Chapter 8

– Months Ago –

She couldn’t bring herself to say it.

Two simple words, to show her gratitude, her appreciation.

Thank you.

Is that really so hard?

The whole day had felt like a fairy tale. Jason took her car shopping, which she had been so nervous about. But he was patient with her, helped her think about what she wanted, and he insisted that he owed her ten thousand dollars, so he paid it as a generous down payment.

Kayla had argued with him about it. She actually walked out of the dealership at one point. When he followed, she was on the verge of tears.

No one had ever been so kind to her. At least, not without wanting something in return.

But Jason kept insisting. He even made the point that the car would be completely in her name, and that he was going to give her the money one way or another.

She finally relented, because it seemed to be the only way to not have a complete breakdown in front of him. The overwhelming sense of gratitude was threatening to topple her.

She was short with him as they filled out the paperwork, and she barely spoke to him as they were picking up her belongings.

The urge to hug him and thank him was too much.

Jason had carried her portable massage table to the car, seeming completely perplexed as he asked what it was. Kayla didn’t tell him, but said, “Maybe I’ll show you sometime.”

That was the closest to laughing she’d been all day. Jason’s face had turned red, and Kayla wondered what his dirty mind was envisioning.

As she placed the last box into the trunk of her new car, she wondered where she had gone so wrong — having to rely on a friend’s dad for charity.

Jason broke her train of thought and asked, “What else can I do?”

She closed her trunk, and while walking to the driver’s side door, she thought about how she’d never be able to repay Jason. She felt her debt rushing up, threatening to drown her. She tried not to look at him as she said gloomily, “You’ve already done too much.”

Jason didn’t seem to notice her mood, or he pretended not to notice. He walked over to Kayla’s driver’s door and asked, “You like Chinese food?”

Kayla said, “I don’t know how to cook Chinese food.”

Jason laughed. “No. That’s not what I meant.” Still smiling, he added, “I’m going to pick up some Chinese food, if you want it. I don’t expect you to start cooking yet. Not this week, maybe not next. I want you to get settled and keep up with your classes. When you’re ready, you can cook. Nothing fancy.”

He leaned against her car and asked again, “So, do you like Chinese food?”

She nodded. “But I can pick it up. You’ve really done too much for me today already.”

He was already walking away. “Nope. I’m getting it. Say your favorite dish, or I’ll order for you.”

Kayla thought for a minute, but he got to his SUV and was driving away, waving at her with a goofy smile, before she could respond.

She shook her head, perplexed with his cheerful demeanor.

But she realized what she could do to begin to repay him. She formulated a plan.

She got to Jason’s house before him, so she brought in her boxes, and then showered quickly.

She found her candles, scented oils, and CDs.

By the time Jason walked through the door, she was ready for him in the kitchen.

She took the bags from him, and said, “You sit down. I’ll get this ready.”

Jason gave her a look that she didn’t totally understand, but she started dishing out food onto plates.

He walked to the fridge and asked, “Want a beer?”

She had only ever liked one type of beer, but she was always open for trying more. “Um, what type do you have?”

He used a bottle opener that was on the fridge door, then handed her the bottle. “It’s a pilsner.”

She smelled it first, and then cautiously took a sip because it smelled a little unpleasant. After taking a sip, she shook her head. “Ugh…” She laughed, “I mean… I don’t think that’s for me.”

He smiled, and took a big gulp of the beer. “What’ll it be, then?”

She motioned to her ice water. “I’m all set. I need to hydrate.”

He sat down, and she brought over two plates. When she turned around to get their silverware, she heard him joke, “That’s all I get?”

“Well, I have a surprise for you after dinner, and you won’t enjoy it if you’re too full. So that’s all you get for now.”

He raised an eyebrow and watched her as she placed his silverware and napkin on the table. “What type of surprise?”

Kayla laughed. “I can’t tell you that.”

He watched her for a moment longer, and then took a bite of his food.

He said, “Today was fun.”

Kayla almost spat out her food for scoffing. She took a big sip of water. He was watching her again. She said, “Um… I’m not sure what was so fun about it.”

He nodded. “I know it’s stressful for you. But it was nice to –”

He stopped talking and looked down at his food, then took another bite without finishing his sentence.

She didn’t know what to say, so she just ate some more.

When he was almost done with his food, Kayla said, “When you’re done, why don’t you go shower, and then come back out here for your surprise.”

He raised his eyebrow again, then shook his head. “Kayla, you know that you don’t have to do anything for me, right?”

She gave him an exaggerated nod and smiled. “Yes. There is something I want to do, though. And you’ll enjoy it more after a shower. I promise.”

He looked skeptical, but he took one last bite and got up. “Ok. Shower time. See you in a few minutes.”

After he left, she cleaned up their dishes, put away the rest of the food, and then sat out her candles and massage table in the living room. She laid a fresh towel on the table, and she figured out how to turn on his CD player. The soft guitar solo had just begun to play, when she heard Jason walk in.

She turned around, and asked, “Is this music OK?”

He was looking around at the candles. He started rubbing the back of his neck, as if trying to figure out what to say. He was wearing gym shorts and a T-shirt.

Kayla noticed his toned legs, but didn’t stare.

She walked over to the table, and gently patted it. “I want to show you what this is for.”

He slowly walked over, and she had to say, “Sit here.”

He sat on the edge of the table, and she stood on the opposite side. She reached across and gently massaged his neck, where he had been rubbing it.

She felt him relax just a little. But then he seemed to tense back up. He turned around quickly. “That feels really good, but you don’t have to do any of this, you know?”

She hadn’t expected him to be so resistant to get a massage. She asked, “Have you ever had a professional massage?”

His eyebrows furrowed. “I guess not. Just unprofessional massages, I guess.”

She smiled, imagining one of his previous girlfriend’s rubbing his back, trying to turn him on.

She found a knot just below his shoulder and pressed hard enough to almost push him off the table. “Ok. Time to lie down.”

He turned around again. “Um. Which way?”

She walked around to the front of the table and pointed to the hole in the table. “Your face goes here.” But she noticed him hesitating. “I’m going to get my water. You lay down, and I’ll be right back.” She began to walk away, then called out, “Need a drink?”

She barely heard a muffled, “Nuh uh.”

When she returned, he was laying face down. She walked over and began tracing her fingers around his back. She gently lifted his shirt and asked, “This ok?”

He nodded and barely moaned, “Mmm hmm.”

Kayla had loved being a masseuse. The feeling of someone relaxing under her touch, letting go of their problems. In that moment, she was able to be their therapist, confidante, and problem solver. It had made her feel powerful and autonomous in a way she had never felt before.

At least, until she started taking law classes. the knowledge she was gaining in school easily outweighed the meager financial security of her massage practice.

Jason broke her train of thought. “Why did you stop being a masseuse?”

She still remembered the creepy guy who had pushed her over the edge. “It’s a long story. But the short version is that there wasn’t a clear path toward making a decent living, and I decided to go back to school instead.”

He moaned again, but stopped himself and said “This is amazing.”

His shirt was bunched up, and she said “Let’s get this off. It’s in the way.”

He didn’t argue this time, and raised up enough to let her pull it past his shoulders.

Kayla remembered going to the pool with Jason and Margo when she was growing up. She’d always thought Jason had a good body, but she hadn’t remembered his back being this toned.

Before she could stop herself, she asked, “How do you stay in such good shape?”

He shrugged lazily, obviously very relaxed.

She asked, “What’s your workout regimen?”

His voice sounded sleepy. “I play soccer once a week. That’s about it. The occasional run.” His last word turned into a moan, as Kayla kneaded a tight spot in his back.

She added, “Well, it’s working. Whatever you’re doing.”

His body shook as he snickered.

Kayla decided to play the professional and stop ogling his body. She began focusing on her task, Reading his back for tight spots and sensitivities.

As she rubbed his lower back, she noticed that he slightly parted his legs. She decided it was time to move down there.

She asked softly, while lightly touching his butt, “Want me to rub here?”

He quickly responded, “Yes.” And then raised his head and added, “I mean, only if you want to. Or. I mean… Only if you feel comfortable.”

She dug her fingers into his butt muscles as a response, which made him moan again and lower his head back down.

She noticed that he slightly rocked his hips, which made her smile.

She had always secretly loved the part of this job where she could turn people on. Guys and girls had the same response — a slight roll of their hips, a light flush of their cheeks, a quick breath every now and then. It made her feel powerful.

Walking her hands down his legs, she caught herself licking her lips. His calves were boxy and hard, just the way she liked a man’s legs. His body had an even layer of fine, soft hair, giving a pleasant texture to touch.

She moved to his foot, and rubbed each toe individually, looking up at his long masculine form.

She squeezed her legs together, feeling herself responding to his strong body.

When she finished with his other foot, she asked softly, “Ready to turn over?”

He sounded sleepy still. “Um…”

He shifted his body to roll over, and Kayla caught a glance of a large protrusion in his shorts.

In response, her body tingled, sending warmth between her legs.

She stepped away and said, “I have to go to the bathroom. You get turned over while I’m gone.”

In the bathroom, she leaned against the counter, staring at her reflection. She thought, Don’t do anything. This is just a friendly massage. He’s Margo’s dad, for Christ’s sakes!

She folded some toilet paper and exploratorily reached under her panties, dabbing any wetness.

When she saw how wet she was, she thought, Oh God. I can’t want him. He’s twice my age. I’m just a little kid to him. He can have any girl he wants. Why would he settle for this?

Looking in the mirror, she noticed her messy hair, her too small boobs, her too short stature, her big butt. She couldn’t imagine a sexy man like Jason ever wanting her.

She successfully dampered her mood enough to walk back out to the living room.

Jason had managed to turn over, but one leg was bent.

Kayla smiled, knowing exactly why.

Some of her confidence came back. Yes, he could have any woman he wants, but he can’t get rid of the hard on I gave him.

She moved to stand above his head, and she gently placed her hands on his chest.

He looked up at her, with a worried look. “You are amazing at this, but you don’t have to do any more. It’s ok.”

She moved her hands to his face, gently rubbing his temples and forehead. “Shhh. We’re almost done. Just enjoy it.”

He finally relaxed while she was rubbing his forehead, but when she walked her fingers down his chest, he tensed back up.

He said, “Kayla, you know you can stop anytime.”

She asked sweetly, “Why would I want to stop?”

He hesitated and fidgeted his bent leg. He said quietly, “You know, if you’re uncomfortable or something.”

She smiled and moved to the side of the table, even with his hips. She said innocently, “Why would I be uncomfortable?”

He glanced at his shorts, and his face scrunched up, as if he were embarrassed.

Kayla gently laid a hand on his abdomen. “Hey, I’m just teasing you. It’s perfectly normal to get excited during a massage.” She lowered her voice. “I’d think there was something wrong it you didn’t.”

He smiled at her last comment. “Well, it’s only natural when a beautiful woman is touching me all over.”

She tried not to blush. “Well, you can relax, because I’m not going to take advantage of you.”

He started to say, “That’s not–” but he cut himself off.

She added, “I don’t give Happy Endings, so don’t worry about that.”

He laughed.

She continued to rub his chest.

After a few moments, he asked, “Do people really ask for that?”

Kayla nodded. “You have no idea.”

After more silence, he asked, “Is that why you stopped?”

She realized she could be honest with him without sharing the whole story. She nodded. “There was a guy who made it an easy decision to look for other career options.”

He raised his head to make eye contact. “I’m sorry that happened, Kayla. I’m glad you walked away, though. That’s not an easy decision.”

She held his eye contact for a few moments, feeling like she could lose herself in his eyes. She forced herself to look away. Once she was rubbing his chest again, she decided to move to his legs. She wanted to get further from his sexy eyes.

While pushing up his shorts to get his whole thigh exposed, she continued the conversation. “It’s not that different from where I was heading, though. Most waitresses at Knockouts end up stripping at some point. Some of those girls make two thousand dollars a night. That would have been a tempting opportunity.”

She shook her head and wanted to say, Thank you for saving me. Thank you for getting me out of there. But so much had changed in the last 24 hours, she couldn’t voice her gratitude without feeling tears surface. She knew it was stupid to be so proud, but she still couldn’t get herself to say it.

She continued rubbing his legs, realizing that she’d just have to show her gratitude for now.

She worked her way down to his feet, slightly squeezing each of his toes.

When he moaned, she smiled. She felt successful in showing her appreciation.

As she looked up at his muscular legs and bare chest, she thought of other ways to thank him, but she wasn’t sure she’d ever have the confidence to make a move.