Page 39 of Hail Marry
I pull my cheek away from Luca’s and look up at him. His eyes are a rich, dark brown, just like his hair. I note the small line on the top of his cheekbone where the skin is lighter. A scar of some sort. A story I don’t know.
His expression is inscrutable.
“Is this torture for you?” I ask with an amused smile. I’m determined not to take offense at how completely rigid he is. It’s as if he’s never held a woman before, but I know that can’t be true. He’s a good-looking guy and a star player for USC, for heaven’s sake.
“No,” he says, and there’s an infinitesimal shift in him, like he’s trying to relax.
“Liar,” I retort.
There are more clicks, but they stop abruptly.
Jasper walks over and instructs Luca where to stand next, then he pulls me aside. “Just need to adjust your hair a bit.”
I let him do his thing, but trying to get my hair to cooperate is a losing battle. In a low voice, he says, “Luca’s looking stiff, so we’re going to try to help him loosen up a little, okay?”
I laugh, and it sounds nervous even to me. “He’s not big on cameras.”
“Hey, I get it. I’m sure he’s not like this when it’s just you and him, right?” He smiles knowingly. “But I bet we can get him to relax a little. So, here’s the plan. I’ll pose you guys, and then when I saythree, I want you to do something for me.”
I nod, waiting to hear my instructions.
“I want you to squeeze his butt.”
I stare at him.
Jasper grins widely. “Give it a good pinch.”
I force a laugh. A woman actually married to Luca would have no problem with this. It’s good, playful, newlywed fun.
But I’m operating under very different conditions here—conditions that could well lead to Luca tackling me. Or a sexual assault charge.
Jasper winks, then backs up to get ready to shoot.
I tug down the bottom of my dress and walk toward Luca, who’s shooting a questioning look at me, like he’s curious what Jasper said. The man has no idea what’s coming. I’m not sure itiscoming, honestly, because…can I do it?
I take a breath. It’s not a big deal. Jasper works with awkward clients all the time; I should trust he knows how to get the best out of people—which is apparently butt pinching. I guess I had expected something more elegant.
This is all in pursuit of Luca’s big NFL dream, though. My brothers played in high school, and those guys slap each other’s butts all the time. Football player buttocks are apparently free game.
I still think—or maybe hope—his stiffness is primarily because he’s worried I’m uncomfortable. He might just need some indication that I’m okay. A butt pinch should do the trick.
“What’d he say?” Luca asks.
I wrap my hands around his waist, and he follows suit. “Trust me. You don’t wanna know.”
His brows snap together.
“Great,” Jasper says before I can set the record straight. “One…”
I take a deep breath.
“Two…”
I inch my right hand down his back. Can I do it, though? And if I don’t, what’ll Jasper think?
“Three.”
Before I can second-guess any more, I shut my eyes and give Luca’s butt a firm squeeze. His glutes tighten instinctively, and so do his arms, pulling me right up against him.
