I wonder what she’s going to be like today.

I’ll never apologize or go back on what happened last night. We both wanted it. She had me so turned on I was about ready to burst out of my damn pants. The innocence is what got me. I’ve never met anybody who’s so straightforward, honest and straight, but so fucking hot at the same time.

When she talked about getting tied up…

Just remembering it as I drive to the regional airport for our next stunt has me rock-hard and wanting her again. For real, this time. I’ve tasted her and want more. I want everything she’ll give me.

So here I am, going through the same damn mental gymnastics I went through last night. It fucking kept me awake for half the night. To the point where I hope, we won’t have to do anything that involves thinking or reflexes today.

The money is still my goal. My business. My dream. I’ll make it happen. A little fun in an alley doesn’t erase years of hard work. We’re both adults, and I’m sure I still have what it takes to eliminate her from the game when the time comes. I might not even have to. She doesn’t have the balls to go through with the stunts without me pushing her along. Without me, she’ll most probably drop out as soon as the last stunt is announced.

It doesn’t matter if she hates me.

So why is there a sharp little twinge in my chest when I imagine it ending that way?

It’s the first cold day of the year. I rub my hands together to warm them up once I step out of the car. The airport is sort of out in the middle of nowhere. Nothing around for miles.

Why would they want us out here?

I double-check the latest text, confirming the time and the place. I don’t see anything outside of a hangar, but a single helicopter. There’s not a pilot in sight. Also, there’s no Dakota. The thought that she might bail on me today never crossed my mind until just now.

Holy shit. What if that was it last night? What if she couldn’t handle it and walked away? A sick feeling settles in the pit of my stomach and the cold wind turns it to ice. I’m standing alone in the middle of an airport runway and this could be the end of the line.

If it is, I’ll kick myself. I let my dream die, because I couldn’t fucking control myself.

When her piece of shit car makes the turn into the lot, then down to the runway, my legs feel like they could buckle out of relief. I should’ve known she would hang in there. She’s tough.

I wave to her.

She doesn’t look embarrassed, or like she wants to avoid me.

A good thing, I guess.

“Hey,” she calls out, shoving her hands into the pockets of her long, black coat. It’s seen better days. “What’s this all about? Do you know?”

“They wouldn’t tell me anything they haven’t told you,” I call back.

She’s smiles as she reaches me. “That wasn’t true last night, when they texted us separately.”

I expected her to at least look shy if she brought up last night’s stunt, but she doesn’t. Have I underestimated her? “True,” I say softly, looking deep into her eyes.

She blushes and looks away. “Do you think there’s been some mix-up or something?”

“I wouldn’t have thought so.”

“This is eerie.”

While I wouldn’t have used that word, we are alone, or practically. Just the two of us in the middle of a windswept stretch of land, freezing our asses off. I have a feeling our stunts have just been taken a notch up.

Our phones buzz.

Judging by the way she fumbles for her phone, it looks like she’s desperately relieved to hear it.

We both shrug. So far, so good.

“This has to be a trick,” she whispers as we walk. “I mean, just like everything else so far. They get us to meet up someplace, then spring some insanity on us. It looks innocent on the surface.”

Just like you, I want to add, but I bite my tongue, and hold the door open for her instead. The inside of the hangar isn’t much warmer than outside, but the office should be. I hope.

She knocks at the door—a little softly, but loud enough.

“Come in,” a man’s voice calls.

We glance at each other. I don’t have a good feeling about this all of a sudden. Dakota seems frozen to the spot, so I push open the door.

The man behind the desk is old. His skin has been weathered to leather, and even though I know appearances can be deceptive, I relax a little. His kind smile is good to see, but I notice his eyes look a little sympathetic. What does he know that we don’t?

He points to a stack of clothing on a table in the far corner of the room. “I’m supposed to instruct you to put those on.”

“What are those?” Dakota asks, crossing the room to examine what’s waiting there. She lets out a little gasp. “Are these wetsuits?”

“They are.” He looks at me and shrugs. “I’m just telling you what they told me.”

“Holy cow,” she whispers, eyes wide as she turns to me. “What are we supposed to do today?”