Alexi fumbled with her keys and the door. She stepped across the threshold of her apartment, unceremoniously dropped her purse, kicked off her pumps and sank onto the couch. She closed her eyes with a sigh. Still, the day's tension wouldn't abate.
"Hey honey, you left the door open," Tyler said. He stepped inside. He glanced at Alexi's pumps and spilt purse. "Rough day, huh?"
Alexi glanced up at the hunk she'd married some seven months prior. Her initial instinct was,
go away.
She fought down her antisocial urge.
"Sarah called in sick. Toney gave me her work. It had to be done before Friday.
Today's Thursday!
Sarah hadn't done anything."
"I'm sure she couldn't help gettin' sick." Tyler pulled beer from the fridge. "Drink?"
"Yah, right! Nordstrom's had a sale today." Her voice rose an octave. "I need a new dress for the office party." Her tone returned to normal. "She played
hooky
. I don't know why Toney keeps that cheerleader around."
Tyler smirked. "Yeah, me neither."
Alexi stuck out her tongue, reclosed her eyes and tried to ignore her husband. But her husband quirky smile had relieved some of the tension in her breast.
The couch sagged as Tyler plopped into it. He smelt a little of oil and axle grease.
God dam-it, Tyler. You'd better not be getting grease on my couch.
"Well, our date should lighten your mood. A tumble in bed should release the stress."
"Tyler," Alexi snapped. She surged to her feet and headed for the kitchen. "I'm not in the mood."
"Oh come on Alexi, its date night. I've got reservations at Mazzie's."
"Please Tyler, I'm exhausted. Tomorrow, please. The only date I want to go on is at the Blackstone Message and Spa. For the whole weekend."
"That can be arranged."
Alexi stopped. Tyler, who'd come up behind her in bumped into her.
Her breast emptied of air and hope. "You know I'd love too." The empty ache intensified. How could something so small be so empty?
"But we can't. We've got less than a three hundred dollars to get through next week."
"We've got a little in savings."
For just a moment, Alexi let the healing blush of hope seep through her. Then the dark clouds of emotional exhaustion obscured her heart once more.
"Tyler, we can't. We don't have a lot and that's for an emergency."
"Okay baby," Tyler said. His arms snaked around her and pulled her back against his chest. "Then let me create a spa for you here," he said.
A smile tugged the corners of Alexi's mouth. Sometimes distant, sometimes completely un-empathetic, Tyler was trying. She loved that about him. Tyler's arms tightened as though they squeezed the poison from her soul.
"That's okay," Alexi said, turning in his arms until she faced him. She gazed up into his face. "We can go to Mazzie's like you wanted."
Tyler snorted. He tucked a brunet lock behind her ear. His warm fingers traced a gentle arc over her lobe. Alexi shivered and more tension bled away.
"No, it's not," he said. "My girl wants a night at the spa and she's going to get one. Just give me a minute. I don't think you want mechanic rubbing grease into your tits."
"
Tits
are not part of a massage."
"Damn."
Tyler released Alexi and stepped away. Instinctively she followed a step, her body seeking his retreating warmth and manly scent. He grabbed her hand and led her back to the arm chair.
"Now, you, mademoiselle, you've arrived just a bit early for your appointment. Please be seated while we get everything ready for you."
"Okay." A giggle wormed it way out of her breast. She grabbed a random magazine to hide her budding smile. One cover headline read, "10 Ways Your Man Should Please You in Bed."
Alexi snorted and flipped through the pages while Tyler clinked about in the kitchen. A few minutes later he presented her with a Mint Julep.
She smiled and took the drink. She squirmed her ass deeper into the arm chair's seat and kicked her nyloned heals up, rather unladylike, upon the coffee table. She sipped at her drink and read about just how Tyler should be pleasing her in bed.
By the time Alexi was done with the article Tyler had showered, cleaned the tub and set out candles. Steam and the scent of jasmine billowed from the bathroom.
"Mademoiselle, we are ready for your appointment now."
Alexi stood and turned towards Tyler. She sucked in a surprised breath. He was barefoot, tight jeans, open shirt, bulging muscle, mussed hair and playful eyes. He grinned upon seeing Alexi's wandering eyes. He held out his hand to her.
"Mademoiselle, I'll be your guide to bliss and relaxation this evening. First, I've poured you a soothing bath of scented oils and bubbles. Later I'll be your masseuse. We will close the evening with dinner, wine and chocolate. I hope everything meets your satisfaction?"
"Just so we understand," Alexi said. "No sex. I just want to relax. I don't need any expectations."
"Mademoiselle, you wound me. We are professionals here at Tyler's Impromptu Spa. I would never take advantage of my clients that way."
He said it so sincerely. Alexi was surprised by the sense of disappointment that clutched her.
"Now, mademoiselle, in order to keep any undue stress at bay, let me help you get ready."
"I don't need ..." Alexi suddenly realized he meant to undress her. She didn't normally allow that. It was such an awkward pain.
"I ..." she began again.
Tyler stepped forward and shushed her with a finger upon her lips. His gaze sank deeply within her eyes. She bit back her objections and upended half her mojito down her throat. She closed her eyes and stood patiently as he slowly stripped her.
He unbuttoned her blazer. Then, taking her glass, he removed the garment's stiff weight from her shoulders. Next his fingers were unzipping her skirt. They just barely brushed her ass and then her skirt was on the floor. He led her to step out of it. She half expected him to grope her derriere. She almost wanted him to do so, but he never did. She peeked at him. Was this really Tyler undressing her?
His next word confirmed he was.