Page 52 of Flawless Lyric

Ugh, that nickname will haunt me for the rest of my life. Thanks, Zander Stone. Now I’m wondering if I should change my plans, or invite Lyric to come? Well, I do want her to see the wild side of me, so there’s no time like the present.

After a quick call, I inform Josh I’m bringing a plus one. Whether she’s daring enough to join me, I don’t know. But if I don’t ask, I’ll never know. Now I’m even more pumped about going than before, hoping that she’ll take the leap with me.

After folding the last batch of clothes, I bring them into my room and put them away. Lyric should be here soon if she’s not stuck in traffic. Hope not, since I’ll need to call and cancel my appointment so I’ll be here when she arrives. I’d much rather get my adrenaline high from Lyric than any other rush on the planet. I’m also curious to find out why she cut her visit short. I’m not complaining because it would have been tough not seeing her for a week.

When the bell rings, I race for the door. Flinging it open, I scoop her up in my arms and get her in a lip lock to show her how happy I am to see her. God this woman is so damn gorgeous.

Laughing, she beats my chest. “Put me down, the neighbors can see my ass.” And that’s a bad thing?

“It’s a gorgeous ass and they’ll thank me later. In case you didn’t know, I’m thrilled you’re here, Beauty.” When I set her on her feet, she lovingly looks at me and slides her hands up my chest until her hands are locked behind my neck. It’s possessive and turning me the fuck on.

“I’m ecstatic to be here but I’m glad I went. It was very eye opening.” This is the perfect opportunity to fill her in on what happened on my end, but she looks so damn happy. I just can’t right now. “I’m still processing everything, so I’ll tell you all about it sometime.”

“Let me make a phone call to cancel and then we can hang out here all day.”

“Oh my god, you had plans. Why didn’t you tell me? I could have gone right home.” Not a chance.

“No fucking way. I’d much rather spend as much time with you as I can and do other shit when you’re working.” You don’t know if you don’t ask. “Unless you want to go with.”

“Sure. Where are we going?” I’ve always been told that less is best.

I tug on her hips, pulling her flush with me. Then I kiss the tip of her nose, the corner of her lips, and when she shivers, the crook of her neck.

“Micah…”

“You trust me, Beauty?” Another shiver and I’m ready to hit speed dial and cancel.

“Absolutely. With my life.” Oh, she has no idea how much that means to me.

“Then let’s get going and I’ll fill you in on the way.” With her fingers threaded through mine, I grab my keys and phone and head out the door. After today, she’s going to love me or hate me. And I’m opting for the first scenario because I’m in it for the long haul.

I fill her in on where we’re going on but leave out the part where I want her to do it with me. I’ll leave that up to the instructor. As if he assumes that we’ll be going together. Then the ball’s in her court and I won’t force her to do something she doesn’t want to do.

As soon as we pull into the airstrip, she gets spooked. I can always tell because she bounces her knee. It’s only happened a few times, but I’m so in tune with this woman, I feel it.

“Does Ruth know you do this?” These kinds of things are best kept to myself.

“You’re the first, unless you count the guys who take me out. I’ll be fine, Beauty.”

“Glad you think so, because there’s no way I could go skydiving. No way.”

Forty minutes later after a brief video, a little training, and the dos and don’ts, she’s contemplating whether she wants to do a tandem jump with me.

“An hour ago when I told you I trusted you with my life, I didn’t know it would be so soon.” If she’s this apprehensive, there’s no way I want her to go with me.

“If you need more time, I’ll go alone like I planned. If and when you ever change your mind, I’ll book us an appointment. I’ll wave at you from up there, okay?” When I point towards the sky, she gets teary eyed.

“I want to go, but…”

Rubbing my hands up and down her arms, I whisper, “Now’s your chance to take a leap of faith with me, Beauty. Don’t let fear hold you back just like it has done your whole damn life. If you do, you’re letting your life pass you by and you’re not really living.” Now that gets her attention.

“You’re absolutely right, Micah. Let’s do this.”

I give Josh a thumbs up and he grins like the fucking maniac he is, but I don’t point that out to Lyric. She’ll find out soon enough.

* * *

LYRIC

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