Millionaire Romance: In Love With My Boss - A Contemporary Romance (Millionaire Romance, Contemporary Romance, Comedy Romance Book 1) (8 page)

Jennifer breathed harder than Andrew, each breath a deep grasp for air. It seemed thinner up here. They had been climbing for over an hour. She reached for her water and found that it was empty.

Andrew handed Jennifer his bottle. He had managed only about half. She drank the water happily before handing it back.

“Was this here before?”

“Probably not. There are a lot of thunderstorms during the summer. Trees fall all the time around here, so the path is always changing.”

“Are you kidding me?” Jennifer looked at the massive base of the tree, her heart falling. “I can
hear
the water,” she stressed, reaching for the tree. Only the tips of her fingers could touch.

“I think I can get up,” Andrew offered, running a hand through his hair. “I can take pictures for you.”

Jennifer offered a dry chuckle. “How am I going to get up?” She asked instead, ignoring his remark.

“I’ll pull you up,” Andrew said it confidently.

Jennifer met his gaze. He wasn’t joking. “Do you know how much I weigh?”

“Can’t be more than I bench press.”

“How will you pull me up?”

“I’ve got rope,” Andrew turned towards the tree and touched it with the palm of his hand. “Always good to take line along the mountainside. I’ll climb first and lower the rope down. If you can hang on,” he flashed her a grin, “I’ll pull you up.”

His confidence caused heat to rise along Jennifer’s neck. Andrew didn’t wait for a response. He turned to the uneven surfaces of rocks and soft earth and began looking for a footing and a place to grab with his hands.

Jennifer watched his skin twitch and move beneath the fabric of his shirt. When she had first seen him arrive at the Terrace on Monday, she wouldn’t have pegged him for a fitness buff but it was apparent he was in great physical condition.

There wasn’t a place for footing anywhere. There seemed to be a smaller tree beneath the larger one that would suffice, but to get to it, Andrew had to jump to grab the side of the tree. He got a face full of leaves of a bramble. Jennifer shivered at the thought of bugs attacking his face.

From the first tree, there was another branch that could bear his weight. He used it for leverage to steady himself before attempting scale the side of the larger tree directly above. Jennifer envisioned ants marching across his knuckles. Apparently, there must not have been any, and the bark not too rotten or gutted from termites because his grip held.

From a dead hang, his feet mere inches from the first tree; he pulled himself up to get a firmer grasp with his right arm. He swung his leg around for traction and was able to finish pulling himself up. He was breathing hard, and his shirt was smeared with the tree, but he sat up, straddling the large tree truck and put both arms into the air.

“That’s what I’m talking about!” He looked down at Jennifer. “Your turn. Did you see what I did?”

She laughed. “You’re crazy. Drop the rope.”

“It’s easy, just jump up and grab. I’ll get you,” he was still laughing but stopped when he looked away. “You’re going to love it up here.”

Jennifer had nearly gathered her breath, but her heart still pounded with anticipation. “What’s it look like? Can you see it?”

Andrew nodded. “It’s beautiful. I think we’ll be able to touch the water.” He looked down at her again before removing the pack. He pulled out a thin bundle of rope.

“How long is it?”

“Ten feet,” he answered, stretching the rope out, “should be more than enough.” He made a loop and fastened it off with a slip knot. “For a foot,” he instructed before lowering it down. He wrapped the ends around his right forearm.

As the loop reached Jennifer, she stuck her right foot in. It was lowered to about a foot above where she currently stood. It seemed a bit silly. Could he really hold her weight? Jennifer peered at Andrew’s eyes around the side of the tree. “You’re going to pull me up like an elevator?”

He answered her with his eyes. “That’s one way to describe it. You ready?”

Looking around at the twigs and thick branches of the forest, Jennifer gripped the rope tightly near her face. She didn’t think she wouldn’t be able to hold on, but the thought still scared her. She wondered what would happen if his grip slipped. He wore no gloves and only had his bare hands that she was sure were sweaty. Andrew must have seen the concern on her face because he said, “I won’t drop you. I promise.”

Jennifer smiled at his reassurance. She believed him. “Beam me up,” she said with a stifled giggle.

Chapter Nine

Hidden Oasis

SHE PUT ALL of her weight into the loop as she stepped up, letting her left leg dangle.

She didn’t move for a moment. When Andrew began to lift her with the rope, her body lurched. She repositioned her hands around the rope and looked around as her body rose higher. She was eye level with the bottom of the first fallen tree truck, her probably a foot and a half off the ground.

Andrew lifted the rope slowly, steadily, having kept his legs wrapped around the truck for leverage. The angel seemed to put a painful strain on him, but he didn’t say anything or make any noise other than an occasional grunt. As Jennifer passed the first tree, she immediately became eye level with the second. She kept her body free from the side by pushing away slightly. Sweat more than covered Andrew’s face.

When he could no longer pull Jennifer with the rope, she reached for his left arm. His strong grip shocked her, but he grabbed her firmly, helping her to take a hold of the tree without getting her clothes smeared with the trunk. She refused to straddle and struggled to position both of her legs over the side of the damp tree.

Jennifer could feel Andrew’s breath on her face. It was hot but didn’t smell or stink. She was thankful for that and smiled as she caught his eyes. Andrew grinned back at her, moving his hand along her arm to her back to help her steady.

“That’s was fun,” he said with a chuckle.

Jennifer glanced over her back and looked down towards the surface she had just left. She was at least five feet from the ground. “How far is that?”

Andrew shrugged and diverted her attention to the waterfall. From the large trunk, they would be able to follow either side around towards the boulders making the next facing. It was from there that water gushed out. It was much cooler, and flecks of water touched Jennifer’s skin ever so often. With widening eyes, Jennifer took the sight in.

It was like a rare lagoon in the middle of a forest minus the pool of water. It was exactly how she envisioned and yet so much more natural with trees, climbing vines and budding flowers.

“Wow,” she said in a hushed breath. Andrew chuckled.

“Was it worth it?”

Jennifer glanced at him. He seemed to cringe in the silence. Remembering most of the attitude she had given him at the benefit, flight and drive into the town, she chuckled.

“You tell me,” Jennifer answered. She stared at him for a moment longer and then steadied herself enough to stand.

“Where are you going?”

“To the fall. I need to stick a hand in.”

Andrew stood up after her. He provided extra support as she followed the tree to its base towards the boulders it was wedged in between. The water was loudest at this point and gushed from the break in the water just feet from Jennifer.

“I can’t believe it,” she glanced towards Andrew. “I’ve never seen a real waterfall before.”

“Go ahead and stick your hand in,” Andrew coaxed. Stretching out a hand towards the rushing water, Jennifer gasped as her hand passed through. It seemed colder than the water she had felt when they had been lower on the mountainside.

“It’s freezing!”

“I know. It’s great for when you all covered in sweat,” Andrew laughed. He reached past her side, his chest pushing against Jennifer’s back. As he pulled his wet fingers back, he playfully flicked the water towards her face. She giggled, and then reached towards the falling water with two hands.

“Can I drink it?” The water splashed along her forearms as she brought it back, a tiny pool of clear water rested between her two cupped hands.

“I wouldn’t.” Andrew smacked the bottom of her hands, spilling the water.

For a moment, Jennifer gasped, looking back to Andrew before she reached for more water to splash. They shared the smooth surface of one boulder to stand. Beyond the large rock, there was nothing but a gaping hole, loose bramble and the flat facing the mountainside. Jennifer nearly lost her balance trying to prevent Andrew from getting more water. He grabbed her quickly around her waist.

“Be careful,” it was a command. His eyes ran over her face.

Jennifer flicked her fingers in his face, squeezing her eyes shut as Andrew reached behind her. She felt the cold sting of the mountain water hit her face seconds later.

“You’re so cruel,” she said through clenched teeth. Andrew still held her waist with his left hand. They were chuckling together, snickering at their playfulness. When Jennifer opened her eyes, she saw that Andrew’s face was sprinkled with water droplets just like hers.

“Switch places with me,” he said softly, a smile still lingering on his face. Jennifer held onto Andrew with a tight grip as they took tiny steps to switch places on the broad surface of the fallen trunk.

They changed places carefully, putting Andrew closest to the falling water. He grabbed a hand full and rubbed his wet palms over his face. Reaching for more water, he ran it through his hair. Jennifer watched him carefully. His shirt was damp a bit see through, as wet white cotton could only become with sweat.

She had a better view of his chest and was able to make out the defined muscles beneath his clothes. After a moment, she looked at his face again. Andrew had been watching her. Jennifer nodded towards him with her head.

“Do all men like you live at a gym?”

He chuckled. “I don’t live at a gym.”

“I weigh a good bit.” Jennifer crossed her arms over her chest, feeling a bit vulnerable with the thin fabric over her. It had gotten a bit moist as she stood near the fall and it clung to her loosely.

“Are you just a fitness buff?”

Andrew shrugged. “Kind of.” He looked away and then put his back to Jennifer. He began to lift his shirt over his head.

Jennifer’s eyes widened. “What are you doing?”

“What’s it look like?” He called over his shoulder. The shirt was wadded into his right hand. He stretched his arm out, getting the shirt thoroughly wet. Jennifer took the time to look at his body again.

She couldn’t remember the last time she had been near a half undressed man that looked so good. Even with all the time she had spent with Melone, she had never seen him with his shirt off. She wondered if he looked the same. James’s skin had a bit of a tint to it, being that he was part Italian.

Attempting to mask the growing curiosity with his physique body, Jennifer turned away, but still looked with her eyes. Andrew was wringing out his shirt.

“Are you going to put that back on?” Jennifer squirmed at the thought of sopping wet fabric against her skin.

Casting a glance over his should, Andrew smirked. He pulled the shirt onto his body. The white fabric clung to his skin. He turned to face Jennifer abruptly.

“Give me a hug.”

“What? No!” Jennifer held out an arm, but he only took hold of it and pulled her into him. She squirmed against his cold body, her squeals turning into laughter. The water seeped into the fabric of her romper. Within seconds, the top half was just as soaked as Andrew’s chest.

Once Jennifer’s laughter stopped, she pulled back from Andrew slightly. Water still trickled down his face. He cleared his throat and released her arms.

“I shouldn’t have done that,” he said with a grin. Jennifer chuckled. Despite the cold water, he was surprisingly warm.

She lowered her gaze before she turned and headed towards the end of the tree the furthest from the waterfall, the top of the tree with missing branches. Their combined weight caused the tree to moan. A few loose pieces of bark fell to the second tree below.

“I’m hungry,” she said after a moment, touching her stomach. She hadn’t thought to think of lunch.

“I’ve brought some snacks,” Andrew piped.

Jennifer grinned, facing him again. “You’re so prepared.”

He flashed her a smile. “Always.” They nestled near another boulder near the end of the fallen tree. Jennifer leaned over the side of the rock. She wouldn’t be able to pull herself up.

“Need a hand?”

“You can help me sit up here?” Jennifer faced Andrew again. He nodded.

“Sure thing, I can just lift you up,” he smiled. “You really don’t weight that much.” He closed the space between them and placed his hands on Jennifer’s soft hips. Jennifer touched his fingers absently as she looked into his eyes. There was another sexy grin.

“Ready?”

Jennifer’s voice caught in her throat and she managed a gurgle of a chuckle and a weak nod. Andrew’s grip around her waist tightened before he began to lift her. Within seconds, he had placed her on the side of the rock. Jennifer repositioned herself, and after she was comfortable, she looked around again.

Her knees were at Andrew’s shoulders. At this height, he didn’t seem so massive nor she did she seem so small in his presence. A revelation creeped over her. If he hadn’t been there to help her, she never would have made it so far.

“I have a confession,” Jennifer said suddenly.

Andrew eyed her casually. “I love confessions. What is it?”

“I wasn’t the fastest girl in track. I don’t know why I said that.”

Andrew laughed. “You don’t really have the track star build,” he looked her body over. “You’re still very attractive though.”

Jennifer knew her cheeks were glowing. She could only offer a chuckle in response.

“I’ve got a confession too,” Andrew said quickly, breaking the tension as he squared his shoulders against her knees. Jennifer raised a brow.

“Well, what is it?”

“I wasn’t as forthcoming as I could have been about the waterfall.”

“No, you weren’t at all.” She laughed, thinking about how she must have looked to him, jumping at every large bug and flying creature she saw lurking in the shadows. “You bring a lot of women up here?”