Free One Blazing Night by Jo Leigh Page B

from supersweet to sweet with a spicy edge.
    She stood up straight again. “Massages?”
    He nodded. “Couples massage. We did agree to try out some of the recommendations from the brochure.”
    â€œBut I thought you were bringing a chef in.”
    â€œIf you’re hungry after, we can find something to eat.”
    One more peek past her wily friend proved the massage setup was real, not a hallucination. At least, she didn’t think so. She reached over and pinched Matt’s arm, just in case.
    â€œOw. What did you do that for?”
    â€œChecking.”
    â€œYou’re supposed to pinch yourself, you nutcase. Now, come on. I think we can both use ninety minutes of pure bliss.”
    â€œThat long?”
    â€œWhat, you don’t like—”
    â€œNo, no. I do. I just don’t get them often because I’m usually preoccupied with other stuff.”
    â€œEverything’s ready,” he said, standing back and sweeping his arm in front of him like a game-show host.
    â€œYou’re not naked.”
    He nodded. “Keenly observed. But I didn’t want to freak you out when I opened the door.”
    â€œToo late.”
    â€œGo,” he said. “Just leave your stuff in the other room. Come back when you’re ready. Don’t worry. This is Kathy and Duncan and I explained to them that we’re friends, so they’ll make sure I don’t flash you and vice versa, okay?”
    That made her relax a bit. Then she remembered what was in her purse. Maybe she should tell them to go ahead. Flash away.
    Nope. There was no way that was going to happen. She wasn’t fond of undressing in front of other people. Not even doctors. Or men she’d slept with. She was a lights-off kind of gal, and this seemed very...bright.
    Matt cleared his throat. It got her moving. She tried not to look as if she was running as she hurried to the bedroom. It took a few minutes to get up the nerve to take off her coat.
    She was going to hear Matt’s sex noises during the massage. No doubt about it.
    And he’d probably hear hers.
    It shouldn’t have been an issue, now that she’d decided to sleep with him, but...
    She sat down on the edge of the bed and took a few deep breaths. Maybe this was the best plan ever. Instead of going from dinner straight to sex, there was now this little trial period. One where she’d get to hear his noises. Picture him naked under the sheet. Hell, if she hated it, she could always leave. Standing up, she started to take off her various layers. Toed off her shoes and was tempted to keep her socks on, but no. She stripped. Undressed. Got naked. Bared her butt.
    She was in her robe faster than she could say her five favorite swearwords.
    Oh, God. This was going to be terrible. Or wonderful. She’d dreamed of naked Matt a lot in her life. But in her dreams, she was sexy, too. Not the skinny, geeky girl who didn’t get out much.
    She closed her eyes, counted to ten, put on her bravest face and walked out to meet her destiny.

7
    M ATT TOOK A deep breath when Sam walked into view. He’d already figured out what to do if she declined his invitation. As he had taken the precaution of paying the massage therapists ahead of time, they were fine with wrapping things up at his signal. Thankfully, Sam had got undressed. Although she could have easily been wearing her underwear underneath that thick robe.
    He didn’t care. Sam in her underwear would still be sexy as hell. Though he’d have felt a lot better if she hadn’t looked as if she were headed to the gallows. “Kathy and Duncan brought an excellent bottle of champagne with them,” he said. “Would you like a glass?”
    She hadn’t quite met them halfway. Her gaze kept skipping from him to the massage therapists, then to the portable tables and the accompanying assortment of oils and wrapped items.
    He’d dimmed the lights, the walls had turned