Page 112 of Reluctantly Yours

I look into Chloe’s eyes and I know that I’m falling for her. Now I’m not sure if the fear twisting in my gut is from thinking about being nearly a thousand feet off the ground or fear that she doesn’t feel the same way. And if she does, can we make this work? There’s a reason I needed a fake girlfriend. Business has always come first.

I decide to not focus on the latter right now, and be in this moment with Chloe.

The confident look in her eyes is what does it for me.

“Okay,” I say. Chloe jumps into my arms and presses her lips to mine. “You can return the favor later.”

Her eyes go wide, then she presses her lips together, fighting a smile. “Looking forward to it.”

The guard leads us to the east side entrance and we take a lift from the esplanade to the second floor. There we’re greeted by another guard who is working the private lift that will take us to the top. Inside the lift, Chloe reaches for my hand. It’s sweaty. Fear is oozing out of my pores now and I can feel the dizzying sensation with every inch this lift goes up.

The glass lift moves through the impressive architecture of the tower, giving a view of the intricate work of the inner side of the wrought iron structure. But with every inch we climb, my fear does, too. I close my eyes and focus on my breath. When I open them again, Chloe is there in front of me.

“I should have stayed down,” I say, closing my eyes again. “You’re missing it.”

“I’m exactly where I want to be,” she says. “Can you open your eyes and look at me?”

I open them again.

“Just focus on me. I know you can do this.”

I take a deep breath and focus on Chloe’s face. I start counting the freckles on her nose, and before I finish my tally, the lift stops at the observation deck.

“Enjoy,” the lift operator says as we depart.

“Right.” I swallow hard, but Chloe takes my hand and leads me to the platform.

“Wow,” she says, taking in the view. I focus on her and once my breathing has normalized somewhat, I shift my gaze to the horizon. On one side is the city, building and roads, bridges crossing over the Seine, while on the back side is the Jardin du Champs de Mars where we danced last night.

I find that if I look out and not down, I can control my breathing and it’s not as overwhelming.

While Chloe steps onto the clear platform, I keep a distance and take deep breaths. Again, her wonder and curiosity capture my full attention. In situations where my fear of heights is triggered, it helps to have something other than the fear to focus on. Right now, Chloe is that something for me.

She motions to a woman with her phone, asking if she’ll take a photo of us. We stay for a few more minutes, then board the lift back down. This time, I keep my eyes open and focused on Chloe’s smiling face. She stares back and squeezes my hand.

When we’re safely on the ground, she wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me.

“You did it.”

“Thank you.” I kiss her again. “For being patient with me.”

She pulls back, but I keep her body pressed to me.

“Well, you, sir, have earned a favor of your choosing.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “Feel free to make it sexual.”

I chuckle. Goofy Chloe is the sexiest. My dick immediately twitches against my zipper.

There’s no way around it, I need Chloe.

My need is more than my body’s physical response to hers pressed against mine. It’s more than having someone to comfort me during a moment of stress.

I want to laugh with her and listen to how her day went.

I want impromptu lunch dates and to be each other’s plus ones.

I want a wife and family of my own someday. Hell, I’m starting to think I want that dog she tricked me into fostering.

I want everything with Chloe, but I’ve never done this before. I’ve never had to balance running a company and being in a relationship. I want to put in the effort with Chloe. I just hope I don’t screw it up.