Jake lifted an eyebrow, his eyes wary. "A what?"

"I worked my way through med school as a massage therapist. It paid the bills. How about I give you a massage, see if we can't work out the kink before I schedule you for an MRI."

The smile was quick, almost indecipherable. "Sure, I really don't like those machines."

"Doubt you would with those muscles." Hot desire shot through Lance. Warning bells went off in his head. This path of action could lead to no good.

Lance shrugged off his hesitancy and took Jake to the small room at the back of his office suite. He couldn't help but glance back once and smile. He knew he was sending out strange signals. The guy was probably as straight as they came and would run screaming if he knew the erotic thoughts Lance was having.

A massage, seriously, why had he suggested that? Already his dick was anticipating his hands touching Jake's body. It's just a massage. I've done this thousands of times.

"Take off what you feel comfortable with." Lance couldn't look at Jake as he placed clean sheets on the table and threw an extra blanket over the end. "I'll be back in a few. Head down first then we'll do some front work if needed."

Lance stepped into the hall and squatted, breathing deeply as he tried to concentrate on the basic anatomical process of massage. This was nothing. He'd worked as a therapist for years, never once having sex with any of the guys he'd worked on.

But none of them made your body heat and your dick hard like this guy.

Shit, he was screwed. He blocked all emotion from his thoughts. He couldn't think about how great he'd feel to be touched by another man. Wouldn't think about the way his heart clenched in his chest when he looked in Jake's eyes. No feelings, this is work.

Lance stood and knocked on the door. "You ready?"

"I'm good." Jake's muffled voice sounded through the door.

Lance opened the door, ignoring the massage bed and the man on it. His hands shook as he pulled a bottle of massage lotion from under the sink. He warmed the lotion, taking longer than needed. Finally he focussed his attention on Jake, and had to stop himself from groaning. Lance would bet that Jake hadn't kept a stitch of clothing on with the way the sheet was hanging over his ass.

Lance cleared his throat. "I'm going to start on your back then work around. You don't have anywhere to be later?"

"No, I'm all yours."

If only that were true. Lance's heart stalled. He slid his hands up Jake's back. Muscles bunched and puckered under his firm pressure. There were knots upon knots. "You get massaged often?"

"No." Jake's answer was terse, almost angry.

"You should."

"I used to, but haven't in a few months."

Lance spread more lotion over Jake's shoulders, pushing with firm pressure. He imagined what it would be like to touch those muscles while being inside Jake. Shit, stop thinking that way.

He stood at Jake's head and slid his hands down Jake's spine, pushing the sheet back until he could see the slit at the top of Jake's ass. His breath caught, and he cleared his throat, hoping to cover his excitement. He loved the curve of Jake's ass. The way his back bunched and dipped. He couldn't help but think about sex as he worked though he knew it was wrong.

He rubbed for a long time, working out the knots. When he knew he'd spent way too much time touching Jake's ass he moved on to the injured arm.

After twenty minutes it was easy to be all business as he massaged the muscles, making sure to give the proper pressure. He felt good after finishing the injured arm, not at all like a skank hitting on the hot guy.

He moved around Jake, focusing on Jake's good arm. The feel of corded muscles under his hands made him want to bend over and kiss the guy. He jerked his hands back, surprised by the thought. Be professional.

Moving up Jake's arm, he concentrated on the man's neck, loving the feel of Jake's body even if it meant nothing to Jake.

"This feels wonderful." Jake's voice was muffled by the sheets.

The compliment made Lance's heart grow tight. If only he had the courage to lean forward and kiss Jake on the back of the neck. "I'm glad you like it."

"Yeah, the massage feels good too."

Lance stopped moving his hands, his breath stalled in his lungs. Had he heard Jake right? No way. He started massaging again. Jake groaned, and blew out a huge breath.

"You really need to take better care of yourself."

"What do you mean?"

Lance breathed in deep, loving the outdoorsy scent Jake gave off. "Your muscles are knotted. You've been working out but you're not getting enough water or proper nutrition."

"You can tell that by my muscles?"

Lance sat on his stool and rolled forward. He ran his fingers over Jake's shoulder blade. "This needs help." He took Jake's wrist and tugged his arm, stretching the muscles. "Is this a good stretch or too much?"

"No, it's good."

He laid Jake's arm back on the table by his head but Jake let his arm drop. His hand rested on Lance's leg.

Oh, my God, he's touching me. Lance didn't move, didn't breathe.