AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Probably.”
That curt answer made me frown. “Is it serious between you two?”
She waited until we’d stepped out of the car before speaking. “No. We have little in common.”
As the frosted glass doors parted, I noticed Clarice at the front desk, so I held back the questions despite being intrigued by my mum’s involvement with Mirabel’s manager.
Her private life had always been a mystery. And now with Will locked away and Bethany having absconded, as a family, we were giving my mother space to heal.
I couldn’t tell whether she’d gotten over Will or not. I’d never seen her show emotion until she opened up about her painful upbringing. As someone who wore her heart on her sleeve, I could have done with a dose of her stoicism.
The foyer radiated a calming aroma of lavender and citrusy smells, while in the background, nature’s ambient sounds floated in the air.
“Welcome,” said Clarice, the spa director.
“Is Manon here?” my mother asked.
Clarice’s face changed from warm to cool in an instant as she nodded.
Mm… Manon weaving her charms again.
On cue, my niece tottered over in her skyscrapers, nightclub wear, and a fluffy cardigan I’d been searching for in my wardrobe. Now I knew who had it. And this wasn’t the first time. Many of my things had gone missing since Manon moved to Merivale.
I tapped on the sleeve of the hot-pink McQueen cardigan I’d picked up at a vintage store in Carnaby Street. “This looks familiar.”
She stroked it fondly. “I only just got it.”
I tilted my head. “From where exactly, since it’s an ’80s vintage?”
“Can’t recall.” She turned her back on me and spoke to my mother. “Your normal treatment?”
My mother nodded and followed her down the hall.
Refusing to allow Manon to get to me, I headed into the changeroom to prepare for my massage.
A few minutes later, Jason, the masseur, greeted me with a toothy smile. “It’s been a few weeks.”
“I’ve sure missed this.” I sighed. “I’ve been in London helping Ethan with the hotel.” That was partly true, despite me hanging out with my girlfriends and finding ways to escape Bram, whom I suspected had my phone tracked.
As Jason rubbed his hands, I lay with my face poking through the cushiony hole. He applied some divinely fragrant oil and, massaging firmly onto my back, started to untangle knots.
“Last time we spoke, you were seeing a new boy.” He ran his hands smoothly over me, and my skin sighed with pleasure.
“Not so good anymore, I’m afraid. I had to hide when I saw Bram at Cirque.”
“It’s turned nasty?” He rubbed my neck.
“Yep.” I exhaled loudly. “He’s turned into a psycho.”
“I hope he’s not hurting you. Your shoulders seem tight.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. I’m pretty tense all over.” I chuckled darkly. “I just have to stop falling for bad boys.”
“Tell me about it. My last boyfriend was ex-military, and boy did he like it rough.” He sniffed.
I remembered Bram’s mouth on my neck, his hands holding my arms up against the wall, which I’d confused for passion. It soon turned scary when he pinned me there. I struggled, but he squeezed harder, and fear coursed through me.
“At first, it was kinda hot.” He kneaded into my lower back. “But then he revealed an aggressive streak. Josh couldn’t come to terms with being gay. He was trying to date women which messed up his head.” He worked down my leg. “Is that okay?”
