by S M Mala
Doing as she was told, Bea lay there and felt him work her leg and massage her spine, all the time wondering why he didn’t like her as much as she liked him.
He pulled and prodded. Pushed his elbow into her backside and rotated her thigh until she thought she would die from agony. Her leg was held up in the air and he asked her to relax. Bea could just about breathe through the pain.
As she lay on the table, her eyes closed, she felt his hand on the base of her spine.
They were there for a few minutes, his hand cupping her skin.
‘You have to do the exercises. I want to see an improvement.’
‘I know,’ she mumbled, not wanting to look at him so kept her eyes shut.
‘Your body is a temple, not a place to be abused like this.’
‘I realise that.’
‘You’ve got a complimentary massage booked. I’ll take your things upstairs. No need to put on your shoes.’
Mylo helped her sit up as she looked at him. There was a gentle expression before he smiled. Sliding off the bed, as he picked up her belongings, she followed him out towards the lift. He pressed the button and waited for her to get in.
He didn’t.
As the door closed, she noticed he walked away.
The man couldn’t even be in close proximity. And the idea that she was going to fork out more money for something that should be better but wasn’t due to her being lazy and now pissed, irritated Bea.
And the last place she wanted to come back to was there.
When the lift door opened she was greeted by a young woman.
What stumped her into silence was the feeling of serenity on this level. Beige, white and grey were the colours of choice and there was the beautiful lemon and lavender smell, this time more intense.
‘Do you need some help?’ the pretty girl asked.
‘I’m fine.’
Hobbling behind, Bea closed her eyes. She wanted to go home and forget about her pain.
And Mylo.
‘Please follow me,’ the woman said, opening the door.
Bea went into the end room which was dimly lit.
‘If you could undress down to your knickers and wrap a towel around you. There’s a basket to put your clothes in. I’ve put away your jacket and shoes.’
‘Thanks,’ she replied, seeing her items were neatly folded.
‘As you have sciatica, we don’t want you to lie face down so if you could sit face forward on the massage chair, then your therapist will come to see you.’
The door was closed and Bea undressed.
Luckily the room was warm and she felt relaxed for the first time that day. Sitting down and resting her head against the top, she heard the door open.
‘I’m afraid, it’s me.’ She sharply turned her head to see Mylo. ‘Do you mind?’
Thinking hard on how to play it, he probably wouldn’t care if she did care.
‘Why should I?’ she replied, putting her head into the hole of the massage chair.
‘I thought, considering I know what’s wrong with you, I could do the massage.’
‘Are you qualified?’
She heard him laugh and realised she had asked a stupid question.
‘Bea, I’m very good at most things.’
The comment didn’t surprise her.
Waiting for him to start, she knew her body had become tense and what would happen for the next hour would be torture. Mainly because the man she fancied and who didn’t want to know, was going to touch up her bare skin.
It was surreal as it was stupid.
There was movement behind as he sat down and undid her towel, revealing her back.
‘I’ve got a relaxing oil and I want you to enjoy this.’
Then he touched her skin and it was awful.
Mylo had never laid a finger on her without it being through her loose clothing, hand and the last time was her lips.
When she felt his fingers caress her body, moving in slow strokes, she closed her eyes.
The only way she would get through this is to think he was a woman.
If she remembered he was a man, a man she wanted, it would make it worse.
Mind you, what he was doing to her body would certainly make her turn a little queer.
‘You’ve been quiet.’
Mylo was working on the base of her spine, gently massaging away her pain. ‘You’re usually chatty.’
‘I’m relaxing,’ she replied, remembering he was all man sitting behind her.
‘Bea, about the other Friday when you saw me.’
‘It doesn’t matter. I was probably being too eager and you didn’t know how to let me down.’ Bea buried her face into the chair, closing her eyes tight.
‘That’s not exactly what happened.’
‘Forget about it.’ She forced her happy voice. ‘If we bump into each other, I’m always happy to buy you coffee.’
‘We used to see each other, about six years ago.’
Bea closed her eyes.
The last thing she wanted to hear was how sorry he was for leading her on but had met someone else.
Her first fiancé told her that.
The second one forget to tell her.
There were only so many variations of being dumped one could handle, though she hadn’t really cared. Both times it gave her the ‘get out of jail’ card she desperately needed.
‘I thought you would have texted me to ask,’ Mylo continued, as his hands moved up her back.
‘I didn’t receive a message from you wanting to explain,’ came her quick comeback. ‘It seems neither one of us wanted to make contact. You’re a busy man, I get it.’
Her light tone hid her utter dismay at being put in this situation.
Right now, she wanted to curl up and hide.
‘Can you lie on your back on the table?’ he whispered as she felt him pull the towel up and wrap it around her torso. ‘I’ll help you.’
Mylo held her arm as she slowly got on it and lay down. He then covered her legs with another towel and started pressing down on her limbs.
She closed her eyes tightly, not wanting to look at him.
And he probably figured out she didn’t want to talk so it was silent in the room, other than the music playing in the background.
‘What are you doing for Christmas?’ he asked and she knew this was the polite conversation territory. ‘Anything special?’
‘I’m not back into work until the beginning of January so I’m going to relax. It’ll be a quiet one. Dad will pick me up Christmas Eve afternoon. We’ll spend it together before the aunts and their clan turn up for Christmas lunch.’ She smiled at the prospect of it being less sad than last year. ‘Boxing Day, daddy will say all his presents should be donated to charity and I’ll leave around lunchtime.’
‘It’s the second Christmas without your mum so it might still be a little hard.’
‘I’m secretly dreading it.’ Her voice broke when she said it. Swallowing hard, Bea thought it was best to carry on talking. ‘I’ll cope. And you?’
‘Going to Dublin to see my family on Christmas Eve. I’ll be back later on in the week.’ Then he cleared his throat. ‘I could fit you in on 28th for another session.’
‘I really can’t-.’
‘Because Jason did your last appointment and probably practised his reiki on you, it will be complimentary.’
‘It was different. I can’t accept a free session.’
‘Why did you want to see him today instead of me?’
‘I thought you’d be busy,’ she mumbled.
‘Are you telling me the truth?’
‘Because I felt embarrassed to see you again!’ Bea blurted out.
‘I figured,’ he whispered, massaging her shoulders and neck. ‘And if we’re being honest, I felt uncomfortable.’
‘Oh well, we’re adults and shouldn’t feel like that.’ Bea bit her lip, realising that the session was going to end soon. ‘I hope it works out for you. Jason mentione
d it was serious between you and your friend.’
‘Is that what he said?’
‘Yes. It’s good you worked things through after all this time and-.’
Just as she was about to tell him how important it was to find someone, she heard the door shut.
Mylo had left the room.
Bea lay on the table and opened her eyes, feeling deflated and upset.
Slowly getting up, she needed to leave so put on her trousers, vest and top, throwing her underwear in the bag and then slipped her shoes on. She saw the Christmas card she had for Mylo and left it on the treatment table.
As soon as she got into the cold air, outside the clinic, Bea felt some tears trickle down her face.
Focussing hard, she concentrated on hobbling home as fast as she could so she could cry in privacy.
‘Bea!’
She heard five minutes after leaving and had only made it down the short road.
Mylo was walking quickly towards her.
Then she focused on what he was carrying while quickly wiping her stray teardrops.
Two glasses of champagne.
‘Why did you leave so quickly? I was letting you relax. And then I saw the Christmas card and realised you must have snuck out.’ He gave her a confused smile. ‘But luckily for me, you can’t walk that fast.’ She noticed he stopped smiling. ‘Are you okay?’
‘I’m fine. Just thinking. What are you doing?’ she asked, looking at the flutes.
‘Merry Christmas!’ he said, handing her a glass. ‘I thought it might help with the walk home.’
‘That’s really sweet.’ Bea smiled as he clinked her glass with his but felt utterly confused. ‘Merry Christmas!’ They sipped their drinks. ‘I’ve never drank champagne in the middle of the street before.’
‘There’s always a first time. And there’s more where that came from.’ He opened his bag strapped across his body. ‘I’ve got two bottles.’
‘I hope you have a good evening,’ she said, seeing he’d want the glass returned so she knocked back the drink. ‘After this morning when I said I’d never drink again, this is good.’ Bea held out the flute for him to take. ‘Sorry I can’t wash it for you.’
‘I was hoping to spend the evening drinking the champagne with you,’ he said, reaching out and touching her face. She was surprised when he lunged forward and kissed her on the lips. ‘I’m not with anyone. Jason got it wrong.’
‘I don’t understand,’ she replied, being caught by surprise.
‘You will.’
He wrapped his arms around her waist, crushing his lips with hers. His tongue pushed through until they were kissing passionately.
Then she thought twice and pushed him away.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said, trying to steady herself on her right leg. ‘I don’t understand your sudden change of heart. It was only the other week you blew me out to see someone else.’
Mylo’s response was to smile and shake his head before looking at the ground.
‘I’m not a soft touch,’ she continued, stepping back. ‘Don’t think that.’
‘I think you are soft to the touch and it took me a lot to hold back from kissing your skin when I massaged you.’ Then she noticed he blushed and looked up. ‘A lot.’
‘I don’t get it.’
‘I was talking about seeing you on that Friday when Jason was there. Then Roberta rang and said she wanted to urgently meet and I felt I had to go. I also…’ He squinted. ‘I was nervous about seeing you at your home.’ Mylo stepped forward and touched her shoulder. ‘I don’t want to rush into anything, not after what happened to me last time. That’s why I’ve taken things slowly. I sometimes don’t man up when I should.’
Still holding her glass, Bea didn’t know what to say.
‘That means you like me?’ she asked, still not sure what was going on.
‘I really like you, I mean, I really like you a lot.’ Right now, he looked both scared and embarrassed. ‘Do you like me?’
‘Yes I do.’ Moving closer, she kissed him on the lips and smiled, a wave of relief washing over her. ‘Shall we go to my little home and drink champagne? I might be able to make us something to eat.’
‘We could get fish and chips,’ he grinned. ‘I’d really like that.’
‘Cheers!’
They were sitting on her sofa eating, drinking champagne and giggling. She found herself constantly smiling, in between mouthfuls of food and kisses.
The Christmas lights were on and her room twinkled.
It was very romantic.
The kissing had been tender and passionate. Bea didn’t know where it was leading to.
‘Are you okay?’ he asked, putting an arm around her. ‘You look a little shell shocked.’
‘I am.’ Bea let out a long happy sigh.
He gently kissed her cheek, then ran his lips over her face to meet her mouth. Mylo looked into her eyes and kissed her slowly, as her glass nearly tipped out of her hand. She felt his hand around her wrist.
‘Why were you crying when you left the clinic?’ he whispered, taking the glass away.
‘I felt sad.’ She glanced away then back at him. ‘I was thinking about my mum.’
‘I never want to make you cry,’ Mylo said, moving closer. ‘I don’t intentionally hurt people, that’s not what I do. I’ve been known to make the wrong choices and people have felt let down but that was never the intention. I’m a good man.’ He kissed her forehead. ‘And I take a while to open up. The past five years have been, how can I say? I took a different path and realised it wasn’t for me. It’s been tough.’
It looked as if he wanted to say something but was unsure.
Bea sensed he was thinking it over.
‘Tell me in your own time,’ she said, kissing him back. ‘It won’t matter.’
‘You say that now.’
‘Mylo, I really like you. Whatever you have hidden away, it’s there for a reason.’
Getting to her feet, she faltered on her sore leg.
‘Let me do that,’ he said, taking the plates to the kitchen. ‘You sit back down.’
Watching him throw the leftover food away and wash up made her smile. He seemed at ease in her small home. Slowly, she eyed him up. It was the first time she had the opportunity to look at his body. She liked what she saw through the clothing.
It then occurred to her he had seen a lot of her skin today.
But just then, she caught him glance over his shoulder. Mylo broke out into a grin, making her smile back.
Walking towards her, he put his hands out for her to take, pulling her up to her feet.
‘I think this is the start of something,’ he said, wrapping his arms around her body. ‘Don’t you think?’
‘I can’t wait to unwrap my Christmas surprise,’ she mumbled watching him laugh. ‘I hope it’s a nice one.’
‘Your skin’s gorgeous.’
Mylo was kissing her neck as they progressed to the bedroom, both fully clothed as they lay on the bed. ‘When I touched it today, I got tingles.’
‘You weren’t the only one.’
Then their lips locked and she felt exhilarated by the kiss, feeling his hand caress her breast through the clothing. They had drunk a bottle of champagne and Bea was feeling very confident.
‘Where’s your bra?’ he whispered.
‘How do you know I was wearing one?’
‘There was an indent from where your straps were.’
‘I didn’t put it back on,’ she replied, half smiling. ‘When you left the room, I thought you wanted me to go.’
‘I’ve not really given you a good impression over the past few weeks, have I?’ He stopped kissing her and propped himself up on his elbow.
‘I expect the worse. I hope you haven’t got a wife hidden away somewhere,’ Bea said, starting to giggle.
‘No wife,’ Mylo replied and looked confused. ‘I wouldn’t do that.’
‘Good.’
The kissing started again and
he felt her breasts, gently fondling them through the material. Bea kissed him back, tasting his lips. She took the opportunity to push her hand up the back of his t-shirt.
‘That feels nice,’ he whispered, looking down at her. ‘Do you want me to take it off?’
‘If you want.’
Desperately, she wanted to see what he looked like.
‘And will you take off yours?’ Mylo gulped as he said it. ‘If you don’t mind.’
‘I don’t mind.’
He rolled off her and sat up on his knees.
‘Here goes,’ he said, pulling off his t-shirt and letting a waft his scent float around her nose.
It was sexy.
She slowly pulled off her top.
‘You have beautiful breasts,’ he whispered and reached out to caress her bosom, making Bea gasp.
His hands, mouth, lips and tongue were having a field day as she lay back down, feeling him work his magic. The groans she let out couldn’t be controlled and neither could Mylo’s noises of appreciation.
He was getting her very wet and excited.
Suddenly Mylo stopped and looked at her.
‘I…’ He gulped. ‘I’m really enjoying myself.’ There was an earnest expression that made him look childlike. ‘Is everything okay?’
‘It’s more than okay.’
‘I don’t go from one person to the other. I’m very loyal and when I commit, I hope it’s going to last. I have made some rash decisions and I’m worried about doing that again.’
Looking into his eyes, she could see he looked worried and confused.
‘If we like each other, then I think that’s a good start. I’m careful about wishing for things I can’t get.’ Bea tried her hardest not to let her smile slip. ‘You end up disappointed, that’s all.’
‘I hope I don’t disappoint you.’
‘Only time will tell.’
He kissed her again, this time with more passion than before, as his hand caressed her jean covered arse. Knowing it was her turn to show him what she wanted, Bea unbuttoned her bottom half until the fly was open.
While all the time looking into her eyes, Mylo slipped his hand down the front and she felt his finger slide in between her wet lips and into her hole.
