Page 24 of Adoring Ink

Then they jumped.

Or more like tilted to the side and fell, but it sure felt like a jump. Wind rushed past them so quickly she couldn’t scream. Her body felt weightless for a bare instant before it went too heavy and they bounced back. She couldn’t quite comprehend everything she was seeing, but she knew she’d never forget it.

She’d never forget the way things rushed past her.

The way the water below them gurgled and shone in the light.

The way the wind slid over her face and slapped at her.

And she’d never forget the smile on Brody’s face or the look of wonder that washed over him.

Never in all her days would she forget.

By the time the guys at the bottom pulled them down and set them apart, Holly was ready to hold Brody close and never let him go.

“I’ve never felt more…just more!” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Oh my God, Brody, we need to do that again.”

His eyes widened, and he kissed her hard. “I was afraid I’d pee my pants at first because, hell, did you see what we just did? But having you in my arms made it easier. We made a pretty good team, Holly.”

Yeah, they did. They made the best team.

And when they got to her place later, she’d have to tell him a little more about herself. She was ready, and it was time.

She just didn’t know if she wanted it to push him away, or keep him closer. She just didn’t know…

And that scared her.

By the time they picked up something to eat and got to her place, the adrenaline had worn off but not the need to talk to Brody. Holly didn’t know why she had this urge, other than she knew it was past time she showed him more of herself.

They were sitting on her couch eating the sandwiches they’d picked up from the local deli when Brody looked over at her with a frown.

“What?” she asked, picking at her meal.

“For someone who just went bungee jumping for the first time and apparently loved it, you look a little sad. What’s up, baby?”

She set her food down and turned so she was sitting cross-legged on the couch facing him. “Did you ever think it was weird that I wanted to do all of these things out of the blue?”

Brody set his drink down and turned so he was fully facing her as well. He reached out and took her hand, and she was grateful for it. “Not really, honestly. We all have some points in our lives when we want to do something different or change things. I find it lucky that I was there, being a horrible eavesdropper when you were talking about it.” He grinned, and her heart did that annoying thing where it sped up merely at the sight of him.

She could not afford to fall in love with Brody Deacon.

But damn it, she already had.

Holly pulled her gaze from him and gave her small home a glance. “I’ve lived here without changing much after the initial updates for years. I like the way everything settled down, and how I can pretty much stay here for long periods of time without needing things. You see, I’m not one to leave the house to go dancing, and I’ve never been to a club to drink with my friends.”

Brody winced. “We can change that if you want, but I think I’m getting old since watching late teens and early twenty-somethings writhe to too loud music makes my jaw ache.”

She shook her head, a smile playing on her face. “I don’t want to go clubbing. You’re right, that’s so not me. And though I’ve been doing new things, going out and hurting my ears and subsequently my feet from dancing or standing in heels for too long isn’t really list worthy.”

He squeezed her hand. “Good to know. Now, why don’t you tell me what’s really on your mind, Holly? You can tell me anything.”

“That’s the thing,” she whispered. “I feel like I can, but I’ve never really told anyone this before.” She met his gaze, worried once again that she was making a mistake. “And we’re…well, I don’t know what we are, but going into depth about things like my childhood seems like something pretty serious, and I don’t know if we’re that.”

There. She’d said part of it.

His face tightened a bit, and she wanted to kick herself.

Why did she have to bring up their relationship like that? No good could come from it.