Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“Stop making it look so easy,” she calls up.
“Can’t help it,” I reply, reaching the top in record time.
When I rappel back down, she shakes her head. “You’re obnoxiously good at this.”
“I’m all right,” I say, grinning. “Ready for round two?”
Her smile is game. “Let’s do it.”
We spend the next hour climbing different walls, taking turns belaying for each other. Farren grows more confident with each climb, and I can see the tension in her shoulders ease. She even starts to crack jokes, teasing me every time I give her advice.
“Is this your way of flirting?” she asks at one point, pausing mid-climb to look down at me.
“Maybe,” I reply with a smirk. “Is it working?”
She snorts and keeps climbing, but not before calling down to me. “Baby… you just have to crook your finger at me and I’ll jump in your bed anytime.”
I flush hot, immediately looking around to see a handful of people heard her as evidenced by the smirks on their faces.
“Could you have said that louder?” I ask, not bothering to temper the volume of my voice. The cat’s already out of the bag.
Farren’s husky laugh floats down to me and fuck, I even like how wide open she is with her desire for me, even if it’s slightly embarrassing.
By the time we take a break, she’s flushed and sweaty but grinning from ear to ear. We sit on the padded floor, drinking water and catching our breath.
“I’ll admit,” she says, stretching her legs out in front of her. “This is actually kind of fun.”
“Told you,” I say.
She glances at me, her expression softening. “You’re full of surprises.”
“How is this a surprise?” I ask. “I told you before this was one of my hobbies.”
“Yeah,” she says, running her finger down the condensation on her water bottle. “But I think most guys would rather have just taken me to their house to have sex. Instead, you took me somewhere we could spend quality, non-sex time together. And you took the gamble that I’d enjoy doing something like this. It’s just… surprising.”
I put my hand behind her neck and pull her close. My lips are very near hers, although I have no intention of kissing her. I do lower my voice though, so that only she can hear. “I still intend to take you back to my house and fuck you.”
Farren’s eyes flare and she hums low in her throat. “That better be a promise.”
“It is,” I assure her, releasing her just as quickly, causing her to startle as I know she was expecting a kiss. I jump to my feet, grab her hand and haul her up. “But first, one more wall to climb.”
The tallest wall in the gym looms ahead, a towering challenge with holds spaced farther apart and a few overhangs that require some strategy to navigate. Farren stands at the base, craning her neck to look up at the top. Her lips press into a thin line, and I can see the hesitation creeping in.
“That’s really high,” she says, her voice wavering slightly. “I don’t know if I’m strong enough.”
“You never know until you try,” I say, stepping closer. “I’ll guide you the whole way. You trust me, right?”
She glances at me, her expression guarded, but after a moment, she nods. “Yeah, I trust you. I just don’t trust myself.”
“Well, lucky for you, I’ve got your back,” I say with a reassuring grin. “One step at a time, Farren. That’s all it is.”
“I’m scared,” she admits, averting her eyes. “I mean, that’s really tall.”
I take her hand and give it a squeeze. “I said I’ve got your back. Always.”
She exhales slowly and nods again, determination flickering in her eyes. “All right. Let’s do it.”
I double-check her harness and knots, making sure everything is secure. “You’ve got this,” I say, giving her shoulder a quick squeeze. “Take your time and don’t overthink it. Just focus on the next hold.”
She steps up to the wall, her fingers testing the first few holds before she begins her climb. Her movements are slow and deliberate, every step calculated. I keep the rope taut, my gaze locked on her as she makes her way up.
“You’re doing great,” I call as she clears the first third of the wall. “Keep your weight close to the wall—don’t let your hips drift back.”
“Easier said than done,” she yells, but there’s a hint of humor in her voice.
She continues upward, her confidence growing with each successful move. When she reaches the first overhang, she pauses, looking down at me. “What the hell do I do here?”
“Lean back slightly and shift your weight onto your feet,” I instruct. “Use your legs to push up and grab the hold above you with your right hand. It’s solid.”
She hesitates then does as I say, her movements tentative but steady. When she clears the overhang, she lets out a breathless laugh. “Holy shit, that worked.”