Mango Kisses by Elisabeth Rose Read Free Book Online Page B

they could as easily not be. The whole day could be an incredibly frustrating waste of time. And she’d leave tomorrow.
    Fiorella, who was wandering about observing progress, said, ‘Remember, you’re giving pleasure to your partner. Ask them are they enjoying it? Giving pleasure is receiving pleasure. Concentrate on your partner.’ She was standing right in front of Miles.
    ‘You’re really good at this,’ said Rosemary loudly.
    From the corner of his eye he saw Marianne look across. Her lips tightened and she turned her head.
    ‘Change places,’ said Fiorella.
    Rosemary began gouging energetically at his foot. Miles glanced over to where Marianne was doing the same to Domenic. She was concentrating hard but looked as though she had a dead fish in her hands. Her lovely brow wore a slight frown.
    ‘Marianne’s pretty, isn’t she?’ said Rosemary softly. Miles jerked his attention back. She was watching him with a sad little smile on her face, her fingers still massaging his toes. ‘I can’t imagine why she’s here. She must have lots of men wanting to kiss her.’
    Miles leaned closer. ‘You’re pretty too,’ he whispered. ‘And you do a great foot massage.’
    Her pale cheeks flushed pink.
    ‘That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.’
    Oh Lord! Rosemary was gazing at him with puppy-like adoration.
    ‘How do we feel?’ asked Fiorella. ‘Massaging your partner is very intimate. It says, I care about you, I want to make you feel good . A massage need not be a sexual thing, it can be a loving, caring gift between friends.’
    In the changed atmosphere in the room Fiorella beamed at her clients. The tension had eased. People were smiling and giggling together. Even Marianne and Domenic looked more relaxed. Damn him.
    ‘Our next exercise is more intimate. New partners.’
    Miles watched intently as Fiorella chose the first slips of paper.
    ‘As I call your names go and wash your hands thoroughly at the sink.’ She waved a hand towards the other end of the room. ‘Nathan and Rosemary. Boris and Marianne.’
    Yes! Marianne had turned pink. Domenic looked annoyed. She leapt to her feet and almost ran to wash her hands.
    ‘Domenic and Wanda. Josie and Andrew.’
    Marianne sat on her blanket waiting. Miles couldn’t tell from her expression if she was pleased or not.
    ‘Shall we combine our nests?’ he asked.
    ‘Might as well,’ she said stiffly.
    ‘This exercise involves fruit,’ said Fiorella with excessive enthusiasm. ‘It can get a little messy so I’ve provided towels and we’ll have a short break afterwards for a cup of tea and a wash. Jen will hand around bowls of sliced pineapple, mango and crushed strawberries and you’ll feed each other. Any drips are to be gently kissed away. Superficial contact at this stage, please. Cheeks, chin, fingers — sucked clean.’
    Miles took the bowl of fruit from Jen.
    ‘Hi there, Boris ,’ she said, leaning on the name. She laughed.
    Miles glanced at Marianne’s face in profile. She was rigid, her fingers entwined, white knuckled. Shiny, blonde hair fell across her cheek hiding her down-turned face.
    ‘I shouldn’t have come.’ She whispered so softly he only just caught the words. ‘I can’t do this.’
    Miles put the bowl down and moved onto her blanket. He knelt in front of her and said gently, ‘Of course you can. It’ll be fun. You like fruit, you said so.’
    She peeked up at him. Her lips moved and he thought she might be going to smile, or cry.
    ‘But you think it’s a joke. I’m a joke,’ she said and looked him directly in the eye. ‘You and that woman...’
    ‘I know her, that’s all. Jen doesn’t think it’s a joke. She’s devoted to this place. I don’t think it’s a joke, I think it’s fun and that’s completely different.’ His voice dropped as he saw the indecision in her lovely eyes. The vulnerability of a girl he’d thought so self-assured, so beautiful, took him aback, ‘I don’t think you’re