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I rang his doorbell for the third time before knocking on the door yet again. I was one more ring away from just leaving him there and going upstairs for the spa. "Joshua!" I called out, my fist hitting the door again. "Josh, I'm lea—" 

The door swung open and he stood there, annoyance and frustration etched onto his face. 

Oh, like I'm the one causing the inconvenience here. 

"What?" he asked, his words sharp. 

"Are you fucking coming or not?" I huffed. 

He rolled his eyes, grabbing the keycard and pocketing it before stepping out, forcing me to take a step back as he collided with me. "Well, you see," he cleared his throat, closing the door behind him without facing away from me. "I was coming to the door the first time you knocked. But then you decided to bang on it about a dozen more times and nearly break my doorbell. So I thought why not let you finish," he explained, staring down at me, pocketing his hands. 

"I banged on the door about a dozen times and nearly broke your doorbell because you weren't coming to the damn door," I retorted. 

"No, no, no. Think again, Ms. Valentine." 

"Yes, yes, yes. You think again." Before he could say anything, I spun on my heels and started strutting down the hall, glaring at him over my shoulder. I heard him scoff before he started walking behind me, maintaining distance. He caught up to me eventually and then started walking at his usual pace. I took quick, short steps, hurrying to walk with him until we reached and stopped at the elevators. While waiting for it, I glanced at his clothes. 

They weren't extraordinary but I see him wearing full-sleeve button-ups and shirts so often that I sometimes forget what he looks like in a t-shirt. He had on a dark gray v-neck that clung onto him, showing off his arms. 

My eyes lingered on his muscular biceps for just a beat too long. It's no secret that Josh works out and I don't just mean his everyday runs. 

He works out. He probably goes to a gym, if not that, then he definitely works out at his penthouse. I wasn't staring, just observing, the way his shirt hugged him like a second-skin from his shoulders to his chest and hugged him nicely around his biceps. Somehow, all his clothes seem like they were created just for him. With the gray v-neck, he was wearing a pair of simple black joggers. 

Oh, he kind of has a cute butt. 

My eyes trailed back up his arms, taking in his golden tan and the veins going up his arm. When my eyes reached his face, I found him already staring back at me, his brows quipped up, amusement dancing in his eyes. He watched me like I was putting on an entertaining show just for him. "What are you staring at, Ms. Valentine?" he asked. 

"Aren't you a little underdressed for a vacation?" I replied, playing it off. 

"Aren't you a little overdressed for a spa?" he retorted. 

I glanced down at my sunset orange sundress with a small slit on the right side and a v-neck, the dress looking like the fabric crossed at my waist, it cinched my torso in. I felt good in it, it was one of my favorites. Now that I thought about it, it was a little much for going to a spa, but it was our first day on this holiday, even if I was with Joshua, out of all people. "I like this dress," I frowned. 

"I didn't say it's a bad one," he shrugged. 

My eyes narrowed. "Is it a good one then?" 

"I didn't say that either, sweetheart." 

Pausing, I stared at him quizzically before we stepped into the elevator and he pressed the button to the top floor. 

Sweetheart? 

Stepping out once we reached upstairs, I realized this whole floor really only had the spa and sauna and the swimming pool. There were hardly any rooms up here. 

The hallway was dimly lit with black tile flooring and walls with soft warm yellow ceiling lights. The desk at the front was made of black marble and a woman sat behind the desk. There was a sign behind her on the left and right. The right pointed to the open rooftop swimming pool and the left pointed to the spa and sauna. 

Making our way over, I rested my arms on the counter while Josh stood beside me, tucking his hands into his pockets. "Hi, we had a time slot booked for a spa together," I smiled. 

The woman double-checked in the register in front of her. "Your room numbers, please?" 

"524 and 525," I answered.

She nodded with a smile, "Yes. You can head on inside, our masseuse will guide you there. Enjoy." 

"Thank you," I said before heading inside, turning back around and pulling Josh with me when he refused to budge. The minute we stepped into the room, I was hit with the fragrance of jasmine and lavender aroma. There were a few candles lit up on the shelf along the wall and a woman lighting up others. I took in the room, letting Josh's arm go. 

The woman finally noticed us, her face lighting up. "Hi, are you here for the appointment?" 

I nodded, smiling back at her. "Yeah, we're here for the spa." 

She blew out the long matchstick and then tossed it in the trash. "You mean the couple's spa, don't you?" 

I felt Josh go stiff beside me. I forced out an awkward laugh and replied, "No, the regular spa. We booked a slot for the regular spa together." 

She paused and then slowly shook her head. "No, we were told to book a room for the couple's spa. Could you tell me who booked the appointment for you? You are Ms. Valentine and Mr. Nilsen, aren't you?" 

"Yes, we are," Josh answered with an edge to his voice and I dug my elbow in his side. He didn't have to be rude. 

"We are and I can guarantee that we booked an appointment for a regular spa," I said. 

She rubbed the back of her hand, shifting nervously. "You wouldn't by any chance remember the employee that booked your time slot, would you?" 

I hesitated, glancing at Josh who was already glaring at me, how charming. "It was a woman, um, I think her name was..." I thought back to the woman we met downstairs and tried remembering what I read on her nametag. "Clary? Clara? I... damn it," I whispered under my breath. 

"Clarissa?" 

My eyes snapped up to the woman. "Yes, Clarissa." 

"Oh dear," she sighed, "exactly what I thought. Clarissa left early today, not too long after you checked in. She must have asked someone else to book you in and they must have booked you for the wrong spa. Oh, I'm so sorry." 

"No, no, that's all right," I mumbled. 

"Well, can't you just let us get regular spas now?" Josh asked, tucking his hands away behind his back, hiding the fists they formed. I took a peek at his hands as he pulled up the finger. 

"Well um, the rooms are different for both spas and the room for the regular spas is occupied right now. We have back-to-back appointments happening there... Why don't you both try the couple's spa instead? It'll be just as much of a pleasant experience, I can assure you." 

"Oh, I doubt that," Josh snickered, glancing at me again. 

I rolled my eyes, taking in a breath to ignore him. "Well, you're a masseuse, am I right?" I asked. 

She nodded. 

"Is it possible for you to give us massages one at a time?" 

She cleared her throat. "Normally, the answer would be yes. But I'm on couple's spa duty today since I can't massage anybody." She held up her hand that had two fingers plastered together with a supporter. 

Broken fingers. Great. 

"Hence, I was only supposed to instruct couples today. You both can still give it a try if you'd like, otherwise the next time, massages will have to be paid for. Your free coupon is only for today... I'm very sorry," she said sheepishly. 

I sighed, my shoulders dropping. 

I really want that massage. 

But when I pictured myself lying on that table, half-naked, with Josh's hands on me... 

Yeah, no. Not imagining that. My thoughts might take me somewhere I don't want to be. 

"We'll do it," Josh shrugged suddenly. 

I stared at him, eyes wide. "Excuse me, what? I'm sorry, could you repeat that, please?" 

He turned to me, looking as emotionless as ever, but I caught the glimmer of enjoyment in his eyes. 

He really likes watching me squirm, doesn't he? 

"Why are you so surprised?" 

"Surprised," I repeated dubiously. That was an understatement. I was shocked. 

"I mean," he paused, his eyes scanning my face. "We are here to review the city as honeymooners, aren't we?"

"Yeah, that doesn't actually mean acting like a couple, Mr. Nilsen. I never did that Owen." 

"Well, I'm not Owen, darling." 

Sweetheart, darling. What is with these nicknames? 

"Plus, it can't be that bad," he shrugged, "and I'm sore." 

"From what?" I spat, shooting daggers at him. 

He sighed, "You're very tiring," before facing the masseuse. "We'll take the couple's spa." 

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