Willow was smiling, and flush from the fresh air. She plucked a grape from the platter and popped it into her mouth. “I’m famished! My body’s sore from head to toe.” She sat on her bed and began to unlace her hiking boots.
“After we eat do you want to head to the soaking tubs?” Courtney asked. “It would probably feel really good after the hike.”
“Actually I’m going on a night hike. I promised the group I was with today I’d join them,” Willow said, pouring herself a glass of the Chardonnay and stripping off her hiking clothes. “It’s a full moon tonight.”
I didn’t say anything; my mind was suddenly exhausted. Liam was right. I needed a good, long rest. Closing my eyes, I let my mind wander away from the conversation taking place in the cabin—something about thongs and soaking tubs—and instead went to dreamland.
Imagining Liam telling me what to do, I fell asleep.Chapter TwelveAfter my nap, I took my time getting out of bed. The cabin was so warm and cozy, and I stretched my arms over my head, delighting in my decadent day.
“Good rest?” Willow asked. She sat on her bed, wrapped in a towel, rubbing lotion on her arms.
“Yes. Exactly what the doctor ordered.”
Well, not the doctor, exactly. More like Liam. But I wasn’t going to get technical.
“I’m so glad. My bath was fantastic. This weekend has been just what I needed.”
“The hike was pretty good then?” I asked. Lying on my side, I propped my head up with my arm.
“Yeah, I mean the hike was good….”
“But?”
“Well, the two guys on the hike, they were the guys from the lobby.”
“That’s cool. My masseuse was one of those guys, too.”
“Oh, yeah?” she asked. “Was he like … you know, open-minded?”
My mouth dropped open. “Willow, what are you implying?”
“Well, these guys were really … umm, horny.”
“Okay, so if they’re horny all their friends are?”
“I don’t know. I mean … I guess I wondered.”
“Did you do something with the guys on the hike?” I asked.
“What, like, besides hike?” she asked, feigning innocence.
I chucked a pillow at her and, ducking her head, she laughed. “Okay, yes. I did do something.”
“You wouldn’t have brought it up if you didn’t want to spill the beans.”
“I know.” She covered her face for a second. “Okay, if I tell you, no judgment, promise?”
“Promise.” As if I would judge. I’d just gotten on my knees and sucked the cock of a guy I didn’t know.
“Have you ever had a threesome?” she asked.
“No. Have you?”
“Almost. Today. Like, in the woods.”
“That’s pretty….”
“Pretty what?”
“Pretty hot. I mean, it’s totally hot. You and two guys—and, those guys? That’s like every girl’s wet dream.”
“Wow, Callie, I’ve never heard you talk that way, or expected you to. You’re always so, so….”
“Bitchy?”
She laughed. “I was going to say uptight.”
“Did you tell Courtney about this?”
“No, you know how she gets. For one, she assumes I’m some sexual deviant, when really I’m just a twenty-two-year-old woman who likes to have fun. She doesn’t get that it’s not always fun. A lot of times it’s lonely. Dating. One night stands. Guys who don’t call you back.”
“Boyfriends who mooch off you for a year and then break up.”
“I’m sorry, Callie. I know you liked Blaine.”
“Honestly, I think I just liked being the one in charge. It’s always been my default. It’s safer that way, when I call the shots.”
“But now?”
“Now maybe there are other things I want. Like someone to take care of me.”
“You’ll find someone,” she said, scooting over to my bed and squeezing my hand. “I know you will.”
“So, are you going to meet up with those guys later?” I asked.
“We planned a night hike,” she said, scratching her head nervously.
“You should go and, like, be all-in.”
“You think so? I mean, I want to, it’s just I’ve never done this. I don’t want to mess it up.”
“Honestly, if two guys asked you for a threesome, I don’t think there’s much messing up you can do.” I laughed.
“What are you doing tonight? Courtney went to the soaking tubs.”
“I have another massage.”
Willow raised her eyebrows, but didn’t press.
“What?” I asked. “It’s just a massage.”
“Sure it is, honey,” she said, winking. “Call it whatever you want.”Chapter ThirteenWalking across the property toward the cabin where Liam worked, I felt an unfamiliar rumbling of excitement course through me.
Willow had stoked the fire of my desires by revealing her plans for the evening. I could, and would, reclaim what I needed out of a lover. Just like she was going out of her comfort zone and exploring two partners tonight, I was going to be vulnerable.
I would do what Liam asked without question.
Stepping in the waiting room, I heard the bell chime, announcing my arrival. The space was different from this morning. Earlier there had incense burning, but that had been replaced with dozens of candles, filling the room with a sensual glow. No lights were on, but instrumental music strummed in the air. My senses were awakened as I waited for Liam to appear.