Free Heartless: Episode #3 by J. Sterling Page B

“Turn around. I got this,” he directed.
    I did as he’d said. His fingers massaged my head, working the soap into a lather from the roots all the way to the ends.
    “That feels amazing.” I wanted to pass out in his arms. Having someone else shampoo my hair was an exhilarating feeling, but having Daniel doing it bordered on erotic.
    He led me back toward the falling water, my back pressed against his front, as the water spilled down between us. My head tilted into the spray as he continued to work his fingers through my hair to get all the shampoo out.
    “Conditioner is better,” he said, his voice mimicking Adam Sandler in Billy Madison .
    I laughed. “It makes the hair shiny and smooth.” I played along as he squeezed it into his palms. “Start at the ends, please.”
    “Really? The ends?”
    “Mmhmm. My ends need it most, and too much conditioner on my scalp will make my hair greasy. Ick. Just start at the ends and work your way up.”
    “You’re the expert.” He kissed my neck before following my instructions.
    “This is really nice, Daniel. Thank you.” I leaned my weight against him.
    “Anytime you want me to handle your naked body, I’m all in.”
    He finished rinsing out my hair, and we soaped each other, taking our time in certain places, before shutting off the water.
    “I’m probably going to get fined for all that water,” I started to say. “But it will be worth it.” I reached for a towel and wrapped it around my body as I exited the bathroom.
    “I’ll pay for it,” Daniel said, following me close.
    “I don’t need your money.” I walked to my closet and looked through my clothes.
    “Are we going out?” he asked from behind me.
    I turned around to face him. “Do you remember when I told you there was somewhere I wanted to take you?”
    He nodded. “I do.”
    “Let’s go.”
    “Right now?”
    “If you don’t mind.” I paused, knowing full well that he most likely never wanted to leave the bedroom.
    He leaned forward, his lips meeting mine in a soft closed-mouth kiss. “I don’t mind.”
    “Yay!” I clapped my hands together. “It’s one of my most favorite places in Santa Monica. It’s only been open for private tours until recently.”
    “We couldn’t go on a private tour, Miss Lyons?” He grabbed my waist and moved my wet hair to the side, so he could kiss my neck.
    I pulled my shoulder up against his face. “We could, but it was only during certain hours, and it wouldn’t have worked. That doesn’t matter. We’re going tonight!”
    “Do I need to dress up?” He looked down at his still naked body.
    “Well, you need to dress in clothing, yes. But not fancy ones. Jeans are fine. Did you bring jeans in that little bag of yours? Do you even own jeans?” I asked, realizing that I’d never seen him in anything other than suits.
    “I didn’t bring any this time, but I will the next.”
    “I’ll dress to match you. Show me what you brought.” He pulled out a pair of black slacks and a light gray shirt.  “Always with the depressing colors,” I criticized. “Let me go dry my hair really quick. Beers are in the fridge.”
     
    ****
     
    “Are we actually leaving?” He smacked my ass as I led him out the front door. “Nice outfit.” His eyes traveled from the top of my black well-fitted top to the bottom of my dark gray pencil skirt.
    I drove Daniel to the oldest hotel in Santa Monica. We entered the art-deco building and headed past the front desk and down the stairs into the darkened basement area.
    “Are you murdering me? We just got back together, and you’re already looking to kill me?” he whispered as we walked down the narrow staircase.
    “Just come on. You’ll love it.” I pulled his hand.
    Once at the bottom of the staircase, I made a left and pushed through the swinging dark doors. A new world opened up to us, and the energy shifted.
    “What is this place?” Daniel grinned as he looked around.
    “Pretty cool, right?” I stepped