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“Fast rope out of a Black Hawk,” Erin said without hesitation.
Graham laughed and shook his head. “I can’t just make a phone call and have a Black Hawk arrive like a taxi.”
“You can’t?” Erin batted her lashes at him,
“Youwant to ride in a Black Hawk, don’t you?”
“Yes. I also think fast roping is sexy.” She stared into his face and ignored the other men.
She was doing a great job selling them as a couple. Maybe too good as heat rushed up his neck to his face—and down to his groin. He broke eye contact and cleared his throat.
“How about climbing and rappelling from the tower then?” she suggested. “What do they call it when they tie knots around the rope to help climb using their feet?”
“The Prusik climb?” Graham had excelled at that—a decade ago. “With everyone watching me?”
“Told you she’s done her research,” Bryson said. “We can do a pairs event. Who wants to go up against the colonel and me?”
“I will,” Cruz volunteered. “We win, you make me a character in your series. I get to audition for the role too.”
“I’ll put in a good word for you.” It was the best she could do since writers—especially ones with no track record—had zero sway over casting.
“Come on, Mateo. We got this.” Cruz led the way to the tower.
Gabler handed out harnesses, gloves, and rope to the four men.
“It’s been a while since I’ve done this.” Graham stepped into the harness and began tightening the straps.
“Need a refresher on how to tie a Prusik knot, Colonel?” Cruz asked.
“I might. At least he didn’t say the winner gets dinner with you since they have a definite age advantage.” He winked at Erin.
“I don’t care who wins—as long as I get to watch you.”
Even if she was playing things up for Bryson’s team, the impact of her innuendo had him ready to scale a tower—and a whole lot more.
* * *
Spendingthe day observing Bryson’s team had been informative and, if she was honest, a turn-on. Not that she was thinking aboutthemthat way. But when Graham strode into sight minutes ago in camouflage with his commanding posturethathad one hundred percent worked for her.
Her body tingled as Graham and Bryson took up position on the left side of the tower.
When Gabler gave the signal, the men began tying knots in the ropes. From where she stood, Graham knew what he was doing. He and Captain Bryson ignored Cruz and Mateo, talking smack about Bryson having a height advantage.
Cruz worked faster as Graham started his way up the rope.
Her eyes stayed glued to him.Please don’t let him get hurt.Watching Graham climb sent her lust level rising as well.
When he paused halfway up, she saw Mateo gaining on him. Graham continued and hauled himself onto the platform seconds before Mateo.
Bryson immediately began climbing. His extended reach gave him an advantage, but Cruz worked the rope hard and fast and both men disappeared onto the platform nearly simultaneously.
The ropes for rappelling undulated from the opposite sides of the tower to the ground. Graham’s camouflage-clad figure backed to the edge of the platform. He stepped off, swinging out halfway down to slow his descent, and landed solidly on his feet. The fall only took three seconds, but it was enough to make her insides quiver.
As soon as Graham was clear, Bryson followed, barely beating Cruz to the team’s cheers. Graham walked over, stopping mere inches from her and removing his gloves.
“That was impressive,” she said.
“I think they let us win.”
