Page 65 of Trapped and Tackled

“Really?” Talon seems genuinely curious, so I continue to fill him in on plans for the event—the menu, the first waltz, the signature drink.

By the time I finish talking, he’s flagging the server down for the check. And then, we head to the water park for a carefree, fun afternoon.

Another thing I haven’t experienced in ages. Another thing I wouldn’t want to share with anyone more than Talon Miller.

Chapter 16

Talon

Leni Strauss in a bikini should be illegal.

In fact, witnessing the number of men who do double takes—some of them while with their own women—is alarming. Of course, Sunny Leni is completely oblivious, bouncing on her tippy toes and pointing to one slide or another.

But I clock every second glance. Every look that lingers too damn long. And even two whistles.

The interest Leni generates has me shadowing her every move. And even though I know I’m being overbearing, she doesn’t seem to mind. Instead, she latches onto my arm, gives me more of those sunny smiles, and races me to the top of every ride.

“This one! The free fall is next!” she exclaims, tugging me toward the water park ride that made me a lover of water parks.

And it’s funny, because it’s obviously not a big thing, but I love sharing this day with her. For years, I’d hit a water park and bring along one of my teammates who expressed an interest. And yeah, we always had fun.

But today is different. Today is special and it warms me from the inside out, like rays of sunshine that I haven’t felt since that first trip when I was about twelve.

Leni and I make it to the top of the slide, and I glance down.

I hear her suck in a breath, and I glance at her over my shoulder.

She meets my eyes and a slow smile spreads across her beautiful face.

“You ready, Sunshine?” I ask.

“After you, Miller.”

I snort. “You sure? Ladies first?”

“Y’all can go together. There are two slides,” the lifeguard offers.

I raise an eyebrow. Leni’s smile widens, and we each take our place.

“On three,” I say.

“I’ll see you at the bottom,” she replies.

“Yeah, I’ll get there first.”

Leni snickers.

“Three,” I start. “Two.”

And then I whoop with glee as Leni takes off—being a sneaky, little cheater.

“Leni!” I holler after her, pushing myself down the slide.

My heart soars up into my throat and my stomach plummets to my toes. For a heartbeat, I’m weightless.

I’m not the kid with a chip on his shoulder. I’m not the life of every party, just to be included. For a beat, I’m just Talon, a guy free-falling for the prettiest, sweetest, sunniest woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.

When I reach the bottom, the slide bottoms out and the water splashes up.

---