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Finn turns, his mouthwatering chest at eye level yet somehow, I manage to keep my attention on his questioning eyes.
“Brain Quest was an educational question and answer game,” I clarify. “After my mom died, my dad homeschooled me and so I traveled with him during the season.”
“That must have been hard.”
“Yes and no. Yes, because I didn’t have normal experiences like dances and pep rallies and cafeteria food. No, because being with my dad gave me the security I needed to do well in my studies. Not to mention I got to see so much of our country. Field Trip Fancy Pants right here.”
“You learned on the road,” he says, sounding almost envious.
“Mostly in hotel rooms and baseball stadiums. Anyway, we’ve gotten completely sidetracked and your coffee is probably cold now.”
“Your dad’s a good guy.” Finn’s voice is low, deep, steadfast. His sincerity so intense it’s almost tangible.
“He’s the best,” I manage to say, appreciative of Finn’s kind words. I’m pretty sure he’s referring to on and off the field, and his opinion means something to me. “All right, let’s get this over with.”
“Is my nakedness bothering you?”
“Not in the least,” I toss over my shoulder on my way to his bed. I wonder if his mattress is hard or soft. I wonder which side he sleeps on since there’s no obvious sign. Maybe he sleeps in the middle.
“Liar,” he whispers in my ear, making me jump.
Grrr.He knows way too much about me. “Let’s start off with you sitting against the headboard, one leg bent with the bottom of your foot on the mattress and the other leg bent knee down with your ankles crossed, so your legs make an open triangle,” I instruct in my best managerial voice.
Somehow, he follows that mouthful of direction, favoring his good side, and propping a pillow behind his back.
“Here, let me help.” I shore up another pillow behind him. “Do you want to put your sling back on? It’s fine if you do.”
“I’m good.”
“Okay.” I scroll through my phone for Earth Wind & Fire’s “Shining Star” and hit play. My song selection earns me an unguarded smile that is as hot as it is genuine. I take his picture then hand him the coffee. “Hold this just under your chin like you’re about to take a sip, eyes on me. Perfect!” I snap a few shots. The natural lighting plays off Finn’s coloring beautifully. “Now bring the cup to your mouth and take a sip. That’s great.” My thumb continues to get a workout as I take a bunch more photos. Seeing fatigue settle on Finn’s handsome face, I stop to swipe through the pics and discern if we’re good.
“Are you cool to do one more pose?” I ask, pushing my luck.
“If you have to ask, what does that tell you?”
“That you’re almost at your limit but you’ll take one more for the team.” I grin and hurry to position him. “Let me have you hold the cup on your leg here.” I carefully bring his arm to rest on his thigh. “Then cross your other arm over your abs and hold on to your elbow. Yes! Like that.” I take a step back and bring my camera phone back to my face. His biceps are bulging. It’s a heart-stopping thing.
“Now instead of smiling, give me a neutral look like we’re strangers and you’ve just noticed me for the first time but I haven’t noticed you yet. Very good.” Despite Finn’s wish to be done already, he is immensely photogenic. “Lastly, keep your face forward while I walk around the bed to score different angles.”
I capture a bunch more pictures, bopping to the music as I work. Once finished, I press stop on the song and sit at the foot of the bed. “That’s a wrap. Thank you. How about I buy you lunch for your troubles?” The Landsharks have given me a decent expense account to work with and I plan to use it.
Finn slips off the bed. “How about you join me instead?”
“Isn’t that the same thing?”
“Sure, we’ll go with that.”
I give him a what-are-you-talking-about look before I realize what I just did. “Wait. This isn’t a date. Just lunch.”
“Agreed.”
“So why do I feel like I’m missing something?”
He lifts his good shoulder. “I’ll shower and then we’ll go.”
I continue to sit there, riveted to the hand on the waistband of his sleep plants. Adonis, Adonis, what oh what do you promise?
“I don’t mind an audience, but I should warn you, you’ll be ruined for any other naked man.”
