I jump.
Freefall slams into me. Wind is tearing past, gravity is pulling, and the ground rushes up fast. Fucking perfect. Everything else disappears. And the moment is just this—speed, silence, and the pull.
I deploy at five thousand feet. The chute jerks me upward, and everything slows. Wind and the creak of fabric fill my ears. And then it’s quiet. Blissfully quiet.
I scan below and spot Tania’s chute—red and white—drifting toward the landing zone.
I follow.
By the time I land and gather my chute, she’s already on the ground. Mike’s unclipping her, and she’s laughing, out of breath, and glowing.
I cross to her, and she spins around. Her smile cracks something open in my ribs.
“That was—” She stops. Shakes her head, still grinning. “I don’t even have words.”
“Told you.”
She shoves my shoulder. “You didn’t tell me it would feel like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like flying.” She exhales hard, still buzzing. “Like being completely free.”
I know exactly what she means.
Mike finishes packing the chutes and waves us off. “Great jump. Come back anytime.”
Tania thanks him, and I steer her toward the car. She’s talking fast now and describing the fall. The moment the chute opened. How her stomach dropped. Her hands move while she talks, touching my arm without realizing it.
I’m still wired. Adrenaline is spiking through my veins. And seeing her like this—alive and electric—makes it worse.
We reach the car. She stops at the passenger door, leaning back against it.
“Thank you.” Her grin is wide and real. “Seriously. That was incredible.”
“You’re welcome.”
She’s watching me. The air between us changes, and the space feels charged.
I should unlock the car, get in, and drive her home. I step closer instead.
Her breathing shifts. “Callum.”
I kiss her.
Her mouth opens immediately, and my hands find her waist, pulling her against me. Her mouth is soft and desperate, and I can’t get enough.
Ben’s face flashes in my mind.Fuck.
I pull back. “We can’t.”
“Don’t stop.” She grabs my shirt, yanking me down, and kisses me hard.
That’s it. I can’t say no to her anymore.
I press closer, caging her against the car door. My hand slides into her hair, tilting her head, and I kiss her deeper. Harder. She makes this small sound in the back of her throat, and it goes straight to my dick.
My other hand moves to her hip. Then lower. Gripping her ass and pulling her flush against me.
