“Nothing. I’ll be up in a few minutes.” He paused. “Oh, wait. One quick question; if you’re uncomfortable with it being just the two of us in your room, would you like me to arrange for a female employee of the hotel to be present while I administer the massage?”
“No, I don’t think that will be necessary, Mark.” Melanie wondered if Linda had said something to him. “But I very much appreciate your thoughtfulness and professionalism in offering it to me.” She thought a moment. “Now let me ask you a question.”
“Shoot.”
“I’ve never been given a massage before. How should I be dressed?”
“Comfortably. Normally I use oversized towels that I can arrange so that only the area I’m working on is uncovered. You should find some in the bathroom. But if that’s not enough, you’re welcome to wear a bathing suit, bra and panties or some loose-fitting sweats, if you’d prefer. You tell me what works for you, and I’ll take it from there.”
“All right. I’ll think about it. Do I have time to take a shower?”
“Go ahead. I’ll be about ten minutes.”
“See you in ten.” Melanie set the phone down and hurried into the bathroom. She held up one of the oversized towels in front of her and stared at her reflection in the mirror. Two of these should be more than sufficient, she thought. I’ll just make sure I’m good and clean. She showered quickly, taking special care to lather her pubes thoroughly. God, I hope I don’t smell like I just had sex.
She had just gotten out of the shower and into her robe when she heard the knock on the door. “It’s open,” she yelled from the bedroom. She heard the door open, followed by a thump. The door closed a few moments later. “I’ll be out in a minute.”
“Take your time. It’ll take me a few minutes to set things up.”
Melanie went back in the bathroom and checked her appearance. Christ, she thought suddenly. Why do I care what I look like? Oh, I don’t know, she heard Peg’s voice answer, because you’re about to get naked in front of a total stranger in a hotel room? Oh, now. C’mon, she answered back. This isn’t any different than having a doctor see me. And besides, he won’t see me. I’ll be covered up.
Is that so, she heard Peg answer. Of course, you could make sure, by putting on the bathing suit you have in your suitcase, or at least a pair of panties, for crying out loud! Melanie shook her head. I’ll be fine, she insisted. Then why, Peg asked, is your skin all tingly? Beads of gooseflesh sprouted instantly on her arms and shoulders. She tugged the robe tighter around her.
That’s not what I meant, the voice said. Melanie sucked her breath in sharply. Oh, no! I am wet. And getting wetter by the second. What is wrong with me? Am I still hopped up from my dream or am I really getting turned on by the thought of that man in the other room – a man I’ve never even seen – giving me a massage?
Now you’re talking, kiddo, she heard Peg say. No, she said firmly. This isn’t me. Since this morning, everything has been messed up. First, the wake-up call, telling me the airport was closed, then losing my room and having to come here to the Honeymoon Suite, and then that dream, that unbelievably incredible dream! And to have it be Valentine’s Day, of all days, one year to the day after it happened.