Page 37 of Trusting Tanner
“We’re going to run a marathon,” she said.
He laughed. “No.”
“Bungee jumping.”
“No.”
“Skydiving.”
His eyes widened. “I didn’t realize you were an adrenaline junkie.”
“I’m not.” She shrugged. “But life’s too short not to try everything at least once, right?”
Tanner took her hand and laced their fingers. Hand holding was one more thing Zach would never do, at least, not with her, but it was something she enjoyed. The fact her hand fit perfectly in Tanner’s was a bonus. “That’s the best attitude you can have, especially considering what I’ve got planned.” He winked.
“You don’t play fair,” she teased. “Wait! I know. We’re going to rob a bank, and we’ll have to run when the cops show up. Oh! No. I got it.” She snapped her fingers. “We’re going cow tipping.”
“What the hell is cow tipping?”
“It’s when you sneak up on a cow and tip it over. They’re like boulders, so it generally takes more than one person. It has to be a coordinated effort for it to work.”
He stared at her in disbelief. “You’ve actually tipped over a cow?”
She laughed. “Maybe. You tell me where we’re going, and I’ll answer your question.”
“I suggest you get back to guessing. And you’d better hurry up. We’re almost there.”
Juliana glanced out the window in the hopes she’d see something to give her a hint, but there wasn’t much around. “Hmm.” She pursed her lips and tapped her finger against them. The shoes were definitely a clue, the only one she currently had, but what the hell did it mean?
“Please don’t do that.” His dark gaze was trained on her instead of the road.
“Do what?”
“Purse your lips. It’s distracting as hell. Now all I can think about is kissing you.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s all you’ve been able to think about since you met me.” She wouldn’t complain if he were to kiss her right now, but she knew if he did, she wouldn’t want him to stop, and then things would get out of control. And she wasn’t going to sleep with him on their first date—no matter how badly she wanted to.
“Your time is up, Shea.” Tanner pulled into the mostly empty parking lot of a monstrous brick building. It had to be at least six or seven stories high, but there wasn’t a single window. There was a set of double doors illuminated by two very bright lights. Spray painted across the front of the building in bright yellow letters were the wordsAdrenaline Avalanche. Before she could ask what this place was, Tanner was out of the car and around to her side, opening her door.
She took his proffered hand and got out. “Too bad I didn’t guess correctly. You would have loved what I was going to ask you for.” She patted his chest.
He groaned. “Now who’s not playing fair?”
“Actually, turnabout is fair play, so…” She looked around at the empty lot. “Are you sure this place is open?”
“I guess I deserved that.” He grinned. “Yes, they’re open. C’mon.”
Her heart fluttered as she followed him inside. But one look was all it took for her heart to stop. It was a gigantic obstacle course: rope bridges suspended seventy feet in the air, zip lines leading to ball pits, gigantic trampolines, faux rock walls… This was Tanner’s idea of a date?
“Sorry, we’re closed for a private party,” the man behind the counter said without looking up from his cell phone.
“I know. It’s my party,” Tanner said.
Juliana’s ears rang at his words. He’d reserved this place for them? What the hell?
“Oh, right, of course, Mr. Collins. My bad.” The guy smiled. “I’m Riley. Follow me and I’ll get you all set up.”
“You reserved this entire place just for us?” she whispered in astonishment as they followed Riley toward the obstacle course.
