I’m hit with inspiration, so I quickly change my top and hit record again.
“Okay guys, listen up. Today I want to talk about stubble. Ladies, we all know how sexy it looks, right? Especially on a strong jaw. Is there anything that displays manliness more? No. We all agree. But that’s from afar. Close up, it hurts. It makes kissing a scratch fest and can leave your partner’s delicate skin raw. Worst of all, guys, by not shaving, you’re risking your woman not wanting to kiss you at all. So do both of you a favor, and shave ahead of time.”
I ramble on a bit more about stubble, and when I have enough material to use, I sit back down at the desk.
This is great. Already Knox is giving me ideas for videos. Over the past few months, my videos have lost their enthusiasm and gotten stale, but now, now it seems like my career is saved.
Gazing at him out the window, I’m hit with another idea. I change my top again and step back in front of the webcam.
“Today I want to talk to both you men and women equally. This topic isn’t so much about how to do things, but how to look at things. I often get emails and comments from you about your struggles to get turned on anymore by your partner. Instead of looking at their bodies, I want you to look at the things they do every day that are sexy. Simple things. For example, is there anything sexier than a man doing his best to nurture his child? I guess that goes the other way around, too. It’s all in how you look at the little things, and when you appreciate those things, you’re heart softens to them. And when that happens, you’re bound to look at them differently.”
I know I look at Knox differently after today. It’s obvious he’d do anything for Piper. And that being in over his head and out of his comfort zone today was bothering him. But that didn’t stop him from trying. Until he ran away to the garage anyway.
Sitting at my desk, I edit the Pink Curlies video followed by the two videos Knox inspired, sneaking frequent looks out my window at him. After each look, I chastise myself. But that still doesn’t stop me considering taking my top off and calling to him out my window.
In the end I don’t because he seemed serious about his terms about Piper, and I don’t want to mess things up right now. Not when my videos are about to be reinvigorated from the hottest man ever.
It’s getting late by the time I finish editing, and I promised Piper I’d be back for supper. It’s nice to not have to eat alone in my house, and I’m looking forward to going over there.
I post the stubble video but save the other Knox-inspired video for another day.
A message arrives in my inbox. My shoulders drop as I read it. It’s a form letter from YouTube, saying they’re investigating the YouTube comments from the donkey guy.
Frustrated, I shut my laptop.
Without even thinking about changing my clothes, I grab some beers and head out the door.
Standing on Knox’s doorstep, I ring the doorbell.
“Avery!” Piper says, answering the door. I swear everything that comes out of her mouth is an exclamation.
“Hey, how’re you feeling now?” I ask, entering the house and following her into the living room.
“Okay, the cramps aren’t as bad. But they still hurt.”
“Think you feel comfortable enough to go to school tomorrow?” Please say yes.
She shrugs, “Dunno.”
I try to hide the disappointment on my face.
“We'll see how you feel in the morning. Where’s your dad?”
“In the kitchen, making supper.”
“I’m going to see if he needs any help.”
Knox
“I brought some beers,” Avery says, appearing in my kitchen.
She’s changed out of that crazy cleavage dress, into black pants and a bright blue shirt I recognize from her video on how to give the perfect blowjob. I’ve watched that video so many times, I know every stitch of that blouse. And I’ve fantasized about ripping it off more times than I care to admit.
“Thanks.” I take them from her and put them in the fridge.
“Smells great in here. Need any help with dinner?” she says, her voice slow and arousing.
I should tell her to go home and change. Or at least to go and sit with Piper. Instead I say, “You put the forks on the table.”
“Sure thing.”
Avery opens the drawer I’m pointing at and takes out three forks.
“It’s goulash,” I say, standing over my one-pot wonder.
“I love goulash,” she says, but I’m not sure whether to believe her.
She comes up close beside me, the lengths of our bodies touching. This is dangerous, she should go in the other room. But first, I can’t resist bending my neck and brushing my lips through her hair. The contact sends a shiver down my back, all the way to my feet.