Page 86 of Wicked Rush

“I can’t do this.” Her eyes darted down to the rough surf. The early morning fog had begun to burn off but a brisk wind blew through and she shuddered.

“Don’t let go, Brae. No matter how cold you get. Do not fucking let go,” he ordered. If she released her grip for any reason, she could easily plummet to her death.

“Hey! I’ll be right back,” Seth called and quickly disappeared.

“We’re going to get you up.” Lars tilted his head upward, relieved they’d been discovered. He could easily climb the short distance back up but even with gear, he’d have to assist Braelynn.

“I’ve got it.” Seth’s voice was like a guardian angel from the heavens. “You ready? Here it comes. Heads up.”

“Don’t let go.” Lars snatched the rope out of the air as Seth flung it down into the abyss. Using his mouth and one hand, he opened the harness. “Now listen carefully, Brae. You’re going to have to lift your leg. One at a time, okay.”

“No…I can’t move. I can’t move,” she repeated.

“You can do this and you will do this.” With no time for coddling, he stood firm and pressed her. “I’m going to keep you safe but you have to do what I say or else you will die. Exposed to the elements out here, it’s only a matter of time before you go into shock. Even if a helicopter manages to get down to us, you still need to put on a harness. Now listen to me. We’re going to put this on. Easy peasy. Once it’s on, Seth is going to haul your pretty little ass up the cliff. You’ll be up in less than a minute.”

“Lars, please,” she begged, tears streaming down her face.

“Trust me?” He nodded.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Yes. I’ll take care of you.”

“Promise.” She blinked, exhaling a deep breath.

“Promise. Now don’t move until I tell you to.” Lars adjusted his grip downward, reaching toward her right foot. “Hold on tight and just lift your toes up an inch or so. No big balance act here. I’ll have it on the second you lift up.”

“I…I…Oh God, Lars…please don’t let me fall.” She did as he asked, the leg loop slipped on easily, and he held it until she set her foot back onto the edge.

“Good girl. Now the other one, go ahead,” he instructed. As it slipped on, Lars dragged the harness upward, the waist belt sliding over her hips. “Look at you. You’re going to be rock climbing with me soon.”

“I highly doubt it.” She gave a nervous laugh. “You are crazy, you know that right? I can’t believe you seriously do this for fun. This is not fun.”

“Skydiving then?” he joked, tugging the straps.

“Maybe.”

“It’s a date.” He winked.

“A date?”

“One of many, sweetheart. We haven’t had a proper one yet, but we will.”

“I’d like that.” She smiled.

He tugged on the belay rope, giving a firm pull. Unable to properly load test it, they’d have to hope it held. Although the harness was for a man, he reasoned it would work for the short distance.

“Lars.” Braelynn’s voice softened. Her eyes darted up to Seth and back to Lars.

“Wrap your hands around this rope here and lean back for me now. On your way up, push away with your feet if you feel you’re getting too close. No matter what happens, just hold on. Seth will haul you up.”

“Lars,” she repeated.

“Trust me.” He nodded, breathing a sigh as she gripped it. Lars locked his eyes on hers. “You’ve got this.”

“I love you.” Braelynn shook her head, glancing over her shoulder to the ocean and back to him. “I, uh…I know I shouldn’t tell you like this. But I want you to know. Okay? I love you. And I know it seems soon but I…I need you to know, okay? No regrets?”

“I love you too, sweetheart.” Lars smiled, and as he confessed his own feelings, the rush of the moment threatened to overwhelm him. Forcing himself to concentrate, he took a deep breath. “No regrets. Now don’t let go. See you on the flip side.”