Page 122 of The Holiday Clause

“I like to leave the studio available for meditation. We still have a few guests who prefer to retreat in private. And you never know when someone might stop by.”

Exactly, he thought. “I don’t like the idea of you being alone here at night?—“

“I’m not alone. I have you here to protect me.” Another enchanting smile nearly distracted him from his concern, but he didn’t like overlooking possible security risks, especially where Wren was involved.

He’d order some cameras to install next week. Hideaway Harbor might have one of the lowest crime rates in the Northeast, but he wasn’t taking any risks.

She turned to face him, taking his hands as she walked backward toward the massage room, towing him along. “Relax, Grey. It’s just a little backrub.”

Her laughter teased his senses, putting him at ease, but he dragged his feet anyway, if only for the chance to look at her a little longer. Christ, she looked too pretty like this—playful and in her element. He loved the way The Haven added to her confidence. She knew what she wanted and she had brought all her dreams into reality. Watching her succeed filled him with a pride so fierce it sometimes took his breath away. He’d been there to witness her whole dream unfold, and knowing he’d played even a small part in its creation made something warm settle in his chest.

“Don’t be shy.” She pulled him through the door at the end of the hall.

He followed her into the massage room like a man walking to his own execution. She knew full well that he wasn’t getting naked on her table. He didn’t need a massage. A hot shower andsome ice would do the trick. But he’d play along for a bit, let her feel around, then they’d head back to his place and?—

“Hand him over.” She held out a hand.

“Huh?”

“Tinsel.”

He laughed at her stubborn refusal to let him name the cat. “You mean Rat?” He dug the kitten out of his hood, and it hissed with irritation. The little creature had been sound asleep.

She rolled her eyes as the little warrior caught her thumb with his tiny murder mittens. Unconcerned with the kitten’s fury, Wren carried him out of the room.

Greyson frowned with the concern of a helicopter parent. “What did you do with him?”

“He’s safe.”

His stare lingered on the door as she gently shut it.

“You can take off your coat and start undressing.”

“What’s that now?” His brows shot up.

“Are you really going to challenge me every step of the way?” She pressed her front to his and rose on her toes to brush a teasing kiss across his lips.

All reluctance shifted into complete agreeability the moment her mouth touched his. Her arms wound around his neck, and the tension in his body melted like ice in sunshine.

“Mmm,” she moaned. “I’ve been wanting to do that all day.”

His cock had been maintaining a semi since dawn, but now it stood as a solid slab of granite. He kissed her again, a little more possessively and with a lot more hunger. When he pushed her back to the door, she giggled and turned her cheek, gently prying him off of her.

“Massage first. We don’t want that back injury disrupting any of your…extracurricular plans, Mr. Hawthorne.”

She had a point. He had planned numerous extracurricular activities for the near future. And he wanted his performance unhindered.

She patted his chest and slipped out of his hold. “Clothes off.”

Warm light glowed from a salt lamp in the corner. Something lavender-scented hung in the air like a gentle caress. The massage table looked harmless enough—until he thought about lying face-down on it naked—with a massive hardon.

The room felt smaller now, more intimate with the door closed and the soft lighting creating pools of shadow in the corners. Heat seemed to radiate from the table itself, and he could hear the gentle hum of whatever system kept the space warm and inviting.

While she busied herself at the counter, he stripped off his coat and adjusted his stubborn cock.

He took in the room and knew the layout well, since he built the damn thing, but the last time he stood in here it wasn’t painted and didn’t have all the plants and equipment set up.

Wren softly hummed and swayed her hips as she organized whatever she prepared over at the little sink. Did she have to be so damn sexy? His cock grew harder by the second.