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Like the living room, spotless floor-to-ceiling windows took up one entire wall and opened onto a large terrace. It was breathtaking.
What a lucky rich guy.
I wasn’t bitter. I’d been born a princess after all, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss some of the luxuries.
“Set up there.” The man gestured to a place close to the windows. “Mr. Sato will be here in a moment.”
“Oh, I thought you were—” I turned to face him only to find myself talking to an empty room, “—the client.”
Not that I was naïve enough to think he’d truly left me on my own. I was sure there were hidden cameras all over this place. The owner probably had nightly visitors sign waivers before getting down and dirty between the sheets.
Sighing, I set down my bag of supplies and got to work on the table. As I set up, I found myself glancing out the window every few seconds. The river water was rougher than usual today thanks to last night’s rain, and I longed to feel its power rushing beneath my fingertips.
By the time ocean water flowed through the Chesapeake Bay and into the river, only a hint of salt remained. But that mere hint was like ecstasy to a fish out of water like me. Fresh water showers and our talismans were just enough to keep my sister and me from losing our minds from thirst.
I gripped the amulet dangling from my neck. The gem’s weight against my chest was a constant reminder of the life I’d given up, a world to which I could never return. Not if I wanted to live free and make my own choices. And definitely not if I wanted that same life for Marissa.
When the table was set up, I spread two thin white sheets over top. Why these massage places always used white was beyond my understanding.
Sure it might’ve looked nice and clean, adding to the calm ambiance and all, but oil stains were hard to get out. The sun was a far better way to bleach stains than any detergent, but laying out sheets to catch some rays required more space than we had.
A bird flew by outside, catching my attention. As it dove toward the lapping waves, my gaze drifted to the water once again. I leaned forward, pressing my hands into the massage table to see better.
“You never get used to it.”
I yelped and whirled to face the man who’d spoken. And then my mouth remained hanging open because this man was drop-dead gorgeous. If I thought the first guy was attractive, he was a lit match compared to this inferno of hotness. As in the most good-looking man I’d ever seen in my entire life.
He had to be a few inches over six feet tall and had a body any Subliminal fighter would kill for, or kill to touch. Sculpted yet lean muscles flexed beneath his bare chest as he adjusted his stance.
Naturally tanned skin—a color that would never grace my own sunburn-loving paleness—covered every inch of his exposed body. Which was quite a lot considering he only wore a pair of loose black sweatpants that hung low on his hips. His muscles were chiseled to perfection, each line of his toned, flat stomach and arms visible as if he’d been carved from stone by a master sculptor.
His stomach led to a deliciously indented V slipping below the top of his pants. My gaze must have lingered there a bit too long because he cleared his throat.
I forced my attention up to his face and could do nothing but stare. Black hair kept short on the sides but longer on top swept back from his forehead in a tousled yet fashionable look. I assumed it was fashionable since I didn’t keep up with that sort of thing.
His eyes were absolutely mesmerizing. Irises the color of dark whiskey gazed back with an intensity that sent warmth pooling straight to my core.
He tucked his hands casually into his sweatpants’ pockets and looked toward the water.
Wow. I’d never been stunned speechless by a guy before, but I guess there was a first time for everything.
And I completely forgot what he’d said. “Uh…what?”
Tides, Bree, pay attention. You’ve seen good-looking guys before.
He glanced down at me and drew his eyebrows together. His gaze roved over my face and body, all of which warmed. “The view.”
Oh, right.
I nodded. “I’m sure It’s one of a kind.”
“You’re late.”
Yes, and currents are strong. Just in case I didn’t know that tidbit as an adult able to read a clock, not one but two people in this building had already notified me of my lateness.
Be nice, Bree, I chided myself. Marissa might not get kicked out for missing an appointment any more, but offending a client could come with the same consequence.
“Please accept my apologies, Mr. Sato,” I said demurely, dropping my gaze.
