by Laura DeLuca
“Are you ready?” Lainey sprayed a lavender scented mist on her hands, rubbing them vigorously.
“Ready for what? What are you getting me into?”
“Don’t be such a chicken.” She folded her arms. As she inched closer, the smell of lavender enveloped him, soothing his frazzled nerves with its calming qualities. Breathing it in, it was easier to forget about the past and focus only on her.
“Sorry, I’ll try to man up a bit,” Drew promised. “But you have to at least quell my curiosity.”
“I want to do a Reiki session,” Lainey explained, relenting some of the mystery. “It’s a form of spiritual healing, a hands-on practice that uses the universal energy to help balance your chakras. I’ve been practicing for the last few years—that’s actually how I met Sharon and Elisa. Erin and I signed up for some classes and they were there too. We sort of had an instant connection that carried on way after the lessons ended. But anyway ... I think this could really help you, and not to boast or anything, but both Sharon and our Reiki instructor told me I had natural healing abilities.”
“I think they’re right.” Drew squeezed her fingers. “You always make me feel better, even when you aren’t trying.”
“Well, tonight I plan to make a thorough effort.” She smiled. “Now take off your shirt.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Drew saluted before lifting his T-shirt up over his head, shivering at the sudden bareness. “Though I thought you said we weren’t getting naked...”
Lainey was all business. “No more jokes. I need you to relax. Lay on your back until I tap you on the shoulder. Then you can roll onto your stomach. In the meantime, close your eyes, and take a few deep, even breaths. Try to let everything else go but your breath.”
“Gotcha.”
Drew settled back against the table as he was instructed. He worried it might be too chilly in the room without a shirt or that his skin would stick to the leather that lined the table, but it was actually much more comfortable than he expected. The padding was soft but firm, and the room was a pleasant temperature. The sounds and smells promoted peace and relaxation before Lainey’s hands ever touched him. When she finally began the session, she added a few dabs of the lavender oil to his temples. He was tempted to sneak a peek when a few seconds passed with no additional movement, but before he could manage it, Lainey’s hands very gently covered his eyes. As soon as they made physical contact, warmth surged through his body. All his minor discomforts faded away as he allowed himself to fall into her soothing touch.
Lainey’s hands lingered on his forehead, giving the problem area extra attention. She didn’t apply any pressure. The touch was as gentle and light as a breeze, yet he could feel the heat in her fingertips, heat that passed from her hands directly into his body. The longer she worked, the less he noticed the pounding in his head. He felt wrapped in a cocoon of vibrant, but peaceful energy. A huge part of that power was generated by Lainey, but he also sensed something larger than either of them, that universal force she spoke of that used her hands as a catalyst for healing.
“I could get used to this,” Drew mumbled under his breath.
“Shhh,” Lainey scolded gently. “You’re supposed to stay silent.”
Drew snapped his mouth shut, certainly unwilling to ruin such a good thing. Lainey’s hands continued their journey. After his head, she moved to his throat, which he expected would feel constricting, but she worked with such grace, her touch was nothing but tender. Next her fingers glided along his heart, his abdomen, his thighs, and knees, touching every chakra point along the way before finally reaching the tip of his toes. Once there, she pressed her fingers against the heels of his feet. By that point, Drew was so relaxed he almost dozed off. Then a tap on his shoulder signaled it was time to roll over. Lainey made certain they never lost contact even as he flipped onto his belly, so as not to break the magical connection she’d weaved between them.
Again she worked from top to bottom, lingering on certain spots, like the shoulder that always bothered him or the knee he hurt playing basketball in college, as though she sensed even his slightest discomfort. The light music and the scent of incense and oil around him dulled his senses, making him feel drowsy again. Somewhere during the session he must have drifted off. When he finally returned to his senses, he was still a little groggy. With the candlelight and smoke floating around the room, the whole scene felt somewhat surreal.
Though his vision was still blurry, he caught sight of Lainey. She sat cross-legged on the edge of her bed with a novel open in her lap. As soon as Drew shifted his weight, it got her attention.
“You’re awake!” She hopped down off the bed. “So, what did you think?”
“Wow, that was one of the most intense experiences of my life,” Drew declared through a yawn as he stretched his newly invigorated limbs. “I’ve paid hundreds of dollars at spas that didn’t come close. I don’t think I’ve ever been so relaxed.”
Lainey glowed with pride, but she was also concerned when Drew tried to sit up too quickly. She ran over to help him. “You need to take it slow. You’ve been out for almost an hour.”
Drew’s mouth fell open. “Are you serious? It only felt like a few minutes.”
“Yep.” Lainey pointed to the clock which confirmed it was nearly eleven. “It was long enough for me to get through five chapters.”
“Damn.” Drew rubbed the back of his neck. “I guess I was even more relaxed than I thought.”
“What about the headache?” Lainey touched his forehead, frowning with concern. “Is it any better?”
“Actually, I think it’s completely gone.” Drew noticed for the first time that the thumping had stilled. “I feel pretty damn good. That’s impressive since normally even the prescription meds aren’t very helpful.”
“Really?”
Lainey was so proud, it melted his heart. She was also so damn sexy in those yoga pants, he had a hard time controlling himself. Now that he was feeling better, it was impossible to keep his hands off of her. Reaching up, he released the clip that held her long hair in place. Dark tresses cascaded down around him, still damp from her morning shower and wavier than usual because it had been bound so tightly.
“Why don’t you let me show you how good I feel?” He nipped the edge of her ear. “And if I make you feel even half as wonderful when I’m finished with you, the evening will be a definite success.”
Lainey released a small moan as his hand wandered beneath her shirt. She hadn’t bothered with a bra after the water balloon fiasco, though in truth she rarely wore one anyway. Drew loved it when his hands cupped only tender pink flesh. Since his chest was already bare, it seemed only fair to even the score. Lainey offered no protests and in fact raised her arms as he tugged her shirt up over her head, allowing her perfect twin mounds freedom, her nipples standing at stark attention. Drew tossed her top into a pile on the floor, already moving down to remove the rest of the confining clothing. As he worked, his mouth sought hers, their tongues twirling in an erotic dance even as he fumbled to remove his pants so they could be completely skin-to-skin.
“Are you ... are you sure you feel up to this?” Lainey asked, breathless.
“I have a better question.” Drew nuzzled one breast, suckling and gently biting, before finally panting, “How much weight can this table hold?”
Lainey grinned, catching on to his plan. “I believe the instruction manual said it could handle up to five hundred pounds.”
“But can it handle this?”
Drew lifted her up from the ground, laying her flat against the leather. Her body was more petite than his, allowing him enough room to crawl up onto the opposite end. Again he took one of her succulent breasts into his mouth, teasing the nipples while his hands sought territory a little lower down. Her fingers raked through his hair when he reached her moist crevice, already damp with longing. Her back arched while his fingers explored, stroking and flicking her knob of pleasure. She must have been even more aroused than he
realized because it took less than a minute before she screamed out in climax. A sweet gush of juices surged across his fingers. Though his organ longed for a similar release, that warm stickiness was too much temptation. He needed to taste it, to taste her.
“Oh, God. Drew!”
Lainey cried out his name when he plummeted into her folds. She’d barely come down off her first orgasm when his mouth went to work, lapping up every drop of nectar even as his tongue moved in circles along her clitoris. Lainey trembled with pleasure beneath him, her body shuddering and convulsing with each expert motion. This time, he waited until she was close to her release. He teased and tickled until he drove her insane, and then when he was certain she was moments away from a second orgasm he shifted his weight, plunging his shaft inside her, thrusting again and again. Spasming muscles welcomed him in a tight embrace, flexing around his thick member.
“Harder! Harder!” Lainey pulled him closer, urging him deeper, even as her nails raked across his back.
“Oh Jesus, Lainey!”
He shuddered, trying to maintain control. It was hard for Drew to hold back, but he was determined not to release too soon, not before she was ready. Even as he pumped against her, he kissed her lips. His hands caressed every inch of her now familiar body, every curve and sinew that he knew by heart, until she pushed him forward. Not gently his time, but with brutal force and a shrewish grin. With catlike movements, she crawled out from under him, taking the dominant position on top. Drew swallowed hard. He didn’t think it was possible for the sensations to get any more intense, until Lainey guided his member back inside of her and began to grind on top of him. All the while one hand gently fondled his sack. Her body kept him pinned against the massage table while she moved up and down, graceful but powerful, taking her pleasure from him even as she gifted him with ecstasy of his own.
“Ohhh.”
They both moaned as she moved and flexed in fluid movements. Drew grasped her hips, not because she needed guidance, but because he loved the feel of the muscles tightening as she gripped him. Pulling him to a sitting position, she wrapped her legs around his back, yanking him even closer until their bodies had merged into one single vessel. She was so warm, so tight. Drew couldn’t wait much longer. Thankfully, she began to shake as she neared her climax of pleasure. Clutching her to him, smothering her mouth with his own, Drew groaned as the passion reached the ultimate peak. His body released even as her inner muscles closed around him like a Venus fly trap on its prey, compressing him in a viselike grip. The wooden legs of the massage table shuddered dangerously beneath them, until they both fell back against the leather, panting, exhausted, and covered in beads of sweat.
“I ... I take back what I said earlier.” Drew panted. “That was the most intense experience of my life.”
“I have to agree,” Lainey whispered, still breathless herself.
They laid there for a while, Lainey on top of him, teasing the muscles on his chest while he stroked her bare back, listening to the harpsichord music and the creak of the table each time one of them shifted their weight. Drew still trembled beneath her, not because he was cold, but because the lingering intensity of their lovemaking had yet to dwindle. His heart was so full in that perfect moment, nothing else in the world mattered but the woman in his arms. Seeing her resting there, so sensual but still so innocent, he couldn’t deny how deep his emotions ran, and he couldn’t keep those feelings to himself any longer. Lifting a hand, he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“Lainey,” he whispered, scared; unsure his next words would be reciprocated. “I think I’m in love with you.”
He could feel the sudden acceleration of her heart rate. It was impossible not to when they were in such close proximity. “I—I think I might love you too.”
As sappy as it was, Drew felt a lump in his throat. He’d had a lot of relationships, especially since he’d become a Hollywood star, but nothing had ever been as right as this. Romance might have skimmed the surface, but it had never drowned him the way it had with Lainey. There was no doubt about it. He was completely in love with her, and he spent the rest of the night showing her how much.
Chapter Nineteen
“Where are you taking me?”
Lainey reached out with her hands, searching blindly for the car door handle. The scarf wrapped around her eyes made an adequate blindfold. She couldn’t see a thing. She had no idea what Drew had planned, but he’d shown up at her office as soon as business hours ended, ready to ambush her. Lainey had been game to play along until she started tripping over her own feet even more than usual.
“You’ll have to wait and see. I’m not giving anything away.”
Lainey didn’t need to hear him to visualize his wicked grin. Drew’s voice held an air of mystery as he yanked open the car door, guiding her into the passenger seat and even covering her head to make certain she didn’t bump it on the roof. Lainey smoothed down her long yellow skirt, embellished with black stars, and felt around for the seat belt. She somehow managed to get herself latched in while Drew crossed to the other side of the vehicle and took his place behind the wheel. Lainey didn’t speak again until she heard him rev up the engine.
“Can you at least give me a hint?” she pleaded. “A teeny tiny one?”
“Not a chance,” Drew told her. “You’ve surprised me on more than one occasion. Today it’s my turn.”
“A good surprise I hope,” Lainey teased. “Because around here when someone gets blindfolded and thrown into a car, it normally means the Pennsylvania mob has come to visit.”
It was just a silly joke, but Lainey heard a sharp intake of breath. She wished she could read his expression. “I hope you’ll think it’s all good, but to be honest, I’m kind of nervous.”
“All good?” Lainey twisted her lip in contemplation. “So there’s more than one part to this surprise?”
A long pause, as though he were considering his answer. “Perhaps a chain of surprises leading to a revelation.”
“Ohhh. Sounds exciting.”
“That will all depend on your point of view...”
Drew left the last sentence hanging and refused to say another word about it. Accepting defeat, Lainey settled into her seat and listened to the sound of the tires crunching along the street. The ride was a little rough, so she sensed he’d strayed from the main highways. There were no other noises to help her determine her whereabouts, but the back roads of Cape May had a tendency to be bumpy. She figured she’d have to be patient and wait it out, but she couldn’t begin to imagine what sort of surprise would require her to be blindfolded in the area she’d grown up in. There was no crevice of Cape May County she wasn’t aware of—certainly no secret location Drew could’ve discovered that wasn’t already on her radar.
“We’re here!” Drew announced.
Lainey snapped to attention, darting forward in her seat. Since she still couldn’t see, she wound up slamming her shin against the dashboard. “Already?” she asked, rubbing the sore spot on her leg.
As Alice would say, curiouser and curiouser.
They drove for maybe five or ten minutes tops. Lainey was certain she would’ve detected the tell-tale series of thumps that signaled passage over one of the bridges. That meant they were still in the vicinity of Cape May. Dying to know where he’d taken her, Lainey reached for the scarf, but Drew stilled her hand before she could yank it free.
“Not yet,” he cautioned. “I’m not quite ready. I’ll let you know when it’s time.”
She snorted. “You do realize you’re driving me insane, right?”
Drew chuckled under his breath. “And loving every second of it. Paybacks, my dear. Remember what you did to me that day on the boardwalk? Not that I’m keeping score or anything.”
Lainey heard the shuffle as Drew slid out of the vehicle. A few seconds later, he came around to her side of the car and offered his hand as leverage to help her up from her seat. When she stepped out of the car, she didn’t l
and on cement, as she expected. Instead, her feet crunched along a pebbled walkway. It wasn’t the beach because the sand there was finer, and even the best parking spot on the island would’ve required a longer walk to reach the shoreline. Plus her arm snagged on a tree or bush as Drew guided her forward. There was no plumage on the strand, except for the occasional dunes and cattails, so that had to mean they were still within city limits.
“Only a few more seconds,” Drew promised. “Just stand right there.”
Lainey shifted her weight from foot to foot impatiently. Keys jingled nearby and that threw off any idea she had about their location. That odd sound was followed by the distinct creak of a door swinging open. Her heart raced with anticipation. The wrap tickled her nose and made the skin around her eyes itchy. Her resolve to be patient dwindled and she was about three seconds away from tearing off the scarf. Then, just as her curiosity was about to get the better of her, Lainey felt Drew’s breath close to her ear.
“All right, you can take the blindfold off now.”
Lainey didn’t waste any time. She tore away the obstructive fabric with relish, excited and curious all at the same time. The accessory instantly fell forgotten to the ground as soon as she guessed where she was. This place was more than familiar—it had stalked her fantasies for at least a decade.
Blinking back the shock, Lainey realized Drew had taken her to the house in Cape May Point—the one she’d pointed out to him on the hayride, her dream house. She knew every detail of the exterior by heart, from the massive overrun garden spewing over the stone fence to the wrap around porch that harnessed a swing on rusty hinges. She’d admired it from afar thousands of times, usually going out of her way to do so. But no matter how often she’d driven by the old colonial, she’d never dared to set foot on the property. And she’d certainly never gotten a view quite as good as this one.
