She tuned in to her bizarre almost-absence of fear for the day's itinerary. Yesterday had been nerve wracking, at least until she completed her first outdoor lead in three years. Then she'd felt exhilaration. But this morning hadn't sparked as much anxiety. Probably because bouldering wasn't what broke her femur.
She took a gulp of water and refocused her attentions on Zac as he fiddled with the crash pad.
“I think that’ll be good enough,” Tabitha teased. “Though I have to say I appreciate your approach to safety.”
Zac glanced over his shoulder with a cheeky grin and cocked a brow that could drop panties. It’d made her drop hers a time or ten if she recalled.
“Precious cargo.” His voice sounded extra gravely. Full to the brim with seductive rasp and dual meaning.
Heat gathered at Tabitha’s shoulders and climbed her neck. She gave a brief thanks to her genetics for not being someone who blushed easily—or at all, really. Another weapon in her arsenal meant to keep others at arm’s length. She took another quick drink from her thermos of ice water to cool down.
“Hot already, tab-tab?” Zac groused. “Isn’t even nine yet.”
That asinine nickname did the trick. She chuffed at his tease and brushed past him onto the crash pads. Securing her straight, red hair into a jaunty ponytail, she scanned the rock face to determine the right route.
“There’re a few routes here; they all go vertical. No veering. One right after another,” Zac offered with a clearer voice as if he suddenly remembered his purpose on this particular outing.
“Sounds pretty straightforward.” Tabitha chalked her hands and approached the boulder. She couldn’t tell if it was the dip in the crash pad behind her or the body heat that alerted her to her climbing guide’s nearness first. She had to remind herself that he was preparing to catch her if she fell. Still, the warm breath on her neck was doing crazy things to her lower belly.
“You gonna get on that rock or stare at the veins running through it?”
Tabitha huffed an agitated breath and found her starting position. Hand over hand, foot over foot, she slithered her way up until she stood atop the boulder. After climbing down the backside, she came back around to where Zac stood. A smile beamed across her face so intensely that even the rapid clicks of Lark’s camera couldn’t dim it.
“Good?” Zac asked, wearing his own joyous grin.
“Great.” She moved to the start of the next route and scurried to the top with just as much ease.
“Ready to level up and head to the next spot?” Zac asked after Tabitha breezed up the third and final route of the boulder.
Tabitha nodded and sat to remove her shoes and gather the rest of her things.
“You made that look effortless,” Lark complimented.
“Wanna give it a go before I pack up, blondie?” Zac asked, hesitating near the crash pads. “No better spot for a newbie to learn than this.”
“Super, mega, hard pass. But thanks for the offer. I’d much rather keep my feet firmly planted on the ground unless there are rope and anchors involved.”
“Chicken?” The tease popped out of Tabitha’s mouth before she could stop herself.
“Oh-ho,” Lark chuckled. “Look at you with the teasing peer pressure. I’m shocked.”
“Sorry, I—”
“No, no. I’ll do it. But that means you have to do something that scares you too.” Lark sauntered over and stopped beside her friend, arms crossed, tongue in her cheek.
Tabitha rolled her eyes. “Like what?”
Lark tapped her chin for a moment. “I’ll decide that later.”
“Forget it.”
“Who’s chicken now?” Zac teased, finally joining the exchange.
“You too?” Tabitha groaned then stopped. “Never mind, that tracks.”
That throaty laugh of his. Like sandpaper down her spine, only in the best way possible.
She shook off her reactions and volleyed between the two sets of eyes, staring intently at her. Willing her to accept the exchange.
