Page 15

Kathy meets us at the door with a to-go bag, two bottles of water, and an extra coffee for each of us. I notice Charles also has a goodie pack of his own clutched at his side while he holds the car door open. I again have the urge to hug the woman.

“What?” she says, forcing our bags on Dalton. “I don’t get to see you often enough anymore. You’re looking too thin, and she’s going to need all the sugar and caffeine to keep up with the likes of you.”

“Fair,” Dalton places a kiss on her cheek. “Where’s Mike? I was hoping to see him before we left.”

“I forced him to take the day off. He had a follow-up appointment this afternoon and?—”

Dalton stiffens. “Is he okay?”

Kathy grabs his frozen arm. “He’s fine, Dalt. Just a routine check-up. He’s been working every day for the last two weeks, so I sent him off for some TLC time. The man is still a workhorse, but we’re not spring chickens. More like crotchety old goats, with stiff legs and nagging back pain.”

When Dalton doesn’t thaw, she presses, “I promise, we’d tell you. We’re good. You’re stuck with us for a while longer, kid.”

“I’m holding you to that.” The pinch of his shoulders releases, letting them sag back to a respectable slope.

Charles clears his throat, and Dalton steps back toward the car. I raise a hand to Kathy. “Thanks for everything, you have quite the gem here.”

She’s quick to pull me into a hug that I can’t help but soften into.

She smells like puff pastry and coffee grinds, her willowy arms fiercely strong as they wrap around me.

“We’re huggers. And you’re most welcome.

” Pulling away, she drops her voice to a whisper.

“I hope to see more of you. It’s lovely to see Dalton lit up again. ”

Pressing my lips together to keep from frowning, I school my expression, not having the heart to tell her that she won’t see me again.

At least not with Dalton. Like a coward, I mutter another thank you and slip into the back seat.

Just before the door shuts, Kathy taps her forehead and shouts to Dalton from inside the shop.

“Kelvin called. Something about the books needing review for the investor meeting.” Her face scrunches as if the mere thought of financials gives her a headache.

“I’ll call him Monday. Take that off your plate. Thanks again, Kathy. Send Mike my love.”

With a wave, she’s gone, and Charles shuts our door.

“Are you moonlighting as an accountant?” I ask, nose wrinkling.

“Hell no. Numbers are not my strong suit. I just know the right guys to hire.”

“So you moonlight as a headhunter.”

“Only for the businesses in which I’m a silent partner.”

“You own part of Second Chance.” I can’t keep the admiration from my voice. He’s also helping people like my dad.

“Only one percent. I wanted to be an angel investor, but Kathy and Mike wouldn’t have it. They said I needed to have real ownership. Those two make brick walls look flexible. I’m lucky they agreed to one percent.”

“You’re kind of an amazing guy, Dalton Ward. You realize that, don’t you?”

“I do, but it’s nice to hear now and then,” he says with a boyish grin.

I’d almost swear there’s some color in his cheeks.

“BUT, you may not say that after our next adventure.” The sweet smile morphs into a devious one that sends chills up my spine and into the base of my skull.

“You’re not afraid of heights, are you, forty-eight? ”

As it turns out, I am not afraid of heights, but Dalton is. An hour after his teasing question, the coy smile is nowhere to be found and his complexion concerningly pale. I’m sure it’s not helping that I’m grinning like an idiot, but the view is amazing!

Aside from the hideous blue jumpsuits that sound like frantic slapping wings in the wind and the harness that’s riding up my hoo-ha, this is one of the most exhilarating moments of my life.

Charles took us to one of the city’s highest buildings, and what I thought would be a stereotypical rooftop walk with those metal binocular posts turned out to be a strapped-in hike up to the peak of the building!

After a fierce lecture about safety equipment, signing away our lives on every waiver possible, three staffers cinch us into full-body harnesses, slap on helmets and then shove us out a nondescript door to hike up a set of outdoor stairs 1,200 feet above the ground.

There’s a big platform at the top where we can lean out over the edge, but the white knuckle grip Dalton has on the handrail says we may not make it.

“You should go on ahead. I’ll make it… eventually.

” Dalton’s eyes are focused on the stair treads.

I can just see the lip of the platform ahead.

There’s maybe fifteen steps to go, but Dalton’s feet have locked in place five steps behind me.

There’s a slight tremor in the hand that’s clutching the strap near his shoulder.

The guides look bored, and I’m pretty sure they could give a shit if we make it to the top or not.

“You can do this, Dalton.” I try the cheerleader voice first.

“Go,” Dalton commands again, this time through clenched teeth.

I glance up at the platform once more and then head down the steps, sitting on the cold metal so we’re eye level.

“We’ll do this together or not at all,” I whisper, then place a hand over the one he’s clinging to the harness with. “Keep your other hand on the rail. I’m going to take this one and put it on my chest, okay?”

There’s a quick jerk to his chin that I take as confirmation. His death grip relaxes, allowing me to thread my fingers through his. Keeping our hands locked, I draw them to my chest, pushing his hand flat over my heart.

“Listen to my breathing. Feel my chest move with each breath and then match it.”

I force exaggerated slow loud breaths, counting each second out and then in. After six rounds, the tremor in his hand stills, and he looks up.

“Hey.” I smile.

“So not how I saw this part of the date going.” He mutters through white lips.

“Feel better?” I ask.

“I guess.”

“Good. Keep breathing and look at me, just me. Nothing around us. We’re already over halfway up. Do you want to turn back?” I fight to keep the hint of disappointment from my voice. I want to see the view from that platform so badly it hurts, but not at the risk of giving Dalton a panic attack.

“Yes.” He grinds out. “But fuck no, we’re not turning around. We’re going to make it up there.” There’s a gleam of determination in his eyes. Inspiring despite the fear mingling with it.

“Alright. When I stand up, focus on a spot on my back. We’ll move together, one step at a time. Okay?”

“Yeah.”

He tugs on my hand as I rise. “Do me a favor? Keep talking, okay? Distract me.”

Turning my back to him, I slid our linked hands to my hip so he can keep hold of the rail and still feel my movements. He doesn’t need a cheerleader. He needs a distraction. That I can do.

“I was thinking about inviting you into my room last night and fucking you silly right before you know who showed up,” I shout over the wind and take the first step. Hands shaking, he follows, so I press onward.

“What?!” He sounds genuinely surprised. “I thought there wasn’t a chance in hell.”

“Bull, like you don’t know your level of influence. You were working it. HARD.” I keep our pace slow, steady. “The instant you whispered in my ear, I imagined your hands running over my body, freeing my breasts, your lips on my skin.”

I swear I hear a low moan carry on the wind as his fingers tighten on my hip. “You have the most spectacular breasts.”

I take a few more steps, pulling him with me before turning to face Dalton.

He’s still focused on me, like I’m his anchor and the rest of the world doesn’t exist. Leaning up on my toes, I bring our faces so close I’m all he can see.

“And when you took my nipples in your mouth later, even through my shirt, it nearly undid me.”

His sharp intake is sinfully satisfying as his eyes slide shut like he’s remembering, too.

“Dalton,” I purr his name, smile returning. “We made it to the top.”

His eyes pop open, scanning the skyline.

Unlike the narrow, exposed stairs, the platform feels huge, the anchor system above offering a sense of protection.

Some of the color has returned to Dalton’s cheeks, and even though he still gravitates toward the building, there’s a gleam of pride. Eyes bright, he grins down at me.

“You distracted me with sexy talk.”

“I did,” I say unabashed. “And it worked.”

“It certainly did.” He leans lower, and for a second, I think he’s about to kiss me until one of the guides interrupts.

“You two want to lean out over the edge?”

“Hell yeah!” “Fuck no!” We shout at the same time.

Dalton steps back to the wall, swatting my ass. “Go get ‘em, daredevil.”

I practically skip to the bored guide at the edge and let him adjust my harness.

Three safety checks later, I’m leaning out over the New York skyline, grinning like a mad woman.

Closing my eyes, I let the wind whip through the loose tendrils of my hair, throwing my hands out with a shout of pure joy.

When I step back to the stairs, Dalton’s smile is almost as wide.

The moment I get within arm’s reach, he snags the front of my harness and yanks me against him.

“This was worth it just to see the expression on your face, Jenna. You’re stunning.” His lips are on mine in a quick but fierce kiss that leaves my head spinning. “Now, talk dirty to me again so I can make it back down these damn stairs.”

“With pleasure.”

It takes the entire fifty-minute drive to our next destination for the color to return to Dalton’s cheeks. Kathy had packed us several cookies and a turkey sandwich. After some coaxing, Dalton surrenders, agreeing to split it with me.

“Let me guess, your sister picked that adventure?”

Dalton takes a cautious sip of water, clearing his throat before responding. “Sad to admit that was my brainchild.”

I snort around my bite. “You’re afraid of heights, and you thought climbing on the top of a skyscraper was a good idea?”

He shrugs, “I think overcoming fears is important. Though, halfway up, all I could think about was what a freaking moron I am. Can we agree when you forget all about me tomorrow? My meltdown up there being the first thing to slip your mind?”

“Oh no. I’m keeping that part. I’m going to tell all my friends I did this epic climb on the outside of a skyscraper and had to talk dirty to some stranger to help him get to the top.

This story is going to be one of my two truths and a lie at the next PR mixer I have to go to. ” I keep my expression deadpan.

Dalton sighs, “I guess that’s fair. Then I’m not erasing the image of your ass from this morning.”

“More than fair,” I agree. “At least I can share mine with strangers.”

He laughs that deep chesty sound that’s already too familiar.

“Seriously, though. Thank you for helping me make it to the top. I was scared shitless, but glad I made it. If we’d turned around, I would have been pissed at myself, and let it ruin the rest of our day.

I don’t think anyone else at that auction would have done what you did for me. ”

“You’re welcome. Thank you for checking an item off my bucket list I didn’t even know I needed.” I toast my water bottle against his.

“To moronic decisions of grandeur and crazy adrenaline junkies.” He taps his bottle to mine.

The car comes to a stop, Charles quick to hop out and head toward our door.

“Where next?”

“Something a little more chill, yet equally dangerous.” Dalton’s swagger is back in full. “We’re about to find out just how much we trust each other.”