Page 41 of From Wink to Kink

"What?" he asks, a small smile tilting his lips. "Do I have papaya in my teeth or something?"

I feel my face flush. Busted. "No, I just... I guess I'm realizing there's more to you than I thought."

He frowns for a moment, clearly trying to decide whether to be flattered or insulted. Then he shrugs as if either way, he’s fine. "Right back at you, Brooks. You're full of surprises yourself."

As we head to our Trust Falls class, with Chuck's hand on the small of my back as he guides me through a doorway, I can't help but wonder… what if he's not the person I always thought he was? What if there's more to Chuck Newcomb than meets the eye?

And more importantly, what am I going to do about this?

As we enter the classroom, I steel myself. Trust Falls, here we come. Let's just hope I don't fall in more ways than one.

We arrive in a gym-like room set up with various stations—cushions on the floor, low platforms, even a small rock-climbing wall. Our instructor, a willowy man named Leaf, claps his hands to get our attention.

"Welcome, friends,” he exclaims. "I'll be guiding you through your journey of trust and connection today."

I exchange a glance with Chuck, biting my lip. He winks at me, and I feel a flutter in my stomach that has nothing to do with the egg dish from breakfast.

"Now," Leaf continues, "let's pair up with someone we don't know. Today, we'll be challenging our boundaries and opening ourselves up to new connections!"

A stranger? Oh shit.

But before I can even think about finding a partner, Chuck's hand is on my arm. "Dibs," he says with a grin, ready to blow off the instructor’s directions.

I roll my eyes, but I can't suppress my smile. "Okay, okay, Newcomb. No need to fight over me."

Leaf takes us through trust exercises, I find myself relaxing. Chuck and I fall into an easy rhythm, our banter flowing naturally as we navigate each challenge. When it comes time for the actual trust fall, I hesitate at the edge of the platform.

"I've got you, Ruby Brooks," he yells, his commitment sending a shiver down my spine. "Trust me!"

And the thing is, I do. I actually do. As I let myself fall backwards, I know with absolute certainty that Chuck will catch me. And he does, his strong arms wrapping around me securely.

For a moment, we stay like that, my back pressed against his chest, his breath warm on my neck. I turn my head slightly, meeting his eyes, and the intensity I see there takes my breath away.

"See?" he murmurs. "I told you I'd catch you."

As I straighten up, my legs wobbly—adrenaline from the fall, no doubt—I realize something. I came to this retreat looking for myself, but I think I found something, or someone, I never expected.

The question is, what am I going to do about it?

***

19

CHUCK

"Alright, beautiful souls!"Leaf chirps, his voice dripping with new-age optimism. "Switch. Whoever just did the catching is now the one falling. Remember, this is about opening your hearts and embracing vulnerability!"

Ruby turns to me, her eyes wide with apprehension. "Um, maybe we should sit this one out? I… I don’t think I can catch you."

I shake my head, offering what I hope is a reassuring smile. "Come on, Brooks. Where's your sense of adventure?" I wave across the room and Leaf comes running.

“Dude, I’m sure it’s obvious to you that this woman here has no hope of catching me all on her own. Can you team up with her?”

Leaf’s face brightens. “Let’s do it!”

"Hey,” I say, “if I wipe out, you'll at least get a good laugh out of it."

That earns me a genuine smile. "Well, when you put it that way..."

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