Page 27 of Jump or Fall
“I wouldn’t expect you to figure it out on your own.”
He stood and crossed the room to hold the door open for her.
As Mara passed him, she felt the warmth of his presence around her. A deeper breath drew in the scent of him—his riding jacket, a trace of detergent, and something masculine.
Not a hint of cologne.
She had to resist the urge to lean in.
Stop thinking about him like this. You’re damaged goods. No one who knows about Dawson will want you.
Chapter 11
Gordon
“Do you want to go back right now, or can I show you something?” Gordon asked, trying to keep his voice even. He didn’t want this to end yet. Admitting the truth had left him lighter somehow. For the first time since he’d met her, he didn’t feel like he was holding his breath.
Mara’s gaze fixed on him. “What is it?”
“Is it okay if it’s a surprise?”
The corner of her mouth lifted, subtle but warm. “Is it as good as the ocean?”
“I hope so.” He grinned, not quite able to hide how much her smile affected him.
“Okay,” she said. “Is it close?”
“Closer than the sea.”
“Let’s see it then.”
He motioned to the right, his pulse pounding as they started walking. She hadn’t turned him down—even after learning the truth.
Maybe she liked being around him.
When she’d walked past him earlier, he could’ve sworn she moved closer on purpose.
Gordon led her through an older part of the tunnels. The walls were darker here, covered in grime from lack of maintenance, and the lights overhead flickered between white and a deeper orange hue.
He hated that a detour through dank tunnels was the best he could offer. She deserved to see something above. Something outside the walls.
After a few quiet minutes, they reached an access door. Gordon withdrew his key and slid it into the panel.
Please like it.
The lock disengaged with a sharpclick. Fluorescent lights kicked on inside, revealing a metal stairwell.
Mara peered down. “You’re not tricking me into meeting someone else, are you?”
“No,” he said quickly. “I promise—no unpleasant surprises. I’ll go first if you want.”
She gave him one last skeptical look, but stepped aside so he could lead the way. His boots hit the stairs with heavy thuds, while her footsteps followed softly behind.
They descended into a wide, open room that smelled of dust and rock. The bunker had thick concrete walls, cool and dry despite the moisture that infiltrated the tunnels above. Along one side was an old desk with a monitor mounted on the wall. Throughout the room were scattered storage containers and a few display cases with fogged glass.
Her eyes scanned every corner, wide with curiosity as she drifted toward one of the displays. “What is this place?”
Gordon approached one of the displays and opened it. Inside was an antique set of armor.
