Page 33 of Billionaire Protector

It was a harmless little snake, just an ordinary garter variety without a bite or drop of venom. Likely, it would slither away at the first sight of humans. However, Sarah’s relationship with snakes had been strained ever since one decided to slither into her bed. With a grimace, he started down the right side.

Sarah looked startled. “Wasn’t the other path easier?”

From her height, she wouldn’t have seen the reptile. If he told her, she’d be stubborn enough to continue, yet it would make her miserable. That was unacceptable. “This one is better.”

She frowned, but they’d gone far enough to make it illogical to turn back. A few moments later the other runners made it to the fork, all taking the easier route. Cole pounded the ground faster.

They finally came to the last obstacle, a large hollow log lying straight in the path, pointing a virtual arrow to the finish line. Tall trees and bushes hugged either side, preventing runners from circumventing it. It would be tight to crawl through, but it wasn’t that high. They could easily climb on top and walk their way to victory. Cole started forward, but Sarah suddenly halted.

“What is it?” He waved at her. “If we hurry, we can make it.”

Her face turned ashen. “I can’t climb it.”

Was he missing something? Cole studied the log. Even with her petite frame, it shouldn’t be difficult. “It’s not that high and fairly wide. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you don’t fall.” He’d had more than enough training in the military – he could carry her across if he had to.

“Yeah, well…” Her voice thinned, as she clearly searched for an excuse. “I don’t like heights.”

Cole narrowed his eyes. “Didn’t you just offer to scale a fifteen-foot tree to get a monkey? The log can’t be more than three feet off the ground.” Then something caught his eye, and finally, he understood.

It was the tiniest snake in existence.

He hung his head. Clearly, snakes were going to be his downfall. The other racers travelled swiftly on the other side, poised for victory unless he and Sarah sprinted across the log right now. But… “Why don’t you climb through, and I’ll follow on top?”

Relief flashed as she nodded, and they bridged the distance to the log in two seconds. She dropped to all fours and started pushing through, the jeans plastering against her bottom. And yeah, he had no problem taking a look. If they didn’t win the race, he deserved some sort of consolation prize.

As cheering and congratulations sounded from the finish line, he reached the other side. He waited as the seconds ticked, but Sarah didn’t emerge. “Is everything all right?”

The reply was definitive and swift, “Everything is fine.”

He squatted down, peered into the circular space. She had stopped halfway through the woody path. “Are you sure?”

“Oh yeah. I’m good. Great even!”

“Then why aren’t you moving?”

First, silence. Then, “I’m taking a little rest. You go ahead, and I’ll catch up in a few minutes.”

The sides of his lips tugged up. There was only one logical explanation for her behavior. “You’re stuck, aren’t you?”

“I’d rather not say.”

His smiled widened.

“Fine,” she growled. “I’m a little stuck.”

He laughed silently. “A little stuck?”

“Okay, completely stuck,” she huffed. “Utterly, hopelessly stuck. Are you happy now?”

“I’d rather not say.”

“Cole!”

Now he couldn’t hold back his laughter. “Sorry, couldn’t help it. Did you try wiggling?”

“Yeah. It didn’t work. My shirt snagged on something, and now I can’t move. I’m sure I’ll get it in a minute.”

“I’m coming in.”

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