Page 84 of Broken Bridges

Tia clutched onto the edge of the seat. “Lewis, I’ve changed my mind.”

“You can’t back out now. We’re here. Are you seasick?” As the boat swayed, nausea pooled in my gut. I wasn’t at the point of having to hurl, but if it got any rougher, I’d be hanging over the side of the boat. Whose idea was this? Fool.

“No. It’s just—”

“Just nothing.” I tapped her thigh. “Your leg will be fine, so get your ass into that harness.”

“Oh.” She threw me a saucy smile. “Bossy Lewis. I like him.”

Fuck! Why did every sexy comment from her spike my pulse? “Good. Then do as I say, and I won’t have to punish you.”

As she stepped into one of the tandem harnesses, she lowered her voice so only I could hear. “What if I want you to do just that?”

Blood rushed to my cock. Not good when I was been cinched into straps. I hovered my lips next to her ear. “I will do anything you want. Trust me.”

She thumbed toward the marina. “Can we go home now? Please.”

Chuckling, I nudged her arm. “After this, absolutely. And I’m prepared to get a speeding ticket to get you there as soon as possible.”

“I’ll pay the fine if we get pulled over.”

“Deal.” I handed Aaron my cell phone. He took a couple of photos of us, then I stowed it back in Tia’s bag. As I stood beside Tia, Aaron clipped us onto the parasailing bar. I clutched onto the straps. My heart stampeded. I’d always wanted to do this. But as the boat took off, I questioned my decision. I didn’t know who was more anxious. Me or Tia?

“How are you doing?” I hollered to her over the wind. “Leg check?”

“Yeah. All good.” Her gorgeous green eyes glittered in the sunlight.

“You ready?” Aaron yelled louder than the roaring motors.

Tia gave me a nod. “I am. You?”

“Hell yeah,” I shouted, gripping onto my harness for dear life.

“Let’s fly.” Aaron counted down on his fingers. “Three. Two. One. Go!”

The parachute shot out behind us. Seconds later, we lifted from the boat.

As the winch released and we rose higher and higher, Tia shrieked...but it wasn’t from fear. It was excitement.

With the harness cutting into my thighs and way too close to my nut sack, we soared above the ocean. The coastline loomed to our right, the endless Pacific to the left. Sunshine sparkled on top of the ocean like shattered glass had been spilled across the surface.

As the wind whipped my hair against my face, I yelled to Tia, “This is incredible.”

“Oh my God. I love this,” she shouted.

My heart swelled. To see her smile was the best feeling ever. Mission accomplished.

For five minutes, we flew up the coast toward Santa Monica Pier, then we looped around to head back toward the marina. We were winched slowly into the boat. I’d instructed Aaron to make sure the landing was controlled and gentle, so Tia wouldn’t hurt her leg. Once my feet hit the deck, Aaron and I caught her, released her harness, and set her on a seat without her having to put a foot on the ground.

“How was that?” I swept the stray strands of hair off her face. “Your leg okay?”

She flung her arms around my neck and planted a huge kiss on my cheek. “Argh! That was brilliant. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” I hugged her back, but my heart raced way too fast. “See? You can do things that don’t hurt your leg.”

“I needed this.” She clutched onto me tighter. “So much.”

She crushed her lips against mine. So much for remaining discreet. As I kissed her back, my heart hammered against my ribs. God, I wanted her. But not there.

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