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“While they’re definitely better suited than the heels you wore the other day, they’re not as likely to grip the rock wall. If I remember right, you have a little fear of heights.”
He remembers right. It’s something that I was worried might keep me from getting the role when JulieAnn told me it was a requirement.
“I’ve been working on that,” I say. “I’ve taken several classes at my local gym.”
“Local gyms have great hand and foot holds, but nature isn’t always so accommodating. You’ll want the extra grip, or you’ll risk slipping over a pair of shoes.”
Well, crap. “Okay, give me a size seven. And wipe that smile from your face, cowboy.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I glare at him, and he tries hard to keep from smiling.
After I change my shoes and don a helmet, Jax motions me over. He’s holding out the harness. “Put your legs in the holes, and I’ll help you secure the harness around your waist.”
That means I’ll have to get close to him. He’ll have to touch me. This definitely wasn’t a good idea. Slip into the role, Malia. Remember, you’re acting. I steel my nerves and close the distance. I put one leg in and have to hold onto his arms. Holy crap, his muscles are hard, strong, capable. Memories flood me–memories of sliding my hands up and down those arms, of him picking me up with ease. My cheeks burn, and I hope he can’t tell how unnerved I am at the moment. I quickly put my other leg in and let go of his arms. The harness wraps around each thigh and then around my waist, but it’s far too loose.
“Is this supposed to keep me from falling to my death?” I try to tighten the harness, to no avail.
“Not like that, it won’t. May I?” He gestures to the harness.
I shrug, wishing I knew how to fix it on my own. His help is not helpful at all.
He closes the distance and crouches down in front of me to tighten the buckle on my left leg. His fingers brush my thigh, and my heart speeds up. This was such a bad idea. I’m about to tell him I’ll figure it out and just risk death when he pulls on the strap until the left leg hole is snug. He moves onto my right leg and does the same. He straightens and gazes down at me while his hands move to tighten the buckles at my waist. Hay, leather, and that spicy male scent that’s all Jax surrounds me. It’s intoxicating and ignites memories and emotions that have been locked away for years, memories of his breath on my neck followed by tender kisses. A pang of longing tugs at my insides. My eyes meet his, and I hold my breath.
“How’s that?” Jax asks, his tone airy. His expression seems to scream so much more at me. Is he remembering the same things? Do his insides pull at him the same way?
“It’s fine,” I manage.
He nods and moves to gather his other tools. I let out my breath and turn away from him, wondering why I ever agreed to this. I hate Jaxon, and yet every time he is close to me—his hands touching me—all I can think about is his mouth on mine. I’m a hot mess. Jaxon works to get the ropes set up and tells me everything I need to know to get started. Most of it’s the same speech I’ve heard many times at the rock-climbing gym, but I listen and nod.
“I set up the automatic belaying devices before you got here. Once I’ve evaluated your climbing skills, we’ll graduate to belaying each other.”
“Doesn’t that come with a fair amount of trust?” Can I trust Jax to belay me when he’s already shattered me once before. Can he trust me?
He answers hesitantly. “Yes, that it does.”
“Then we should defiantly hold off on that one for a while.”
His gaze shifts away from mine. “You can trust me, Malia. I would never let anything happen to you.”
“I feel like I’ve heard that one before.” I didn’t mean to say it, but I seem to be having trouble reining in my mouth.
Jax just nods contemplatively. “How many times have you scaled the indoor rock wall?” He asks, changing the subject.
“Enough that I’ve mastered all the routes on it, even the hardest ones. But I’ve been told outdoor feels very different, and the role I’m trying to get requires outdoor climbing.”
“This is for an acting gig then?”
“Yup.” I sigh. “Nothing like conquering your fears for work.” Both with heights and with facing Jaxon.
He fastens a small first aid kit to his belt. “Well, I remember that when you set your mind to something, you commit to it fully.”
“You should take some lessons on that,” I mumble under my breath.
“What was that?” he asks.
“Nothing,” I say, reminding myself to keep it professional.
