Page 45 of Lorcan's Obsession

Tristen smiled at him. After he lowered her hand, she weaved her arm around my waist, resting her head on my chest. The action was subtle, but Stefan got the memo. She was choosing me.

That’s my girl. Classy and savage. I circled my arms around her, kissing the top of her head as we enjoyed the stillness and comfort of each other.

"Yo, lovebirds, the Swiss daybreak waits for no one. Move your asses if you want to catch the best part!" Stefan hollered.

"You brought me to Switzerland?" Tristen asked in surprise. Her voice was thick with emotion.

"Yes, baby. We are here for dawn skydiving."

"Oh. I-I've never done it before." She avoided my gaze and her fingers toyed with the cuffs of her sweatshirt.

"We don't have to do anything you are uncomfortable with." I palmed her cheeks, raising her face toward me.

"Will it be safe?"

"The safest it can be. You will be strapped to me. But for the next jump, you'll go tandem paragliding with Stefan. He’s the professional."

"But I want to be tied to you for the next jump too!" She batted her thick lashes at me, but seducing her way out of safety wasn’t an option. I’d keep her safe at all costs.

"I'll be there too. But I have to jump alone or with a tandem instructor."

"Your friend looks mischievous. What if he grabs my tushy?"

"He’ll not do that. That ass is mine alone. Only I get to do things to it."

"Okay," she answered simply, sliding her hand into mine. As we walked toward Stefan and his crew, my mind caught up. Had she just agreed to let me own her ass? I looked down at the ecstatic, awakening monster in my pants.

Down, boy. Getting a boner right now is not funny, mate.

We entered a small office room and stood around a large oval table while a member of Stefan’s team conducted the safety briefing. Shortly after, he escorted us to board the small airplane, and everything was okay until Tristen’s grip in between my fingers tightened as we neared the drop zone.

“Are you okay?” I asked, rubbing the back of her hand using my thumb.

Tristen didn’t answer. Instead, her shoulders shook with heavy, hitching breaths. I released the harness tying her to me and turned her around to face me.

“You wanna tell me what’s going on? Is there anything I can do to help?”

“I have…I have a fear of falling.”

Fuck’s sake. Wish she’d mentioned this at the briefing before we’d boarded the plane.

“Breathe,” I commanded, urging her teary eyes to meet mine. “We don’t have to do the jump.”

“N-no.”

“We may need to circle!” I spoke loud enough for the captain to hear.

I gripped Tristen’s trembling hands and brought my face close to hers. “Take deep breaths and listen to the sound of my voice. Do you want us to go back?”

She shook her head.

"No. I-I want to try. I'm scared, but I want to experience this with you," she said softly.

She was tough. I liked that. I admired her tenacity in not allowing fear to hold her back.

The pilot did a fifteen-minute go-around. After ensuring she was ready to do the jump, Stefan assisted us with the harness for our tandem skydive. When the entry door opened, he stood at the edge and signaled our countdown with his fingers.

Three.

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