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I unclasped the belt from my waist and tucked my knife into the bag on my back. I said nothing as I strode over to the bridge. There were four long corded steel lines that bridged the gap. Ryker grasped my waist when I stepped forward onto the two at my feet just in case. Quickly, I clasped the belt around the right-hand cord, a leftover hand hold from long ago. I looped my arm through it and took a step forward once I felt steady, keeping my weight on my heels should I need to launch myself back to the safety of the ground behind me.
The bridge held strong.
“Careful,” Ryker shouted.
I took another tentative step forward, but still the bridge remained steady. I slid my belt along, using it as an extra source of balance. It was impossible not to look down, but I found that if I took it slow and steady while focusing on just how strong the metal cords were, I could keep myself calm. The forest was silent aside from my focused breathing, the only audible sound the rushing water far below.
It was beautiful in a terrifying sort of way.
Eventually, I made it close enough to the other side to start picking up speed. When I was only a few feet away, I made the leap and breathed a sigh of relief when I landed safely on the other side.
Carefully, I unclasped my belt from the metal cord, pulling it back around my waist where it belonged. I looked back to see that Ryker was already halfway across the gorge. He took each step with determination, and I smiled to see that he’d used his belt as an additional source of balance just like I had.
He moved a bit more hastily and his foot slipped.
“Slow and steady!” I shouted in a panic.
His arms flexed hard, his muscles striking in the sunlight. He recovered, but I couldn’t shake my fear until he finally stepped onto the ridge beside me.
“You’re the one that told me to be careful,” I scolded.
“I know, little girl. I’m here,” he said. The rest of the security team had yet to brave the bridge and I knew his voice wouldn’t carry. I wanted to wrap my arms around him, but I kept myself still instead.
“That was a smart idea. Using the belt like that,” he added.
“Thanks,” I blushed.
“It’s not how I like to use my belt typically…” he teased, and I laughed. Immediately, the fear and tension from seeing him slip melted away. His hand slid across my shoulder and gently squeezed the back of my neck. From far away, it would simply look like a friendly touch, but it didn’t feel that way.
“Come,” he demanded. We climbed down the slope just a little bit, far enough to get out of eyeshot of Seth and his team. Ryker grasped the back of my neck, roughly pulling me to him and capturing my lips in a kiss so intoxicating that it stole my breath away.
“You were so brave, Dr. Vaughn,” he finally whispered.
“You too, Mr. Gates,” I sassed.
“Call me that again, naughty girl, and I’ll find a way to use my belt that marks that defiant bare little bottom after all,” he growled.
I shivered in his arms and glanced back up over the hill.
“Thank you for the kiss. I needed that,” I whispered.
“I did too,” he answered. Reluctantly, he let me go and we both climbed up to see that Seth had made it halfway. Vince looked like he was readying to go next. I stood close to the edge and rallied them onward. When Seth stepped onto solid ground once more, a look of relief washed over his face immediately.
“Nice job,” I grinned.
“Thanks,” he said quickly, almost like he was annoyed that I’d said anything at all. I turned away and leaned against one of the thicker tree trunks.
Vince, Roger, Brandon, and Martin all made it across without incident. Jamie had made it most of the way across when a strong breeze cut through the corridor. It rattled the bridge and it creaked dangerously.
“Hold on!”
His eyes opened with clear panic. His fingers gripped the cord so hard that his knuckles had turned stark white.
His balance wavered, but he soon steadied himself. I looked up into the sky, horrified to see that in the time it had taken for all of us to cross, a black storm cloud had rolled in above our heads. A big fat raindrop splattered on my forehead.
Jamie’s eyes widened even further in fear, and he started to move faster. It was far too hasty and within moments, he slipped and fell. The belt around his arm kept him from falling to his death, but I knew that he wouldn’t be able to hold on for very long. I flung my backpack down to the ground, knowing what I needed to do.
Without a moment’s hesitation, I pulled Ryker’s belt from his pants, running forward and looping it around on the left-hand bridge cord. I whipped my own from my jeans and buckled it around the other side. Ryker grabbed my upper arm and jerked me backwards.
