I charge through the gate separating my yard fromDex’s.I’mnot angry.Thedamn springs have too much tension.Youhave to rip through it or it’ll snap back and smack you in the face.Ilearned that lesson the tough way.
Innocentor not, me barreling through the gate like a bull startles the woman who is already in the hot tub.Hereyes bulge in surprise as her arm instinctively flies across her chest, sending a spray of water in my direction.Irecognize her immediately from outside ofDex’sdriveway today.
Neitherof us says anything.
She’sfrozen with a look of terror likeI’mabout to mug her.
Hergreen-gray eyes gleaming under the overhead deck lights stun me a little.Maybejust gray?Idon’t know.Theyare so light they almost look ghostly.Theyare hauntingly enthralling.
“Whoare you?” she finally asks. “Andwhy are you smiling like that?”
<i ss="calibre2">BecauseIlove when my hunches are right.Iknew you were pretty.</i>Idrag my hand over my mouth and wipe the smug smirk off my face.
“I’mFinn.”Inod over my shoulder while holding out the six-pack ofskanAmber. “I’mDex’sneighbor.Whoare you?”
Shetightens her forearm around her chest and sinks an inch lower under the water line. “Youjust barge into your neighbor’s private residence at nine o’clock at night, uninvited?”
<i ss="calibre2">Fairpoint.</i>Ittakes me a moment to realize why she’s holding herself so tightly and her entire demeanor is so defensive.Itry to hold in my chuckle. “YouknowDexhas a very serious girlfriend, right?”
“Yes.”Shesquints at me.
“Justmaking sure, seeing as you’re topless in his hot tub.”
Shelooks down at the bubbling water. “Youcan see me?”Hercheeks go from pink to red, once warm from the steam, now burning with embarrassment.
“No.”Ishake my head to reassure her. “Notwith the jets on, but you’ve got no straps and you’re holding your breasts like they might fall off, soIjust assumed.”Ishrug.
Tomy utter pleasant surprise, she bursts out in augh.Arich, melodicugh, punctuated with an adorably dorky snort.
“What’sso funny?”
Shetimidly raises her shoulders, ensuring all the important parts of her body stay covered under the water line. “Todayhas just been the weirdest fucking day.Ofcourse it ends like this.”
“Likewhat?”Itake one step forward.
“Withthe hot runner catching me skinny dipping in the hot tub.”
<i ss="calibre2">Hot</i><i ss="calibre2">runner, huh?I’lltake it.</i>
Withher free hand that doesn’t have her full tits wrapped in a death lock, she points to the three sides of the eight-foot privacy fence. “Imade sure no one could see me.Ididn’t anticipate anyoneing through the gate.Dexfailed to mention you’d be stopping by.”
“Hedidn’t know.Helets me use his hot tub wheneverIwant.”Itake another step forward and hold out the six-pack. “Inexchange,Ibring him beer.What’reyou doing here?”Ihave a clear view of her doll-like face, now.Herstriking eyes were easy to notice from three paces back.ButIcan appreciate her full cheeks and pink pouty lips much better from up close.
“I’mpet sitting”—she cocks her head to the side—“or more like fish sitting forDexthis summer.He’sguiding scuba tours for the next couple of months straight.”
“<i ss="calibre2">Oh</i>.”Makessense.Dexhas a weird obsession with his fish.Hehas about seven tanks in his home.Ialways expect his ce to smell fishy, but it’s surprisingly fresh every timeI’vebeen over. “Hedidn’t tell me you were staying here orIwouldn’t have barged in on you like this.Ican go…”Isay it as a statement, butImean it as a question.
OfcourseI’llgive her back her privacy, butI’mreally hoping she’s in the mood forpany.It’snot just that my aching lower back and stiff quads really could use a long soak, but it’s been a long time sinceI’vebeen this curious about a woman beforeIeven know her name.
Shepoints to the six-pack in my hand. “That’sa really good beer.”
Mysmile spreads wide. “YouknowskanAmber?Ifeel like everyoneImeet is a die-hardKillian’sfan.”
Shescrunches her face and shakes her head. “skanis<i ss="calibre2">so</i>much smoother.Plus,Ilike thepany’s back story better.”
“Backstory?”
“I’ma brand strategist.”Sherolls her wrist in the air. “Ipay attention to apany’s origin story as a part of their branding package—”Sheabruptly stops and rolls her eyes. “Sorry, not interesting.It’sFridaynight.Whowants to talk about work?”
Inod, butIactually don’t find it uninteresting at all. “Hey, what’s your name?”
“Oh, sorry.”Sheinstinctively rises with her hand extended, until apparently, she remembers she’s topless and immediately ms back into the tub to hide her body, causing the water to ssh out onto the deck on all sides.
ThistimeIopenlyugh.I’veseen so many sets of tits between my work life and my sex life,I’mimmune.Buther shyness is endearing. “Ididn’t see anything,”Isay between hearty huffs ofughter.
“I’mAvery,” she mumbles, looking up at the perg strung with lights above us, refusing to look at me. “AveryScott.”
“Well,AveryScott,I’lllet you enjoy your evening.”Itake a step backward as a test.
“Wait!”
<i ss="calibre2">Thankfully, she passes.</i>
Hersmile reminds me of the one before, from the car this morning.Genuine.Sincere.Shemust be starting to rx.Especiallynow that she’s probably awareI’mnot here to rob her. “Don’tbe silly.Youclearly wanted to use the hot tub.I’mpretty much done.”
Inod at her.It’sa bit of a reach, butItake my shot. “Ormaybe we both stay?Doyou want somepany?Ican share my beer,”Isay, raising one brow. “I’dlove to find out what the hell a brand strategist is.”
Tomy great surprise, she slowly nods.Ireally thought she was going to take the out. “Sure.Soundsgood.Butcould you turn around first and close your eyes soIcan grab my towel?I’llput on a swimsuit ande back.”
Iset my six-pack down on the deck whereI’mstanding and walk over to fetch the fluffy green towel draped over the patio chair behind us.Squattingdown near the edge of the tub,Ioffer her the towel.Withmy other hand,Ipoint to the far side of the hot tub. “Ican just stay on my side andItold you,Ican’t see anything.”Iforce myself to lock onto her peculiarly light eyes and don’t dare let my gaze scour what it wants to.
“Thankyou,” she says, matching my stare with a clipped smile. “Butit’s not so much thatI’mtopless…it’s thatI’mnot wearing any bottoms either.”Averypoints to the deck, whereIshould leave the towel, and then rotates her finger in the air.Irise, then obediently follow directions and spin around.Ieven cover my eyes.
Ihear the water falling off her and sshing into the tub as she must be climbing out in a hurry.
“Okay,I’mdecent.”
Ispin back around to seeAverysecured in the oversized green fluffy towel.She’sa little shorter thanIwas picturing.I’mbarely over six-foot, yetIreally tower over her.
“I’llbe right back.”
Shemakes her way through the ss sliding door, leaving me alone with the tub, my beer, and a whole lot of anticipation for a night that just got far more interesting.<h3 ss="inline-image-container">Avery
“Wantone more?”Finnasks, removing thest two bottles ofskanAmberfrom the cardboard six-pack.Usingthe bottle opener he brought, he pops both lids.
“Whynot?Noone’s driving tonight.Wecan be sloppy.”
Hesmirks. “Twobeers get you sloppy?”Herises and crosses no man’snd, finding me on the opposite side of the hot tub.Heholds out one bottle.Itake it, but this time he stays on my side.Idon’t me him.We’vebasically been shouting at each other across the tub for the past twenty minutes.It’shard to make conversation over the loud rumble of the jets.
“Nope, but three might,”Isay before taking a swig of the fresh beer.<i ss="calibre2">Mmm.</i>It’scrisp.Itook too long to finish myst bottle and did not appreciate the bitter, t end, warmed by the steam of the tub.
“Cheersto sloppy then.”Finnpoints over my shoulder toDex’shouse. “Youmute home seems manageable.”Heshoots me a little wink andIpurposely ignore the flutter in my chest.
Finnis easily the sexiest manI’veever seen in person.I’mthoroughly convinced he identally wandered out of some woman’s fantasy and got stuck here in reality.He’seven fitter thanIrealized this morning.Runnersare usually lean.Theway he had his legs secured with athletic tape,Iassumed he’s a serious runner, but up close it’s clear that his exercise routine includes far more than cardio.
Hisentire left arm is tatted as well.I’veseen a lot of tribal sleeves but never something like this.Ican’t make out all the pictures with his arm bobbing in and out of the water, but the image starting on his broad, muscr shoulder is a ghost pirate ship.Thesails are tattered, and there’s half a skull on one of the main sails.Theintricate designs show off some seriously impressive artistic ability.I’venever seen a tattoo like this, which should be pped on a canvas and hung in a museum.
Itreally adds toFinn’salready peak-level attractiveness.
Whichactually makes it much easier to talk to him.
Iam not one bit nervous about sharing a beer and a conversation with theAdonisnext to me in the bubbling hot tub.Thereason is simple.He’sso damn hot thatI’vefriend-zoned the<i ss="calibre2">shit</i>out of him.He’sin the no-touch zone, locked in a box, key flung into the ocean, because there is no way onGod’sgreen earth thatIcan handle an unrequited crush situation right now.He’sso far out of my league, it hurts.Buthe’s also funny and smiley, and our conversation is a wee distraction from the fact thatI’llbe spending the night alone.
Thefirst night by myself.Ileft my home and moved immediately ontoPalmer’scouch.Thiswill be the first nightI’mtruly by myself and have to face the music that this is my new reality.<i ss="calibre2">Alone.</i>
“Sowhat exactly does a brand strategist do?”Finnasks as his baby blue eyes lock on mine.Obviously, he has pretty eyes and darkshes that entuate them.BecauseallGreciangods have sexy eyes that can stun you into oblivion.
Itake a quick swig of my beer. “Thesimplest way to exin it isIevaluate brands and provide them with guidance on how to adjust their marketing to mize and scale.”
Heblinks at me. “That’sthe vaguest responseIthinkI’veever heard.”
ugh. “Okay, how about this?Ihelp brandse up with a game n to be visible andpetitive.SoIdo a lot of industry research and helppanies n their branding image.Iconsult on everything from logos and print material to blueprints for product packaging if they sell tangible products.Ido web design and help develop a pricing strategy.”Iraise my brows atFinn. “Icould continue…”
Hesquints one eye at me. “Allthat stuff is necessary for a business to bring in money?”
Icinch my eyes closed and nod. “Definitely.Eightypercent of being profitable is being visible.Yes, having a good product or service is important, but it really doesn’t matter unless customers know you exist.Mostbusinesses fail not because they aren’tpetitive.It’sjust because people don’t know about them.”
Finnpoints at me. “That’s<i ss="calibre2">exactly</i>whatI’mdealing with right now.”Hetakes another long swig of his beer before setting it on the deck behind him. “I’mhaving the hardest time finding clients.”
“Whatdo you work in?”
Hehesitates for a brief moment, then says with confidence, “Photography.”
“Ah, that’s a tricky one.Unlessyou have a niche, the market is saturated.Notto mention there are really no barriers to entry.Anyonecan be a photographer, and the prestige of names likeAnselAdamsis a thing of the past.Notto mention, video content is superior these days.”
Heblinks at me in surprise.
“Oh,I’msorry.Idon’t mean to be discouraging.Ijust meant you’re probably a great photographer, but it’s a hard business to sustain.”
“Icouldn’t agree more.”Hebraces against the deck and hoists himself out of the tub.Sittingon the edge of the deck, his legs dangle two inches from my shoulder. “I’mhot.Areyou hot?Ineed a break.”
Ishrug asIturn my head. “I’mnot too—”Ichoke on my spit whenIrealizeI’mat eye level with his crotch.Histrunks are soaked and are melded to the outline of his dick, which is in-your-face massive.
“Whoa, you okay?”Hepats my shoulder, likely because he’s unable to reach my back pressed against the hot tub wall.
“Beer…wrong pipe…”Imanage to say through sputtering, butInotice his eyes dart from me to the beer resting on the deck behind me, whichIhaven’t touched in at least a minute.
“What?”
“Okay, fine,”Imumble, then clear my throat one more time. “You’re…”Itwist my wrist. “Youknow…kind of on disy.”
Hiseyes fall to hisp. “Oh, sorry.”Finnimmediately unties his trunks as he spreads his legs into a wideV.Heslips his hand underneath his waistband, grabs his dick, and tucks it out of sight.Howthat’s possible,Idon’t know.Hispenis could probably be spotted from outer space.I’dlike to sayIhave more self-control, but no,Iwatched the entire fiasco with my mouth wide open. “Better?” he asks,pletely unashamed.
“Mhmm,”Imumble.Igrab my beer and chug just to have something to do.
“Iguess we’re even now,” he says with a chuckle.
“Excuseme?”
Finnshrugs nonchntly like we’re talking about what we had for lunch. “Isaw your tits earlier.”
Igawk.Caughtoff guard,Ido the most childish thingIcan think of and throw a handful of water at his face. “Yousaid you couldn’t see anything.”
Laughing, he holds up his hands in surrender asIcup my hand to prepare another water grenade. “Icouldn’t in the hot tub, but you dropped your towel when you got into the living room.Youmust’ve forgotten about the windows in there.”Hepoints to the left side of the deck whereDex’sliving room is in clear sight through enormous clear ss panes.Soclear in fact,Ican see thatCherryhas finally finished swimming around in a frenzy and is nowhere in sight.
<i ss="calibre2">Fuckme.</i>Idropped my towel right in front of the damn fish tank.Ofcourse he saw everything.
Iwas in such a hurry to get dressed,Ithrew on my bra, tank top, and underwear whereI’dleft them earlier onDex’snavy sectional.WhenIdecided to hot tub naked this evening, it wasn’t becauseIwas trying to be sensual.Itwas becauseIdidn’t bring a swimsuit.BecauseIdon’t like getting into swimsuits.I<i ss="calibre2">hate</i>the beach.Idon’t like being photographed half naked unlike the millions of otherCalifornianswho go to the beach for selfie photo shoots.Hownice it must be to have a body you don’t mind documented.
I’mnot even really a hot tub kind of girl, butIgot a massive headache from all the hysteric crying afterIgot off the phone withMason.Icouldn’t find any painkillers inDex’shome andI’mstranded without my car.Arxing hot soak seemed like an interim remedy for my throbbing head.
Iscowl atFinn. “Andyou looked?”
Hisshoulders shake as he lets out a soundlessugh. “Ididn’t<i ss="calibre2">look</i>.Itjust happened right in front of my eyes.Ifit makes you feel better, the back of the couch blocked everything from the waist down.”
Ibury my face in my hands, breathing in the strong chlorine aroma. “I’mso sorry.”
“What?”
Ilet out a defeatedugh or more like a grumble.Maybesomething in-between. “Sorryyou had to see that.”Iassume the baby roon protective position.IfIcan’t seeFinn, he can’t see me…
ButIhear him.
There’sa little ssh as he slides back into the hot tub.
AndIfeel him.
Largehands gently peel mine from my face.Hisbaby blues are two inches from my face. “Avery, did you just apologize to me becauseIsaw you half naked?”
Idon’t feel like this is the kind of question that needs a response.Theway he’s looking at me is intimidating.Helooks almost agitated.Standingthis close to me,Irealize how muchrger he is than me.Inever feel like the petite woman in the room, butFinnis making me feel really small at the moment.
“Isee this all the time at my job,” he continues as he keeps his hands loosely locked around my wrists.Hemust know the second he releases them, they’ll snap right back to my face soIcan hide again. “Apologizingabout your body is ridiculous.Pleasedon’t ever do that for me or for anyone else, okay?”
Hisintense stare is making me wildly ufortable, yet at the same time,I’mrelieved he can read my mind. “Yourjob?”Iwriggle my wrists in his grip and he immediately releases me.
“Irun a boudoir photography studio.”Hesettles back into his seat in the corner of the hot tub.ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
“Oh.That’sdefinitely niche…yet you’re having trouble finding clients?”
“It’snot likeIcan really advertise some of my best work.”
“Youshoot nudes?”
Finnshrugs. “asionally.”Forthe first time since he graced this deck with his presence,Isee him flush, just slightly. “It’snot what you think.It’sall very tasteful.”
Icross my arms as my mind wanders.FromwhatIunderstand, boudoir photography is trending.IthinkIremember reading some sort of statistic about how “boudoir” is one of the highest searched photography keywords next to wedding. “How’syour website health?Clicktraffic?Isit mobile optimized?”
Myquestions seem to surprise him. “Areyou about to go all brand strategist on me?”
Ishoot him a glib smile. “Yup,”Isay, popping thePat the end of my response.
Heshrinks a bit in his seat, sinking half an inch lower into the water. “It’sokay,Ithink.”
Igive him a mischievous smile. “What’syour business name?”
“It’sjustFinnHarveyphotography.”
“So…let me guess, finn-harvey-photography-dot?TwoNs?”
Henods slowly, then his forehead crinkles as he watches my teasing smile spread. “Oh, no.”
“Oh, yes.It’saudit time, buddy.Let’scheck your work.”
Helunges for me, butI’mshockingly too quick.Withfar more grace thanIcould pray for,Ipop my ass out of the water onto the deck, swivel my legs around, and dart to my phone lying byDex’sfancy built-in grill.
Finnis right behind me.We’resoaking the deck with chlorinated hot tub water.Ishake my hands off before unlocking my phone.Hewraps one arm around my rib cage from behind and tries to snatch my phone out of my hand as he chuckles against my ear.
“Notfair.Ihaven’t put in the marketing effortIprobably should’ve.I’mtotally unprepared for an audit.”
ugh and hold my phone as far above my head asIcan.Hecould easily take it from me as his reach far surpasses mine, butIget the feeling his arm is wrapped around me simply because he wants to touch me…
Isthis…no…wait.Ishe flirting?
Hesqueezes my rib cage gently andInearly keel over from the ticklish feeling.
<i ss="calibre2">Holyshit.Isthis flirting?</i>
Ialmost ask him, until my phone vibrates in my hand.Thenotification banner preview shocks me so muchInearly throw up in my mouth.
Ipull atFinn’sarm.Hetakes the cue and releases me.Mywhole demeanor changes in an instant andFinnlooks concerned.
“Hey, are you okay?”
Iignore him, unable to speak asIopen my text messages.<blockquote ss="text-conversation">
MASON
Iwant to see you tonight.It’sbeen over a month.Ineed that sweet pussy in my mouth again.</blockquote>
Imight as well be in a movie.Theentire set stills, andI’msure the camera would zone in on my dismal facial expression with suspenseful music.Myheart is pounding so hardIbetFinncan feel it from two steps away from me.
Thistext message wasn’t for me.Iknow becauseMasondoesn’t do<i ss="calibre2">that</i>for me.
Maybeonce or twice in our entire four years together has he put his head between my thighs.Hetold me it’s just not his style.Healso would never speak to me that way.Neveronce in our entire rtionship has he said the word pussy to me or around me.
Butthat word certainly isn’t the most shocking from the message.It’sthe<i ss="calibre2">over a month</i>,<i ss="calibre2"></i>and the<i ss="calibre2">again</i>part that’s making me feel sick.
Thefucking bastard lied.
Thecogs start spinning in my mind.<i ss="calibre2">Helied.</i>Hecheated on me.<i ss="calibre2">He’sbeen cheating on me.</i>When?Howis that possible?Allhe does is work…<i ss="calibre2">with me</i>.Thenit hits me.That’swhy he wants this breakup to be amicable.Heneeds me for this contract.He’sknown aboutLegacyResortsfor far longer than he’s led on.<i ss="calibre2">He’susing me.</i>
Holyshit.Ifeel nearly nauseous and woozy, like my knees are going to give out.Iwatch the steam rising from the top of the hot tub and try to slip away with it.
Justfloat.Justdisappear.Justrise…
“Avery, are you okay?”Finn’slow, honey-sweet tone is alluring enough that it pulls me back to reality.
<i ss="calibre2">Dammit.</i>Iwas so close to just drifting away right back to<i ss="calibre2">numb</i>.
“Hey,I, um…”Itake a few steps backward toward my towel. “IthinkI’mgoing to call it a night.”
Hescours my face. “Okay?”Hislips twitch. “Ismy website<i ss="calibre2">that</i>bad?”Heforces a chuckle, but his eyes are narrowed in concern.
“Ididn’t look,”Imumble absentmindedly.ItextMasonback beforeIcan change my mind.Iwant him to know he’s caught.<blockquote ss="text-conversation">
AVERY
Funny.Ithought you hated doing that.Justwith me, huh?</blockquote>
Theminute my message says delivered,Masoncalls me.He’spanicking,I’msure.Iwould be too.Rightnow,I’mthe key to unlocking a million dors.IfIwere him,I’dbe scared shitless.
Isilence his call.<i ss="calibre2">Lethim sweat.</i>Ihope he’s distracted as all hell when he’s fuckingMauratonight.
“Sorry,Finn,”Isay, trying to refocus on the man in front of me, but allIcan see isMason’sface.Hisblotchy, anguished red face from the restaurant when he told me he loved me and would never cheat on me… “Ineed to get to bed but don’t feel like you have to rush out.Wouldyou mind turning the hot tub off and covering it back up when you’re done?”
“Okay,” he says.
Ican tell he wants to ask more, but he doesn’t.<i ss="calibre2">Thankyou,Finn.</i>ThankGodthis man knows exactly whatIneed right now.Privacy.SoIcan shatter into a million tiny pieces.
“Havea good night.”
Ifreeze, trying to hold back the tears for a moment longer.<i ss="calibre2">Don’tfucking cry,Avery.Thisis embarrassing enough.Don’tbe that girl.Thisis just icing on the shit cake.YouandMasonare already over…</i>
ExceptmaybeIdidn’t believe that.MaybeIthought time and space would heal all.MaybeIthoughtMasonwould miss me enough toe to his senses.
MaybeI’mthe dumbest girl on the.
“Goodnight,Finn,”Isay over my shoulder asIslip through the sliding ss doors into the house.