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He put a hand on my shoulder and guided me to the right. “Then you’ll probably like this as well.”
Those damned tingles emanated from his touch again. “Uh…” was all I could manage.
He let go of me and reached for the door handle.
Two steps later, I was on a rooftop patio. “Yep. I like it,” I announced. Only a short metal railing separated us from the park, or at least that’s the impression it gave. A burbling fountain, a cushioned sitting area on teak-plank flooring, a grill on artificial grass, and another dining table set over tile filled the space. It seemed perfect. “What do you do when it rains?”
“Becka sends somebody up cover things or pack them away.”
Of course. Minions to the rescue.
Evan checked his watch. “We can still make the play, if you’d like…”
Tapping my sore cheek, I shook my head. “Would it be okay if we skipped it? I don’t really want to go out looking like this.”
He nodded. “Sure. We’ll get tickets again when you’re ready.”
I watched birds take flight from one of the nearby trees. “Can I look over the edge?”
“I wouldn’t. It’s a long way down.”
“I’m not scared of anything.” A useful lie.
A sixth floor walk-up was as high as I’d ever been, so I had no idea if I was good with heights or not. But his words were all the challenge I needed to find out. I strode to the edge focused on the vibrant green of the tree tops, just as another bird took flight. A hawk?
I looked up, following the hawk’s flight, and tripped on the edge of the artificial grass. Pitching forward, I tried to get a leg under me, but all I managed was to propel myself faster toward the railing. My hips hit the top of the rail, knocking the wind out of me as the force bent me forward. I tried to straighten back up too quickly, and my feet slipped and lifted from the floor.
What a stupid way to die.
CHAPTER19
Evan
Holy shit.
I saw it unfold in slow motion. Alexa tripped and pitched forward. Her attempt to catch her fall only accelerated her toward the edge.
I don’t think I’ve ever moved as fast as I did as I lunged and caught a handful of shirt. The fabric ripped, and Alexa leaned over the edge. With my other hand, I grabbed her arm with all the grip strength I could muster.Fuck gentle.With a yank that threatened to dislocate her shoulder, I pulled her up and back. Twisting her into me, I backed us away from the edge.
She sobbed into my chest, trembling.
I cradled her in my arms. I’d almost lost her. That thought terrified me, which explained my racing heart. What kind of man lets his girlfriend fall off the building two minutes after getting her home? Apparently one as stupid as me. I should have known better than to challenge her. My Allie was feisty with a capital F and would do almost anything just to prove a point.
It felt so natural to have my arms around her, like she was meant to be there—and not as an actress. “You scared me,” I finally mumbled.
She sucked in a loud breath and sniffled. “I scared myself.” She hugged me tight. “Thank you for—”
I didn’t let her finish. “No thanks necessary.” I lifted her chin, and my eyes came to rest on her mouth.
She licked those luscious lips, tempting lips. Was this our moment? Was that look a sultry invitation to a kiss not meant for the cameras? A true kiss? Or just the adrenaline rush of the fear she’d felt?
A knock sounded on the glass behind us. “It’s all unloaded,” Sylvester said.
“Thanks,” I replied without turning toward him.
Sylvester closed the door behind us.
Alexa stepped back, and her shirt fell open, revealing a lacy bra and delectable cleavage. I’d ripped all the buttons off. She quickly pulled the sides together. “This isn’t how I’d envisioned you ripping my clothes off.”
