9
He would’ve stayed in bed all day, just so he could continue holding her in his arms. But Alex’s mother had scheduled the time she’d serve breakfast on the balcony. Why had he agreed to all this?
Because I wanted this to be something Brooke would never forget.
Brooke stood by the railing sipping her tea, looking out over the ocean. She seemed to be a million miles away. Last night was beyond anything he could describe, but was she having regrets? There was nothing he could do if she was. It’s not like he could go back in time and erase everything they had shared.
He waited another moment then couldn’t stand it any longer. He needed to know what was troubling her. Getting up, his coffee cup in hand, he joined her by the rail. “It’s a beautiful morning.”
Brooke nodded. “And quiet. All I can hear are the waves crashing below on the cliff. This place is . . . magical.”
“But?” Gareth never woke the next morning with the woman he’d spent the evening with. Spending the night would’ve implied something that wasn’t there. But waking up with Brooke was what he’d longed for. Right now he couldn’t read her expression to tell if she wanted that too. He held his breath, waiting for the bomb to drop.
“I didn’t expect any of this Gareth.”
“The—”
“Feelings,” she blurted. “For the first time in my life, I’m standing someplace and thinking I could do this every morning for the rest of my life and never get tired of it.” She turned to him, looked up, and added, “But Gareth, neither of us has that to give. You’re leaving tomorrow night, and I’m going to be here completing my contract.”
So she did want more. He knew that was a risk when he brought her here. It was like a fairy tale, but he was no Prince Charming. He planned most of this getaway, but what made it so pretty and elegant sure as hell hadn’t been by his hands.
“It’s difficult when the life you have and enjoy crosses paths with another, threatening to derail all you’ve wanted. But like the ocean below us, the waves come crashing in yet the cliff remains.”
Brooke wrinkled her nose and asked, “Gareth, was this your attempt at poetry or deep philosophy? Because you’re confusing the heck out of me.”
“I guess I’m not good when it comes to this type of serious conversation.” That was an understatement. He avoided them like the plague. He needed to get Brooke to understand, but more importantly, he wanted to make sure she was okay.
“So do me a favor and don’t try to say what you think I want to hear. What I was trying to say was—”
The blaring of a horn echoed before the loud crash. Sounds of glass shattering and wood snapping filled the air as the entire house shook. Before he knew it, the balcony they were standing on began to give way, tilting slightly toward the water and rocks below. Brooke screamed and lost her footing. He saw her grip the railing, which no longer was secured to the house. Then another sound of cracking wood as the supports below the deck began letting go.
Another jolt; he felt helpless as her body fell forward. His heart stopped as the only barrier keeping her safe on the deck became a dangerous obstacle. Brooke’s high-pitched screams were like knives piercing his heart. Everything moved so quickly, but his actions felt as though they were in slow motion.
Reaching out, he grabbed one of her hands, trying to pull her to him, but it was too late. Momentum lost to gravity. Her body swung over the broken railing and the only thing that prevented her from falling to her death was his iron-clad grip on her wrist.
If he wasn’t careful, they were both going over. Gareth knew she was terrified, who wouldn’t be dangling hundreds of feet off a cliff? This was no time to panic. He needed to let her know it was going to be okay while he tried to steady himself. There was no second chance to get this right. Fuck! This was really bad. “Hold on, sweetheart. I’ve got you!” Gareth said, trying to calm her, but his words might have been more for himself. No way was he opening his fingers, not for a second. If she went, he was going with her.
“Gareth. Help me. God, please help me . . .” Brooke cried out.
He was leaning backward to offset the angle as well as her weight. It was all about leverage, and he needed it to be in his favor. He looked around to find something secure to hold on to. There was a post to his left that appeared to remain anchored to the house. Arching as far back as he could, until his back felt like it couldn’t bend any farther, he was able to reach it.
Yet in his new position, he could barely see Brooke. He knew he still had her. But they were running out of time. It wasn’t like someone was going to stop and rescue them. This was up to him, and he needed her to trust him completely. “Brooke, can you reach up with your other hand and grab my wrist?”
“I . . . I don’t . . . know,” she whimpered.
In a firmer tone he said, “Brooke. Listen to me. You can do this.” You have to do this. “I can’t do it without you. Now reach up with your other hand.”
He felt her wiggling, as she struggled, but eventually he felt her nails digging into his forearm. The most wonderful feeling. But it wasn’t over.
“Gareth, what do I do now?” Brooke sobbed.
“I’m going to pull you up. No matter what, Brooke, don’t let go. Don’t look down. Just focus on me.” He pulled slow and steady, with all his might. When she was finally back on the balcony and up against him, he reminded her again, “Don’t let go.” They were not out of danger. At any point this entire balcony could rip from the house.
“Gareth, what . . . happened?” she asked.
“I don’t know. But right now, let’s focus on getting off this thing. Do you think you can make it to the door if you crawl over me?”
“I . . . think so.”