Craft Beer & Roses

Chapter 37

Islanders, get ready to whip out your sexiest moves. You're about to get each other's hearts racing in a classic heart rate challenge. The highest heart racer gets a sexy surprise. #ShakeItBaby #HeartRatesDon'tLie

"Oh my days, I'm going to fail miserably," Dana grumbled, dropping her phone on the table and propping up her elbows to cradle her head in her hands.

Gabi placed down her fork, raising her hand to pat her partner's shoulder, "Don't think like that; you'll do great!"

"I'm all limbs! I can barely stand upright without my ankles giving out." Dana whined.

"Well, I've got this one. And if I don't win, then this whole thing is rigged." Kat said, bringing her empty plate to the sink.

Aviva finished the last bits of her breakfast, unsure how to feel. She was a pretty good dancer, but she'd never "performed" for someone before. It was all fine when she was in the middle of a club, but a one-on-one lap dance? The thought put her nerves into overdrive.

Everyone stood up from the table, clearing their plates and depositing them into the dishwasher. Finn took her empty bowl and kissed the top of her head, "You'll get me going no matter what you do."

Aviva's lips quirked into a half-smile, "Even if I trip and fall on my face?"

Finn chuckled, carrying their dishes from the table, "My heart would be skipping. What if you got hurt? I'd be too worried."

"That doesn't count." Aviva refuted, leaving her chair to stand beside him.

Finn shut the dishwasher with a swift motion of his hand, "Agree to disagree." He turned to face her, leaning back against the counter, "Am I going to get your heart racing?"

Aviva placed her hands on the counter, caging him between her arms, "I guess you'll have to wait and see."

"I bet it's racing right now." Finn speculated, raising a hand to her chest.

She raised a brow, "Well?"

Finn pressed closer; goosebumps erupted along her skin, her body tingling as he drew nearer. He nuzzled into her neck, lips grazing the shell of her ear; he stretched his fingers over her heart, feeling its rapidly increasing pounding, "Hmm...there it is."

"Ugh, save it for the challenge, you two." Gabi scolded sarcastically from her spot around the corner.

Finn stepped back with a wink, allowing Aviva's breathing to return to its regular pace, "I'm so winning this."

Aviva watched him stride away while Gabi moved aside, allowing him to pass by. Gabi followed him with her eyes, "Better show him how it's done, or I reckon you'll never hear the end of it."

Aviva shook her head vigorously, patting the sides of her face.

Bring it on, Finnley.

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Aviva stood on her toes, peering out to the garden over the plant-filled balcony. The boys sat in a row, their laughter and excitement rising to the terrace and igniting her nerves. She grimaced, sliding her fingers around the bottoms of her navy latex police costume to reset them around her backside.

"Is yours chafing?" Meera asked as she adjusted her bra to lift her breasts to the perfect perky height.

Aviva chuckled nervously, "No, no. Just riding up in all the wrong places."

"Or the right places. Finn seems particularly pleased with your bum." Dana commented, pulling the straps of her firefighter suspenders over her shoulders.