“That’s all right, Bella. I’m going to catch you. But you must promise to do exactly as I say.”
“Y-yes, sir.”
“Good girl, Bella. When I say let go, I want you to let go and just let yourself drop.” He must have noticed her stiffen at his instruction because he added, “This ledge is wide enough and sturdy enough to hold us both.”
“Are you certain?”
“I’m certain, Bella,” he said in a deep, calm voice.
Lacey barked wildly as if she were telling Bella to trust him.
“I do, girl,” she said, her voice faint. “But I can’t hold on much longer.”
“You don’t need to. I’m here,” the soothing male voice said below her. “I’m going to catch you.”
Bella’s heart pounded as she clung to the ledge, too terrified to look down. “You promise to catch me?”
“Yes, I promise. Trust me. I’m right here. Just let go,” he murmured, voice steady and sure.
Her fingers ached, frozen stiff, and unresponsive, as if they no longer belonged to her. She squeezed her eyes shut, whispered a desperate prayer, and released her grip.
For an instant, she was weightless. The wind roared past her, pulling her downward. The jagged rocks below seemed to reach up, hungry and waiting. A scream tore from her throat, sharp and involuntary—
But then she stopped falling.
Strong arms wrapped around her, solid and unyielding.
“I’ve got you, Bella. I’ve got you,” he rasped, his voice rough with exertion.
The impact of her fall must have jolted him, and for a harrowing moment, his footing slipped. Her panic surged, and she let out a frantic yelp, flailing against him.
Then there was a thud—a hard, jolting stop.
Bella lay still, gasping for breath, her senses spinning. Was she alive? The air felt too rich, too vibrant to belong to Heaven. A warm, grounding presence surrounded her—sandalwood, citrus, and leather mingled with the sea’s salt.
She stirred, feeling the solid heat of his body beneath her. Slowly, she opened her eyes, and the world came into focus: not the endless blue of sky or water, but the deepest, most mesmerizing blue she’d ever seen. Her rescuer’s eyes.
He lay beneath her, chest heaving, his arms still holding her securely.
“You’re safe,” he murmured, his breath brushing her cheek.
For the first time since the fall, she believed him.
“I’m on top of you.” She felt silly stating the obvious. But it was as much in wonderment as anything else. “You saved me.”
“I suppose I did,” he said with a husky laugh.
His laugh seemed to rumble from deep in his chest. It was the nicest sound she’d ever heard.
Lacey came racing down a small turn onto the cliff, skidded next to her, and licked her face. “Lacey, I want to be mad at you, but I’m too relieved at not being dead,” Bella finally said, moving her head away from her dog’s tongue as soon as she stopped licking. “Thank you… William.”
“You’re welcome… Bella.”
She couldn’t stop staring into his eyes. And then she realized she was still lying on top of him. On top of his big, muscular frame.
“I’m lying on top of you,” she blurted.
“Yes, you are.” His eyes twinkled.
