“I’m not stalking. I’m admiring.”
Her brows knit as she scans the dark corners of the venue. “I prefer to admire up close. So, how about you come down here so I can show you how much I want you… on your lips?”
I chuckle, the tension in my chest easing. “Sounds tempting. But how about you come to me?”
She groans and spins in a slow circle, ducking to look under tables and around cases. The acoustics are messing with her. There’s no real way to pinpoint direction.
“Well, I would, if I knew where in Gaia’s name you were.”
I whistle and knock against the railing, and her head snaps up. She squints into the darkness, then spots me, waving casually.
A laugh bubbles from her lips. “That’s an unfair advantage, Mercs.”
I grin, raising a brow as I nod toward the access rail. “Well, come on then, daredevil. Get that sexy, sassy ass up here.”
She beams. “Okay. I’ve always wondered what the view from up there’s like.”
She heads for the railing ladder and starts to climb.
My entire body tenses.
I hate this part—the climbing. She’s capable, I know that. I watched her scale the Red Rocks as if it were nothing. She’s strong, fearless, and independent, but she’s also everything to me now. And watching her feet leave the ground sends a chill straight through me.
Still, I let her do it.
Because she’d hate me trying to help.
And she can do this easily.
Effa starts the climb and hoists herself up effortlessly, just like I knew she would. But the protector in me is wired tight. I watch her every move like a hawk, body coiled and ready to react if she slips, even though I know she won’t. She’s strong, capable, but hell if that stops my heart from thumping like a jackhammer.
She slides under the railing at the top with fluid grace, like she’s done it a dozen times before. My smirk relaxes into a grin as she sits beside me, her legs dangling over the edge, her body aligning with mine until our thighs touch.
That single point of contact sends warmth rushing through me.
She’smine.
Just like that.
All it takes is one little touch, and I feel grounded again.
Her eyes go wide as she stares out over the stage below. The awe on her face makes my chest squeeze.
“Mercs…” She breathes. “This is amazing.”
I drape my arm around her shoulders, pulling her in. Her head rests on my shoulder like it was always meant to, and I kiss the top of her head. The scent of her fruity shampoo fills my senses, grounding me.
“It’s a whole different world up here,” I murmur. “I’ve always wanted to share it with you.”
She smiles gently. “I just wanted to check if you’re okay. I won’t harp on, and you don’t have to talk if you’re not ready. I just didn’t want to go into tonight, still worrying about you.” Her eyes glisten with that beautiful mix of concern and strength. She’s not pushing. She’s just here.
And fuck, she meanseverythingto me.
“I’m fine,” I say quietly, brushing her hair back. “Having you with me is all the support I need.”
But Ineedmore.
Iwantmore.
