“You’re not afraid of heights, are you?” Emmet asks as we step into the lift.
“Me? No. I love heights. I’ve been rock climbing a few times. Indoor rock climbing, that is. And bouldering. That’s a lot of fun. I’ve been up the Eiffel Tower too. That was stunning.”Stop talking, Ty. “Are you afraid of heights?” Would he have suggested the Empire State Building if he were?
He chuckles and shakes his head.
I guess he thought a fear of heights might go hand in hand with a fear of flying.
The lift is fast and smooth. As we ascend, a video plays above our heads, showing the building being constructed. It’s fun, but disorientating enough for me to grip Emmet’s hand tightly. Not that he seems to mind. He smiles at me and strokes the back of my hand, just like he did on the plane.
When we get out of the lift, we ignore the displays and head straight onto the viewing platform. It’s a warm day, but up here, the wind is chilly.
“Wow.” I gaze at the city with wide eyes. “It’s an awe-inspiring view. So different to the view from the Eiffel Tower. Which makes sense, as New York and Paris are very different cities—” I bite my tongue.
“I’m glad you’re impressed.”
“I am. It’s stunning up here. I can see so far.”
“It helps that it’s a clear day.”
“Yeah, I bet.”
Emmet is staring at me, rather than the view, which makes me blush all over again.
“Shouldn’t you be staring at it too?” I ask.
“I’ve been up here plenty of times. But the expression on your face is new.”
My face becomes hotter. “Oh? Like what you see, do you?”
“I like what I saw when I first bumped into you.”
“Ibumped intoyou.”
He shrugs. “We bumped into each other, and I’m glad we did.”
He brushes his fingertips over my jaw. Electricity zips across my skin in response to his light, playful touch.
I tug my fingers through my hair. “So… uh… is this a date?”
“I hope so.”
I bite my lower lip and focus on the view again. “It’s a pretty amazing first date.”
“It’s only just begun. The city is ours to explore. What do you want to do?”
“I dunno. I did a fair bit of sightseeing earlier, with Rett, Zeke, and Micah.” I yawn, but I manage to stifle it with my hand. “I’m so sorry. I couldn’t sleep last night, so I’ve been running on empty all day. Rett suggested we cut the afternoon short and go back to theirs so I could nap, but I figured I’d get over the jetlag faster if I stayed awake until bedtime. Now I’m not so sure that was a good idea.” I sag my shoulders. “Some first date. I’m going to be yawning all evening.”
“I don’t mind.”
I stare at him incredulously. “Seriously? First, I’m a basket case on you during the flight. Now, I’m exhausted. I wouldn’t be shocked if you made an excuse to leave and blocked my number.”
He lets go of my hand, steps close, so our shoulders are brushing, and then puts his arm around my waist. “I’m not going to do that, Ty. You’re sweet and, unless I’m very much mistaken, would benefit from having a Daddy.”
My breath catches in my throat. “I definitely needed one during the flight.”
“And now?”
My heart is pattering fiercely. I stare into his dark, kind eyes. Hooking up with someone when I’m so far from home is risky, but every fiber of my being wants to trust Emmet. Sure, it could be my cock talking. He’s fucking gorgeous and so patient. He made me relax enough to sleep on the plane. I want to know how he’d make me relax in the bedroom.
