Eyes Turned Skyward

Then he collapsed over me and rolled us to the side so he wouldn’t crush me. “That was…” He struggled to catch his breath. “That was amazing.”

“More than amazing.” I smiled, realizing I’d just had two orgasms and my heart was fine. Pounding, but fine. “Astonishing and perfect.”

“Just like you.” He kissed the tip of my nose.

Exhaustion swept over me as he climbed out of bed to clean up. My body started to shut down, demanding rest, and gave in fully when he pulled me against him, resting his arm over my waist and tucking my head beneath his chin.

“You’re stuck with me now, Paisley Donovan. I’m never letting you go,” he whispered into my hair.

My eyes popped open, because I knew that he might not get a choice.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Jagger

One day I’m going to be happy, and it will have nothing to do with you.

“Are you sure about this?” I asked her as they harnessed us together, over a hundred feet above the ocean. Was this crane stable? It didn’t feel stable. Hadn’t I just done this a few months ago? Why did it feel so different now?

“Well, it’s a little late to back out now,” she giggled into my chest.

“Yeah, I wanted to back out a week ago when you suggested this. But you ambushed me in a sex coma, where I’m defenseless. You didn’t lie about your weight, right? I know girls do that, which is just fucking stupid, but you have to be honest here. Were you honest?” I tipped her face up to mine to see her laughing. “This is not funny.”

“This is very funny,” she answered, reaching up to brush a kiss across my lips. “Yes, I was honest.”

“And your asthma?” I whispered into her ear.

“I was just at the doctor. Asthma doesn’t remotely play into this, I promise.”

My jaw clenched. “This is a stupid list, Paisley. What on earth ever made you want to bungee jump?”

She arched an eyebrow at me. “Didn’t you say you were just here in August? And in Colorado? How many times have you jumped?”

She had me there. “Six times, but that’s me. You’ve never struck me as the kind of woman who likes to throw herself off giant towers and then snap back with a rubber band.”

“Well, it’s actually not something I ever really wanted to do, but kind of something that seemed…” Her eyes widened, like she finally understood that we were standing on the edge of a very dangerous little box to check on her list. Her throat worked as she swallowed. “It’s stupid, isn’t it? This is so stupid.”

Her breathing picked up, and I kissed her softly. “Yes, it’s stupid. Utterly, horrendously stupid.”

“But fun?” A spark of excitement passed through those green eyes, and I couldn’t help but grin.

“Yes. It’s exhilarating. But if you want to change your mind, I’m all for it,” I promised her, running my hands along her spine.

“Yeah, lady, because in about two minutes it’s too late.” The guide secured the carabiners to our harnesses.

She took a couple rapid breaths, looked up at the sky and then to the edge of the bridge, but not down. Then her eyes locked onto mine, radiating panic. “No, I want to do this.”

“You sure as hell don’t look like it.” I turned to tell the guide to unhook us, that there was no way I was throwing the love of my life off a bridge, but she brushed my cheek with her fingers.

“No. I might not want to do this, but I have to. I need to. For me.” She bit her lower lip, her eyes set with that determination I utterly adored. “Besides, you’ll keep me safe.”

I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into my chest and kissing the top of her head. “I won’t let anything happen to you,” I promised, but my stomach clenched. Doing stupid shit for the rush had always been fun, but involving Paisley, risking her, wasn’t something that sat well with me. Especially not when she looked like she wanted to be anywhere but there. Why the hell had she make a list of crap she didn’t actually want to do?

The guide gave us the last rundown, explaining what was about to happen. With every sentence, Paisley squeezed me tighter, until I was held in a five-foot-two little vise. “This isn’t safe if you have epilepsy, heart disease, or if you’re pregnant.” The guide raised his eyebrows at us.

Paisley pregnant? We’d been safe these last two weeks, and there was no chance, but the thought didn’t make me want to vomit. No, that news would just give me an excuse to get a ring on her finger. Holy shit, that escalated quickly.

“No, I’m not pregnant.” I felt her jaw tense against my chest.

“Then by all means, step to the side and have a good time. Remember to keep your hands and feet inside the ride at all times, and don’t forget the tabs on the rebound unless you like hanging upside down.”

We moved to the edge. She looked up at me, forced out a shaky smile, then laid her head over my heart. “I love you,” she whispered.

“Well, good. I don’t bungee jump for just anyone,” I answered with a kiss on her hair. I tightened my grip on her as the guide counted down. Then we jumped—and let gravity take over. The wind rushed past us as we plummeted toward the ocean below, the only sound Paisley’s high-pitched scream. Adrenaline rushed through me, firing every nerve, every sense: the smell of the ocean rising to meet us, air rushing past our bodies, and the feel of the woman in my arms.