him catch me.

  “I’d like that,” he states as he moves closer and closer. “Hooking up, that is. I guess a run would be fun, too.”

  He’s right in front of me, gently pinning me against the counter. He places one hand on either side of me, leaning in close. I can smell his soap mingling with his masculine scent, and it’s intoxicating. I so badly want to reach out to him and run my hands across his chest. But I keep still, waiting for his move.

  And the man definitely has moves.

  He brushes his lips across mine, trailing kisses across my cheek, making his way to my ear. His smooth skin, compared to the stubble, feels even better.

  “Are you sure you want to go to that spa with your sister? I’d be happy to help you out with that makeover, starting with a full body massage.”

  My insides melt and my knees threaten to give out on me. I close my eyes and give in to the delicious feeling of being aroused by him. I barely get a sigh out of my mouth when he covers it, swallowing any protest I might have been able to come up with.

  He does a thorough job with his kisses, leaving me ready to beg for more as he pulls his mouth away. His body continues to hold mine in place. And from the bulge I feel against me, it’s evident he’s aroused as well.

  My mind has trouble remembering his question. He did ask me a question, didn’t he? Oh, yes, spa day with Denise…

  “I think she’d be really disappointed if I backed out. It’s not every day I get to hang with my sis, be spoiled, and get made-up like a girly-girl.”

  “And you did make this trip to spend time with your sister.”

  “Mmm-hmmm,” is all I can manage as his lips continue their soft exploration on my neck.

  He pulls back, with what I can only imagine is great effort. “Well then, I suppose I should let you go get ready. I, on the other hand, will seek refuge in a cold shower.”

  “Oh,” I mumble before biting my lip.

  Shaun laughs and backs away. “It won’t be the first one I’ve had to take since meeting you, Abby.” He continues to laugh as he sees my eyes widen in surprise. He turns to leave the kitchen and calls out, “I’ll look forward to tonight.”

  “Me too.” I think. I continue to gnaw on my lip and contemplate what’s going on with my body and mind. How can there be so many conflicting emotions and feelings at once? He makes me feel wanted and sexy, but I also feel scared and inadequate. Not that he makes me feel inadequate. Quite the opposite. He makes me feel… capable.

  Wow.

  Denise enters the kitchen, nearly bouncing with joy. Her smile falters when she sees me. “Abby, what’s wrong?” she asks, coming to my side.

  “Everything. Denise, what am I doing?”

  “What do you mean?”

 
I look at her as if it wouldn’t be obvious. We’ve only been talking about one subject for the last twenty-four hours.

  “Shaun!”

  “What did he do to you?” She rests a hand on my arm.

  “Nothing different than this morning. Or last night.”

  She straightens, not looking so concerned anymore. “Oh, well, we’re going to change that. Time to go,” she says cheerily. She hooks her arm around mine and begins to lead me toward the front door.

  “Like this? Do I need to get my bag? A change of clothes?”

  “Nope. It’ll all be handled.”

  “He wants to take me on a date tonight. Or, more specifically, he said, an adventure.”

  “That’s great! Did he say what you’ll be doing or where you’ll be going?”

  “No. All he said was what I’m wearing now is pretty much what I should wear tonight. Oh, and to bring a light jacket, that the desert can get chilly at night.”

  “Huh. Well, not much to go on, but we’ll work with it.” She shrugs her shoulders.

  I stop in my tracks, causing Denise to falter. “Denise, I’m nervous.”

  She looks sympathetically at me before giving me a hug. “I know, Abbs, but don’t be. You’re going to look fabulous, feel fabulous, and you’re going to have a wonderful time with whatever you do.”

  “What if tonight’s the night? I mean, what if he wants to, you know, get physical? Do I bring protection, or would that look too eager? Should I rely on him to bring it? Or do you think that’d make him look to eager?”

  “Abby, stop. You’ll drive yourself crazy, and there’s no need for that. I’m going to take care of you and guide you through this.”

  “How? You’re not going to be on the date with me.”

  “No, I’m not. But I’m going to instruct you on the possibilities and options.”

  “God, this is like cramming for an exam that I’m sure I’m going to fail!”

  She resumes her guidance of me out the door and to the BMW. “No, you are not going to fail. How could you? You’ve got a great, hunky guy who likes you and seems willing to go at your pace. It’s a win-win.”

  I’m not a hundred percent sure she’s correct, but I try to relax and go with it. As we climb into the car, all I can think about are Cliffs notes… and not falling off the edge.

  Chapter Eight

  We arrive at the spa, Aruna, where Denise has already made reservations for the Perfect Harmony package, which consists of a facial and a massage. She decides to throw in some lip and brow waxing as well.

  “If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it right,” she states. “Can’t be kissing a man if you’ve got a hairy lip.”

  I self-consciously run my finger across my lip while looking in the hand mirror. My lip isn’t hairy, is it? Nah. My brows, on the other hand, could use some taming. I’ve always thought they were too thick but hated to tweeze them myself.

  We’re led back to a spacious room where we’re given lush robes and told to change. It smells heavenly, like citrus, and I feel a little more at ease. The lighting is low and there’s soft music flowing out of what I presume to be hidden speakers in the wall. Along one wall is a water feature, where the massage tables are situated.

  “You’re going to love this, Abby. It’s so relaxing, and so wonderful to feel spoiled.”

  “How often have you done this?”

  “I usually treat myself to this a few times a year.”

  “Do you go alone or with someone else?”

  “Just depends on how I feel at the time or who I may feel like inviting along. Sherri and I have done it twice together, but I usually come alone. I like to think of it as my time.”

  Once we strip down to nothing, in private, and put the robes on, we’re instructed to have a seat in the chairs where we’ll have the waxing done first. Actually, we get a foot bath and a mini-massage, then the waxing. Not knowing what to expect, and thinking it was going to hurt like heck, I’m pleasantly surprised it is practically painless. After the technician places some cold implement on our skin to minimize the redness and swelling, we’re once again instructed to disrobe and lay down on the massage tables.

  “Remember to just relax and let yourself go,” Denise says.

  “I’ve never had a stranger’s hands all over me before.”

  “Abby, they’re professionals. And female. Just relax,” she says again.

  The music and atmosphere certainly help with the relaxation, as it’s meant to do. I settle in and tell myself to drift away for the next hour while all the tension is being eased from my body. Little did I realize how tense I was and just how relaxing the massage would be, because at some point, I literally wake myself up with a snort. Me… snoring.

  “Sorry,” I meekly apologize.

  “That’s quite all right,” the masseuse says. “It really does happen all the time.”

  “Good to know,” I mumble as best I can while my face is smashed into the cradle.

  No sooner did I say that, when we’re told to flip. As the gal holds the sheet up in a tent-like fashion to shield my naked body, I awkwardly roll myself over onto my back, hands instinctively crossing over my breasts. The sheet is tucked around me. However, she reaches under one side, asking for my arm. Darn.

  After she finishes with each arm, she gingerly tucks them under the sheet again. Cucumber slices are then placed on our eyes. Yep, what I’ve seen in those commercials, they really do that.

  “How ya doing over there, sis?” Denise asks.

  “Really, really good,” I reply sleepily.

  “Good to hear. You’re going to be hooked.”

  “I already am. Why have I never treated myself to anything like this before?”

  “You don’t treat yourself enough. Time for that to change.”

  The masseuse continues to work over my neck and shoulders, and boy does it feel wonderful. Who knew so much tension and strain could build up in the body?

  A warm blanket is placed across us as the techs get ready to finish with the facials. So many steps take place as we’re exfoliated and scrubbed and washed and rinsed and toned and only they know what else. By the time it’s done, I truly feel like a new person.

  Once we’re moisturized and left to sit for a few more moments, I feel like drifting back into a peaceful sleep. Only Denise has other plans.

  “Ready for round two?” she says, oh so brightly.

  “Um, sure. What’s next?” To my dismay, I reluctantly get up to dress again and get ready to go.

  “Next is lunch and shopping. I’m starving! Did you have anything to eat before we left? My omelet didn’t last long.”

  I chuckle. “No, I didn’t, and yes, I’m hungry too.”

  “We’ll eat, then pick up a new outfit, then get our hair done.” When I look almost distressed, she adds, “Yep, I’m running you through the gamut today, missy.”

  “I may not have enough energy for my date with Shaun tonight,” I half-heartedly complain.

  “Sure you will. I’ll have you so jazzed about it, you’ll hardly contain yourself.”

  “Uh, huh.”

  So off we go… into the wild, blue yonder… kidding. We set out in search of food and clothes. The basic necessities.

  After some great noodles, we head out to pick the perfect outfit, and I walk away with new clothes, right down to the intimate apparel. I’m wearing denim shorts—which are a little too short for me—but Denise said they show off my stunning legs. Who am I to argue with that kind of logic? I have on a heather grey tank under a plaid shirt of bright blues and pinks. And under all that is a new set of satin underwear and bra—she insisted on another push-up one. More maximizing of my assets. And although a new pair of Asics is enticing, I don’t really need them, so I continue to wear the pair of sneakers I borrowed from Sherri’s.

  So, I guess I’m ready for my adventure with Shaun.

  Lord, help me. Better yet, maybe I should be saying, Lord help him, because I sure want it
to be a great evening and not make a fool of myself and I don’t want it to end with him resorting to taking another cold shower, but I still don’t know if I’m ready to go all the way with him.

  “Abby! Come up for air,” Denise says.

  “Oh my God, did I just say all that out loud? Denise, I don’t know if I can do this.”

  She takes ahold of my shoulders and looks me squarely in the eye. Because you can’t focus on both eyes at once, so you pretty much go back and forth from one to another, which seems kind of weird, but what else can you do?

  “You have got to get ahold of yourself.”

  “But you have ahold of me.”

  “Just stop. Stop with the comic relief. Stop with the blithering rambling.”

  “I’m not…”

  “Yes, you are. You have so much more confidence than this. You’re twenty-eight, for God’s sake!”

  “All right, enough with the age factor. Just because I’m older…”

  “Doesn’t make you wiser,” she finishes saucily. “Obviously.” As she watches me pout, she gives me a gentle squeeze. “Abby, stop freaking out. Quite frankly, it’s annoying and I’m so over it.” She drops her hands and crosses her arms under her breasts while cocking one hip out.

  “Fine.” I try to mimic her stance but while she makes it look sexy, I just look like a petulant child.

  “Fine. Now, you’re going to gather your inner strength and get ready to take the plunge.”

  “Fine.” I stand up straight, close my eyes, and take a deep breath. I hear her encouraging words to keep going. So I take a few more breaths, slowly exhaling, trying to release doubt and fear. A calmness settles over me, and as I open my eyes, all I see is my sister’s beautiful face filled with hope for me.

  “Thank you, Denise.” I embrace her, letting her know how much I love her.

  “I love you, too. Time to go. One more stop and then we’ll head back to Sherri’s.”

  She takes me to her stylist who has a field day with my hair. After placing golden highlights in my brown hair—creamy chocolate, he says—he thins it out and snips, and doesn’t allow me to see a thing until he’s done. When he turns me around to the mirror, I barely recognize the girl in the reflection. After drying and adding a little wave with an iron, my hair frames my face beautifully, if I do say so myself. Where it once fell below my shoulder blades, he trimmed it up so that it falls just past my shoulders. Layers give it more lift, and a slice of bangs slant across my forehead.