Page 21 of Dilectio


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"Ezra," I reply, keeping my tone friendly but neutral. I can feel the heat of her interest, but my thoughts and heart are still consumed by Quinn.

Lisa moves a step closer, her body brushing against mine as she reaches out to touch my bicep. "Maybe we could grab a protein shake together after our workouts?" she suggests, her eyes locked on mine.

Before I have a chance to respond, my brother interjects, unable to contain his amusement. "Ezra's a bit of a workaholic, Lisa. I don't think he'll have time for a shake today."

I shoot him a grateful look before turning back to Lisa. "My brother's right. I've got a pretty full schedule today, but thanks for the offer."

She looks disappointed but nods her understanding. "No problem. Maybe some other time," she says, giving me a lingering once-over before sauntering back to her workout.

As she walks away, I can feel my brother's laughter bubbling up beside me. "Man, you've got some serious willpower," he teases, clapping me on the back.

I shrug. "Yeah, she was attractive, but I've got other things on my mind."

My brother raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued, but I don't elaborate further.

“I better get home and rest my back.” I fight a grimace. “I definitely overdid it today.”

After a quick shower, we head to the parking lot and say our goodbyes. I climb behind the wheel of my car and groan in pain. When I get home, I’m taking some meds and relaxing. As I drive home, all I can think about is a nice hot bath… with Quinn.

As I walk through the front door, my back throbs with each step I take. The pain is almost unbearable, but I refuse to let it get the better of me. In the living room, I spot Quinn sitting on the couch, her sketchpad balanced on her lap, her fingers expertly gliding a pencil across the paper.

I step into the living room, and my gaze falls upon Quinn. I'm struck by her beauty. The sunlight streaming through the large windows casts a warm glow on her, giving her an almost ethereal quality. She's wearing a simple white sundress that hugs her curves in all the right places, accentuating her slender waist and the gentle swell of her hips. The dress's low neckline teases a glimpse of her delicate collarbones, drawing my eyes to the graceful line of her neck.

Her shoulder-length blonde hair frames her heart-shaped face, the golden strands catching the light as they softly curl around her jawline. Her blue eyes, as deep and mesmerizing as the ocean, seem to hold a world of secrets behind their crystalline surface. Her lips are full and inviting, painted a soft pink that makes me ache to taste them again.

As I take in her appearance, I feel a surge of emotions welling up within me—desire, admiration, and a hint of fear. Fear of the intensity of my feelings for her, of the uncertainty that lies ahead if I choose to pursue this forbidden romance. But as our eyes meet, and she offers me a small, knowing smile, those fears are momentarily forgotten, replaced by a sense of inevitability.

"Hey," I say, trying to sound casual despite the pain. "How's your grandmother doing?"

Quinn looks up from her sketches, concern filling her eyes. "She's doing better, thank you. She's staying with a friend for a few days, but I’m still worried about her." She smiles. “I tried to convince her to stay home, but she insisted on getting out of the city and relaxing with a friend.”

As she speaks, she studies my face, her gaze narrowing. "Ezra, are you okay? You seem to be in pain."

I try to brush off her concern, but she's always been perceptive. "It's just my back. I overdid it at the gym today."

Her eyes widen with understanding, and she sets aside her sketchpad. "You know, I used to be a massage therapist in college to make extra money. I brought my table here with me. I could give you a massage, if you'd like."

My heart races at the thought of her hands on me, but I hesitate, knowing that it would only fuel the fire of my desire for her. Still, the pain is too much to ignore, and I find myself nodding in agreement. "All right, but just this once."

She smiles and gestures for me to sit on the couch. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to change and get my supplies.”

As Quinn disappears down the hallway, I strip down to my boxers and wait for her return. My heart races in anticipation, a mix of desire and apprehension coursing through me. I know that allowing her to touch me is dangerous, but the pain in my back demands attention.

She returns moments later, a portable massage table in one hand and a bag filled with oils and lotions in the other. She's changed into a loose, off-the-shoulder top that reveals the smooth skin of her collarbone and a pair of tight leggings that cling to her every curve. Even in such a casual outfit, she looks undeniably sexy.

"Let's set this up over here," she says, indicating a spot in the living room. Together, we unfold the massage table and set it up, the sexual tension between us palpable.

Once it's ready, Quinn says, “You’ll need to take those off.”

I arch my brow at her.

She winks at me. “Are you shy?”

I gesture to my six-pack. “I’ve got nothing to be shy about.”

Her cheeks grow pink. She picks up a towel and holds it up. “Let me know when you’re on the table.” She turns her head.

I remove my boxers and slowly lay on the table. As I do so, I feel a sudden vulnerability, knowing that she'll have full access to my body. But there's also an undeniable thrill in the exposure, in allowing her to see me like this.

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