Page 97 of Love on a Ledge
“I can’t believe you’re here.”
“Really? You invited me in your letter.”
He grinned, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Took you long enough.”
“I had to sort some things out back home.”
Tabitha explained how the day after reading his letter, she'd marched into Claudia’s office and asked for a week off. To which her boss wholeheartedly denied. Said she had to leave for Red River Gorge that night for her next assignment. Tabitha began to argue, but Claudia stopped her. “Let’s put it this way, Handcock. The second that next article hits my inbox you’ve got your week off. But I got a deadline, you see . . .”
“You could have called.” Zac kissed her cheekbone. “Put me out of my misery.” He kissed the other. “But I have to say this surprise is fitting.” He captured her mouth, spreading her wide to his passionate exploration.
“Thank you for being patient with me.” She gasped as he found his way to her clavicle and slid a hand up her waist to toy with her sports bra.
“I knew you’d fight back if I hadn’t been. You’ve never responded well to anyone pressuring you. Figured it was safer to wait you out.”
The crackle of approaching shoes on gravel had Zac turning his body so the crash pads blocked the top half of them from view.
“So, tabby cat.” She arched her back as he slid his hand beneath her ass. “What’s the plan for today? I’m your knowledgeable guide until three.”
“We do what I paid for,” she responded and almost whined as he pulled away and looked down at her with curiosity. “We climb.”
“Oh, uh. Yeah. Of course.” Zac allowed an inch between them and adjusted his pants with a grimace. “Gimme a minute to uh, decompress and I’ll be—”
“But maybe you could show me some of the more secluded boulder fields?” Tabitha did her best eyebrow waggle.
She shrieked as he hauled her in his arms, wrenched open the truck door, and hurled her onto the bench seat. Then with lightning speed he stowed the crash pads and hopped in the driver’s seat. The engine roared to life.
“Hey,” Tabitha soothed while also settling a hand on Zac’s thigh. His muscle clenched beneath her touch. “There’s no rush. I’m not going anywhere.”
