Page 75 of Nerdplay
“Batman relies on gizmos. He isn’t naturally gifted.”
“How about Spider-Man?”
I nod. “That’s a good one.”
He scratches his arm. “Should I be worried about this?”
“I don’t think so. It didn’t get under your skin.”
He looks harder at me. “Why do I sense a but?”
“But there could be more that we can’t see.”
His eyes narrow. “Can’t see because they’re so tiny that they’re practically invisible?”
“This time of year they’re bigger, but they like fleshy, warm places.”
He grimaces. “Fleshy?”
I move to stand behind him. “Lift up your shirt.” He passes me the flashlight, and I shine the light on his bare back. I didn’t realize how sexy a back could be until this moment.
“Anything?” he asks.
“No, just a freckle.”
“I have a freckle?”
“Right above your hip bone.” I press my finger against the freckle, causing him to jump.
“Cold hands,” he says.
I laugh. “It’s eighty degrees.”
“Fine. I’m ticklish.”
“Why didn’t you say so? Or is being ticklish somehow emasculating?”
He doesn’t respond. I continue my examination and somehow manage to hold the flashlight steady as I focus on his arms. Those biceps deserve a spotlight. It’s a shame they’re regularly hidden beneath layers of designer suits. The corporate world’s loss is my gain.
“See anything?”
His question snaps me back to the task at hand. “Not yet.”
“You said warm, fleshy places.”
“I did.”
“Then shouldn’t we check...?” He drags his gaze lower.
I take a step back. “No way.”
“How do you expect me to look there? I’m not a contortionist and unless you have a mirror.” He stops. “Hold up. We can use the camera on my phone.”
My mouth runs dry. “You want me to take photos of your balls?”
“Not to keep.”
We stare at each other.
