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“That’s actually pretty cool,” Hugh said. “Will you mention your ideas to Kevin?”
“It’s nothing to do with Kevin.” The words were out before she had time to think. “I mean, he’s just the manager. It’s above his pay grade.”
“The owners then? Could you make your suggestions to them?”
“Maybe.” She racked her brain, trying to think if there was any reason why she couldn’t be honest with Hugh. What would it matter if he knew the truth about why she was really in Hope Cove?
“Go have your shower,” he said, snapping her out of her thoughts. “I promise to stop snooping through your stuff.”
“I’d appreciate that.” She grabbed fresh clothes and slipped into the bathroom for a hasty shower, while pondering her reluctance to tell Hugh the truth. There didn’t seem to be any good reason not to, but she couldn’t shake the vague sense that she should keep it to herself for now.
“Better?” Hugh asked when she reappeared, feeling fresher and more comfortable.
“So much better.” She perched on the bed at the corner closest to Hugh’s chair. Lifting a foot onto her knee, she massaged the arch. “They’re still kind of throbbing, but being out of those shoes feels great.” She put her foot down again, realising she’d like to shift things back to a more romantic vibe, and that probably didn’t involve her feet.
“Sit back,” Hugh said, waving his hand in a shooing gesture.
“What?”
Hugh walked to the head of the bed and piled up the pillows before patting them in invitation. Apparently his way of shifting the vibes was very far less subtle than anything she’d have dreamed up. Deciding she was fine with him being forward, she settled her head on the mound of pillows.
Fully expecting Hugh to lie beside her, she was taken aback when he sat on the middle of the bed and lifted her feet into his lap.
She opened her mouth to say something, but as Hugh’s thumbs worked their way over the sole of her left foot, all that came out was a soft moan.
“That feel good?” Hugh’s lips curled to a smirk.
Allie clamped a hand over her mouth. “Yes,” she mumbled through her fingers, only momentarily self-conscious before she got lost in the utter bliss of the foot rub. Taking a deep breath, she let herself sink into the pillows and felt her muscles unwind.
She closed her eyes to savour the sensation, while already feeling some anticipatory disappointment about the inevitable moment when the massage would end. Although … maybe Hugh would just shift to massaging other parts of her. Every time he reached her ankle, she wondered if his hands might continue up her calves. And every time he paused, she wondered if he’d shift to lie beside her.
But he’d just switch to the other foot and continue with the delicious massage. After ten minutes, she decided she should take the initiative. All she had to do was reach for his arm and guide him up beside her.
In a moment, though.
She’d just enjoy one more minute of this …
One more minute …
When she woke, she blinked in confusion. The room was dark, but her eyes gradually adjusted and she realised it must be the first hint of daylight seeping into the room. Fully clothed, she lay atop the blankets and felt a shiver run through her at the cool air in the room.
Hugh was fast asleep, propped up against the wall, his legs stretched out on the bed and his hands cradling her feet in his lap.
“Hey.” Allie tugged at his sleeve, while simultaneously edging the blanket out from under her.
“Hmm?” Hugh grunted.
“Get under the covers,” she said, snuggling down herself. “It’s freezing.” Definitely an exaggeration, but it was chilly.
With bleary eyes, Hugh crawled in beside her and she automatically moved close to him. His arms wrapped around her, enveloping her at his chest.
“Sorry,” she whispered into his neck. “I think your foot rubs are a bit too good.”
He let out a gentle laugh. “I’m going to have to work on lessening my skills there.” He sighed and forced his eyes open. “I didn’t know whether to leave. I thought I’d wait for five minutes to see if you woke up, then I guess I fell asleep too.”
She shuffled so her face was on a level with his. “I’m glad you stayed.”
He arched his back. “I may need a back massage at some point.”
