Page 34 of Objection to Love

But something about the expression on her face when he’d jolted to a stop in front of her—a mixture of surprise and interest—had made him want to test the waters. Only he thought it might have affected him more than her in the end. He’d do it again though.

He was a glutton for punishment.

Another tug and he could tell the backpack was free.

“There you go.” Em’s voice saved him from his thoughts.

“Thanks.” He looked over his shoulder. “I thought we’d be stuck here forever. I definitely didn’t bring enough snacks for that.”

She rolled her eyes, but it seemed half-hearted. Then she glanced over his shoulder, shifting her weight awkwardly. “You wanted to lead…?”

Hmm. So, maybe she wasn’t as unaffected as he’d thought. That sparked both curiosity and a weird need to push the boundaries even more.

But that wasn’t what today was about, even though his hands still buzzed with energy where he’d touched her waist. With one last look at her, he turned and continued down the trail, purposely reining in his long strides so he wouldn’t tire Em out. Not that he should be so considerate. He was, after all, supposed to be edging her out of her comfort zone. But he also didn’t want her to hate him, so he kept the pace slow. She had no clue what a gem he was.

“We’re almost there.”

“Almost where?”

He smiled at the obviously leading question. “Almost there, of course.”

Garrett didn’t need to turn around to imagine the annoyed look, or downright glare, she must be sending his way. He didn’t usually poke bears for fun, but something about the woman drove him into dangerous territory. He found himself pushing the boundaries more and more, walking the line between rude and, he hoped, charmingly irritating.

“You’re a terrible person, you know?” Em grumbled.

Maybe he wasn’t walking the line as well as he’d intended. Similar to the law puns he’d been subtly throwing her way. Too subtly, apparently, because she hadn’t caught on yet.

“No, I didn't know that. Must be an unpopular opinion, since you are very, very, very in the minority.”

“I bet if I did a survey I wouldn’t be.”

“That’s a bet I am willing to take.” The trail in front of them opened up, and he turned to face Em, walking backwards toward the rock face in the clearing. He turned just in time to see a ghost of a smile leave her face. No, he was definitely walking the line perfectly well. Point for Garrett.

Em looked around, her sculpted jawline rising as she took in the rocks in front of them. “I’m not climbing that.” Her tone brooked no argument, but her eyes held real fear.

“Actually,” he dropped the bag to the ground, then bent to unzip it, revealing a large coiled rope and numerous carabiners and rock-climbing equipment, “you are.”

She didn’t respond, and when he looked back up to her, her eyes were trained, unblinking at the rock face. He rocked back on his heels, waiting until she pierced him with a look that was one part hatred, and two parts panic.

“Nope. Uh-uh. Not happening. I’ll be in the truck.”

She turned back toward the trail, and Garrett hopped back up to his feet, reaching forward to grab her wrist. “Hey,” he said softly, dropping the “poke the bear” act in exchange for a more sensitive approach he hadn’t known he was capable of.

She didn’t move for a full fifteen seconds, and when she finally turned to him, the one part of anger in her look was replaced with vulnerability.

Garrett had to swallow hard before he could speak. He took a step toward her, still holding her wrist lightly. “I know it looks scary, but I promise it’s worth it.”

The fight seemed to go out of her as she looked past him toward the rocks. “I’m… I’m scared of heights, honestly.”

“Me too.” He lifted half his mouth in a smile as she looked back at him. “That’s what makes it more fun. Plus, you’ll have a harness, ropes, and me holding you up.”

She glanced at the rocks again, then back at him. Her shoulders straightened. “I think you intended that to be more reassuring than it really is.”

He could see the prickly Em returning and knew she had decided to see this challenge head-on. “I promise not to judge your athleticism,” he teased.

“I’m less worried about you judging me and more concerned about you staring at my butt the whole time. You could get distracted. While my life is in your hands.”

Garrett’s grin widened.Shewas teasinghim. He couldn’t have been more surprised than if she’d run past him and scaled the rock face with nothing but her bare hands and tenacity.

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