Page 34 of The Red-Hot Stakes

“What’s wrong?”

Crossing my arms, I pressed my lips together and looked away. Only for my gaze to catch on Miss Perky Pants staring longingly after Liam. A growl tore from me before I could stop it.

“Ah,” Liam said, a smile crossing his face. “The green-eyed monster eating at you?”

“Yes,” I bit out.

“She was pretty handsy.”

His cavalier acknowledgment of her actions deflated me. “But I have no right to feel like this. I have no claim on you.” As soon as the words left my lips, I wished I could take them back. They were too much.

Liam sucked in a startled breath. “Oh, Gina.”

He stepped closer, and I instinctively backed away only to find a beam behind me. His intense gaze pinned me to the spot as I stared up at him. He slowly reached toward me, bracing his arm behind my head so I was framed by his massive arm. His nose was inches from mine. His lips were right there…closer than ever before.

“If the roles had been reversed,” he said, his husky voice making my knees wobble. “If a big, muscular guy had put his hands on you. Had buckled you in. Had tucked your dress up.” His gaze followed his words, caressing each part of my body where the harness rested. And heat lingered in the wake of his stare.

“I’d be looking pretty green too.”

When those eyes traced my lips, I felt it, like a physical touch. The anger and rawness eased within me, burned away by the flames of desires. And the fact that Liam felt it too.

A bark of laughter startled us, and a group of newcomers ascended on the employee to get their harnesses. When I looked back at Liam, he had stepped away once more. Disappointment pricked me, but I managed a smile.

He returned it then gestured for me to go first up the stairs, and I couldn’t help but tease. “You just want to look at my ass.”

“I don’t know what that lady did with your dress, but damn, Red. The view is fine from here.”

I hadn’t expected him to admit it. I glanced back to find him smirking, and it gave me an idea. At the landing, I stepped off to one side. He frowned, but I gestured for him to keep walking. “My turn.”

It was only fair after all.

At the top, we did three quick rounds of rock paper scissors, then I watched the employee launch Liam off the platform. His whoop echoed off the trees below as he sailed away, arms outstretched like he were flying. I couldn’t stop my grin.

Then it was my turn. The sound of the wheels in the rail above my head zooming along the thick steel cable was loud, but otherwise I could pretend I was a bird, soaring over the trees. It was exhilarating, being so high, going so fast. The next tower came into view, but Liam was still hooked up.

“Watch out!” I cried, panic flaring in me.

The employee jumped back. Liam turned, opening his arms. What is he doing? I spun sideways on the approach and the sound of the rail changed as the cables switched, slowing me slightly. I still hit Liam way too fast. His arms wrapped around me as both of us swung into the padded wall.

“You all right?” he asked.

I nodded, a bit jarred but fine. “You?”

“Yeah. Good thing you weigh less than I bench press.”

Ignoring Liam’s quip and the employee’s squawking radio, I asked, “What happened?”

“My carabiner snagged on something and wouldn’t come loose. Then you came flying in.”

I peered up at his carabiner, having a decent vantage point since I was still in his arms. A little tuft of red peeked out. “Hey, I see something.” I scrambled up him, reaching above his head.

He seemed too startled to do anything but hold me. I balanced one foot on his thigh, and rested one knee on his arm as both his hands wrapped firmly around my upper legs. I’d have to thank Miss Sunshine and her excellent harnessing skills for keeping my dress in place.

The heat from his grip threatened to unseat me, so I focused on the clip. Though my position put my chest on level with his face.

I really hadn’t thought this through.

My nipples tightened, and I hoped he wouldn’t notice. I held my breath, trying not to inhale his intoxicating scent. I ignored his groan as my fingers fumbled to remove the fabric out of the hinge of the carabiner. Finally it pulled free, and the clip opened easily.

---