Page 44 of Camera Shy

“Okay, so then you know it’s for like dirty talk.”

“I’m aware.”

“I thought I’d try my hand at dirty talk. I downloaded it.” She smacks her lips. “May I just say it’s kind of terrifying that it took me less than ten minutes to purchase the app, download it, create a username, get into a chat room, and read a message from a man who said he wanted to watch cum drip down my chin as I choked on his mammoth rock-hard cock.”

I snicker at her incredulous expression. “And what did you say to that?”

She tents her hands over her face, hiding. “I said ‘Cool. Sounds good,’” she mumbles through her fingers. “He left the chat room immediately.”

I burst out into laughter. “That’s the best you could come up with?”

“See? It’s why I need your help. I don’t get it. Why do men think that’s sexy? It’s hot for a girl to be gagging and choking and crying? I don’t understand this. Is it just crude talk, or is that really want men want?”

I sigh and set my drink aside. Advancing closer, I use my body as a wall to lock her into the corner of the hot tub. I hover over her, purposely puffing up my chest. “Hold out your hands,” I command.

She does as I ask and I lock both of her wrists in one hand. Squeezing hard, I raise her hands above her head and put my lips an inch from hers. Her chest pulses up and down, and I can almost feel the nerves.

“When you get down to it,” I say in a low grumble, “we’re just animals and it’s about domination. It gets our testosterone flowing when we feel powerful. Our cocks are harder and bigger, and we have more endurance. When a woman gets on her knees or is pinned down and agrees to do whatever we ask when we ask for it, we feel like the masters of our own universe. It’s a fleeting moment in time when we have control in this chaotic world. It’s not about seeing you suffer. It’s just about us feeling powerful. It’s a turn-on.”

She’s stunned, her eyes fixated on my lips. “Yeah,” she barely whispers, “okay, that makes sense I guess—”

“But a really powerful man knows the secret,” I continue, purposely making my voice low and grisly, trying to test whether this brooding attitude works on her.

“What secret?” Her voice cracks.

Oh, it definitely works. Avery doesn’t need lessons. She needs a man who’s willing to give it to her rough and dirty. She just wants to feel wild…and wanted.

“That you come harder when your girl comes first. That’s real power.” I release her wrists and plant a quick kiss on her forehead, retreating back to my side of the hot tub. “So,” I say lightening my tone, “how’d you find out about Rumble?”

She blinks at me. “Does that also make you feel powerful? Teasing me?” Her narrowed eyes and low tone lead me to believe she’s a little pissed.

“You asked me a question.” I shrug innocently. “I answered.”

She rolls her eyes with a huff. “Mason was using it. I thought he was cheating on me, but he wasn’t. He was role-playing with some girl from that app.”

My jaw clenches when I understand where this is headed. “That’s still cheating, Avery. Phone sex is still sex.”

“It’s not cheating if we were broken up,” she mutters.

“Technicality. Why does it even matter?”

“Because,” she says coolly as her eyes narrow further, “I can’t forgive a cheater. But I could forgive an idiot.”

I might’ve crossed a line. Avery’s a big girl and can make her own decisions…but she cried in my lap last night over what this guy did to her. It’s not right. “You want to get good at sex to win him back?”

“No, Finn. I just want to feel better about myself.” She hunches her shoulders. “I don’t know how else to say it. I want sex to be exciting, not so nerve-racking that it’s scary. That’s all.”

“Okay,” I say and her eyes perk up, so I quickly clarify. “Okay as in I get it, but I need some time to think about it, Avery. It’s not because I’m not interested. It’s because…”

Because we can talk. And you’re fun. You’re comfortable enough with me to ask me to teach you how to have good sex? It’s clear we already like each other. If we fuck, we’re going to fall for each other. I’m sure of it. And neither of us can handle that right now. Neither of us can handle the fallout of yet another breakup. Not to mention Avery’s clearly not over her ex. Nora still haunts me…

This is a terrible idea.

“Because what?” Avery asks, reminding me I didn’t finish my sentence.

“I just need to think about it. I want to help you, but I don’t want to hurt you. I have to think about what that means.”

She gives me a small smile as she nods. “Okay. Think about it. In the meantime, let’s get back to business.” She sits a little taller again. “I seriously think you should consider a new logo.”

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