Captivating listener in the finish (9)
I believe the answer is:
endearing
'captivating listener in the finish' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with human feelings as well as being present participle verbs.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?
'listener in the finish' is the wordplay.
'listener' becomes 'ear' (body part which hears or listens).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'the finish' becomes 'ending' (I've seen this before).
'ear' inserted into 'ending' is 'ENDEARING'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for endearing that I've seen before include "Charming" , "Engaging" , "delightful" , "Inspiring affection" , "Disarming" .)