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Laughing, she pressed her cheek to his chest and said, “Fine. But if we crash, it’s on your shoulders.”

Kat was sure her heart would explode as she climbed into the helicopter, and she was thankful that Eric stayed close to her, helping her buckle into the plush leather seats and slipping a headset over her ears.

“We can hear each other through these, and they’ll help keep out the rest of the noise.” He took her hand in his and settled into the seat beside her. “I’m so proud of you.”

“You might not be when I’m crying like a baby and clawing to get out of this thing midair.”

He pointed to the emergency-equipment locker. “No worries. We have parachutes, and I know how to skydive.”

“Is there anything you don’t know how to do?” She had a feeling there wasn’t. She could practically see the gears behind those intense eyes of his churning before he finally answered.

“Maybe. I’ve never had a steady girlfriend, but I’m learning. I think day one is going pretty well so far.” He must have seen the surprise in her eyes, because he quickly added, “Don’t look so shocked. You said you’re trying to attract the right type of guy, and I want to be that guy. You’ve got your fears and I’ve got mine, but together we can accomplish anything.”

Before Kat could respond, the pilot asked Eric if they were ready and he gave him a thumbs-up. The headphones helped with the sounds of the chopper blades, but the feel of the vibrations and the way her stomach dropped as the helicopter lifted off made her wish she’d stayed on the ground.

Eric put an arm around her shoulders and brought her in close. “I’ve got you, Kat. It’s a little like being in an elevator.”

His voice in her ears was soothing, and his grip on her was strong and possessive, which made her feel much more comfortable.

“Can you hear me okay?” he asked.

She nodded.

“I’m going to talk you through this. Is your stomach okay? Do you feel sick at all?”

She shook her head. “It’s a little like floating, but roller coasterish, too.”

“Yes. You’ll get used to it as we move forward. If you get scared, squeeze my hand, okay?”

She nodded, but in her head she envisioned scrambling into his lap as the helicopter seemed to rise straight up, and she felt herself being pushed down into the seat. She squeezed his hand, and he tightened his arm around her shoulders as the helicopter moved forward.

“Better?”

“Yes,” she finally managed. His touch calmed her, and the way he was watching her so intently, as if he could and would fix any discomfort she might have—which she was realizing he probably could—made her feel completely safe.

“Look out at the lights of the city.” He pointed out the window, then quickly returned his hand to hers.

Kat’s chest felt full and tight, as the tail end of fear slipped away. “I’ve never seen anything so spectacular. We’re so much lower than the airplane was.”

“We’re going there.” He pointed over the mountains, and a few minutes later, a circle of green lights came into view. “That’s the helipad where we’ll land.”

“What’s up here?” The lights of the city fell away behind them, and there were only the lights of the helipad and a few others in the distance.

“Dinner,” he said casually, as if everyone in the world took a helicopter to the top of a mountain for dinner. “How do you feel?”

“Exhilarated. A little anxious, but not enough to stop me from doing it again, and lucky.” She gazed into his eyes and said,“Really, really lucky that you wanted to do this for me. I also feel spoiled rotten and like I owe you big-time after this.”

“Darlin’, you don’t owe me a damn thing, and don’t you ever let a man make you feel like you owe him anything. Ever. I do things because I want to, not to get something in return.”

The vehemence in his voice surprised her. The helicopter touched down, and Eric helped Kat out and hurried her away from the blades, shrouding her body with his as they dashed outside the circle of lights.

“Are you okay?” He searched her eyes, and his gaze rolled down her body, making her shiver.

“Perfect.”

“What do you feel?”

She loved that he asked for more. Most guys would be happy with a one-word answer. She was still reeling from the excitement of the ride, but she tried to get her brain to function clearly. “I feel a sense of power again. Like facing my fear made me even stronger.”