Rain turned her head, emerald eyes locking with Lauren’s in a seductive stare that made warmth pool low in her belly. As the massage therapist’s deft hands worked hot, fragrant oil into the muscles of Lauren’s back, she let her lids flutter closed, lips parting on a soft moan.
In her mind’s eye, it was Rain’s strong yet gentle fingers caressing her bare skin.
A shiver traced its way down Lauren’s arched back as she imagined the Rain’s fingertips grazing along the curve of her lower back, dipping teasingly just beneath the towel draped across her hips. Her breath hitched at the phantom sensation of Rain’s palms sweeping firmly up her sides, thumbs kneading into the silky skin just below her ribcage.
Lauren could almost feel the heat of Rain’s body moving closer, the whisper of her warm breath fanning across the nape of her neck as dexterous fingers dug into the muscles of her shoulders. A full-body flush crept across Lauren’s skin as her fantasy version of Rain leaned in closer, the soft swell of her breasts pressing against Lauren’s back.
Unconsciously, Lauren’s back arched further, silently pleading for the intimate caress she so desperately craved from the woman who constantly occupied her thoughts. A breathy whimper escaped parted lips as phantom hands slick with oil dragged torturously up her neck, fingertips skimming along her jawline before departing entirely.
Lost in the depths of her vivid daydream, Lauren had to stifle a whimper of protest at the loss of Rain’s imagined touch. As the massage therapist continued working out the knots, Lauren let her mind wander, picturing what else those hands could do once she finally allowed herself to have Rain in the way she desperately craved.
‘Ready for the sauna?’ Rain’s voice pulled Lauren from her heated reverie.
Lauren’s eyes snapped open, cheeks flushing as she returned to reality with a subtle jolt. ‘Oh sorry, I must have dozed off,’ she murmured, hoping Rain didn’t notice the dreamy, unfocused look in her hooded gaze.
But of course, Rain noticed. An amused smirk played over her full lips.
‘Whatever you were dreaming about must have been good,’ she said, arching one sculpted brow. ‘Was I in it?’
Caught off guard, Lauren’s blush deepened. She was grateful for the dim, flickering lighting that concealed her burning cheeks. ‘Maybe,’ she said coyly, avoiding Rain’s penetrating stare.
Without waiting for a response, Rain gracefully slid off the massage table and allowed her towel to puddle at her feet. Lauren’s breath hitched as she drank in the flawless lines of Rain’s nude form – the gentle swell of her breasts, the defined curves of her hips and thighs, the tight planes of her abdomen.
Enraptured by the uninhibited confidence with which Rain bared herself, Lauren found herself unable to look away. Even after Rain retrieved her robe, then turned and sauntered towards the door, Lauren’s hungry gaze clung to the sway of her hips.
‘You coming?’ Rain tossed the invitation over her shoulder.
Snapping out of her daze, Lauren hurriedly pulled on her own robe and joined Rain in the sauna before her will could crumble entirely.
Alone in the wood-panelled room filled with dry, intense heat, Rain allowed her robe to drop, again revealing her breasts, rivulets of sweat winding their way between them. Lauren followed suit, their sides brushing together in the intimate space, sending electric sensations through Lauren’s nerve-endings.
Breaking the stillness as they sat down on the wooden bench, Rain slowly inched closer until their thighs brushed together. ‘So, tell me …’ she said, her fingers trailing up Lauren’s arm. ‘What was I doing in this dream of yours?’
Meeting Rain’s stare, she decided there was no use denying her deepest cravings any longer. Slowly, deliberately, she trailed her hands up the sweat-soaked expanse of Rain’s abdomen until they cupped the soft, curves of her breasts.
‘This,’ Lauren said, holding Rain’s gaze as she drew teasing circles around peaked nipples with the tips of her thumbs. A low groan escaped Rain’s parted lips, her eyes fluttering closed.
Emboldened, Lauren leaned in, mouth hovering inches from Rain’s. ‘And this …’ She closed the distance, pulling Rain in for a smouldering kiss.
Rain’s hands buried into Lauren’s damp hair, angling her closer as their kiss deepened with unrestrained passion. Their slick bodies undulated together, their breasts crushed against one another. When the need for air became too great, they broke apart, chests heaving.
Rain leaned in again, trailing open-mouthed kisses along Lauren’s neck as her fingers traced patterns down her arched spine. A low, moan rumbled up from Lauren’s core as Rain’s free hand drifted between her parted thighs.
‘Is this what you were dreaming about?’ Rain whispered in Lauren’s ear. She didn’t wait for affirmation before her fingers began stroking through Lauren’s slick, velvet folds.
As Rain’s fingers worked her into a frenzy, Lauren could only cling to her, nails scoring burning paths down Rain’s glistening back.
When Lauren finally reached her peak, her back arched as she let out a soft cry, her entire body trembling with release. Rain held her tight, refusing to let even an inch of space come between them.
‘I want to make that a reality every night,’ Rain said, as Lauren’s breathing slowed.
Rain tenderly brushed a damp lock of hair from Lauren’s flushed cheek, gazing at her with open adoration. ‘As much as I’m enjoying this moment with you, I think we should get out of here. The sooner you do what you need to do, the sooner we can be alone at my place.’
Lauren felt a fresh surge of desire at the prospect and nodded in agreement.
With one last lingering kiss, they reluctantly pulled their robes back on and stepped out of the sauna. Lauren knew the sooner the day’s demands were met, the sooner they could pick up where they left off, finally able to explore their connection without restraint behind closed doors.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Rain moved around her living room with a big grin on her face. Tonight was the night she’d been waiting for – the chance to finally have Lauren all to herself, to share a piece of her world, her life, her heart.
She fluffed up the sofa cushions and lit scented candles to set the mood. The place was already pretty tidy, but Rain wanted everything to be perfect. She even put on some soft music, the kind of stuff she thought Lauren would like.
In the kitchen, Rain got to work on dinner. Nothing too fancy, just a simple roasted chicken and salad. With the chicken in the oven, Rain headed to the bathroom and turned on the tap, making sure the water was warm before pouring in a generous amount of her sea salts.
As Rain undressed and climbed into the bath, she could barely contain her excitement. She couldn’t wait to have Lauren all to herself. No interruptions from the outside world. Just the two of them.
Rain closed her eyes, letting her mind wander to thoughts of Lauren and the intense encounter they’d had earlier that day. She imagined what it would be like to have her in her bed, skin on skin, tasting her, touching her . . .
The sound of her phone beeping snapped her out of her daydream. She grinned, reaching for it on the floor.
Please let this be Lauren saying she’s gonna be early.
But as she read the message, her smile faded.
Lauren was cancelling.
Just like that.
