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It had been longer than he would have liked since he’d been with a woman, through choice as well as circumstance. After his injury and then rehab he continued to struggle with what happened that night. The guilt was almost as painful if not more so than the injury that ended his career. The therapy sessions helped, but only so much. He still could not get beyond the feeling that had he done something differently, lives would have been saved and he would be one hundred percent man. Without his career as a Navy SEAL, the job he’d worked so hard for, trained for, lived for—all of that was gone. Being a SEAL defined who he was. The loss of that combined with his debilitating injury was almost more than he could stand. He didn’t feel like a man anymore. And if he didn’t feel it, what woman would feel it? He leaned his head back against the cushion of the couch and closed his eyes against his inescapable realities.
Layla spent the better part of the morning shopping for supplies for the suite. Her car’s trunk was loaded and it took several trips back and forth to unload and get everything inside the suite. She’d purchased plants, artwork, oils, lotions, CDs, mats, small bowls, oil burners, hand sanitizers, disinfectant, cases of fruit juice and water, and soft lightbulbs. She’d placed an order for a dozen terry cloth robes and shower slippers. The boutique where she’d made her purchases promised that her items would be delivered within the next two days.
She spent the next couple of hours organizing her supplies and rolling towels to be stacked. She hung pictures and poured the aromatic oils into the burners. Aromatherapy was just as important in creating the perfect atmosphere as the treatments.
Layla took a look around and was finally satisfied with what she’d accomplished. She took some pictures of the space for the flyers, then locked up and walked back to the main building in search of Desiree.
“It looks fabulous,” Desiree was saying. “Let me download them to my computer.”
Layla touched a few icons on her iPad and sent the images to Desiree.
Within moments Desiree was loading them into her graphics program. “You’ve been busy,” she said while she worked.
Layla laughed. “To keep my mind off of other things.”
Desiree looked up at her friend for a moment. “Other things like what? Don’t tell me New York.”
Layla sat on the edge of Desiree’s desk and folded her arms. “No. Not New York.” She leaned closer. “Do you know that guy…with the limp?”
Desiree frowned in concentration. “Limp?”
“Yes and gorgeous.”
Desiree grinned. “Oh, Maurice Lawson.”
“Him.”
Desiree crossed her legs. Her right brow rose with her question. “What about him?”
“What do you know about him?”
“Hmm, not much. He checked in about three days ago. Booked his cottage for six weeks. That’s about it really. I see him around from time to time.” A slow smile moved across her mouth. “And you want to know all this because…”
Layla blew out a breath. “I wish I knew. Well, maybe I do know. It’s hard to explain. I mean, I only saw him for a minute a couple of times…but…” She looked away as if searching for the answers somewhere in the corners of the room. Finally, she shrugged. “No big deal. Forget it. He looked like he’d rather be alone.”
Desiree stared at Layla’s profile. “Hey, this is the twenty-first century, girl. If a woman is interested in a man she doesn’t have to stand on protocol and wait for the man to make the first move anymore.”
Layla slowly shook her head. “That is so not me. In my head I’m bold and aggressive. But then reality sets in.”
Desiree reached out and touched Layla’s hand. “Bold and not standing on protocol is you. Brent screwed up a perfectly good relationship. But you can’t let what he did diminish you. Every man is not like Brent.”
Layla hopped down off the desk. “I know that. I’m over Brent.”
“Are you? Really? I’m not saying that you still have feelings for him, but I am saying that what he did messed with your confidence, challenged your womanhood.”
Layla snapped her head away. She tightened her arms around her waist. The words to refute Desiree’s assertion were on her lips. They lingered on her tongue. She couldn’t say them. What Desiree said was true. It was painfully true. It had been a year since she’d come home to have him tell her that he was leaving, that he no longer loved her. But there wasn’t a day that had gone by that she didn’t remember how small and insignificant she’d felt; how could he so easily stop loving her. It wasn’t until months later that she found out why.
She’d gone over that night a million times. In some versions she threw a lamp at Brent and then dumped all of his clothes out of the window. In another he came running after her, begging her to forgive him. But in all the versions, in the end, she was alone. Probably what stung the most was that she’d heard from their mutual acquaintances that Brent and Grace—his assistant—the woman he’d stopped loving her for—were still together and there was talk of them getting married the following spring.
There was no way that she could get around the feeling that it was something she’d done or didn’t do or that she wasn’t appealing enough. Something. The feeling of inadequacy was not as bad as it had been, but it hovered and sat on her shoulder waiting patiently to whisper in her ear.
“I remember the Layla Brooks that would walk into a minefield with high heels and a smile on her face, who could step into a room and every head would turn, who could have a conversation with the Secretary of State as easily as the woman who owns the dry cleaner on the corner. That’s the Layla that I know.”
Layla lowered her head for a moment. Had she really changed that much? She looked at Desiree. “So I should just walk up to him and what?”
“Hand him one of your flyers for starters,” she said pressing the print button on the computer. Moments later a color-printed flyer announcing the new massage therapy services slid out of the printer. Desiree lifted it from the tray and handed it to Layla with a “now what’s your excuse,” look on her face.
Layla tilted her head slightly to the left and eyed the flyer. “Not bad. I’ll see what I can do with it,” she said with a lift of her chin before turning away and waving goodbye on her way out.
Chapter 5
Layla made it a point to be on the lookout for Maurice, but it had been three days since she’d seen him last. Desiree assured her that he hadn’t checked out. Maybe they simply kept missing each other, she’d suggested. Or maybe it just wasn’t meant to be, Layla concluded.
Whatever the case may be, her massage services were officially open for business and from the moment she turned on the lights, she was busy and she didn’t have much time to dwell on the illusive Maurice Lawson.
* * *
The nightmares had begun again. He awoke that morning with his entire body aching, damp from sweat and his head pounding. The dark, twisted images began to recede as the sun rose over the horizon, but the feeling of helplessness lingered. He’d been caught in the clutches of his deepest fears for hours, listening to the explosions and the screams and the heat from the flames that seemed to go on into infinity. He couldn’t get away because he couldn’t wake up until a soft glow could be seen in the valley of the dark mountains where his Black Hawk had gone down. It beckoned him, getting brighter when he seemed to lose his way. He could feel the bands of darkness that held him down begin to loosen as the light grew brighter. It felt as if he was being lifted from a deep pit. And then he woke up.
For a while he simply lay in bed and stared at the ceiling and watched the blades of the fan turn in slow, hypnotic circles.
Would it ever end? Would he ever feel whole again? Some days it almost seemed possible and then there were others, like today that had him believing that this endless dark road was his future. But it couldn’t be. He couldn’t live like this day after day. He would go out of his mind.
He sat up in bed. His T-shirt clung to his upper body. Gingerly he eased his legs over the side and closed his eyes for a moment as the pain dimmed enough for him to think about getting up. With some effort he pushed himself to a standing position, took a deep breath and limped into the bathroom.
Even after a long hot shower, the pulsing aches in his body persisted, beating like his heart. He took his time getting dressed and finally stepped outside onto the front porch of the cottage.
Another magnificent day. The sky was clear for miles. The air hinted at the summer just beyond the horizon. The sun was at that perfect angle. Faint sounds of laughter and life could be heard in the distance. He should be enjoying it. He should be diving into the ocean or jogging along the sandy beach, lounging with friends in the late afternoon, sipping drinks with island names and sleeping with his arms wrapped around a beautiful woman at night.
He drew in a long breath as he leaned against the pillar that supported the overhang. The caw of seagulls wafted in the breeze. He turned his attention to the path leading to the main building and wondered if the woman he’d met—Layla—had opened her massage spa yet. The idea of her hands on his body stroking away the tightness, releasing the tension that coiled in his limbs and down his spine, caused an inadvertent moan to escape. He imagined the pressure of her fingers playing across his neck, massaging his biceps. Her scent filled his nostrils and the sudden tug in his groin heated his blood.
He shook his head to clear the cobwebs of lust that had ensnared him. It was as if she’d cast some kind of spell over him. From the moment he’d caught sight of her walking along the pathway, he’d been unable to shake her from his thoughts.
It was her image, her light that finally led him out of the grip of his nightmare. Although he could not see her in his dream, he understood that it was her. How, he was not certain. But he felt it in the depths of his being.
Layla had been open for business since nine a.m. It was nearing one o’clock and she’d been going non-stop. Although she loved what she did, she knew she couldn’t keep up the pace and still maintain her high standards of quality. As soon as she shut down for the day, she was going to have to take some time and plan a schedule that was going to work for her and not shortchange the guests.
She’d put the “Out to Lunch” sign on the door and was in the middle of resetting the massage room when there was a knock on the front door.
“Go away,” she muttered under her breath as she rolled a fresh towel and put it on the shelf. She picked up the basket of used towels and walked to the front. “Whoever it is obviously cannot—”
Her throat went dry. She went to the glass door and turned the lock.
“Hi.”
“Hi. Uh, sorry to disturb your lunch…but I wanted to make an appointment.”
She couldn’t stop watching the movement of his mouth and the way his lips reminded her of summer fruit—sweet and juicy. Too bad she didn’t read lips because she had no idea what he’d just said.
“I probably should come back,” he said when he got no response. He started to turn away.
She reached out and touched his arm. Big mistake. It was like being hit with a jolt of electricity. Her breath hitched for an instant. “No…you have to excuse my rudeness. Please come in. I guess I’m a little tired and not thinking clearly.” She held the door open wider and smiled up at him. “Come in.”
Maurice looked at her for a moment then stepped past her and inside.
She allowed herself an instant of mental happy dancing before she closed the door and followed him to the middle of the waiting lounge.
“Please, have a seat.” She extended her hand toward one of the mauve-print club chairs.
“It’s easier if I stand.”
“Hmm, okay. So…what can I do for you?” She rested her hip against the side of the reception desk.
“I was interested in what you offer…your services.”
Her throat went bone-dry. He had the longest lashes. Were those flecks of cinnamon in his eyes? Every time that he said something the rich timbre of his voice vibrated inside her like a tuning fork.
She ran her tongue across her lips. “Umm, I could show you around, give you the ten cent tour. I’m sorry that I haven’t had brochures made up yet, but the list of services are posted on the wall.”
He turned slightly to the left and glimpsed the whiteboard with the list. Slowly, he walked over, trying to minimize his limp. “You do all of this?” He turned his head toward her and his eyes seemed to sparkle above his yummy smile.
“Yep.” She stuck her hands out and wiggled her fingers.
His laughter filled her with a wild sense of gleeful abandonment. “Take your pick.”
“What would you suggest?”
She crossed the short space to stand next to him and folded her arms. She scanned the board and made a mental note that she reached his shoulder. “Hmm, I would start you off with a steam for ten minutes, followed by a full-body massage and some aromatherapy.”
He angled toward her and glanced down into her upturned face. She seemed to be lit from within. A warmth radiated from her and embraced him in a soothing cocoon. He felt…peaceful. That was it. She took all the noise away.
Maurice cleared his throat. “I know you’re probably booked.” His dark, smoky eyes rolled slowly over her face, down the long column of her neck and…
“I have an opening…” She coughed into her fist. “’Scuse me.” Her face was on fire. “At the end of the day. If five o’clock works for you.” She swallowed and wondered if he could actually hear her heart hammering in her chest.
“Five is fine. Do I need to bring anything?”
“No.” She offered a smile. “Just yourself.”
He grinned at her and she noticed the small dimple in his right cheek.
“See you at five.”
She probably should have run over and opened the door for him or something, but she just stood there like Lot’s wife—a pillar of salt.
She snapped out of it when the chime over the door signaled his departure and she actually breathed in and out. She sat down on the side of the desk and stared at the empty space that Maurice had filled moments ago. What the hell was it about that man that made her all un-Layla? She knew the pitfalls of sexual magnetism that drowned out everything else. Because what else could it be but a crazy sexual attraction? He was a stranger albeit a tall, dark, gorgeous stranger that had her libido on overdrive. Meanwhile, the man only wanted a massage, not a long, lusty, sweaty roll in the sack.
She shook her head and pushed up from the side of the desk. “Yeah, it’s been too long since you’ve had a man.”
The next four hours crept by. In between each application of oil, or deep tissue pressure onto the backs and thighs of her clients, Layla checked the clock. Was it really possible what they said about time standing still?
Mercifully her last client walked out of the door. It was 4:30. The speed of her heart began a steady spiral. She busied herself with reorganizing, restocking and making sure that the perfect combination of oils were on hand. She lit two of the oil burners in the massage room and within moments the dimly lit room was awash in a heady, soothing scent of ylang-ylang.
At precisely five on the dot, the chimes over the door jingled. She drew in a breath and walked out front.
Her spirit dropped to her ankles but she still plastered a welcoming smile on her face.
“Hello, how may I help you?” she asked the young blonde woman who stood in the door looking very much like Reese Witherspoon.
“Hi. I wanted to find out about the services.”
“Sure. Let me show you the list of what I offer.” They walked over to the whiteboard and Layla began explaining the services.
“Pretty extensive.”
“I want this to be as full-service as I can manage,” Layla said with a smile. “What brings you to The Port?”
The woman took off her dark shades to reveal startling green eyes. “Needed to get away. I lost my husband a little more than a year ago. This time of year is very difficult.” She forced a tight smile. “I hoped with a change in location…it might be easier.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.”
She waved off the remark. “Thank you. I’m sure you don’t need to hear my sad story.”
The door chimed again. Layla’s gaze snapped in the direction of the opening door. Maurice stood in the frame of the doorway and she felt all the alarms go off at once.
The woman glanced over her shoulder wondering who or what had caused Layla to stop talking midsentence.
Layla’s breath hitched for an instant. “Hello.”
The woman’s gaze moved between Layla and Maurice. She put her shades back on. “Do you have a card?”
Layla blinked. “Oh, yes. Of course.” She hurried over to her desk and retrieved a card from the silver plated holder and handed it to the woman.
“How far in advance do I need to make an appointment?”
“You can always call when you’re ready. If I have an opening I’ll be happy to immediately accommodate you. But if you want an appointment if you can call at least the day before, I can usually work something out. It’s been pretty busy since I’ve opened.”
The woman nodded. “Thank you for your time. I’m sure you’ll be hearing from me.” She extended her hand. “My name is Kim by the way.”
“Hope to see you again, Kim.”
Kim walked toward the door. She gave a slight nod of her head and started to walk out but then stopped. She frowned just a bit as she looked up at Maurice as if trying to get him into focus. “You look familiar. I know it’s a big world, but are you any relation to Rafe Lawson?”
Layla noticed the subtle tightening of his expression.
“Cousin.”
Kim beamed and wagged her finger. “I knew I spotted a resemblance.” She stuck out her hand. “Kim Fleming. I haven’t seen Rafe in ages. Please tell him hello for me.”
“Sure.”
She opened the door. “Thanks again,” she said to Layla. “You two have a good afternoon.” She offered a knowing smile and walked out.
Layla folded her hands in front of her. “Small world, huh?”
“Yeah,” he murmured. “Listen maybe we can do this another time.”
He finally focused on her and the raw anger that was reflected in his eyes and the set countenance of his face caused Layla to take an inadvertent step back. His thick brows were drawn tightly together and his full mouth had tightened into a flat line. His chest rose and fell much too rapidly.
Layla’s eyes moved over his face and down to his hand that clenched the handle of his cane in a death grip. She dared to reach out. She covered that hand with her own.
“I can guarantee that after an hour whatever it is that’s bothering you won’t seem quite as important,” she said softly.
Maurice’s gaze dropped down to their hands then slowly up to her face. By degrees the knot in his gut began to loosen. He rocked his jaw from side to side. The corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly. “You must be very good.”
She grinned full out. “I am.” She propped her hands on her hips. “And if you are not one hundred percent satisfied…dinner is on me.”
Maurice laughed from deep in his chest. The corner of his eyes crinkled. “You’re on.”
“And I promise not to gloat over how incredible you will feel when I’m done.”
She turned to lead him to the changing room.
“If you’re that good, then dinner and drinks will be on me.”
She nearly stumbled over her own two feet but had the presence of mind to keep walking. “Mojito is my drink of choice,” she said and tossed him a quick look over her shoulder.
Maurice chuckled and followed willingly in her wake.
Chapter 6
“You can change in here,” Layla said, opening a door to a small changing space that included a locker, a bench for sitting and a hook for hanging clothes. “It’s not the Ritz but it’s cozy,” she added with a smile.
Maurice offered a half grin. “It’s more than fine. Thanks.”
“When you’re done, walk straight down this short hall to the steam room.” She indicated the direction to her right. “I’ll have it all set up for you.” She turned and the saloon door swung closed behind her. As she walked toward the steam room all she could think about was that gorgeous man was in the process of taking off his clothes, and the next time that she set eyes on him, there would be not much between them other than a white towel…of surrender, her sex-starved brain whispered. Goose bumps shimmied up her arms.
Layla shook off the tempting visual and hurried into the steam room that housed three spaces for clients. She selected the room on the end and set the temperature, made sure that there were towels and water. She came out and shut the door behind her. When she turned Maurice was standing in front of her and they both heard her gasp.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
She ran her tongue nervously across her lips. “It’s nothing…really. Just a little jumpy today for some reason.” In a nanosecond her gaze licked across his face to his muscular bare chest, to the tight stomach, to the hidden gems behind the white towel and down to his legs and back up again. She swallowed. “Your room is ready.”
“Thanks.”
“You can adjust the temperature if you need to. Everything is set for ten minutes. Press the red button on the wall and the steam will start.”
He nodded his head.
She took two steps back. “Shout if you need me…for anything.”
“I will.” His eyes crinkled in the corners when he smiled at her.
“Okay. Good.” She took two more back steps then spun away before she really made an idiot out of herself. She had the clarity of mind to point herself in the direction of the massage room. Once inside she sat down on the low-slung chair and dropped her face into her palms. What in the world was wrong with her? Her entire self was behaving as if she’d never been in the presence of a sexy man before. She couldn’t think straight, her heart was racing a mile a minute, and every other word out of her mouth was laced with a sexual undertone. Pushing out an exasperated breath she stood and began preparing the room for her client. This was business, she continued to remind herself as she set out towels, an extra robe, and lit the oil burners to scent the room. She put on a CD that captured the hypnotic sounds of rainfall and the rush of waves against the shore. She checked her watch. Maurice had about three minutes. She dimmed the lighting and went to check on her client.
When she returned to the steam room, Maurice was already out. She could hear the shower water running and her imagination shifted into overdrive. As clear as a spring morning she could see him beyond the frosted glass doors in the outfit that the Lord had given him…long, hard, sleek and drenched in milk chocolate.
The rushing water of the shower stopped. She could clearly hear him humming a soft tune now. Her heart thumped. She couldn’t just stand there like a dummy. But what if he came out with nothing on for instance? Not even the towel. But her feet were stuck on the wood floors.
The frosted glass door swung open. Maurice was securing the towel around his waist. He glanced up. His entire body still glistened from the heat and the water and for a moment Layla refused to breathe, certain that if she did it would disturb the delicate balance between them.
“Oh, hey there. All done.” He used the end of the towel that was draped around his neck to wipe his face.
Layla pushed out a breath. “Great. We can get your massage started.” She turned on her heels and walked back in the direction of the massage room. She could feel the heat of Maurice’s body wrapping itself around her from behind. The massage room was up ahead. She opened the door and stepped into the dimly lit interior. Immediately she busied herself with arranging oils and cloths. Anything to keep her eyes off of Maurice.
“Is the room comfortable enough?”