Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Then the door was wrenched open by one of the most peculiar women I’d ever seen. She had to be at least eighty. Her hair was a bright red and she had enough rings, bracelets, and bangles on to sink a ship. If she was the massage therapist, I’d be black and blue for a week.
“Aunt Evelynn!” Penny sounded surprised, but she recovered and introduced us.
“Come on in. I’m just waiting for my turn, but Naomi told me you two were coming.”
She led us into a living room. The far wall was made up of floor to ceiling windows. It was a nice space, but I was preoccupied by the older woman. There was no way she was a blood relative of Penny’s, right? They looked like they were from two different planets.
Aunt Evelyn turned her gaze on me. “I hear you’ve got quite the moves on the dance floor, young man.”
“Yes, ma’am.” It was all I could think of to say.
“Glad to see you’re treating this beautiful girl right.” She made her way over to me and placed her hand on my bicep. “You’re strong, too. If you and Jeff get in a fight, my money’s on you.”
“Aunt Evelyn!” Penny was scandalized, but I was rather amused by the old woman’s nerve.
“I won’t let you down,” I said, and Penny gave me an exasperated look.
We were saved from trying to finish that odd conversation by the appearance of the massage therapist. She, too, had dark hair, but it had more curls than Penny’s. “Reid and Penny?” she asked, and we nodded. “Come on in, I’m Naomi.”
She led us into a bedroom that had been converted into a temporary massage parlor. There were two padded tables side by side, and candles lined the dresser and windowsills.
Naomi picked up her phone and sent a quick text. “We weren’t sure what time you’d be here, so my partner went downstairs to grab a sandwich.”
“I thought there was just one of you,” Penny said.
Naomi smiled. “Your cousin wanted you to have a special experience, so I brought in another massage therapist I’ve worked with before.” The young woman moved over to a speaker on the dresser. “Would you like some music to help set the mood?”
“Sure,” Penny said. “Why is Evelyn here?”
Naomi grinned at us. “To be honest, I don’t know. She likes to hang out in the suite and talk with people as they’re coming and going. I guess she’s earned that right.”
How, by wearing the most jewelry?
Penny must’ve seen the confusion on my face. “She’s bankrolling most of the wedding.”
“And isn’t afraid to share her opinions on how it’s going,” Naomi added with an impish smile. “Speaking of which, I heard you two made quite the impression on the dance floor last night.”
Penny gave me an uneasy look. What, did she think I was jealous of the way Hunter sullied everything he touched? Not likely.
Naomi’s phone chimed, and she looked at her screen. “Good, he’s on his way up.” She nodded her head in the direction of the bathroom. “I’ve got some oil heating up in there, so I’ll just step in there while you change.”
For a moment, I didn’t understand. Then I took in Penny’s shocked expression, and it clicked. Naomi thought we were a couple, so she figured we wouldn’t hesitate to undress out here together.
“How much are we supposed to take off?” Penny squeaked.
Naomi looked amused. “Everything. Then lie down on the table, face down, and drape the sheet over your waist. Then just give me a shout to let me know you’re ready.”
She disappeared into the bathroom, sliding the door closed behind her.
Penny looked at me, her perfect little pink mouth hanging open. “But…”
I put my finger to my lips, quieting her. My job was to remodel houses, and I knew from experience that sliding pocket doors were far from soundproof. Moving quietly, I turned up the sound on Naomi’s speaker and then went to Penny’s side.
“But… but I’ll be naked,” she said softly, as if that was news to me.
“That’s generally how massages work.” Not that I was an expert on them. “I’ll turn my back, and you can get undressed and under the sheet. Let me know when the coast is clear.”
She still seemed to be in disbelief. “But then I’ll see you naked.”
I couldn’t help grinning at the look on her face. “You’ve already seen me naked.”
“No, I haven’t,” she answered in a fierce whisper.
“You’ve seen Jackson. The view’s not any different.”
Her cheeks flooded with color, and I couldn’t help but wonder what it had been like when she sketched him.
“Let me know when it’s my turn.” I strode over to the window, moving aside the edge of the gauzy curtains so that I could look out. After a moment or two, I heard the faint sounds of Penny taking off her clothes.