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And at the same time Colby says, “together.”

He quirks a brow. “Won’t it ease your mind jumping with me instead of going alone?”

I study him intently for a moment. He’s taking this seriously and is clearly not nervous at all. His hands are steady, his shoulders are set. This Colby is so different from how I usually see him. He’s focused and intense. This is probably what he’s like when playing hockey, too. Sure, steady, confident.

“Okay, fine,” I say, letting go of the pole so they can connect us.

“Keep your arms wrapped around each other so you don’t separate,” Andrea explains.

Colby wastes no time stepping in close and pulling me to him. I can admit that I feel more secure with his arms around me. If this big, solid man is holding me, surely nothing bad can happen. Which is the only reason I wrap my arms around his waist and lean my face against his muscled chest.

Colby slowly rubs circles on my back with his hands, and I don’t ask him to stop because it’s actually helping me relax. It’s also giving me a sensation I can’t quite describe. Something akin to a shiver, but different.

It’s probably the evening air growing cooler.

I look down at where his arms overlap my own and I notice the dark hair along his olive skin. I hadn’t noticed it before, maybe because his skin is so tan that it just blends in. It’s surprisingly masculine and attractive. I’m slightly annoyed that it’s attractive for men to have arm hair, but gross if women do. My inner feminist prickles at the idea.

Andrea and Logan fasten and buckle the bungee cord onto our leg straps and I’m trying not to think about it. When they step back, Colby leans close and whispers, “it’s okay, take a deep breath.”

I exhale, my shoulders relaxing in the process.

“You guys are good to go whenever you’re ready,” Logan tells us.

“Are you ready, angel?” Colby whispers against my ear.

Keeping my eyes squeezed shut, I answer, “yes, okay.”

After a moment, I feel Colby take a step, pulling me along with him. He falls back off the platform, holding me tightly to his chest. And I scream as we free-fall. When I finally open my eyes, I see Colby grinning and laughing, clearly loving this. We reach the end of our bungee cord, and it snaps us up and down. I finally release a laugh of my own, realizing we made it, and our bungee didn’t snap and kill us.

My heart is beating rapidly from the rush of falling. It hits me that I’m wrapped in this man’s arms and my face is pressed against his very solid pecs. Heat rushes to my face, and I try to lift my head off of him, but quickly think better of it. Because his strong body feels secure, whether I want to admit it or not. His muscles are also incredible, I can feel how chiseled they are through his clothing. He must work out constantly. For the first time, I wonder if this professional athlete thing is more work than I thought.

As our bouncing slows and we hang there, gently swaying from the bungee cord, Colby smiles at me. “You did amazing.” He pauses, holding my gaze. I can’t seem to look away, stunned by how striking his blue eyes are. It’s not fair how handsome he is. “You’re amazing.”

It shouldn’t make my heart swell, but it does. I mean, who doesn’t like praise? I force myself to turn away from him. The sudden tension between us feels like too much, and I can’t make sense of it.

I don’t like this man, remember? He’s annoying.

“That was pretty fun,” I admit with a shrug, breaking the silence.

“Wanna do it again?” he asks, and I meet his gaze again. His eyes are twinkling with amusement.

“No.”

My short answer makes him laugh again.

The guys who helped us get suited up for the jump help us down and then remove our gear. Then a group of people in business casual attire walk toward us with big smiles on their faces.

“Ah, that would be the publicity team,” Colby says.

“Mr. Knight,” a woman, with a blonde bob says. She shakes Colby’s hand, then turns to me and extends her hand again. “I’m Megan Barker. I’m the head of public relations for the team. Congratulations on winning an evening with an Eagle!”

She exuberantly pumps my hand, then peers at the team behind her. She introduces the three others with her. “This is Joe. He’s a journalist for the Eagles. And then there’s Brett. He’ll be taking a few photos for our social media.”

Brett waves. “I already got some great shots!”

Megan smiles and gestures to the last person. “Natalie is here to assist.” Natalie smiles and I smile back.

They have two folding chairs for us to sit in, and after that jump my legs are still wobbly, and I’m thankful for the seat. Colby sits down beside me.