Just then, Nate says, “Now if you could all partner up for the climbing challenge …”
I smirk at her. “What’d you say, Nancy Drew? Feel like you can crack this case?”
“The case of the douchebag CEO, you mean?” she giggles. “Is this the part where I’m oh-so-intimidated by your muscles and back down, huh?”
Work for what you desire most, the horoscope told me.
And I intend to follow the advice.
Even if reminding myself that revenge is what I desire most and not Grace’s supple curves and her come-get-me sass is getting extremely damn draining.
“How about a wager?” I say, moving closer.
“Hmm, and what’s the bet?”
“When I win—”
“Uh-uh,” she says, wagging her finger. “No psychological warfare. You’re not on the soccer field—”
“Football pitch—”
“Now,” she finishes.
“I’ll tell you what, Nancy Drew,” I growl. “Ifyou win, I’ll donate ten grand to a charity of your cause.”
She blinks, visibly shocked. “Do you have ten thousand dollars to throw around like that?”
Nick is gonna kill me. “That’s none of your business,” I say sarcastically. “I’d never bore an innocent lady like yourself with business talk.”
“Fine,” she says. “But what if you win?”
“We spend the whole today together,” I say. “And we dowhateverthe fuck I want.”
She swallows. For a second, I think she might say no. But then the line ahead of us moves forward as people start pairing off. She glances at the movement, and then back at me. She lets her hands drop like she’s ready for a fight.
“Okay, playboy,” she agrees. “You’re on.”
***
I can hear the crowd murmuring as Grace and I are strapped into our harnesses. I know a lot of them must’ve already guessed that my interest in her is more than business-related, but, honestly, as I watch the harness squeezing tightly against Grace’s yoga pants, I couldn’t care less.
She turns to me with a gleaming sense of adventure in her face, and then cutely blows at a wayward strand of chestnut hair.
“You know,” I tell her, moving close to the wall and bringing my hands to one purple and orange handhold. “Part of me wants to let you win just so I can get a look at your fine ass from behind.”
She shoots me a look.“Harry,”she snaps, “don’t be such a pervert.”
But we’re both smiling, just like we used to, a secret smile just for us. The sun is a yellow coin at its zenith now. When I look up the wall, I’m pretty much blinded. The ropes tauten as our belayers apply pressure, meaning if we fall, we’ll be caught in the harness.
“Contestants,” Nate says from behind us. “Are you ready?”
“Oh, more than ready,” I chuckle, winking at Grace. “What about you, hot stuff?”
“Bite me,” she giggles. “Yes, I’m ready!”
Bite you? Offer accepted.
“Three … two … one … go!”
