Page 93 of Camp Bliss
I must be onto something because her shoulders settle a little more and her spine straightens. She looks less guarded, less braced for disaster.
Greta gives a little nod of her head and starts moving forward again. She crosses the rest of the log as effortlessly as butter melting on a hot roll.
“WAHOOO!” She whoops as she slaps the tall beam, the thrill of joy all over her face. My laughter bubbles over at the sight of it.
Seeing this woman happy is everything.
When did that happen?
Greta looks down at me, her eyes glistening. “Holy shit, Zach! I feel like I could do anything. Like I could fly!”
Wearing an unconquerable grin, I tip my chin up toward her pulley. “Wanna fly your way down? I’ll make sure you have a soft landing.”
Her brows leap. “You sure?”
“Hell, yes.”
“Okay.” Greta takes two steps to the right, giving herself clearance from the left vertical beam. She squats down like she’s about to sit in a chair mid-air. “Ready?”
“Absolutely.”
And then she pushes off with a whoop. She giggles all the way down as I carefully manage the rope. When her feet touch the ground, she spins around and squeals.
“That was FANTASTIC!” Then she crashes into me, her arms locking around me. “Zach, you’reamazing!”
Stunned, I drop the rope and hold my arms out awkwardly for one disoriented instant, and then I’m wrapping her up tight.
Her helmet thumps my chin. The carabiner at her middle pokes me in the stomach, and her rope presses into the side of my neck.
Yet it’s the best damn hug of my life.
She feels as good as I could have imagined, but what I never dreamed of was how tight she could hold me.
She’s hugging me like she means it. Like she wants me to feel it forever.
I know I will.
She’s ruined me for hugs from now on.
And I do what I want. I hug her back just as tight. Maybe tighter.
God, this feels like heaven.
It’s so good, I know I should stop before I do something reckless and stupid. Before I put my lips to her neck or pull back and look into her eyes. Tip her head back and kiss her deep.
I need to let her go. Right now.
But I don’t think I can.
ChapterSixteen
GRETA
I’mall wrapped up in Zach Rousseau, and I don’t know if I’ve ever felt anything better.
When I came off the ropes course, it was like I’d just won the Powerball. I didn’t even hesitate. In my excitement, I just launched myself at him.
But then he closed his arms around me and squeezed.
