Page 114 of The Nicest Thing
"I know," he said, sounding pained."Told you before that I disagree with what you said."
"Which part?" I asked.
"I do want to see, Rose."Finn's voice dropped, and it felt like a caress.Silky, smooth, with that hint of a rasp making it irresistible."You're almost naked, close enough to touch.It's taking every bit of self-control I have not to turn around right now."
"I get it," I said with a smile."There's a half-naked woman within reach, and you can't help yourself.I think I wrote this scene in one of my books.Anyway, thanks for being a gentleman, Finn."
"Wrong again," he said.
My brows furrowed."What do you mean?"
"It's not because there's a half-naked woman near me."
His head turned to the side, glancing slightly over his shoulder.
"It's because it's you."
CHAPTER 16: Rose
It's because it's you.
It's because it's you.
It's because it's you.
Finn's words flowed like a never-ending river in my mind.I couldn't get them to stop.My overthinking was going into overdrive.What did he mean?It certainly sounded like he was struggling not to look because I was getting undressed only feet away.Not just any woman.But…me.
But that couldn't possibly be right.
Could it?
I glanced to the side and caught sight of Finn doing sit-ups.After I'd gotten into my pajamas, I pulled out my laptop intent on adding some words to my manuscript.If we were stuck here, I should at least make the most of it.The atmosphere was perfect for writing.Rainy days were the best.Although it was still icy cold in the cabin, we'd found candles as well as a pile of blankets, one of which I was currently curled up under.I'd also managed to start a small fire using the skills I'd learned as a girl scout—something Finn seemed to find endearing—and lit the candles that way.In my writing, I'd reached the part of the book where my characters were seconds away from having a passionate, steamy encounter filled with swoony moments—which was an absolute candy bar scene for me.I loved romantic scenes.There was only one problem.
I kept getting distracted.
Or actually, no.
Someonewas distracting me.
I didn't think Finn was doing it on purpose.He'd popped in his earphones, seeming to completely ignore my presence, andstarted exercising almost immediately after our conversation.The one where he said…
You're almost naked, close enough to touch.It's taking every bit of self-control I have not to turn around right now.
I closed my eyes, remembering.
It's not because there's a half-naked woman near me.
It's because it's you.
Finn had addled my brain.I was so confused yet flattered.But I didn't know if I should be or if I was taking everything out of context as only a romance author and book lover could.Still…the not knowing was maddening.
Re-opening my eyes, I typed a few words—or maybe it was the same word several times.I wasn't sure.Because Finn had now moved on to pushups.And yeah…
Although I knew it was a ridiculous thought, it felt like he was putting on a show just for me.And I was here for it.
He suddenly paused.
"I feel you watching me, Rose," he said.
