Page 48 of Fractured Trust

“How are your arms feeling? Think they’ll handle the climb back down?”

When it came, her voice was small. “No.”

“Then I guess you’re letting go.”

“You should have told me this was going to happen before I climbed up here.”

“Would you have done it if I’d told you?”

She was silent. “Maybe?”

“Real convincing, Summer. But there’s only one way down for you right now, so I need you to trust me. I told you I’d catch you. Do you believe me?”

She let out a frustrated huff.

“What was that?”

“Yes.” He barely heard her.

“Sorry, I couldn’t quite hear you? I asked whether you trust me?”

“Yes,” she called down to him, louder this time.

“Then lean back and let go, just like before. I’ve got you.”

He expected her to scream, or shriek, or something when she let go, but she didn’t. Instead, she just inhaled sharply then opened her hands and leaned back like the beautiful, brave woman she was. And he caught her, just like he’d promised he would.

When he lowered her to the ground, the smile on her face lit him up.

“Did you see me?” she asked.

“I saw you, beautiful. I’ve always seen you.”

Her smile changed from one of pure accomplishment to one full of… something else. It was heat and promise and a wild kind of happiness that reached inside him and squeezed his heart so tightly he thought he might never be able to take another breath.

“Okay, we’re done here,” he said, stepping forward and unclipping the belay from her, then unclasping the harness, so she could step out of it. Then he undid his.

“Noah!” she laughed at his haste as he barely restrained himself from throwing the equipment at the instructor.

“We need to go. Right now,” he said, taking her hand and pulling her toward the exit, his bodyguard leaping up from his seat to follow them.

“What’s the rush?” she asked breathlessly.

Noah stopped and tugged her to him, cupping her face in his hands and looking deep into her eyes as his thumbs stroked over her cheekbones.

“I’m taking you home,” he said, then lowered his voice so only she could hear him. “And then I’m going to pull those tight pants of yours down just far enough that I can fuck you ‘til you scream my name.” He grinned when her pupils flared wide with desire.

And then he wasn’t the only one rushing.

Chapter 23

Watching Noah play the drums, especially with no shirt on the way he was now, had to be one of life’s greatest pleasures.

Summer wanted to fan herself as his biceps and pecs flexed over and over with each hit of his sticks against the skins. He’d invited her to watch a practice session in the music studio owned by Fractured’s record label. Both Eden and Lexie were busy, so she was the only audience member as the guys performed a full run-through of the setlist for the upcoming tour. Without the distraction of other people to talk to, by the time they reached the end of the set, Summer was practically vibrating with pent-up lust. Seeing Noah doing what he loved, with so much passion and skill, had always sent her libido through the roof. It was the second sexiest thing in the world after having him moving over her when they were making love.

She realized what she’d thought and mentally backpedaled. When they werehavingsex. It wasn’t making love. Just two young, healthy people enjoying each other’s bodies, that was all.

Summer’s breathing shallowed. God, she didn’t need to be thinking that way, particularly as they neared the start of the tour. They’d spent so much time together over the last four weeks, it was far too easy to fall into the mindset that whatever this was between them could just keep going. That the future she used to imagine could still be a reality.

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