Oh yeah. There was a story. A story he had no reason to care about. Even if she came to work for his family, getting personally involved on any level would be a mistake.
“Chelsea
left behind several binders with notes and pictures, detailing exactly what she wanted out of this new property she’d purchased.” He still couldn’t believe the whirlwind of activity over the past year. “She wanted to name it Belle Vous, which means ‘beautiful you’ in French.”
“She must have been an amazing woman,” Cora replied. “This idea, it’s all so perfect.”
“That’s what we’re holding on to,” he said honestly. “We want every woman who hears about the resort to have that same reaction. We figure at first there will be all kinds of interest, but we don’t want that newness to wear off.”
“Tell me more about my position,” she went on as she gripped the arch of his foot with her fingertips. “Will there be appointments, like at a spa, or would you prefer someone there all day to be ready for spur-of-the-moment clients?”
Sticking to the reason he was there, Braxton replied, “We will have set hours for the spa, but you will be doing your own appointments. We want the spa workers to feel like they have control over their schedules while still meeting the needs of the clients.”
“Smart.”
Braxton smiled. He’d be sure to tell his brother Liam that, since Liam wanted all spa employees to be there all day and all evening. Braxton and Zach had finally talked some sense into him. They’d burn out their workers in the first few months working them to death like that. Growing could come later. Right now they needed a good, solid base to keep things running smoothly while they focused on catering to the guests.
By the time his massage was over, Braxton didn’t know if he could move. Would it be unprofessional to lie there and take a nap, now that he was all relaxed?
“I’ll let you get dressed,” she told him. “Just tell me when you’re done and I can come back in so we can talk more. I just have a few more questions, and I assume you have more for me.”
He should, but with his loose muscles all he could think of was When can you start?
The door opened and closed. Braxton sat up, twisting his neck from side to side. Damn, he felt pretty good. After working on that house, getting everything fixed and repaired, he’d had his fair share of aches and pains. He wasn’t twenty anymore, and his body was reminding him with each crack and cramp. Not to mention he was used to working at a college and not a construction site.
He quickly dressed because now he wanted to see the woman behind the magic. Would her tone match her appearance? For all he knew, someone’s elderly grandmother had just felt him up and he’d liked it.
Wouldn’t be the first time he’d found himself in the company of an older woman. Unfortunately, Zach’s overeager neighbor had been a one-night mistake he still couldn’t dodge.
But Cora wasn’t a grandmother, of that he was sure. She’d sounded young, and she’d given him a hint as to her age when she’d discussed her education. Regardless of how instantly attracted he was, that was only because of her voice, her talented hands. What man wouldn’t be instantly turned on? He was human.
He needed to get into professional mode fast, because he refused to be taken off guard again by this woman.
Fastening his watch, Braxton glanced at the closed door. He’d been in here for all of an hour, and he’d never felt this calm. She truly was a miracle worker, and perfect for the spa. As usual, Sophie was right.
Braxton turned the knob, easing the door open, but stopped short at the sight of Cora standing in the hallway talking with Sophie.
Swallowing his shock, Braxton stared at the beautiful woman who’d just rubbed his body to complete relaxation: the long, rich auburn hair tumbling down her back, the petite build, the way she tipped her head toward him but didn’t meet his gaze.
Sophie smiled. “I’ll let you two talk. I’ll just wait in the living room.”
Braxton noted the large yellow Lab sitting obediently next to Cora. He hadn’t seen the dog when he’d first arrived, which was strange. Didn’t all dogs bark and run like mad toward the door when a visitor arrived? Zach’s dogs certainly did . . . all eight of them. Well, the seven puppies did. The poor mom tended to remain still, as if she didn’t even have the energy to greet a new guest.
“Would you like to go in and sit, or stay in the hallway?” Cora asked, a wide smile spreading across her face, her gaze still locked over his shoulder.
Braxton returned her infectious smile. “We can go back in here. I only have a few more questions.”
“Great.”
Braxton watched as she reached out her hand. He thought she was reaching for him but realized she was feeling her way. She also hadn’t looked him in the eye. And she had a very obedient dog who stayed by her side.
Nothing much shocked him, but the fact that Cora Buchanan was blind and had just given him the massage of a lifetime sure as hell left him utterly speechless.
He followed her into the room but remained standing until he saw where she wanted to go. Propping his hands on his hips, Braxton stared down at her where she’d taken a seat on a small accent chair in the corner of what most likely used to be a bedroom. Her dog right at her side.
“Why didn’t you tell me you are blind?”
* * *