Ah man! I love this! He blasted up through the split, feeling his muscles scream out during the workout as he quickly got used to the feel of moving through the obstacle. The ascent was still challenging, but more exhilarating, faster, like he was an animal with superior muscles and motion.
He smiled. This worked far better than he’d planned. Who knew? Maybe years from now he’d never want to go back to his original limb. This was better. Much better.
Peering down below him, he saw that Hannah was getting smaller the farther he went. This was the highest he’d gone with these attachments, but besides the normal race of his heart, he didn’t feel the terror he’d expected. No, just exhilaration.
He lunged for his next handhold, and his attachment got wedged in the crack. He heard the snap before he heard the socket ricochet off the wall and fall to the ground. The loss of the lower part of his limb threw him off-balance. He fell backwards, his knee pressed into the granite as he swung through the air.
That was when he flipped over his back to his stomach again, his knee twisting over itself as he scrambled to a safer spot like a squirrel with omnidirectional joints. The air jammed in his throat as he slammed his Spiider Sleeve against the wall. That kept him in place. His heavy breaths got caught between him and the granite.
Wow. And he hadn’t even told himself to do it; he just knew how.
Hannah quickly took up the slack, sounding horrorstruck as she exclaimed up at him, “Jett! Tell me you’re okay!”
More than ever. He grinned, feeling like he could take on the world. He’d have to require outside training to use one of these. “Can you throw my leg up?”
Chapter Fourteen
Hannah let out a breath, taking turns wiping her moist hands against her legs so that she could keep a grip on the rope at all times. She’d thought she’d almost lost him there. “Don’t scare me like that!” She hated how her voice shook.
Maddeningly, he just smiled down at her. “You telling me you actually care?” he asked.
“Of course I do!” she shrieked up at him.
He only looked more pleased, which infuriated her. She moved to his fallen attachment, her body shaking at the close call. She wanted him to succeed, but not at all costs. She picked it up, seeing the masterful make of the prosthetic. Not only had Jett used all his brainpower and creativity for his design; he’d masterfully crafted the thing into a work of art. She couldn’t imagine how much a prototype like this would cost, but he’d assured her that the more he tested it out and found ways to mass-produce, the more anyone could afford it. He was determined that the vet, the teen from the ghetto, the middle class kid with lots of siblings could all get their hands on it. Everyone should be able to walk. And after that? Run, climb, fly … if Jett had his way.
She glanced up just in time to see Jett peel off his shirt. His muscular torso made him look like a faun or satyr with that bionic leg … a really hot one. She blushed at the turn of her thoughts and got ready to toss the metal prosthetic up. “You know …” She hesitated. “You sure you don’t want to throw out this idea and just do thousands of pull-ups to win the HeatWave?”
“You trying to kill me?”
“I don’t know. I think you can hack it. You’re looking like a bodybuilder up there—even without the leg.” Especially without the leg. He definitely compensated for the loss.
He let out a laugh. “I’m not going to sit here while you body-shame me. Throw me my leg!”
Smiling to herself at their easy banter, she felt like she could talk about anything with Jett … well, besides Ryan. She licked her lips. Maybe she could. Feeling suddenly pensive, Hannah tossed up the leg, and he caught it easily and tucked it into his netting.
He’d already put on a different attachment to work his way through a narrow ledge. The bottom of it dug into the granite like the leg of a mountain goat. Jett had explained that the animal used only one powerful foot to pull itself up steep embankments. Jett was a strong guy, but a lot of his energy was now coming from his leg too. That meant that climbing was no longer restricted to the most physically fit, though it still took immense skill and athleticism. Jett moved like a dancer. He reached the top of the wall with a triumphant shout. He checked his watch, and shouted down below. “Besides a few technical difficulties—that took four minutes, ten seconds!”
“No one will believe it!” she called up to him.
“What?”
She tried again, and when he didn’t hear, she gestured for him to come back down. Anchoring himself, he moved down the wall much faster than he’d gone up, which meant the descent was almost instantaneous. As soon as he reached her, he didn’t give her time to repeat what she said. He switched out the climbing attachment for a walking one and grabbed her around the waist and spun her around.
She held onto him, laughing. She was still tied to the belaying rope, and it slapped around his legs and wrapped around them both. He set her down, and she hugged him tightly. “You realize that you’re a better climber than before,” she said. “You’ll probably be disqualified from all competitions.”
His eyes were soft on her, and he planted a soft kiss against her cheek. “That’s sweet.” Then he placed one next to the crease of her mouth. He was getting closer and closer to her lips, and she sighed, not minding a bit. “This isn’t about competition,” he said. “This is about doing what I couldn’t do before, exploring places that were impossible for anyone else to go, outrunning the fastest, sleekest animals. I’m not going to HeatWave to break a record. I’m going for the joy of it.”
That sounded like the Jett he’d been before the accident. She couldn’t be prouder and more pleased that she helped him get there.
He reached down to the rope that was still tied around her waist and tugged on the knot. “You’re in there tight. You want me to help you out with that?”
“Would you?”
He started to work on the knot until a sudden mischievous glint streaked through his eyes, and he stopped. “On one condition.”
“What?”
With one hand still on the knot, he pulled her closer. “You go to dinner with me tonight? We both have something to celebrate.”
She sucked in her breath. Now was the time to tell him the truth. She read the sincerity in his eyes, the eagerness to treat her to something nice, and she wavered. Why ruin this moment with such dark news? Even if she didn’t tell him about Ryan yet, was he such a threat? Even if Ryan hadn’t been injured or killed in that car wreck, he wouldn’t stick around here for weeks on end with no sign of her. And if the worst had happened and he was dead, going out to dinner wouldn’t change a thing.
“Or we could just stay stuck in these ropes all day,” he teased, “and on your birthday too. How sad.”
Hannah gave in with a laugh. He was far too cute to resist. “Get this thing off me, and if you’re good … I’ll let you take me out.”
“Okay, but first …” He kissed her, his lips soft on hers. His arms around her were still swollen from the climb and a little sweaty. Man, she loved everything about him! Jett was pure man, and her knees felt weak. What she wouldn’t do for a little leg attachment like his to keep from getting swept off her feet so easily. She’d face a million Ryans to stay here with Jett.
Chapter Fifteen
Veronica had been useless when it came to ideas on what to get Hannah for her birthday. Jett didn’t want anything too fancy or alarming—seeing how Hannah was so easily scared off—but he needed her to know how much she meant to him.
After one brainstorming call to Aaron, Jett let his friend arrange for their neighbor, Autumn Molinero, to come over. As luck would have it, their Mountain Cove harbored their very own jewelry designer. Autumn was Aaron’s good friend from Dallas—well, Aaron claimed everyone as his good friend. Either way, Autumn was babysitting her father’s shop on Spring Street while her father was on his honeymoon. She’d drop by on her way home from work. It was perfect timing.
Jett played with Harry’s
rock at his desk in the library. He was ready to give the heart of the mountain to Charlie too. He just didn’t know how to do it. Taking a deep breath, he picked up his phone and set it down as Autumn walked into the library, carrying a carved black walnut jewelry box. The woman was a walking advertisement for her business. Expensive custom-designed jewelry dangled from her ears and jangled around her neck and wrists. She accentuated her classic beauty with the perfect makeup and hair. Maybe a little too perfect?
She cracked a smile, and Jett relaxed. He’d been around his share of artists—the clothes and makeup must be her way of expressing herself. “I heard that you have an emergency,” she said with a wink.
“Aaron might’ve exaggerated a little,” he said.
“Really?” She didn’t seem convinced. “How much does this birthday girl mean to you?”
“She’s … everything. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without her.”
“Yeah, it’s an emergency,” she declared. “Normally, I like to interview my clients before designing jewelry for them. I don’t like selling anyone pre-made pieces. I feel that jewelry is as unique as the person who wears it. Some people are made for pearls, others red beryl or benitoite. That’s why I object to throwing a diamond on a piece and calling it good. That’s careless.”
Was he sweating? This was completely out of Jett’s area of expertise. He didn’t even know what red beryl and that other thing were. “She’s classy and natural and down to earth.” Nothing he said quite described Hannah. “She keeps comparing me to a … Oh!” An idea sparked through him. “Butterflies.”
“Butterflies?”
“Yes.” He got excited. “Do you have anything with a butterfly in there? She told me once that …” He hesitated, not wanting to get too personal.
“Yes?”
He rushed through the explanation. “She broke one of my china dishes and formed the pieces into a butterfly … because she said broken things are beautiful.”
Autumn stared at him and then wordlessly opened her box, not even allowing him to see the contents as she carefully selected a necklace from the collection. She slid out a gold chain. At the end of it was a dainty pink sapphire butterfly.
It was breathtaking, just like Hannah. It belonged around her neck. “It’s perfect.”
Autumn looked pleased. “Butterflies symbolize hope. I think we found the perfect girl to wear such a fine piece.”
He grinned. There was no false modesty in that one. “I can’t thank you enough for coming on such short notice.”
She blew out in disdain. Her long lashes swept over expressive eyes that rolled to the ceiling. “I welcome any excuse to leave my shop. My neighbor there is driving me crazy. Kian? You know him?”
Jett shook his head. He didn’t know anyone in town.
“Let’s just say that Kian makes a lot of noise next door and he’s blaming it on the ghost of Al Capone’s kid sister, Malfalda. Can you believe that?”
Jett let out a bark of laughter.
A small dimple creased into her cheek, and she held up her hands. “It’s not funny!” But it was like she was trying to convince herself of that, too. She shook her head, gathering the jewelry box with a dreamy look. “He’s such a maddening … man.”
“I bet.” Jett would love to see how this little drama played out. “We’ll keep in touch.”
She nodded and left, her bracelets clanging together. Aaron must’ve been watching his house, because a few minutes later, his friend was barging into the library, whistling a merry tune. “Long time, no see.”
“That was your fault. You’re gone all the time on business.”
“It wasn’t all me.” Aaron ripped off his sunglasses in his best James Dean impression yet. “I think your time has been taken up with a certain physical therapist.”
“Maybe.” Jett couldn’t play this cat and mouse game anymore, not with Aaron, especially not when he felt this giddy about a woman. “She’s a lot more fun than you are.” He broke into a grin.
Aaron’s mouth dropped. “Are you saying that you’re really dating …?”
Jett pushed the necklace at him to stop his questions. “What do you think about this?”
Aaron’s eyes swept over it, obviously not getting the significance. “No diamonds?”
“Jewelry is as unique as the person wearing them.” Jett defensively repeated what Autumn said, irritated at the necessity. “Diamonds are thoughtless.”
“Hmm. Maybe that’s why Darcy was always yelling.” Aaron ran his hand through his light-brown hair, smirking. “You really like this girl, huh? Admit it.”
Jett didn’t know how much he should say. This was all so new. Hannah was beautiful, inside and out—like Kilimanjaro or Mount Fuji—with a spirit stronger and deeper than anyone who’d ever faced them. And man, those eyes? They sparkled turquoise like lakes teeming with fish and untouched by human hands.
Aaron studied him knowingly, and Jett realized he’d given himself away completely. Jett tried for a nonchalant tone. “Just tell me I got her the perfect present.”
Aaron leaned over the desk closer to him. “I’ve got a better idea. Come to my party. The weeklong ’20s murder mystery I’m holding at the Basin Park Hotel in a month. She’ll love it.”
That sounded almost painful. Aaron’s PR guy already had his hands full keeping his client in line. “I thought Mikey wanted to stop you from looking like a party animal.”
“No, no!” Aaron held up his hands. “It’s Mikey’s idea. It’s a big charity event. He’s desperate for me to finally get some good PR, and he loves anything historical. That hotel is drowning in history with gangsters and Al Capone’s sister …” His voice trailed off. “Not interesting, huh?”
He rolled his eyes—what was everyone’s obsession with Al Capone’s sister? “Not even a little bit.”
“Too bad, because I invited Darcy before we broke up.”
That wasn’t even remotely surprising. “Great. How about this time around, you find a girl who is … nice?”
“Wow. Really? Never thought of doing that before.” Aaron sounded irritated. “Now that you’ve found love, you’re the expert? That’s great. You and Mikey should go into the matchmaking business together.” He crossed his arms.
Maybe Mikey needed some backup to get Aaron in line. The man had sabotaged every romantic relationship he had after his wife died. Clearly, Aaron needed to stay away from love for a while. “You need a Veronica managing your life,” Jett said.
“Trying to get rid of that fiery redhead, are you?”
Was it that obvious? The woman needed someone to manage, and Jett wouldn’t be managed—his heart most of all. He grinned when he thought of Hannah’s sweet smile and unassuming ways. Yeah, things needed to change. “Mikey and Veronica would hit it off,” Jett said.
Aaron made a noise of disdain. “They already have. Mikey somehow convinced her to work with Autumn Molinero to design jewelry for the event. Mikey will have Veronica approving the guest list next if I’m not careful.”
Jett wasn’t sure what surprised him more—that Aaron was designing jewelry for his party or Veronica had somehow managed to slip away from his fortress while he was busy with Hannah.
“Anyway, I’ve got enough trouble,” Aaron said. “Darcy says she still wants to be friends.”
Jett rolled his eyes. Aaron’s motivations were clear now. “So that’s why you want me to come to your party?”
“Yeah, I need a better wingman than Dominic.”
Jett grimaced. That was the nail in the “no” coffin. The last thing he wanted was for Hannah to run into his horrible cousin. “Mikey thinks this party will help your image?”
“… uh, yeah.” Aaron turned resentful. “How come every time I invite you to anything, you always talk me out of going?”
“Oh, c’mon, you’re always looking for an excuse not to go. That’s why.”
Aaron looked quite sour about it, while loudly considering the possibility of skipping out at hi
s own event. “No, no, I have to go. I can’t break Mikey’s heart.”
Jett stretched and stood easily, walking around his desk to put his arm around his friend’s shoulders. “One word—Veronica. I think you and Mikey both need her in the long run. Why don’t you put her in charge of your party and see for yourself how capable she is?”
Aaron wasn’t listening. His attention was on Jett’s leg. His eyes widened. “Look at you. You’re walking like you never lost your leg, man!”
“Yeah?” Jett tugged up the end of his jeans to show off his bionic leg. “I can put any attachment on the knee I like. I’ve got one for walking, running, climbing … actually, a lot for climbing.”
His friend’s mouth split into a grin. “Unbelievable.” He shook his head. “No wonder you’re in love with your physical therapist … don’t try to deny it. I can tell. Aren’t you glad I hired her?” His forehead creased in sudden realization, and he held up his finger. “You owe me for that.”
Oh no.
“At least go to our barefoot ball at the end of our party,” Aaron said. “That’s where we’ll announce the murderer. And it’ll be a long week. I’m going to need a friendly face. Well, a sane one.”
A barefoot ball? Without a foot? Jett grinned at the stir that would cause. That would almost make dressing up worth it.
“Invent a dancing attachment, Jett. No excuses.” Aaron was used to making Jett hurdle impossible obstacles. “You’re coming!” Not waiting for Jett’s answer, Aaron headed for the door with a cocky swagger. “I’ll even put Veronica in charge of my party, so you can get more alone time with your girl.”
Jett barked out a laugh. “She’ll be the making of you.”
Her Broken Hero Billionaire (Billionaire Bachelor Mountain Cove Book 8) Page 11