Love Under Two Jessops (30 page)

There’d be coffee, teas, juices, all available for her clients—that would be standard. But today, she also had a lot of cookies that Tracy Alvarez Kendall had made—despite being close to her due date. Bernice Benedict, Samantha Kendall, and Pamela Jessop had prepared baked goods, too.

The
Lusty Glow Day Spa
would officially open its doors for the first time at 9:00 a.m. As part of the grand opening, there would be an open house from nine to ten thirty, and then the appointments would begin.

She’d opened the booking of appointments up last Monday, and her opening day had been booked in an hour.

Looking ahead, she had a very full week coming up.

A draft of cooler air wafted past her as the glass door slid open. Two big, warm male bodies surrounded her.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“You should have, baby girl. This is a big day for you and we want to be a part of it. Well, as much as we can.”

“Grant’s right, Chloe-doe. We can’t spend the day with you, but we can help you get started on the right foot.”

Chloe snorted. “Y’all don’t give a hang about my feet.”

They both chuckled. Then Grant put his arms around her waist from behind and lifted her while Andrew reached for one of her feet.

Chloe laughed so hard, she nearly peed herself.

Her men seemed to understand how keyed up she was, because they made very quick work of bathing her, and making her come.

Ten minutes later she was loose and limber and a whole lot more relaxed. Grant lifted her out of the shower and sat with her, helping her to dry.

“Will you be able to eat this morning, honey?” Andrew asked.

“Something light might be okay,” she said.

He kissed her sweetly and then headed out of the bathroom. Once she was dry, Grant, too, kissed her, and then left her to get ready on her own.

When she left the bathroom, she shook her head. The bed had been made, and better than she could manage, too. The scent of coffee reached her and she closed her eyes, and inhaled deeply. Waking up in the company of those two men certainly had its advantages, even beyond the stupendous good-morning sex.

She stepped into the kitchen and immediately received some wolf whistles.

“I like the outfit, baby girl.”

“Thank you. So do I.”

She’d had uniforms made, that were just simple pants and shirts, but they were black with pink and gold highlights. The name of the spa had been embroidered over her right breast and her name badge was pinned over the left.

She knew that likely everyone coming to the spa would know her, and her staff soon after their first visit. But name tags were professional.

Andrew had made some oatmeal—one of her guilty pleasures—and when she sat down, he put a bowl of it, along with milk, juice, and coffee before her.

“Thank you.”

“Feeling better now?” Grant asked.

She put her hand on her stomach. “Yes. The butterflies have settled. I guess it’s only natural.”

“It is. But I predict that you’re going to have a great time, today,” Andrew said. “You’re so good with people. This spa is really you.”

“We’re proud of you, Chloe,” Grant said. “You’re going to be a hit.”

Their faith in her humbled her even as their compliments warmed her. She nodded. “Thank you, again. I can only say, from your lips to God’s ears.”

The doors opened at nine sharp, and Chloe never had to look back. She really hadn’t expected the open house portion of the day to be as popular as it turned out to be. Why, there were so many folks in her spa at times it was difficult to move.

Those that didn’t already have appointments already booked when they stepped in sure did before they left. At one point, she realized the next two weeks were solid, already!

“Oh, my, I love this jewelry,” Pamela Jessop said. “Where did you find it?”

“I’ve found some local artisans, mostly through my treks around the area and at flea markets.”

“That was such a good idea.” Pamela took down a lovely silver and turquoise set that Chloe knew immediately would be wonderful on her. It pleased her that the woman who was the mother of the men she loved provided her very first sale.

Soon it was time for the appointments and Chloe grinned as she seated her first clients. Each lady was offered tea, and a hot pack. Rebecca Jessop was Tasha’s first appointment, and Chloe grinned as she heard the sound of contentment from the artist when that hot pack graced her neck and shoulders.

Tasha said, “We have some for sale, if you want to take one home with you. You just heat it for a couple of minutes in the microwave.”

“Sold. Okay, I’m all yours.” As Rebecca passed, she said, “I have an appointment with Mr. Carter tomorrow. We’re going to decide on the design for my tat.”

Carol had settled Ginny on one of the divans and handed her a tray of nail colors as her feet soaked in a basin of warm water. Next to Ginny, her mother-in-law, Samantha, chatted with Ari, as the young woman dried her feet and prepared to get started with her pedi.

Chloe had just seated Kate Benedict at her manicure station. “Oh, our Rebecca’s going to get a tattoo!” Kate said that quietly then winked. “I can hardly wait to see it.”

Chloe grinned and leaned forward. “She said that, and I quote, she wanted something that would stir curiosity and make ‘him’ want to see all of it. Y’all have any idea who she’s got her eye on, Grandma Kate?”

Kate’s eyes twinkled with merriment. “I do, indeed.” Kate leaned closer and said, “But you have to promise not to tell anyone. It’ll be a secret, just between us two.”

Chloe made an X over her heart. “I promise. Not a word to anyone—not even those firefighters.”

Chloe couldn’t believe how quickly the day went, or how very much she enjoyed doing the work she loved.

From that first moment, when the women—and some of the men—streamed in for the open house, until seven that evening when she locked the doors, Chloe had been on an absolute high. Her staff had made not only good tips but some good connections. She checked the appointment book before she left and saw they were booked for nearly the entire month. Total satisfaction washed over her.

The
Lusty Glow Day Spa
was an unqualified success!

Grant looked down at his hands, turning them this way and that. He closed them into fists, and then opened them again. Only two weeks, but they were mostly healed. He could use them, even if they were still a little tender and tight feeling when he clenched them.

They’d heard back from Artie. The investigation was complete. The coroner had ruled that it wasn’t the fire that had killed William Porter. It had been blunt force trauma—caused likely when, in his haste to get away, he’d fallen and hit his head on the rock that was found beside him.

Grant mourned the loss of life—something that had been truly tragic.

He met Andrew’s gaze, and knew his brother understood where his thoughts had gone, for just a moment. Finally, he turned his attention on his oldest brother. “They feel almost one hundred percent.”

“I think you can consider yourself off the injured list,” Robert said. Then he smirked. “Do you want me to give Chloe a call and tell her you’re healed?”

“If you wouldn’t mind. Andrew and I have big plans for tonight.” It had been a long two weeks. Chloe hadn’t allowed him much more than a few kisses and hugs—with the exception of one incredible blow job, and the orgasm he’d given her this past Monday as she’d prepared for the opening of her spa—since he’d been hurt. She was terrified of causing him more pain.

After that one memorable night when she’d made him and Andrew lie still while she used her wonderful mouth on them—and they had returned the favor—they’d made a pact. The three of them had decided to keep things chaste until Grant was pronounced healed.

They’d only made one exception, and that was the day of Chloe’s spa opening.

Grant and Andrew had both craved their woman every single day they’d left her alone, and so had made an extra plan.

They’d decided that Valentine’s Day was going to be the day they officially proposed to Chloe.

One thing Grant could say about his brother, Robert, was that the man was quick on the uptake.

“On Valentine’s Day? Really?”

“What’s wrong with Valentine’s Day?” Grant grinned because Andrew had asked that at the same time he did.

“Aside from the fact that it’s pathetically predictable, your woman
might
be somewhat exhausted by the time she closes her doors at seven tonight. Jillian tells me she’s been booked solid since she opened for business on Monday.”

Grant grinned. “You’d think she’d be wiped each day. But honestly, this week has been awesome. Chloe’s come home from the spa totally energized. She’s amazed at how busy she’s been, and at the positive response from everyone.” Every time he thought about the business Chloe had created for herself, his chest swelled with pride.

“She’s been walking on air all week,” Andrew agreed. “Besides, this feels right to us.”

Robert shrugged. “I guess you know your woman best. Did you at least get her a ring?”

Grant met Andrew’s gaze, one eyebrow raised. When his brother nodded, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a white velvet jeweler’s box.

They’d traveled to Divine because they’d heard such good things about the jeweler there a man who designed not only mainstream jewellery but more “intimate” pieces as well.

“
Clay Cook Originals
. Good choice. He’s an artist with a multifaceted talent.”

Andrew chuckled. “Dayum, Robbie, you almost sounded poetic—and punny.”

“He did, didn’t he? I think that must be what marriage does to a man. Expands his nonexistent talents.”

“If y’all are going to continue having fun at my expense, the least you can do is open the damn box and show me the ring.”

Grant nodded, grinning like a fool when Robert caught sight of the ring. He could tell his brother was impressed. He and Andrew had even impressed themselves.

After telling Clay about their woman, he’d shown them some designs and they’d picked something they thought Chloe would like.

The center stone, an opal, was bracketed by two blue sapphires, set on a gold band with eight diamonds inlaid, four on each side of the setting.

“Now that is one gorgeous ring,” Robert said.

“Yeah.” Grant had to take a moment while his gaze was fixed on the ring, because he damn near teared up every time he looked at it. He never thought he would become so emotional at the thought of putting their ring on Chloe’s finger.

There was no alternative for either him or Andrew. They loved Chloe Rhodes, all the way completely, and would, until their dying days.

He knew they’d love her even beyond that.

He cleared his throat. “There’s another box at home with three wedding bands—plain gold, which we know she’ll love.” Their wedding bands were also engraved, but there was no need to share
every
detail with their big brother.

Robert nodded. “Very nice. May I take this opportunity to say you picked a fine woman? She’s smart, beautiful, and gutsy as hell.”

“Thank you, Robbie.” Grant closed the box and grinned. “Now, please call her over at the spa and tell her that you’ve given me the all clear.”

“As soon as possible, please,” Andrew said.

He looked over at Andrew. They were definitely on the same page. First they would propose to their woman. Then they’d make love to her as they’ve never made love to her before.

* * * *

Chloe stood with the door open, the cooler February air a nice change after a long day of hard work. Her girls—Tasha, Ari, and Carol—were laughing as they pulled on jackets and stepped out into the night.

“That was another great day,” Carol said. “But I’m heading home for a long soak in a nice hot bath. Am I the only one about to celebrate a lonely Valentine’s Day?”

Ari sneered. “I have a hot date with Bob.”

Tasha laughed, and Carol, bless her heart, just looked confused.

Chloe said, “I believe those are my two dates waiting right over there.” She nodded toward the pickup truck parked down the block just a bit, by the curb.

“Um…have fun.” Carol was the only member of her staff who was having trouble wrapping her head around the fact that Chloe—and most of the clientele—were in ménage relationships. Even though she’d attended Carrie’s commitment ceremony last week, the concept still unsettled Carol.

Time will tell.
Chloe was willing to wait and see. So far, Carol didn’t seem offended, just confused. Confusion would clear up in time. However, if she had any inkling that the woman was offended, or did or said anything to offend any of the women of this town, then other arrangements would have to be made.

Chloe was no more willing to see a person work a job they couldn’t reconcile in their heart than she was to have her friends and family subjected to any insults or slights because of the choices they’d made.