Camera Shy (Lessons in Love, #1)(38)

Avery continues on about separating the sites and driving the right kinds of click traffic to two sides of the business. She discusses rebranding and merchandise ideas for additional streams of revenue. I try to soak up every word, but she’s talking so fast, my head is spinning.

“What’s your annual income before operation costs?”

I finally experience the shame Avery says she feels around me all the time. This is how it feels when you think someone is so far out of your league. “It’s embarrassing.”

“Finn, I’m not trying to embarrass you. I’m trying to tell you there’s potential here. Are you making nearly 150K a year? Because you should be.”

“Barely a third of that.”

“I can get you there,” she says with such confidence. “Give me the summer. I can definitely get you on track.”

I scoop a handful of water and wet my hair. “I happened to check out your website too. As much as I want your help, I can’t afford you. Sixteen grand, minimum?”

She cringes. “Oh, that’s outdated. Mason must not have updated the website. I should’ve caught that. We don’t take clients for less than twenty-five now, but that includes investment into paid advertising—look, Finn,” she says, holding up her palms and shaking them in the air, “it’s neither here nor there because I’m offering to help you for free…kind of.”

“I couldn’t ask that of you—”

“Actually, I’m asking it of you.” She shrivels again. Her queen-like presence, diminished. Avery looks so nervous all of a sudden as her thumb knocks against the water line, making little splashes. “A trade. I help you…you help me.”

“You want a free boudoir session?”

She scoffs with such force, she chokes on her own spit. “Oh, hell no. No, no. No. Seeing me is one thing, but photographing me? Documenting all my insecurities with a camera that adds ten pounds? No…no…just no.”

And now, just like that, I want her naked in my studio more than I’ve wanted anything in my life. Just to prove to her that she doesn’t see herself accurately.

I touch my fingertips to my temple. “What do you want then? I have nothing I can give you that’s worth twenty-five thousand dollars.”

“Yesterday…” she says as though it’s an explanation.

“Say more.”

Her eyes shift to the left, away from me. “I was with the same man for four years.”

“I know. You told me…”

“Never once did he see me naked with the lights on.”

“Really? Not in four years?”

She shakes her head. “Nope. He never acted like he wanted to. The way you”—she clears her throat and forces herself to look at me—“talked to me and…touched me. It made me feel brave. I want to be able to do that. I want to stop missing out.”

“Missing out on what?” I can feel my forehead crinkling. Where the hell is she going with this?

“Good sex. I want to know what men like and I want to enjoy it. I will save your photography business if you teach me how to have good sex. That’s the deal.”

Holy shit. I need another beer. Actually, I need a whole keg.

Reaching over Avery, I grab another bottle. I don’t bother grabbing the opener. I angle the tip against the side of the deck and pound the bottleneck. The lid rolls away as the beer foam spills over my hand. I chug the entire thing, trying to buy a little time to think. Avery is patiently quiet. She’s nervous but not pushy.

“So you want me to tell you what positions men like best or something?”

She shakes her head. “No. I could watch porn for that. I need you to show me. I need practice and real-time feedback, so when I do get back out there, I’ll know next time…” Her bottom lip trembles and she quickly covers her mouth.

“Next time you’ll know what?”

Inhaling deeply, she composes herself. “That if things don’t work out, it’s not my fault because I suck at sex.”

Where does her prick of an ex-boyfriend live? I really want to pay him a visit.

“I understand how crazy this sounds, but last night it seemed like you wouldn’t mind sleeping with me—”

I snatch her hand out of the water immediately and put it to my lips. Her lips twitch into a little smile. “If I’m hesitating, it’s not because of the reason you’re thinking. But this is complicated.” I drop her hand and step backward. “You’re asking me to take advantage of you while you’re at your lowest. And I don’t know how to represent the entire male population. Every man likes something different. I mean, what if I’m into really kinky stuff?”

Her brows quirk up. “Are you?”

I shrug. “Nothing…degrading, just sometimes I like—ah! No. Avery, I’m sorry. I can’t do this. I couldn’t even ask you out because I’m still not over my ex.”

“Oh.” Her entire face falls and I can tell it’s taking every ounce of restraint for her not to flee from this hot tub. “Okay, that’s okay. I know this was out of left field. Let’s forget it…”

I let out a heavy sigh. “I mean, I’m not over the way my ex treated me. I don’t love her anymore, but I’m still angry. I’m not ready to get involved with anyone right now.”