Page 113 of Twist of Fate
He puts both hands on my shoulders and turns me to face him. I do my best not to squirm under his gaze.
“The legend is?—”
“You Irish and your legends and myths.”
He tilts his head, a grin spreading across his face. “So mouthy today.”
“I’m just in a good mood,” I tell him. “I like spending time with you.”
He seems slightly taken aback by my sudden candor but recovers quickly. “Even if I make you walk backward down those scary steps?”
“Well, I haven’t technically agreed to it yet.”
“You’ll do it,” he says confidently.
“How do you know?”
“Because” He reaches out, and almost as if he can’t stop himself, he takes a loose strand of my hair. He rubs it between the pads of his fingers before gently tucking it behind my ear. “You like to be challenged.”
No, I like to be challenged byhim. He brings out an adventurous side I didn’t realize I possessed. I thought moving to Spain with Theo was brave and exciting, but I felt more scared than anything.
This? Being here with Finn is thrilling.
“You’ll be with me the entire time?”
His eyes soften. “Every second.”
“So, I just have to walk down the stairs backward and then make a wish?”
“According to the legend, you’re meant to walk backward with your eyes shut?—”
“With my eyesshut!”
His lips twitch in amusement. “Come on, quit stalling.”
I begin to mutter about how this is the worst idea in the history of ideas until he wraps his hand around my waist, and I feel the warmth of his touch against my bare skin. I suck in a breath.
“Close your eyes.”
He pulls me closer as my eyes slowly shut. My heart begins to race in my chest when his hand slides to my back, and I’m suddenly lifted onto his feet.
I glance up at him through one slightly lifted eyelid. “I think this might count as cheating,” I manage to say, which is quite an extraordinary feat because being this close to him is making my brain go haywire.
“Yeah, but this way is much more fun.” He winks, then reaches down to grab my arm and slides it around his neck.
Oh yeah, thisisway more fun.
“Have your wish?”
Does wanting more of this count? “Um, yep.”
The amusement in his voice is unmistakable. “Okay, hold on. I’ll use my other hand to grip the railing. Ready?”
I nod as I close my eyes once more, and my heart drops as he takes the first step. It’s awkward, and I can’t help but giggle at how we must look.
“Why are you laughing?”
“I’m just thinking about how ridiculous we must appear. Thank God there isn’t anyone else around.”
