Working_Out (25 page)

As she continued to work on his back, she couldn’t help noticing the smooth muscles and power in his build. He had a very nice body, she thought with objectivity. As a person comfortable and familiar with human physiology, she was a good judge of such things. And a person would need to be blind and plain oblivious not to see that this man kept in
very
good shape. He had wonderful tone and definition. Working on him was actually very easy due to his fluidity.

As she brought clinical detachment to the forefront of her thoughts, she scrambled to bury the needy woman inside her screaming to see how his ass might feel under her hands.

“Does that feel all right?” she asked softly. She didn’t want him to know she wasn’t Denise. He needed to get his money’s worth and at the same time think positively about Bodyworks. If she gave him a great massage, he’d be too relaxed to be angry with her when he paid her at the session’s end and recognized her. She hoped.

“Mmm,” he mumbled. “That feels great.”

The sexy rasp of his voice made her belly flutter. Her massage wasn’t in the least bit sexual, but she couldn’t help feeling arousal at contact with his body.
God, I am not getting turned on by this guy. He’s a lump of clay, something I can mold into healthy muscles.

She continued to work on his back. Then she changed position to work on his legs, keeping the sheet in place over his firm, tight ass.
Buttocks, not ass. Ass is sexy. Buttocks is professional.
She felt like a mental patient at odds with herself. Not the best time for slutty Shelby to make an appearance.

“I need to move the sheet so I can get to your legs.” Even as she said it she hesitated, waiting for his assent, half hoping he’d insist he didn’t need any more of her time, half wishing he’d tell her to get rid of the sheet and hop on.

“Go ahead,” he rumbled. “I’m half asleep as it is.”

Shelby gritted her teeth and moved the sheet. Then she worked on the muscles of his legs, moving over his hamstrings and calves. They were rock hard and incredibly sexy—
firm, athletic
. Not sexy. Clients were never sexy. Rule number one of massage.

“Are you a runner?” she couldn’t help but ask.

“Mmm, hmm. Every day I can.”

“Your legs are very toned.” She worked a rough section of his upper thigh. Smoothing over the fascia, the connective tissue covering the muscle, she released a build-up of toxins in his body. He sighed, and she moved down toward his calves, then to his feet.

He shifted a bit, and she stopped.

“Does it tickle?”

He mumbled a yes, and she grinned. Maybe she could torture him by tying him down and tickling his feet, demanding an apology for her ruined coffee. Or better yet, she could tie him up and blindfold him, then have her wicked way with him with none the wiser.

Oh hell.
Her sexual hiatus had come to a crashing halt. For some stupid reason, this jerk had jumped her libido but good. She hadn’t been able to get him out of her mind all day, and she’d tried. Now, after touching him… She glanced down at her nipples, horrified to see them through her shirt, standing at attention.

She’d blame her obvious arousal on the air conditioner if she had to. She might be able to ignore that, but the tingling between her legs and her racing pulse? Not so much.

Why did Mr. Rude have to have the best ass she’d ever
not
seen, the sexiest legs she’d ever felt, and the smoothest skin she’d ever touched?

She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, calling on every ounce of professionalism and neutrality she could muster. It really wouldn’t do to have her client catch her ogling his body. She could lose her license for less.

Shelby opened her eyes and reined in her crazy impulses, determined to give him what he paid for. But she needed him to turn over to finish. Good God, she could all too easily imagine giving him a “happy ending” and turning into the cliché from hell.

Let it go, woman. Finish the massage,
then
go find a man.

“Okay Shane. Now I need you to turn over so I can do your front.”
Ignore the innuendo. Ignore the innuendo.

He visibly tensed, and she held her breath, praying.

Other Contemporary Romance by Marie Harte

Bodywork
Enjoying the Show
Closing the Deal
Tied and True
Reaper’s Reward
Satyr’s Myst

Willa’s Wish

And for paranormal and futuristic romance by Marie, visit her website, where she has more than sixty titles to choose from.
www.marieharte.com

About the Author

Marie Harte is an avid reader who loves all things romantic. Reading romances since she was twelve, she fell in love with happy endings and knew writing was her calling. Over twenty years later, the Marine Corps, a foray through Information Technology, and children, her dream has finally come true. Marie lives in Oregon with her family and loves hearing from readers.

To read more about Marie, visit
http://www.marieharte.com