Page 120 of Three Ring Heat: Part One
If he preferred to be here, in the sanctuary of the event center, away from prying eyes, that was fine by me.
“I wanted to teach you a few things about the trapeze.” He grinned widely, and my heart dropped. “How better to teach you than to show you?”
“You’re joking.” I blanched. “You really expect me to swing from that thing?” My eyes shot to the trapeze bar hanging on a hook beside us.
To my horror, he laughed.
Oh God.
He’s going to kill me.
I’m going to die here in Santa Fe.
“Not tonight.” He shook his head. “There are a few things you have to learn before you get on the bar.”
I exhaled shakily. “Oh, thank fuck.”
Daze got to his feet, still laughing, and offered me a hand. My knees trembled the second my ass left the platform, but I tried to stay calm. Tried to seem unafraid.
I was sure Daze could tell I was shaking, and I tried to silently reassure myself.
He won’t let me fall.
He’ll keep me safe.
If anything happens to me, he’ll be in big trouble…
Like he was trying to comfort me, he put himself between me and the edge of the platform, which settled my racing pulse… slightly.
Daze reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. The touch sent electricity skittering through me, and I shivered. The last few days, I’d missed being this close to him and the feel of his skin.
I’d missed the smell of him and the feel of his lips…
My breath caught as he leaned in closer, and my gaze dropped to his mouth. I had no idea if he planned to kiss me, but I wouldn’t be upset if he did.
Hell, making out sounded better than him trying to coax me onto a trapeze bar or silk any day.
“Are you ready to learn?” he asked, his voice impossibly low, and I nodded automatically.
Heat bloomed in my stomach from nearness, and a smile tugged at the corners of my lips. He had my undivided attention and could teach me whatever he wanted.
“We’ll start with the basics,” he said, seeming to lean even closer. Our breaths mixed together, and my head swam. Despite the urge to reach up on my tiptoes and close the distance between us, I tried to pay attention.
“Basics.” I nodded to prove I was listening.
The corner of his mouth hitched upward, and my stomach flip-flopped. It really was a crime how goddamn attractive this man was.
“There’s one crucial thing you have to learn before we let you fly, something that you wouldn’t think is very important,” he explained, reaching up to brush his fingers along my jawline. Sparks lit up my skin at his touch.
“And what’s that?” I asked, my eyes locked with his.
Tentatively, I reached out and placed my hand on his chest, slowly trailing it higher. I wanted to feel more of him, and the few inches between us were killing me.
I took a half-step forward.
He leaned in even closer, barely brushing his lips against mine. A stuttered breath escaped me, and my eyelids drooped dreamily. I was waiting, too afraid to move, for him to finally seal our kiss.
Instead, he answered, “How to fall.”
