Page 45 of The Love Lie
It’s a whisper against her skin, barely audible over the wind, more felt than heard as goose bumps spiral down the side of her neck. His rich, deep baritone penetrates the panic.
“Take a deep breath,” he continues, lips brushing the outer shell of her ear. Dread and desire battle beneath her skin. “We’re absolutely fine. I’ve got you. You’re safe. And you’re going to kick yourself if you miss out on this view because you’re afraid.”
“I’m not afraid.”
He snorts.
“I’m terrified.”
“One second is all I’m asking. Open your eyes for one second, and if it’s too much, close them right back up and keep screaming. I’m here for you either way.”
“No shit. We’re four hundred feet in the air, strapped to a fucking kite. Where the hell else can you go?”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”
“Hmph.”
“Come on. One second.”
“No.”
“One second.”
“No.”
“I dare you.”
“Do you really think that will work?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not five.”
“I double-dog dare you.”
Fucking shit balls—
She opens her eyes. The whole world is blue—vast, impenetrable, never-ending blue. Perfect, clear sapphire above,and sparkling, simmering turquoise below, marred only by the distant white speck of their boat.
“I think I’m going to be sick.” She groans.
He squeezes her abs. “Like hell you are.”
Sam pulls her gaze from the speeding hull far, far below and looks at Cooper. His face is close, too close. A wide grin splits his lips. A wild look fills his eyes.
“I hate you.”
“I know.”
Except the sparkle in his eyes says something different. It says he knows her secret—that she doesn’t hate him at all.
Sam swallows, suddenly unsure which fear has her heart pounding—tumbling out of the sky or tumbling right into his arms.
As if sensing it’s too much, Cooper lifts his face and screams, an unafraid, untamed, thrilled, excited thing, a sound she imagines he usually makes galloping at full speed on the back of his horse, full of joy and daring. He’s never seemed more a cowboy than he does in that moment, staring fear in the face and hollering with reckless abandon.
“Come on, Cuj,” he cajoles. “Let it out.”
She shrieks. It’s an absolutely pathetic attempt at copying his carefree sound. If she weren’t so terrified, she’d be embarrassed.
