Lusting for Love by Chantel Rhondeau

Author:Chantel Rhondeau [Rhondeau, Chantel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-04-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Janie sat on the floor between Archer’s legs, leaning her back against the couch. He gently massaged her shoulders and neck, even though she knew the position must be killing his chest.

No matter how much she’d argued with him that she didn’t need a massage, he’d given her a sad puppy dog look while he begged her to let him take care of her. His kindness was too much to resist. The feel of his warm hands somehow steadied her, reminding her that he would be there for her no matter what Matt and Brad said.

“I thought we decided to be friends,” she said, letting a teasing lilt creep into her voice. “Do friends generally give each other backrubs?”

Archer snorted, sounding amused. “Your best friend is a massage therapist. Hasn’t she ever given you a massage before?”

“Well, sure. When I get hurt at work, Larissa’s always the one who helps me with the pain.”

“See then?” He continued massaging, his touch gentle. “Nothing weird about this.”

“I don’t know,” she said. “When a man puts his hands on me, I expect something different than when Larissa does it.”

She swallowed quickly, wondering what the heck was wrong with her. Was she actually trying to flirt with him? After everything that happened, he must think she was crazy. How could she consider flirting with anyone right now?

“I might expect something different myself, if we were doing this under better circumstances.” Archer didn’t sound disgusted by her lapse back into ‘normal’ Janie. If anything, he sounded thoughtful. “Perhaps in a few months, once we’re better friends, we could think about a different kind of massage.”

She twisted around until she could see his face, pleased by the smile he flashed her. “A few months? But you’ll be healed in six weeks.”

“Ah, that’s true,” he agreed. “But a storybook romance isn’t all about sex, right?”

She giggled, unable to stop the happy flutters that erupted in her chest. How could he put her at ease like this when she’d been so nervous and upset just minutes earlier?

“I hate to break it to you, Archer, but Larissa has infected you with her optimism.”

He laughed along with her. “It’s not too bad of an infection to have, to tell you the truth. If it’s contagious, maybe you’ll catch it too.”

“Ugh, I’ve avoided it for so-o-o long!” she protested, pouting. “You don’t know how long she’s tried to pass this along. Now, you’re telling me you want to give it to me too?”

“Even if you look so cute when you pout, that won’t stop me from giving it to you,” he said.

She arched an eyebrow, feeling more daring now that she was at ease with him. “Is that really the only thing you want to give me?”

His eyes widened momentarily, and she swore she saw heat behind his gaze before his expression shuttered and he shook his head. “Let’s deal with one thing at a time, friend.”

She laughed again and faced forward, leaning back so he could continue his massage.

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