Page 3 of The CEO Enemy

“The balcony is this way.” He motions with his inked arm for me to follow him.

Dear God, his back is rippling with muscles, something I missed when checking him out below the waist. How does someone get that well defined? I don’t have the energy for exercise—unbelievable, I know.

I tear my gaze away to focus. When did I become so easily distracted by a man? True, it’s been a while since I’ve had any action, but I didn’t think it had been long enough for my knees to just go all wobbly in the presence of a tall, chiseled, tattooed, but let’s not forget, rather chilly…let’s be clear: masterpiece of grouchiness.

Once we step outside, reality slaps me in the face, and I wince. Crap. The balconies are a little farther apart than I originally thought. Not ridiculously far, only a couple of feet. The distance is still manageable. However, it does make this whole thing a tad riskier. Setting my bag of pancakes down, I move to the edge to get a closer look, trying to figure out what my best move might be.

“We’re really high up,” my neighbor says. “You know what, I’m going to call the super.”

“Nonono, absolutely not necessary. I got this. Easy-peasy. Just…stay there in case I slip or something.”

“I thought you said you could handle this?” He sounds even more irritated than before.

I glance back at him to find he hasn’t followed me out onto the balcony. He stands in the doorway, tattooed arms crossed, that frown still etched in place. Geez, doesn’t this guy have any other facial expressions?

“I can,” I tell him. “Doesn’t mean I’m immune to the effects of gravity. It might be easier if you come out and spot me. Just in case.”

He shakes his head, a protest clearly on his tongue. When he notices that I’m already maneuvering my right foot over the railing, he quietly steps out and moves closer to me. “I got you.”

The weight in his voice gives me a warm feeling. My heart flutters as he draws near. Deep down, I know that if anything were to happen, he would have my back. At least in this crazy endeavor. With those muscles, he’d definitely be ready to snap me back up!

But let’s be real here. I can already sense it. This is shaping up to be the most awkward moment of my life.

As I carefully maneuver my other leg over the railing, I try to keep my breathing even and focus on him, the grim culmination in front of me, in an attempt to avoid looking down. I stand on the other side of the railing, gripping the metal so tight my knuckles turn white.

“Talk to me,” my neighbor says.

At the sound of his deep, but surprisingly calming voice, I take a slow breath. “Okay…”

“Now, come back. Careful there. Don’t think about the height.”

Instantly, I have the urge to look down, and I have to fight it. “Easier said than done.”

“Hey, look at me.”

I lift my gaze to meet his green eyes. I have never seen eyes with such an enchanting shade reminiscent of lush pine trees, and it takes my thoughts away from my precarious situation. I could easily lose myself in the depths of them…

“You got this,” he says. “Slowly. No need to rush.”

Nodding, I take another deep breath, tearing my gaze away from the most distracting male specimen I’ve ever encountered. I figure it will be hard to pay attention to what I’m doing if I’m ogling him. Rotating, I face my balcony, and I’m slapped with a gust of wind that nearly sends me flying. The shriek that escapes is foreign to me, practically enough to make me backtrack and say, “Screw it.” The last thing I want to do is go splat, almost naked, on a Manhattan sidewalk.

No. Thank. You.

“Whoa there,” he says, grabbing me like his life depends on it. “Come back. Now.”

I can’t suppress a surprised squeak, my heart fluttering at the unexpected closeness. “Whoa, buddy, I barely know you,” I tease.

But after a moment’s pause, with his strong arms enveloping me from behind, I think I’m good.

I can’t stop now.

I’m almost there.

It’ll be way easier to follow through instead of turning back at this point. Cautiously, I stick my foot out until I feel the ledge. I find it easily and, in one smooth movement, I step over and grab my railing. Dear God, if anybody were to look up, they’d be treated to a firsthand view of what not to wear on a balcony.

Phewwww.

My adrenaline is through the roof. I’m proud of myself as I straddle the railing. Almost there.

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