Page 105 of The SEAL's Duchess
Her gaze bounced, ricocheted off every sharp angle of the hellish rig hanging over her, waiting for her fall.
“Ivy!” His grip contracted, stopping all blood in her arm. “Don’t. Fucking. Look. Away.”
She was slipping. The combination of her blood and his sweat made it impossible to hold.
The pain in her arm was so bright and sharp?—
“There’s a pipe.” He grunted with effort. “Below you, at the side.”
She looked down, spinning, trying not to hear his pained groan as he fought to hold her.
There.
“I see it.” She stretched her foot. Missed.
“I’m going to swing you. Get your weight on it.”
His arm shook. He couldn’t hold her much longer. His breathing hissed.
He swung her once. Twice, and her toe skimmed a ledge. Three times, and the toe of her boot hit the pipe.
She got one foot solid, then the other, taking the bulk of her weight off his arm. With her free hand she clutched cold metal, pressing its solidity into her cheekbone.
Adrenaline floored her. It was all she could do to perch on the inch deep ledge.
“Climb, Ivy.” He stretched out his free hand for her to grip. “Give me your other hand.”
There was another pipe two feet up. She lifted onto her tiptoes, reaching for it, and boosted herself to the next ledge.
Then another.
They were face to face now, breathing hard, their breath puffing in each other’s face.
“Now.” Sweat streaked his brow. “The deck edge.”
Her free hand came up, fingers scrabbling for the jagged edge of the deck where the walkway had torn away. The metal bit into her palm, rust and copper flooding her senses.
She ignored it.Pulled. Her arms screamed, muscles refusing.
Come on.
Ryder reached down, his hand locking on her waist. Together they hauled her over the edge, sharp metal shredding her coat.
A final pull and she tumbled onto the deck landing on top of him, gasping for air.
“Ivy.Fuck.” His hand grabbed the back of her head, crushing her to him, his face wet against her cheek.
Sudden weight landed on Ivy’s back—Jack, collapsing on top of her, sobbing.
“Ivy.” Her voice was muffled against Ivy’s shoulder. “You scared the shit out of me.”
Crushed between the two of them, she was barely able to breathe.
Didn’t care.
Hot tears scorched her face.
“Okay, enough emotion.” The weight lifted and Ryder released her. Jack was on her knees, wiping grime across her face, grinning like a lunatic despite the pain etched around her eyes. “You two are killing me.” She gave a half laugh and smiled, her teeth white in the gloom.
