Expert Witness: A Romantic Suspense Novel (20 page)

“Look. The sun’s about to set.” Chase pointed out over the water.

They watched in comfortable silence as the sun set into the ocean. Shades of gold, amber, and crimson reflected both in the sky and off the water. It was spectacular. In truth, the entire day had been pretty spectacular.
 

She sucked down the last of her second Sunset Serenade. “These are good,” she said appreciatively. “But I should probably eat some actual food soon.” She was already feeling the effects of two drinks on an empty stomach.
 

“So, what are you having?” Chase asked her. He glanced around the entire bar before coming back to her.
 

Though his attention was on her, he was also aware of their surroundings wherever they went. His ability to remain alert while he appeared relaxed made her feel more secure when they were out.
 

She took one last look at the menu spread out in front of her. She’d already been over the entrees several times. “I don’t know. All of it sounds good. Do you want to order a few things to share? Maybe some lobster chowder, smoked tuna dip, fried shrimp . . .”

“Okay, okay,” he said, displaying a wide grin. “So basically, a little of everything on the menu?”

“Sounds good to me.”
 

When the waitress came, Chase ordered an appetizer sampler, a bowl of crab chowder, and a seafood platter, which all turned out to be heavenly. They enjoyed trading dishes and savoring the different coastal flavors while listening to the band in the background.
 

When their plates were nearly empty and she couldn’t fit another bite into her stomach, she leaned back and let out a contented sigh. “This has been one of the best days I can remember in a long time. I know that seems weird to say—I mean, under the circumstances—but getting away from Orlando was definitely a good decision.”

“I agree on both. This has been an awesome day,” he said softly then continued in his normal tone. “And I think getting you out of Orlando was the best option.”

“You know, at first, I didn’t want to go. I thought I was giving in to him by coming here. Like I was giving in to the fear he’s created… It felt cowardly, I guess.” She stirred her straw in circles and watched the melted ice in her drink swirl around as she spoke. A part of her didn’t want to see what Chase thought of her revelation. Would it change his opinion of her? Almost every day carried risks for him, and she couldn’t imagine him running from any of them.
 

He reached out and gently tipped her chin up so he was looking her directly in the eye. “You’re the furthest thing from being cowardly. In fact, I think you’ve been very brave through all of this.”
 

She shook her head in protest. “Are you kidding me? Brave? I’m scared of so many things right now. I’m scared of this guy finding me here. I’m scared that I’ll never be the same when all of this is finally over. I’m scared of how it’ll affect my practice.”
 

Chase placed his large hands over her clasped smaller ones. “I’d say those are pretty normal fears right now. It doesn’t mean you aren’t brave.”

She stared back at him and gave a small nod. He was right on some level, but she certainly didn’t feel brave. “Well, I’m also scared of heights. How about that one?”

“Really?” he asked, still cupping his hands over hers, his thumbs gently grazing hers.

She tried not to be distracted by his simple act of comfort. “Really. Can’t stand to be up high. Definitely don’t like looking down when I am. It’s not like I won’t ride elevators or go hiking, but I’d rather just not know exactly how far up I am and how the people down below me resemble ants they’re so small.”
 

Chase looked at her with a thoughtful expression. “Then I think I know how this night should end.” He let go of her hands to grab his wallet.
 

Whatever he had in mind was obviously not taking place where they were. She chewed on her lower lip, watching him for any clues as to what he had planned. He wasn’t giving anything away though.
 

“I have no idea what you are thinking, but I’m not sure I like where this is heading,” she said.

Thirty minutes later, she was right. Her mouth went dry as she stared up at the flashing lights that spelled out
SKYCOASTER
in front of them. Chase told her that he’d seen it from the hotel, so it wasn’t far from the bar. But it’d taken them half an hour to get there, because they’d driven many roundabouts and side streets to make sure they weren’t followed.
 

“Seriously?” She stared at him, the empty feeling in the pit of her stomach growing larger by the second. Had he lost his ever-loving mind? “I disclose that I’m scared of heights, and you bring me here?” Her voice squeaked on the last word.
 

Chase hesitated for a moment but didn’t back down. “Out of all the things you said you were scared of, I thought this would be the one we could do something about right now,” he said, his face earnest. “But it’s your choice. We can leave as easily as we came. Well, maybe even a little easier.” He gave her a crooked grin. “And I’d still think you’re very brave.”

Jordan burst out laughing, partly from the irony of his characterization of her, but mostly from her nerves. She watched the couple before them fall from the sky and swing outward. “So, you think falling from—how many feet in the air is this thing?”

“Probably about a hundred feet,” he said.

“Falling from one hundred feet will help me with my fear of heights?”

“What would it hurt to try?” he asked.

 
He had a point.
 

“You know what this type of intervention you’re suggesting is called? It’s called flooding. By exposing me to my admittedly unrealistic fear, it’s supposed to help me see that nothing bad will happen from being up high so, ultimately, there’s no point in being scared. Though, I guess in this case, I’d actually be falling…which could be a little traumatic…” She was purposely trying to mess with him now. She’d already decided that this was something she was going to do. Something that felt right for her now.

Chase studied her closely. “Look, Jordan, like I said before, this is completely your choice. If you want to try it, I’m game to do it with you. If not, then we can find something else that I’m sure will be just as much fun. I did see a miniature golf course a little farther down the road.” He gave her a wink.

Jordan peered up to the top of the tower then back at Chase.
 

“What do you say?” He was holding out a hand to her.
 

She grabbed his hand. “I say let’s do it!”
 

Walking up to the ride hand in hand, she felt a little lightheaded. She resisted the urge to turn around and run back to the SUV. Unfortunately, there wasn’t anyone ahead of them. They were quickly ushered into an area where they were fitted with the flight suits. Jordan looked down at the suit.
 

“It kind of reminds me of a pair of overalls.” She could hear the rustling of the stiff material every time she moved. “Well, overalls that feel like they were constructed out of a parachute.”
 

“And built for two,” he said, waggling his eyebrows at her.

 
Jordan rolled her eyes at him.
 

Once the outerwear was secure, the attendants had them both lean forward. She and Chase were now dangling in the suit suspended from a cable tether.
 

“Okay,” one of the attendants said in a jovial voice. “When you’re at the top, it’ll be ‘three, two, one, fly’ and your flight will begin!”

A little too enthusiastic for me,
Jordan thought as the two attendants headed toward the controls. She felt a tug and they were slowly being lifted into the air. The farther they went up, the more nervous she got. Before long, they were so high that they could see the entire beach city. Thankfully, it was dark outside, so there weren’t a lot of people the size of ants to look down upon. Instead, she focused on the city lights and skyline. It was a beautiful sight to behold.
 

The movement stopped when they’d reached the top.
 

“Chase” she said, hesitant.

His reply was calm and soothing. “You’ve got this.”

Before she had much more time to think about the next step, the attendant’s voice boomed over the PA. “Three, two, one, fly!”
 

The next thing she knew, they were plummeting through the air. Initially, she didn’t detect any tension from the stretchy cable they were suspended from. It was as if they were freefalling the hundred feet down and she’d abandoned her stomach at the top. After a few frightening seconds, the falling sensation dissipated and she was towed forward. The phase of the ride where they’d swing from side to side through the night sky began.
 

“This is unbelievable!” she said, her heart still racing.

“I hope that’s unbelievably good and not bad.”

“Unbelievable in the best way.”
 

The ground was getting closer as they gradually dropped back down. She loved feeling the wind blow her hair as they swung back and forth in their descent. Only then did she realize she was holding on to Chase’s arm with a viselike grip.

“Sorry,” she mumbled, beginning to let go a little.
 

He used his other hand to hold her hands in place. “It’s fine,” he said. “That was awesome. You were awesome.”

Jordan felt exhilarated as they neared the ground. “Have you ever done anything like this before?”
 

Chase looked at her thoughtfully, a mixture of longing and admiration on his face. “Nothing quite like this.”

The look on his face heated her from head to toe while the words sunk straight into her heart.
 
She was certain she’d felt nothing quite like it either.
 

The euphoric feeling clung to her for the duration of the ride back to the condo. They pulled into the entrance and she turned to him, her eyes sparkling. “That was a perfect end to this wonderful night. Thank you, Chase, for everything.”

“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
 

§

As soon as he spoke the words, he realized he meant them. There was nowhere else he’d have rather been than with her on this night. More surprisingly, the realization didn’t even shock him.
 

He guided her through the parking garage and into the condo. Careful to remain on guard, he conducted an exhaustive walk-through of the condo when they entered. There hadn’t been anything, so far, to indicate that their guy had discovered their location. But he was leaving nothing to chance.

Once he confirmed that all was fine, Jordan slid out of her sandals and removed her phone from her purse. “Oh, no. The music must’ve drowned out my cell ringing,” she said, reading the notifications on her phone. “I have a couple of missed calls from the office and one from Karen.”

“It’s probably too late to call now. What do you think?” Chase asked.
 

Jordan glanced down at her watch, her brows lifting as she saw both hands situated squarely at the top. “Yeah, I’m sure Karen and Mike are asleep by now. I’ll try her back in the morning and check in with Nancy. Hopefully, it was nothing important. The last time she called, she only wanted to know what I thought of the place. Well, and to assure me things were going smoothly at the office.” She chuckled.
 

“She knows you too well,” he said in a lighthearted manner. The thought struck him that he’d gotten to know her fairly well too, as he immediately understood Jordan’s amusement—that the true intent of Karen’s call was to assuage Jordan’s worry about their practice. And after their experience tonight, he felt even closer to her. “Well, I guess this is goodnight.” He moved toward her and lowered his voice. “I’m glad you enjoyed tonight. It was good to see you having fun.” He rested a hand on her arm. “And it was awesome to see you flying through the air.”

“More like falling through the air,” she said with a grin. Then she looked up at him and her expression became more solemn. “It’s something I’ll definitely never forget…” She took a hesitant step forward.
 

He knew he shouldn’t, particularly after his statements at the restaurant, but he couldn’t help but to pull her close and tuck her up next to him. For a minute, he’d allow himself to get lost in her, absorbing every detail that enticed his senses. He brushed his lips against the top of her head and breathed in the sweet scent that had haunted him since their first kiss. Her silky hair tickled his nose, but he didn’t budge. His pulse quickened as he marveled at how they fit together perfectly, each of her curves finding a home against his solid frame. Having her pressed against him was a mixture of torture and bliss. Every one of his nerve endings was on end and uninhibitedly receptive to all that was her. After his minute had more than passed, he knew he had to let her go…for now. Using every bit of willpower that’d taken him years to develop, he wrenched himself back from her.
 

Looking down, he saw her eyes open slowly, still clouded with desire, and her dark hair tousled from the embrace.