Page 63 of Sassy Love
She looks up at me at that. Something in her brown eyes I haven’t seen before swells.
She straightens a little, gaining more confidence as she goes. Stepping within arm’s length, she flies into my arms as I reach for her. The air huffs from my lungs as she wraps herself around my body, burying her face in my chest. “God, that was terrifying.”
I rub a hand over her hair. “You did good.”
She looks up to me before moving around me onto the platform. I double-check my harness, and Manuel instructs Carlie on how to belay my security rope. She nods, moving closer to the edge of the platform as I step out.
“Slowly, Mr. Lawson,” Manuel calls up.
I slowly make my way across the tightrope. It’s too easy. I glance back to see Carlie watching with bated breath, the line hanging between her fingers.
Her phone rings, startling her.
The line drops through her fingers.
“No, don’t let go!” I yell as my footing slips.
I scramble to reclaim my footing, arms flailing.
A second later, my back hits the ground. The air rushes from my lungs and I gasp like a fish out of water. Flat on my back, I lie there, stunned. I slam my eyes shut to stave off the burn that’s eating its way through my empty chest.
“Oh fuck!” Harried steps clunk down the wooden ladder, and I open my eyes as a blur of blonde swings over my face. Fine fingers palm my jaw. “Lawson! Oh my god. Manuel, get some help.”
I choke on my first painful inhale.
Something soft rubs my face. Floral and spice shroud my senses.
“Say you’re alright, please?” she begs.
Hands wander over my chest. She presses her ear to my chest. I stifle a chuckle, but a groan escapes in its place. Her head lifts, and I find her face twisted with worry. Eyes shuttering closed, she sags with relief as I say, “Still alive.”
I cough through the next few breaths, and she insists I sit up. I brush the grass and dirt from the back of my hair. A quick hand clears the debris from my back, and I still at her touch.
“Sorry, you had grass . . .”
“Thanks,” I offer.
“Can you stand?”
“Sure. I’m fine.”
To prove my point, I rise to my feet and brush off the rest of the dirt and grass. Carlie worries her bottom lip between her teeth, a gesture I’ve never seen on her before, and it affects me in ways it really shouldn’t.
“Is your head okay?” she asks.
“Yup, I’m fine, Princess.”
Her face goes from concerned to stone in less than a heartbeat.
Shit, wrong thing to say.
“Yep, back to your old self.” She stalks off, and I’m left standing under the tightrope as Manuel appears at my side. “Your baby mama is a fiery woman, Mr. Lawson. Your hands will always be full, hey. You’re one lucky man, brother.” He slaps me on the shoulder and walks off to the communal area.
Mywhat?
Just what the hell is on that clipboard he carries around?
Needing a way to lose the frustration building up after the past few days, I decide on a run. Not the smartest decision in the middle of the hot day, but if I go back to the bungalow now, I’m likely to say something I’ll regret. So my feet hit the gravel track skirting the lake by the resort.
