by Susanna Carr
And because she had stayed in Cedar Valley, she had a job, a home, and belonged to a close community. She was fortunate and she knew it. It took years to get where she was today. She had invested so much time and energy and she didn’t want to give that up.
And yet...it felt as if it wasn’t her life. It definitely wasn’t her dream. She knew she should be grateful, but she wanted more. Something else. She felt she was too young to feel so old. That if she didn’t do something now, she would never break free from the routine and predictability.
She slowly raised her head. “I’m jumping because I want to know what it feels like.” She wanted to take a risk. Allow the fear and exhilaration to collide inside her. Test her mettle and discover what she could do. When was the last time she did that?
Okay, she had felt a zing of exhilaration when Travis approached her. And when she pretended to be someone else, she hadn’t felt that nervous in a long time. But that was different; it had nothing to do with skills or accomplishment. It was simple and instant attraction. Travis Cain was a handsome guy and she was in Vegas. It was a moment when she felt that anything was possible.
“You’re going to do great, Christine,” Travis called out to her as she walked to the platform. “You’ll be fine.”
“I don’t want to be fine,” she said over her shoulder. “I want to shake things up.”
Christine stood on the platform and stared out at the Strip. She tasted the fear as she started trembling. She barely heard the man behind her giving tips as he strapped her onto the wires.
“Ready?” the man asked.
She shook her head. Christine stared at the small blue X on the ground, where she was supposed to land. She knew this was a controlled fall, that the wires would keep her on target with where she needed to land, but the ground was so far away.
“You don’t have to jump,” the man explained. “All you have to do is let go.”
He said it as if it was no big deal. That it was perfectly normal to let go of something solid and safe so she could fall to the ground. She took a big breath.
“Don’t think about it,” the man said. “That will only make it more difficult.”
That was her problem in a nutshell. She thought too much. She considered every possibility, every outcome. It didn’t take long before she was frozen with indecision and did nothing.
She didn’t want to be like that anymore. “I’m ready.” Her voice shook.
“Put your toes on the edge. Good. Three...two...one...”
Christine closed her eyes, let go and screamed all the way down.
* * *
TRAVIS PACED ON the ground floor as he waited for Christine to change out of her flight suit. He glanced out the window and saw Pitts and Underwood on the sidewalk. They were at a discreet distance as they watched the other sky jumpers.
His instincts told him that they suspected he had the emerald. The stone in his jacket suddenly felt large and heavy. He refused to check his breast pocket. He knew the jewel was deep green and uncut. It was also safely tucked away in a tiny, sealed plastic bag. He didn’t know much about gems, but he knew this small emerald was worth a lot of money.
When Aaron first suggested he carry it around in his pocket, Travis thought it was a crazy plan. But it also made sense. Keep the emerald moving with very little fanfare and there was little chance of it getting stolen by Hoffmann. Aaron only needed to show it to an appraiser before the poker game. Once the game was over, Aaron would return home and lock it back up in a safe.
But there was a glitch neither he nor Aaron had considered. Someone had figured out that he had the emerald. Why else would these guys be following him? Travis thought he had lost them when he had taken a bright yellow cab down the traffic-choked street with Christine before they got out and walked the rest of the way. Pitts and Underwood were better than he had expected.
He needed to shake them off before they decided to pounce. He would never forgive himself if Christine got hurt or if he lost the emerald.
“Travis? Is everything okay?”
Travis turned at the sound of Christine’s voice. He paused, his chest tightening as he watched her approach. Something had changed about her. She still wore the short blue dress and impractical heels, and her soft brown hair was windblown, but there was no significant alteration in her appearance.
Yet she now walked with a purposeful stride. Her shoulders were back, her head held high as if she was ready to take on the next challenge. A fire had been lit inside her. It was fragile and small. He wanted to see it flare wildly.
“You should be proud of yourself,” he said. He knew she had to dig deep and find the courage to take the plunge.
“I am,” she admitted with a wide smile. “But my heart is still racing. I don’t think my legs have stopped shaking. I thought I was going to throw up after I landed, but that was a false alarm. And my throat hurts.”
Travis smiled at how she spoke in quick bursts. He didn’t think she was going to be quiet and reserved anymore. The shy Christine had caught his attention, but this side of her was capturing his imagination. “Yeah, you screamed all the way down.”
“You would, too.” She covered her mouth with her hand. “I can’t stop smiling.”
He reached for her wrist and pulled her hand away. “Why hide it?”
“Right. Exactly. Why hide it? I just feel strange. Different. Powerful.” She gave a husky chuckle. “I’m not making sense, am I?”
“You’re making perfect sense,” he assured her as he guided her back onto the crowded sidewalk. He knew Christine was still enjoying the excitement of her jump. Her senses were heightened. This was the time when she would be bolder because she felt stronger.
Christine slid her arm through his and held him close. “Everything is so loud. Colorful. I feel like Alice in Wonderland.”
Travis looked down at her in surprise. The way she spoke it sounded as if she’d never had an adrenaline rush. How was that possible? People got a high from speeding, having sex and facing their fears. What had she been doing all her life?
He held her arm tighter and led her along the sidewalk. He felt very protective of Christine. She stared at the Las Vegas lights as if everything was becoming brighter. Clearer. Her smile widened. He knew he wanted to see that smile all night long.
“Where to next?” he asked.
She stumbled in her platform heels. “Oh, I shouldn’t decide.”
“Why not? I’m your guide.” He found it curious that she was reluctant to try something more when she seemed so excited about her jump. This was the time when most people would set a bigger challenge for themselves.
“You’re supposed to be showing me your Las Vegas,” she reminded him, her shoulder and hip bumping against him as they strolled down the sidewalk. “Where should we go next?”
He looked around the street, searching for Pitts and Underwood. Dread curled around his abdomen when he couldn’t spot them. They could be anywhere. Travis noticed an exotic car idling in the traffic jam and his mind grabbed on to an idea. “Have you ever driven a Ferrari?”
Christine laughed. “I haven’t even seen one up close. Why? Do you have one?”
“No, but I know where to borrow one.”
She tilted her head and looked at him with narrowed eyes. “When you mean borrow...”
“Don’t worry, Christine. I won’t let you get arrested,” he promised. “Not on your first night in Vegas.”
4
“THAT WAS INCREDIBLE!” Christine said as they strolled along the sidewalk next to the Bellagio. The night air was cool, but Christine didn’t seem to notice as she waved her arms enthusiastically. “I had so much fun.”
Travis could tell and he was glad she enjoyed it as much as he did. When he took her to the Las Vegas Motor Raceway to drive exotic cars
, he thought she would be careful. Cautious. Slow.
Instead, Christine was a speed demon. His heart had stopped when he watched her take a sharp turn in the Ferrari, but she handled the car beautifully. The woman tested the machine—and his nerves—to the limit. He was sure the tires would have burned from the friction if she’d been allowed to continue.
“Thanks so much for this night, Travis.” She wrapped her hands around his arm and leaned into him. “How did you manage to make that happen?” Christine asked.
“I know a guy,” he said gruffly as he inhaled her intoxicating scent and his chest clenched. He knew men and women all over the world with whom he bartered and traded favors. They weren’t close relationships, but his network of acquaintances and casual friends was an essential part of his nomadic life.
“I wish we could have raced each other,” she said.
“That would have been...” Wild. Electric. Dangerous. “Interesting.” Christine thought she was living on the edge, unaware that he was providing her a protected and safe place.
“I got you something.” Christine pulled away and Travis wanted to grasp her hand and draw her back. He watched as she opened her backpack and pulled out a sparkly and colorful keychain. It was the famous diamond-shaped sign that welcomed tourists to Las Vegas. The rhinestones glittered as the chain dangled from her finger.
“Thank you,” he said as he accepted it. He held it up and realized that he had no keys to place on the keychain. He didn’t own anything that required a key. “I’ll think of you every time I look at it.”
His statement seemed to please her. “Everyone could use a little more glitter in their lives,” she declared.
“I have to know,” he said as he slipped the keychain into his pocket. “Where did you learn how to drive like that?”
“I love driving,” she said with a sigh as she hooked her arm with his. “Not that you would know it if you saw my car. But whenever I have the chance, I leave town and drive through the mountains. It doesn’t take much to encourage me to leave the city limits.”
Every time he thought he’d figured out Christine Pearson, she did something that blew apart his theory. She wanted to break free from her comfort zone, but she stayed in her contained world. Something was holding her back. Or was it someone?
There was probably a man back home. Christine was smart, beautiful and joyful. No man would be able to resist her charm. She could have her pick of men and demand everything she wanted. Commitment. Family. A comfortable life.
Everything he avoided. Travis frowned as envy and bitterness churned inside him. He didn’t want to think about it. He could give Christine something the men back home could never offer—the thrill of a lifetime and some wild memories. “If I need a driver on my next trip, I’m calling you.”
“You’re on,” Christine said with a wistful smile. She turned her head and her hand tightened on his arm. “Look! The Bellagio fountain! I see this in the movies all the time!”
Travis indulgently followed Christine as she pulled him to view the fountain up close. He had never stopped to watch the performance. To him, it was simply water moving to music, but he could understand why Christine would be fascinated. He enjoyed seeing the world through her eyes.
Everything was beautiful to Christine. She found pleasure in the stores that sold kitschy souvenirs and in the fries she ate at a retro diner. And yet, she wasn’t ready to live hard and fast, making up for lost time. She wanted to savor every moment.
They stood with the crowd and watched the water-and-lights display. After a few moments, Travis found himself watching Christine. Her expressions fascinated him.
Her brown eyes widened as the water sprayed to unbelievable heights. Her face softened at the cheesy romantic song. Her satisfied sigh pierced his heart. Travis wanted to hear that sound again. He wanted to make her sigh like that just for him.
The breeze pulled at her dark hair. Without thinking, Travis reached out and grasped the long tresses that buffeted her face. Her hair was as soft as he had expected.
His heart started to pound as he tucked her hair back. He dragged his finger along the curve of her ear and felt her shiver of delight. Christine slowly turned toward him as the song continued to play. Her eyes darkened as she shyly met his gaze.
Travis didn’t say anything as he slid his fingers along her jaw and cradled her face with his hands. Her lips parted as his mouth grazed hers.
He had meant for it to be a brush of lips, a whisper of a kiss. He didn’t expect the crackle of fire between them. It promised something wild and uncontrollable.
Christine tasted of innocence and mystery. Heat and softness. It was like nothing he’d ever experienced before. His skin tingled and he felt that kick of excitement as she yielded and drew him past her lips.
He deepened the kiss as the lust licked through his veins. He dimly heard the flourishing end of the song and the crash of water. All he noticed was how Christine melted into him. The crowd dispersed, jostling them. He instinctively held her close to protect her as someone bumped into him. She clutched his jacket lapel as she hungrily returned his kiss. Travis wasn’t ready to end this. He gathered her against him until her soft curves were flush with his rock-hard body.
Travis knew they were too far from the hotel. He wanted somewhere quiet and private where he could explore Christine inch by inch. Shed their clothes and...
Tension gripped his muscles as he realized he missed something. Something important. He suddenly recalled that someone had bumped right up against him.
The crowd hadn’t been that packed. Dread settled deep in his gut. Was it one of the guys who had followed them earlier? Did they know he had the emerald in his breast pocket?
Travis abruptly pulled away from Christine. He had to stop himself from checking the emerald. Alarm scorched through him and it must have shown as he saw Christine’s guarded expression.
“I’m sorry,” he said hoarsely as he watched Christine press her fingertips against her swollen lips. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about,” she said as desire shimmered in her eyes. “You did that very well.”
He tilted his head as hope leaped into his chest. He wanted to pursue what was happening between them right now. Travis was about to reach for Christine when his cell phone buzzed. He gritted his teeth and swallowed back a growl of frustration. “I have to get this.”
Christine lowered her gaze. “Not a problem.”
He surreptitiously checked for the emerald as he retrieved his cell phone from his pocket, and wanted to sag with relief when he felt the stone. He glanced at the phone and saw Aaron’s number. He wasn’t surprised. It was a shock that his friend hadn’t contacted him until now.
Travis answered his phone. “Hello?” he asked curtly. He didn’t want any more interruptions.
“Travis? How’s it going?” Aaron asked.
“Good. Why?” Travis heard the underlying tension in his friend’s voice. He glanced around the sidewalk. Pitts and Underwood were nowhere to be seen.
“Okay.” Aaron’s voice dropped to a confiding whisper. “You know how I said you were paranoid because you thought those two guys were watching us.”
“Yeah?” He did another quick survey of the area. Nothing.
“Well, I think someone was in my hotel room.”
Travis’s head came up like an animal scenting danger. It must have been obvious as Christine looked at him with concern. He flashed her a lopsided smile as if nothing was wrong. “How do you know?”
“I did the toothpick trick you showed me,” Aaron said in a rush. “You know, put the toothpick on the top of the door and close it.”
“Found it on the floor, huh?” He didn’t need confirmation. He knew the room had been searched.
“Yes! I also did it for the bat
hroom door and the closet. They’re all on the floor. I got out of there as fast as I could and called you.”
“Do you need me to drop by?” Travis asked. He saw Christine’s chin dip with disappointment.
“Actually...” Aaron’s tone changed. “I need my emerald now before the game starts.”
Travis rubbed his forehead as he tried to understand his friend’s insistence on playing the game with the questionable group. Did he think this emerald had some protective spell? “You’re still going through with it?”
“Yes, of course,” Aaron replied. “And then I’ll give the stone right back to you. What could go wrong?”
Travis groaned. “Famous last words.”
“You sound different,” Aaron said.
He probably did. He hadn’t felt this frustrated in a long time. He was used to getting what he wanted, when he wanted it. But now he couldn’t follow up on this attraction that flared between him and Christine. “No,” he said through clenched teeth. “I’m good.”
“Wait a second,” Aaron said slyly. “Are you still with that hot chick?”
He glanced at Christine and their gazes held. “Yes.”
“Seriously?” his friend said in a high-pitched squawk. “How the hell did you get her to go with you?”
He couldn’t answer that because he had no idea. “I’ll be right there,” he promised with great reluctance before he disconnected the call.
“You have to leave?” Christine asked.
“I have to drop by the casino,” he said as he placed the cell phone into his pocket. “It won’t take long.”
“No, that’s fine.” She took a step back and crossed her arms. “I’ve already taken up enough of your time.”
“I’m not ready to call it a night,” he said. Especially after that kiss. “I have to do something for a friend and then I’ll take you dancing.”
Her eyes widened. “Dancing? Like at a nightclub?”