Page 39 of Trusting Tanner
“You pick. I’ll follow,” he said.
Juliana moved toward the tightrope, then hesitated. The rope was a lot thinner than she’d originally thought. There was a secondary cable overhead, which she assumed was used for holding on. She took a small step back, deciding to go the other way, but she bumped into Tanner.
“You grab on here,” he said, reaching over her head and taking hold of the second cable. The action brought his body even closer to hers, and she got a whiff of his cologne. She momentarily closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, leaning into his solid, warm chest. He lowered his head so his mouth was near her ear. “And you turn your body like this.” His breath was warm, his voice soft as he moved his hands to her waist and gently turned her so she was standing sideways. “The trick is to walk across the rope sideways while holding on.”
She nodded and glanced at him, hoping he couldn’t tell how fast her heart was beating or how hard it was for her to breathe with him so close. He reached up and brushed the hair from her forehead, trailing his fingers down her face and tucking the errant strands behind her ear. She sucked in a breath, waiting for him to close the distance and kiss her.
But he didn’t. He straightened. “I’ll be right behind you. Promise.”
“Good, because if I fall, I’m taking you with me,” she teased.
“You’re not going to fall. I won’t let you.” There was a promise in his tone that she wasn’t sure she believed.
Nodding, she took a deep breath and clutched the overhead cable. She went slowly at first but then picked up speed. “That wasn’t so bad,” she said once she made it to the other side. Her palms were red and sore from holding the cable, and she flexed her fingers to ease some of the pain.
“I should’ve warned you that the cable raises hell with your hands.” Tanner massaged her palms, letting his fingers roam down to her wrist and then back up to her fingertips.
She watched, transfixed, as he touched her. Every move he made was self-assured and sexy. Goose bumps broke out on her arms, and she had to fight back a tremor.
“Better?” he asked, still holding her hands.
“Yes.” The word was a breathy whisper. God, if he could turn her on this much by simply touching her hands, she was in a lot of trouble. She’d never survive his touch elsewhere.
“Good.” He pressed his lips to her right palm, then her left. “Which way now?”
“You pick,” she said. Her brain was mush, and the only thing she could focus on was the tingling in her hands.
Releasing her, he turned to survey their options. It was either jump across five trampolines of varying sizes or try to maneuver across three seesaw-like bars. “Trampolines it is,” he said with a firm nod.
“Taking the easy way, huh?” She playfully nudged him.
“Let me hear you say that once we’re on the other side,” he said.
“Gladly.” She smiled sweetly, then jumped on the first trampoline. She bounced a little higher than she expected, which was only the start of her problems. Trying to get across the length of the first one was a struggle, but climbing onto the outer ring and then jumping to the next was a test of patience and strength. When she finally made it across, she was panting, and her legs felt like heated rubber. She bent over, clutched her knees, and drew in several deep breaths.
“Easy way, huh?” Tanner asked, his breath coming as hard as hers.
“I take it back.”
An hour and a half later, Juliana stood, hands on her hips, in front of the very last obstacle. Directly in front of her was a steep ladder and to her right was a drop-off with a massive foam pit at the bottom.
“Well, which is it going to be?” Tanner asked.
After the hassle of getting across the trampolines, he’d insisted she pick the route, and she hadn’t argued. But she was curious as to what he’d decide. “You choose this time.”
He took her hand and tugged her toward the foam pit. “We’re going to jump.”
Her heart stopped then started just as abruptly, knocking the breath from her body. That would not have been her choice, but her legs were tired, and her muscles ached. Climbing down three stories wasn’t very appealing, either.
“Ready?” he asked.
She gave his hand a firm squeeze and nodded. “Don’t let go.”
“Never.” He winked.
In the next instant, she was falling. She closed her eyes tightly, fear preventing her from looking down. Her stomach dipped, stuck in her throat, then slammed back in place. She screamed seconds before Tanner released her hand. Weightlessness surrounded her as she hit the foam. And then she sunk into the pit, the foamy mats hugging her like a long-lost lover.
Tanner settled next to her. “That was so much better than climbing down the ladder.”
