I’m not even really a hot tub kind of girl, but I got a massive headache from all the hysteric crying after I got off the phone with Mason. I couldn’t find any painkillers in Dex’s home and I’m stranded without my car. A relaxing hot soak seemed like an interim remedy for my throbbing head.
I scowl at Finn. “And you looked?”
His shoulders shake as he lets out a soundless laugh. “I didn’t look. It just happened right in front of my eyes. If it makes you feel better, the back of the couch blocked everything from the waist down.”
I bury my face in my hands, breathing in the strong chlorine aroma. “I’m so sorry.”
“What?”
I let out a defeated laugh or more like a grumble. Maybe something in-between. “Sorry you had to see that.” I assume the baby raccoon protective position. If I can’t see Finn, he can’t see me…
But I hear him.
There’s a little splash as he slides back into the hot tub.
And I feel him.
Large hands gently peel mine from my face. His baby blues are two inches from my face. “Avery, did you just apologize to me because I saw you half naked?”
I don’t feel like this is the kind of question that needs a response. The way he’s looking at me is intimidating. He looks almost agitated. Standing this close to me, I realize how much larger he is than me. I never feel like the petite woman in the room, but Finn is making me feel really small at the moment.
“I see this all the time at my job,” he continues as he keeps his hands loosely locked around my wrists. He must know the second he releases them, they’ll snap right back to my face so I can hide again. “Apologizing about your body is ridiculous. Please don’t ever do that for me or for anyone else, okay?”
His intense stare is making me wildly uncomfortable, yet at the same time, I’m relieved he can read my mind. “Your job?” I wriggle my wrists in his grip and he immediately releases me.
“I run a boudoir photography studio.” He settles back into his seat in the corner of the hot tub.
“Oh. That’s definitely niche…yet you’re having trouble finding clients?”
“It’s not like I can really advertise some of my best work.”
“You shoot nudes?”
Finn shrugs. “Occasionally.” For the first time since he graced this deck with his presence, I see him flush, just slightly. “It’s not what you think. It’s all very tasteful.”
I cross my arms as my mind wanders. From what I understand, boudoir photography is trending. I think I remember reading some sort of statistic about how “boudoir” is one of the highest searched photography keywords next to wedding. “How’s your website health? Click traffic? Is it mobile optimized?”
My questions seem to surprise him. “Are you about to go all brand strategist on me?”
I shoot him a glib smile. “Yup,” I say, popping the P at the end of my response.
He shrinks a bit in his seat, sinking half an inch lower into the water. “It’s okay, I think.”
I give him a mischievous smile. “What’s your business name?”
“It’s just Finn Harvey photography.”
“So…let me guess, finn-harvey-photography-dot-com? Two Ns?”
He nods slowly, then his forehead crinkles as he watches my teasing smile spread. “Oh, no.”
“Oh, yes. It’s audit time, buddy. Let’s check your work.”
He lunges for me, but I’m shockingly too quick. With far more grace than I could pray for, I pop my ass out of the water onto the deck, swivel my legs around, and dart to my phone lying by Dex’s fancy built-in grill.
Finn is right behind me. We’re soaking the deck with chlorinated hot tub water. I shake my hands off before unlocking my phone. He wraps one arm around my rib cage from behind and tries to snatch my phone out of my hand as he chuckles against my ear.
“Not fair. I haven’t put in the marketing effort I probably should’ve. I’m totally unprepared for an audit.”
I laugh and hold my phone as far above my head as I can. He could easily take it from me as his reach far surpasses mine, but I get the feeling his arm is wrapped around me simply because he wants to touch me…
Is this…no…wait. Is he flirting?
He squeezes my rib cage gently and I nearly keel over from the ticklish feeling.
Holy shit. Is this flirting?
I almost ask him, until my phone vibrates in my hand. The notification banner preview shocks me so much I nearly throw up in my mouth.
I pull at Finn’s arm. He takes the cue and releases me. My whole demeanor changes in an instant and Finn looks concerned.
“Hey, are you okay?”
I ignore him, unable to speak as I open my text messages.
Mason
I want to see you tonight. It’s been over a month. I need that sweet pussy in my mouth again.
I might as well be in a movie. The entire set stills, and I’m sure the camera would zone in on my dismal facial expression with suspenseful music. My heart is pounding so hard I bet Finn can feel it from two steps away from me.
This text message wasn’t for me. I know because Mason doesn’t do that for me.
Maybe once or twice in our entire four years together has he put his head between my thighs. He told me it’s just not his style. He also would never speak to me that way. Never once in our entire relationship has he said the word pussy to me or around me.
But that word certainly isn’t the most shocking from the message. It’s the over a month, and the again part that’s making me feel sick.
The fucking bastard lied.
The cogs start spinning in my mind. He lied. He cheated on me. He’s been cheating on me. When? How is that possible? All he does is work…with me. Then it hits me. That’s why he wants this breakup to be amicable. He needs me for this contract. He’s known about Legacy Resorts for far longer than he’s led on. He’s using me.
Holy shit. I feel nearly nauseous and woozy, like my knees are going to give out. I watch the steam rising from the top of the hot tub and try to slip away with it.
Just float. Just disappear. Just rise…
“Avery, are you okay?” Finn’s low, honey-sweet tone is alluring enough that it pulls me back to reality.
Dammit. I was so close to just drifting away right back to numb.
“Hey, I, um…” I take a few steps backward toward my towel. “I think I’m going to call it a night.”
He scours my face. “Okay?” His lips twitch. “Is my website that bad?” He forces a chuckle, but his eyes are narrowed in concern.
“I didn’t look,” I mumble absentmindedly. I text Mason back before I can change my mind. I want him to know he’s caught.
Avery
Funny. I thought you hated doing that. Just with me, huh?
The minute my message says delivered, Mason calls me. He’s panicking, I’m sure. I would be too. Right now, I’m the key to unlocking a million dollars. If I were him, I’d be scared shitless.
I silence his call. Let him sweat. I hope he’s distracted as all hell when he’s fucking Maura tonight.
“Sorry, Finn,” I say, trying to refocus on the man in front of me, but all I can see is Mason’s face. His blotchy, anguished red face from the restaurant when he told me he loved me and would never cheat on me… “I need to get to bed but don’t feel like you have to rush out. Would you mind turning the hot tub off and covering it back up when you’re done?”