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She shrugged.
Could she have guessed his thoughts? How could he help her relax? She’d often helped him relax with her massages.
An idea popped into his mind. He took off his polo shirt, folded it and set it on the bench.
“Lie down with your head on my shirt. I’ll give you a Thai massage.”
“You?” Her head spun toward him. “Are you serious?”
“It won’t be as good as your massages, but I’ll try.”
“Okay.” Her eyebrows arched, but she obeyed and laid her head on his shirt. “Start on the shoulders squeezing,” she coached. “Press, alternating shoulders. Then move to the neck. Use the pads of your fingers to find the stress points that need to be unknotted.”
“I got it. Now, quiet down, shut your eyes, and focus on my hands.”
He knelt next to the bench, behind her head.
Following her directions, he worked on her shoulders until she sighed, then slowly moved on to her neck, gently at first, then thoroughly digging in some points, gliding to new ones when he felt her unwind. Soon his fingers skated to her head. He massaged her scalp with all ten fingers. A moment later, he heard her regular breathing and realized she’d fallen asleep. He decreased the pressure of his rubbing to a gentle caress, and finally stopped his fingers’ motion, watching her sleep, her problems forgotten.
He moved a few inches to admire the perfect oval of her face, her straight nose and high cheekbone, her alabaster skin. She was peaceful and calm, and so beautiful.
Temptation overwhelmed him. He bent and brushed his lips over her cheek, and immediately withdrew, afraid to wake her and bring back her demons. She inhaled a deep breath and stirred. Her floral fragrance enveloped him. He caressed her cheek and temples to keep her relaxed.
“Royce,” she murmured. Was she awake or asleep?
He bent closer, his lips a breath away from her mouth. “Relax, my sweet Susan.”
She sighed. “Royce, am I a… a cold fish?”
“What?” Startled, he jerked back. “What on earth are you talking about?”
Raising her head, she sat on the bench and stared at him. “Am I a frigid woman? Please tell me the truth.” Her eyes pleaded more than her words.
“What is this nonsense?” He studied her face, the dejected droop of her lips, the tears welling in her eyes as she waited for his answer. “Susan, you’re attractive and warm, the most passionate woman I’ve ever met.”
“Seriously, Royce? Please, don’t lie to me.”
“Trust me, babe, I wouldn’t lie on this subject. Why are you asking?”
“Kasem said—”
“Damn the scumbag. I saw him kissing you. Is that what he told you?”
She nodded. “I didn’t respond to his kiss.”
“Terrific. You did well.” Royce chuckled. “No wonder he insulted you. He was upset by your rejection. Some men feel humiliated and try to retaliate when rejected.”
She rubbed her thighs nervously. “Then he was right. I treated him coldly.”
“Logically, why would you kiss him if you have no feelings for him? It doesn’t mean you’re not a warm person. It means you’re not attracted to him in particular.”
“He said it wasno wonder I’ve never captured a man’s heartandany healthy man would seek warm arms to forget my freezing treatment.”
Royce scrambled off the ground and straightened, laughing.
“The words of a pissed off man if I ever heard one.”
Swiftly, he slid on his polo and sat beside her on the bench, the reality of the situation hitting him. Susan had responded to his kisses last night, and pushed her fiancé away today.
