Safeword Quinacridone by Candace Blevins Read Free Book Online Page A

“Tell you what, you put the biggest size on and walk up and down the steps for ten minutes without twisting an ankle, and I’ll consider it.”
    He grinned and said, “Ummm, no thanks,” before reaching for the giant margarita on the counter and handing it to her. “I could get more shoes delivered but it sounds like you’d be happiest if I order something to eat here before driving you home.”
    She shook her head. “I can put my clothes back on and we can stop at a Cracker Barrel or Applebee’s. We don’t have to eat somewhere with a dress code, you know.”
    “But,” he said, moving closer and caressing her cheek. “I want to treat you to something special.”
    Her insides fluttered at the way his eyes focused on her, and when she didn’t respond he said, “Let me order us something good. I can have it here in forty-five minutes or an hour, plenty of time for us to do foot massages and get clean. I’ll have a buyer bring something casual for you to wear home so you don’t have to put your sweaty clothes back on. Just, please let me take care of you while you’re with me.”
    She turned away and stripped as quickly as possible, stepping into the tub and sinking into the water before saying, “Okay. I’ll try not to be too difficult.”
    Travis pulled a bottle of massage oil from the cabinet before shucking his clothes and followed her into the tub. He brought his phone and made the call to order their food, asking for the daily special and checking with her before ordering on her behalf, and then called downstairs to let Edward know food was expected.
    When he clicked off he turned the jets on and watched quietly as she shampooed and rinsed her hair, then put conditioner on and piled it up, leaving it to sit. He didn’t make her feel self-conscious and she noted again how much better they did with each other when naked.
    He caught her off guard when he reached for her foot, propping it on his leg and dribbling oil over it. His hands felt like heaven as strong, agile fingers probed spots she hadn’t known needed attention. She oiled one of his feet, massaging in her own way, and became lost in the process of learning what he seemed to like and not like, the feel of the muscles in his feet and how they reacted as she manipulated them.
    They were both finishing the second foot when Cara heard a soft chime and looked up. Travis did so at the same time and their gazes collided, leaving them speechless for the few moments it took resurface.
    He smiled. “It’s okay, Edward will walk the delivery person in and see everything’s set up, and will ding when they leave. It’ll take them five or ten minutes, so we have time to finish.”
    Cara’s legs felt like jelly all the way to her thighs even though he’d only massaged her feet and ankles. She gently placed his foot back on the tub’s bottom before rinsing the conditioner from her hair with the handheld sprayer.
     
    * * * *
     
    When they sat down to eat, Cara was wearing the robe with her towel-dried hair clipped neatly away from her face; and Travis wore loose navy silk pajama pants. The food was artfully displayed on beautiful dishes. It felt incredibly decadent.
    She held up an over-sized fork, simultaneously graceful and masculine. “Did you buy any of this? I mean, I know your money paid for it but did you pick it out or did others choose it for you?”
    “Here? People bought it for me. My home in Chattanooga is a mixture of my tastes and professional advisers keeping me from looking like an idiot. I had the designers walk through to get an idea of my style and then they decided how to furnish the condo, though I approved via pictures and layouts before they did anything.” He shrugged. “I like it well enough but it’s their doing, not mine. Are you going to get mad at me again if I ask more personal questions?”
    Cara set her water down and watched a bead of perspiration roll down the side of her glass. “I can answer more questions but