Camera Shy (Lessons in Love, #1)(30)

I would laugh at his playfulness, but at the moment nothing is funny. By some miracle, I am standing in just my underwear in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror. The lighting is wildly unflattering. The man behind me may be the best-looking human being on the planet and somehow…

I’m okay.

More than okay.

I am so turned on.

I suck in a deep breath, watching my chest expand and rise. I find my courage and say as firmly as I can, “Finn—”

“Hush, Avery.” His eyes snap to mine as he raises one brow.

“This is the last thing I’ll say, I promise.”

“Fine.”

“I’m nervous but don’t let me stop. Undress me all the way. I can handle it.”

As he slowly wets his lips, I’m certain my body catches on fire. “I was going to leave your underwear on. Your period and all.”

I allow my cheeks to flush crimson red. Ah, who the fuck cares? We’ve made it this far. “You’re just looking, not touching. Does it bother you?”

“Not at all. I just didn’t want you to be too uncomfortable.”

I scowl at him. Uncomfortable? We’re so far past uncomfortable. We’re at throw caution to the wind and let’s see what the hell happens.

I blow out a shaky breath, feeling bolder by the second. I ride the wave of my bravery before it’s too late. “Take off my underwear. Tell me what else you see that you like.” Lie if you have to.

Finn nods and squeezes my hip bone. His fingers tease the waistline of my black cotton panties. He has a sexy Midas touch apparently. There’s nothing impressive about this pair of plain bikini-style underwear. But now that he’s touching it, it’s the sexiest article of clothing I own.

Finn traces my panty line back and forth, teasing me as he talks directly into my ear. “Avery, listen to me. You’re beautiful. You’re worthy. Don’t you dare let any man treat you like garbage. Don’t let any man tell you you’re lacking. If he doesn’t see you as sexy, he’s not using his eyes.” He hooks his finger around my chin and guides my view so I’m looking into my own eyes. “But confidence starts with you. A man is going to treat you how you treat yourself. So please, for the love of God, act like a fucking queen.”

Everything is wet.

I’m turned on. I’m teary-eyed. This is the most intimate I’ve been with another human being in my life. I want him. Stupid fucking period…ruining everything. Maybe he doesn’t mind—

“I have to stop here.” He drops his hand, leaving my panties securely around my hips, and steps backward. Suddenly, my wall of support is gone and I’m holding my own weight.

I spin around in a huff to face him. “What?” My wide eyes must look accusing because he raises his hands in surrender like he’s trying to calm a wild animal he provoked.

“It’s been way more than five minutes, and I can’t go any further without getting carried away. So…I should go.”

He’s not technically rejecting me. I didn’t offer. But shame rears its ugly head anyway, and the confident woman from two minutes before exits the stage. We’re back to the same ol’ Avery. Unsure…embarrassed…scared.

“Okay, I understand,” I say, crossing my arms over my bare chest, covering my nakedness as best as I can. “Good night then.”

He takes a few steps toward the closet entry. He stops, then spins around. “Hey, I have a long run planned for tomorrow morning. Eight miles at least.”

“Uh, okay,” I sass. This man is fucking crazy if he’s inviting me to run eight miles with him. “Have a good run.”

His shoulders shake as he laughs, understanding my sentiment. “What I mean is I’ll probably need the hot tub after. Say around eight?” He points to me. “This is either your warning to avoid me or your invitation to join me. Whatever you choose. Good night, Avery.”

With that, he’s gone.

He leaves me with a clear choice.

Did I like what just happened? Or is this man who is way out of my league and much too tempting, a dangerous choice in my life right now? Finn has unrequited love written all over him, and I’d be an idiot to let myself go there. But then again…

The way he was just looking at me in the mirror…

The way he made me feel about myself…

I think I’m standing at least an inch taller at the moment. I’ve never met a man in my life who treats a woman that way. Finn has the answers to a lot of questions on my mind. Questions I only have one summer to answer before reality punches back.

So it’s easy to make my choice.

I need to buy a swimsuit.





9


Finn





Her eyes.

The lukewarm water from the showerhead cascades over my shoulders, runs down my back, and splashes at my feet.

Those fucking eyes.

I shut my lids and see Avery’s eyes engrained in my mind. They were so light in front of the mirror, underneath the bright closet lights. They were the prettiest shade of seafoam green, with a hint of fire right when she told me to take her panties off.

I should’ve.

What stopped me?

The dickhead she wanted to marry who cheated on her, then dumped her instead. That’s who. He even had the nerve to blame her sex appeal. Avery is now the most emotionally fragile woman in the world. What’s gratuitous sex going to do except confuse the shit out of her? She doesn’t need to spiral like I did after Nora and I broke up. Hooking up left me feeling so much worse and constantly nervous that I’d contracted an STD or accidentally gotten a one-night stand pregnant. Add anxiety to heartbreak and what do you get?