CHAPTER SIX

Rhyan

After our manicures, we went straight to our pedicures—I swear I have never laughed so much. Who knew that a macho, tough guy like Noah would lose his shit when someone touched the soles of his feet. I don't think even he knew how ticklish he was until Amber was working on him.

I honestly feel bad for poor Amber because she's had her work cut out today with Noah. First, his terrible hands, and now with him trying to kick her every time she touches him.

She. Is. A. Saint.

Noah is tense as hell, his head leaning back as he stares at the ceiling, trying to keep still.

I giggle before I reach over, taking his hand in mine. "You're doing great," I lie, unable to stop the grin on my face from spreading wider.

His eyes slowly drop to meet mine. "I don't know why you girls would want to do this to yourselves. This shit is fucking torture."

Somehow holding back my laugh, I continue smiling at him. "If you're ticklish, then a pedicure is probably not the right fit for you."

Noah grits his teeth, exhaling through his nose. "I just hope you're enjoying yourself."

I squeeze his hand. "I'm having the absolute best time. Sadie would never have been this entertaining."

He snorts out a laugh, rolling his eyes. "I am trying not to be a pussy."

"It just comes naturally to you. Is that what you're saying?" I jab.

Noah glares, but I can tell he's being playful. "I'm just… a little out of my comfort zone here, Rhy."

"Well, I'm glad I could push you like you pushed me with the bike ride."

He finally manages a small smile. "I'm happy to get you out of your comfort zone whenever you like. As long as Dutch isn't going to kill me for it, I'm happy to take you to the dark side with me."

I let out an unladylike snort, my freshly painted bright pink nails slamming to cover my mouth while Noah chuckles beside me. "Oh God, I never laugh like that normally. I have no idea where that sound came from."

Noah grins, waggling his brows. "I've been known to elicit all kinds of crazy sounds from women."

Letting go of his hand, I roll my eyes. "Urgh, such a typical man thing to say. And we were having such a nice moment too."

He smirks, sinking back into his chair. "True… men are dicks."

Amber and Selene giggle as I fight back my smile. "You're doing okay at being my girlfriend for the day. Sure, there's been a few hurdles, but out of all the brothers at the clubhouse, I think you're the only one who could have tolerated this as well as you have today."

He purses his lips, then shrugs. "Except maybe Rip. I could totally picture him getting his nails done."

I burst out laughing because now that he has said it, I can picture that too. "He'd probably get his legs waxed while he was here," I add.

Noah chokes on thin air, laughing while he nods. "Fuck, he probably does that already. So he can glide through the water easier when he's surfing."

"Oh, geez, I'm not going to be able to keep a straight face when I see Rip now," I reply.

"Okay, all done," Amber chimes in.

Glancing down, I see the design I requested on Noah's toes and smile as Noah clenches his eyes tight. "I don't know if I'm brave enough to look."

I elbow his arm. "Stop being a pussy. Don't you trust me?"

His eyes open, glancing at me with a sincere gaze. "With my life… but not with my nail color."

Grinning, I glance down at his toes again and shrug. "Well, I think the flaming red suits you. To be honest, it goes great with your hair."

His eyes widen, like he's terrified, as he snaps his gaze down to look at his nails. I watch him intently, seeing his fear turn to relief when he spots the black nail polish with white skull nail art on each toe. His entire body relaxes, and he chuckles nervously before slowly turning back to look at me. "You got me good. I thought for sure you were setting me up to be razzed by my brothers, but those skulls are pretty badass."

"Oh, ye of little faith. I've got your back, Noah. You trust me now?" I ask.

He grins, nodding. "Yeah. With my life… and my nail color."

"So does that mean you'll be coming with me to another pamper day in the future?"

Noah snorts out a scoff, shaking his head. "No offense, Amber, but I don't want you anywhere near my feet ever again."

Amber snickers, pulling her rubber gloves off with a pop. "None taken. And honestly, Noah, you weren't my worst client. You've been very entertaining, even though your canvas was a little more work than I expected."

"My canvas is used to cleaning dirty bikes and shoveling pig shit, so I'm not surprised you had a difficult time. But thank you for being gentle, and sorry for almost kicking you in the face… all five times."

Amber waves Noah off like it was nothing. "It's fine. It's nice to see you in here supporting your friend."

Noah turns to face me, a genuine smile lighting his face. "That's what friends are for, right?"

"Yep," I reply, but it comes out high-pitched.

Everyone looks at me before I clear my throat and chuckle. "Thank you so much, Selene. You have done a wonderful job. I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome, happy to help. And you're just in time for your couples massage, which is the next session on your pamper pack list. If you both head through those doors, Tania will instruct you what to do next."

I begin to move out of the chair as Noah widens his eyes. "Wait! There's more?"

"It's a spa day. Of course, there's more."

He rolls his shoulders while we make our way through the doors and are greeted by Tania. "Good morning, I'm going to be one of the masseuses for your couples massage today. We have the double table set up just through here. Would you prefer the ambiance to have sounds of nature, or would you prefer silence?"

Noah jerks his head back like he has no clue what the hell is going on, so I take the lead. "We would like the sounds of nature, please, but if possible, not the ocean. The sounds of the waves make me always want to pee."

Noah bursts out laughing.

Tania side-eyes him but continues, "Of course. So we need for you both to head through, and on either side of the room, there will be a privacy screen where you can get changed into your bathrobe—"

"Wait! Why am I getting changed into a bathrobe? And what am I supposed to be wearing under it?" Noah asks.

Tania scrunches her brow like she's confused, so I lean in to clarify, "He's new to all this."

"I see." Tania inhales sharply before continuing with more in-depth instructions, "You go behind the privacy screen and remove all clothing to your underwear, then pull on the robe. When you come out to the massage table, you will remove the robe and lay face down on the table, where a warm towel will be placed over the lower half of your body until it's time for the masseuse to work on your lower half, then the towel will be moved."

Noah's eyes slowly slide up to meet mine. "And Rhyan will be beside me… in her bra and panties?"

Watching the heat flush through his eyes makes my body feel all kinds of things.

Fuck! I hadn't really thought this part through.

Tania smiles. "Rhyan will have her lower underwear on, yes. But her bra will be removed because the masseuse needs full access to her back."

The quick rise and fall of Noah's chest tells me that he's rapidly breathing like this might be a step too far for him. I need to take control of the situation, so I grab his hand in mine. His head snaps to me, his eyes so intense it halts my breath for a moment. But I steady my thoughts and continue, "Noah, it'll be fine. You won't see anything."

The hesitation in him is clear as he subtly shakes his head. "Rhy, if your dad hears I was alone with you practically naked, he will fucking kill me."

"But we're not alone. There will be two other people in the room with us and all we're doing is having a massage. It's going to be fine, Noah. I promise you. And from how tense your shoulders look, I think you could do with a good massage right now."

He scrubs at his face, letting out a small groan, but then nods. "Okay, fuck it. Let's do it. Lead us in, Tania."

I nudge his side as Tania walks us into the dimly lit room, the sounds of the rainforest playing softly through the speakers. Smells of jasmine and lavender waft through the air, instantly making me feel calm. Candles sporadically line this beautiful room's walls, giving it a romantic feel. I subtly glance at Noah, watching him take this all in.

Tania gestures Noah to the privacy screen to the left. "If you make your way to the screen over there, I will be with you shortly. Rhyan, if you take the screen to your right, another masseuse will be in momentarily. Please undress into your robes and meet us at the tables."

"Thanks, Tania," I tell her, then she turns and walks out of the room.

Noah spins to me, his eyes wide. "You said we wouldn't be alone."

"You that scared of me, Noah?" I ask, raising my brow, then turn to walk for my privacy screen. I don't make it two steps, and I'm being pulled against him, my back slamming into Noah's chest.

His breath is heavy in my hair, and his chest rises into my back with each breath. The air around us heats or maybe it's my body pressed against his that's making me warm. My breathing comes quicker, matching his, and I can't help but relax into him. His fingers clench tightly into my biceps like he's struggling to keep himself under control.

Maybe he was right to be afraid of being alone with me.

I want him, but this isn't the time or the place.

"Rhyan," he whispers nervously into my hair. I bite my bottom lip, my heart racing so fucking fast I feel dizzy as I slowly turn my gaze to join his, but before our lips get a chance to meet, he drops his tight grip on me.

After letting out a gasp, feeling cold from the loss of his touch, I move to spin so I can face him completely, only to find him already walking off behind his screen. "Fucking hell," he grumbles under his breath, and it's the last thing I hear before the sound of his boots hit the floor, followed by the rustling of his clothes.

I inhale sharply, shaking off my nerves, then slip in behind the screen to get undressed. A flutter of butterflies rolls through my stomach. We share a connection, one I want to explore more of but it's clear something is holding him back. Or should I say, someone?

My father can be such a cockblock sometimes!

I reach up and grab the robe, sliding it over my shoulders. Drawing in a deep breath, I try to calm my nervous tension. You got this, Rhy, I tell myself more to try and keep this brave act going than anything.

Walking out from around the screen, I make my way toward the tables in the middle of the room just before Noah steps out from behind his screen. The robe is almost too small for his muscles as he meets me.

He looks me up and down like he's imagining what's beneath my robe. I slowly smile up at him as the energy between us begins to pop and crackle with electricity as we stare at each other in silence.

Noah opens his mouth to say something when Tania and a male masseuse enter the room. Drawing in the breath I didn't know I was holding, I step to the side of the table and smile at Tania while Noah glares at the man.

"Who are you?" Noah grunts while he walks toward me.

He smiles kindly, stepping in beside me while Tania approaches Noah. "My name is Sven. I will be Rhyan's masseuse today."

Noah lets out a loud, maniacal laugh. "Like fuck you will. You're basically a walking Ken doll. You're not touching her. Fuck that! Tania, you're doing Rhy."

Tilting my hip, I let out a huff. "Really, Noah?" I groan.

Tania and Sven say nothing, simply swapping their positions.

Noah puffs out his chest, seemingly very happy with himself. "You think your father would be okay with me letting a man put his greasy fingers all over your naked body?"

I let out a laugh. "That's the entire point of a massage, Noah. And I have a feeling your objections aren't solely based on what my father would think."

"What's that supposed to mean?" he grunts out the words.

Shaking my head, I sigh. "Nothing. But did you think about what me having Tania means for this massage? It means you're having a man rub his greasy fingers all over you. You okay with that?"

His eyes widen like he hadn't thought it through, but then he rolls his shoulders. "If it means he isn't touching you, then, yeah, I'm okay with it."

Smirking, I begin undoing the tie belt of my robe. "Well then, now the dramatics are out of the way… let's get to relaxing," I chime, turning my back to Noah, my eyes meeting Tania before I mouth, sorry. She grins, bringing a towel up to cover me as I slide off the robe. Dropping it into the box at the end of the table, I turn, seeing Noah watching me. His eyes dart away as if he is trying to give me a moment, even though Tania is covering me.

When Tania begins pouring the warm oil onto my back, I close my eyes and let go of everything, just living in the moment. Her pressure is firm but not painful as she works those tight spots on my shoulders.

My mind is a million miles away, and my body is completely relaxed when a slow moan rumbles from beside me. My eyes snap open, my body tensing a little before another deep, throaty moan sounds from Noah. Lifting my head slightly, I turn to face him. Sven pushes deep into his back, working his muscles as Noah's arms hang loosely toward the floor.

Smirking, I lean my cheek on the table and watch Noah, his entire body moving with the motion. He is completely relaxed while Sven pushes harder into Noah's back, moving up to his shoulders. "You're very tight," Sven says, digging his thumbs into Noah's shoulder blades.

"So, so tight," Noah moans out, and I can't tell if it's from pain or pleasure. Maybe a little of both—it's hard to know at this point, and I snicker under my breath.

Sven bends down, using his elbow, and begins digging into the muscles on Noah's back. My eyes widen as Noah jumps, yelping in pain. "Too hard?" Sven asks.

Noah shakes his head. "No, harder."

I can't help but smirk. "Like that?" Sven queries.

"Oh yeah, just like that," Noah replies.

I'm trying my hardest not to laugh at how sexual this is sounding just as Noah lets out another guttural moan.

Tania leans down beside my ear and whispers, "He really is vocal, isn't he?"

My entire body shudders with laughter as I try to hold it in but find it too difficult.

I can't even feel Tania's hands on me right now because I am too focused on Noah and his seemingly intimate relationship with Sven. Suddenly, Sven begins judo chopping Noah's back, and Noah moans the entire time, but because Sven hits his back, the moans come out stuttered. It's the last straw—I can't hold in my laugh this time, and it erupts from my throat. My hand snaps to my mouth to cover it while I watch Noah, his head lifting to face me, his eyes glassy, almost sleepy, while he looks at me in confusion. "Did you laugh, or am I hearing things?"

"Tania tickled my side. It was a reflex. Sorry, didn't mean to disturb you."

He smiles. It's lazy but full of so much happiness. "I've never had a massage before. This is the best moment of my life, Rhy. All the nail shit was worth it for this."

My heart floods with happiness that he's finally enjoying himself. "I'm so glad Sven can help you with your aches and pains."

Noah exhales. "I never knew how fucked up my back was."

"It's all that riding. I'll have to bring you back so you and Sven can continue this."

Noah's face lights up. "Fuck yeah. How much longer do we have?" Noah asks.

"We have another half an hour. I'm going to move to your legs now," Sven responds.

The way Noah's lips lift slowly but with so much happiness, sends a wave of joy through me as he sighs in contentment. "Oh, yeah, I bet my calves and thighs are tight as hell."

"I can give them a real good work over," Sven replies.

Noah places his head back on the bed.

Smiling, I turn, sliding my face into the hole on the table, allowing myself to relax and letting Tania work her magic as the sounds of Noah's bliss only help me relax more. He moans and sighs the more and more Sven works on him, but all it does is make me happy.

Happy that Noah is having something nice done for him for a change.

It's not often that bikers do anything to take care of their bodies.

So, I am glad I could make this happen for him.

Forty-Five Minutes Later

While pulling on my Converse, I must admit that it went so much better than I was expecting. I am unbelievably relaxed, and I know Noah will be, too, after all that noise he was making. Sliding out from around the privacy screen, I spot Noah talking with Sven while Tania cleans up the towels and things from our session.

Walking over to Tania, I offer, "Thank you so much, you have magic hands."

She grins. "You're so welcome. Glad to help."

I glance over at Noah and Sven, who are chatting and laughing together, and I gesture to them. "I better get over there before they start announcing their engagement plans."

Tania chuckles, holding up her left hand and showing her wedding ring. "He's already taken. But I have a feeling that Noah has his eyes on someone else." She wiggles her brows at me.

Smiling, I turn back to look at Noah and exhale. "We're just friends."

"Mm-hmm. But would a guy, especially a biker, come to a spa day and have a pamper session with you if he was just a friend ? I say this because Sven and I were friends. He was a heavyweight boxer, but I wanted to get my certificate in massage, so he joined me. He literally changed the course of his career to spend time with me. He said for ages he was just my friend too, even after he made all these grand gestures, like quitting boxing to study being a masseuse with me. Now we've been married for five years with a set of triplet girls."

Widening my eyes, I stare at her. "You have triplets?"

She chuckles, nodding. "We do. But that's not the point you should be focusing on."

Glancing over my shoulder, I sigh, watching Noah and Sven continue to laugh together. "You think I should talk to Noah?"

Tania gently cups my shoulder. "Sven and I waited ten years before I finally got the courage to tell him how I felt. He said he felt the exact same the entire time but didn't think I reciprocated, so he never pushed. Communication is key. There's chemistry between the two of you. It's just whether you're willing to push it further or not?"

Exhaling, I turn back to face Tania and bite my bottom lip firmly. "This might be weird, but can I give you a hug?"

Tania chuckles. "Of course." She leans in, embracing me, and I hold her tight.

Who knew this massage came with a therapy session?

Pulling back, I exhale. "Thanks. I really appreciate your honesty."

She winks. "Good luck."

Turning, I make my way over to Sven and Noah. They're still laughing when I approach.

"Hey, Rhy. Did you know that Sven used to be a boxer?"

Tilting my head, I grin. "I actually did know. Tania just told me."

Noah slaps Sven on the side of his arm. "It's no wonder you're so strong with your hands."

Sven chuckles. "I'm surprised you could take it being your first time. Most guys are pussies and can't handle the pounding I give them."

Fighting back my smile as they still don't obviously know how they sound, I slide my arm to link up with Noah's. "I'm glad you could give Noah some relief, Sven."

"Me too. Happy to help. It's what I'm here for."

Noah dips his head again. "Appreciate it, man. My back hasn't felt this fucking good in… fuck! I don't think it's ever felt this good."

My entire body is soaring—we have had such a great time here today. Knowing that Noah feels good has made this a day I will never forget.

"Just remember what I said," Sven urges.

"That I need to drink plenty of water. Gotta flush those toxins out."

"That's right, and no alcohol for twenty-four hours," Sven states.

Noah frowns but nods. "Okay, H 2 O, not Hennessy."

Sven chuckles and shifts his attention to me before saying, "He's a funny guy. Okay, I have to go. We gotta get home to the triplets because if they don't get to watch an episode of Bluey before dinnertime, all hell will break loose."

Noah pats Sven on the back before Sven turns and walks with Tania out of the room. I let out a long breath as we make for the door and back to the main room.

"Well, you certainly sound like you enjoyed yourself?" I quip.

"No shit! That was fucking epic. I always thought massages were bullshit, but Sven got into places I didn't even know existed."

Chuckling, I cuddle into his side further. "With the sounds you made, I think you and Sven got to at least third base. He may have even hit a home run, and you might need to take a pregnancy test because I think at one stage there, you were really clima—"

"Okay, okay, so maybe I was a little vocal. I couldn't help it. It just came out. It felt so damn good, and I was relaxed with the fucking chirping birds and the fucking nice smelling shit in the air and the candles burning, and you being naked next to me. And you know what… whatever! I was relaxed, and moans happened, okay?"

Raising my brow, I smirk. "Mm-hmm. No, I get it. It was just the ‘Too hard?' and ‘No, harder.' ‘Like that?' and ‘Oh, yeah, just like that!' that had me questioning your relationship status with Sven," I tease.

Noah glares, puffing out his chest. "It wasn't like that. Fuck, did I actually say that?"

Bursting out laughing, I nod. "Oh yeah, more than once, and so much more."

I feel his muscles tightening again, so I nudge his shoulder. "But hey, what happens on pamper-sesh, stays on pamper-sesh. And honestly, seeing how much relief you got from Sven working your muscles like that made me so fucking happy. So remember how good you feel and how amazing you thought it was, okay?"

He inhales sharply. "Don't tell the guys?"

"Tell them what?" I reply. "And just so you know, I thought your moans were really fucking hot."

I detach from him, skipping off for the receptionist at the front counter to process the voucher. My heart races frantically because I just put myself out there. I would never have had the courage without Tania giving it to me. But as Noah stands back with a shocked expression while I talk to the receptionist, my stomach clenches in anxiety.

I don't know what he's thinking.

I don't know how he's feeling.

All I know is I have played the first move on this chess board.

Now I have to wait and see if he will keep playing or if that last move was checkmate.