Elizabeth Lennox [Lennox - Forbidden Lover (The Diamond Club Book 7)

Over the hill and through the hoops

Not exactly how the holiday song goes, but Carly couldnt seem to get it out of her head.

Carly pushed herself harder, ignoring the scratch on the palm of her hand. It stung, but the pain helped in an odd way. Harder! she whispered to herself as she jumped over a log that shed only seen at the last moment. Carly stumbled, but quickly regained her balance. She paused for a moment, frowning at the scratch on her hand, then back at the log, glaring at the obnoxious thing. Okay, unexpected but

She turned and eyed the next obstacle. Her determination wobbled slightly, but Carly wasnt giving in. Heights. Darn it, she really hated heights!

Looking up into the trees at the latest obstacle, Carly considered walking around this one. Glancing towards the next obstacle, then the next andwell, beyond those two, she couldnt see the next one since it was hidden in the trees. If she walked around one, what would stop her from walking around all of them?

Im not giving in! she muttered, squelching the thought. Instead, Carly climbed the rope ladder and hooked on her safety tether, the precaution that she knew Ryker had installed to ensure that anyone falling off of any of the crazy obstacles wouldnt hit the ground and break any bones. Or necks. Was a neck a bone? No, it was a series of bones, she told herself.

No broken necks, she said with absolute determination as she looked out in front of her. I can do this! Unfortunately, staring out at the swinging log that had somehow been hung from the trees, Carly wasnt so sure. It wasnt just one log, but a huge log that had been cut into several pieces, each piece hung by two ropes. That meant that each section moved separately!

Ryker, you must have a demented mind if you think this kind of thing is fun! she muttered to herself.

Thankfully, there was a rope along both sides of the obstacle so she could hold on and, hopefully, maintain her balance. But as she stepped out onto the first log section, the stupid thing swayed dramatically and she pulled back.

Looking out at the woods, she took a moment to catch her breath. That last part of the obstacle course had been about a two mile run, so her heart pounded in her chest. The erratic heart rate was probably part of the psychotic test that Ryker had developed. A calm heart rate made it easier to navigate these insane obstacles. A rapid heartratenot so easy.

She inched to the edge of the platform once again and glared at the stupid logs swaying in the gentle breeze. Were they taunting her? Were they laughing at her?

Not today! she growled, gripping the rope tightly.

Calm your breathing, Carly! a deep voice called from the down below.

Carlys foot had just touched the log again but with the familiar voice, she jerked back and looked down. Sure enough, Ryker Thune was there, right underneath her, his sexy arms flexed underneath that tight, black shirt andwow, the man looked amazing! Did he have any body fat on him? Carly doubted it.

Just calm your breathing and your heartrate will slow down.

Right, she muttered. With Ryker around, her heart wouldnt slow down. In fact, just the opposite. With him watching, she could feel her body tense, her heart accelerate, and all she wanted to do was shimmy down the ladder and throw herself into his arms. Or maybe jump down, right into his arms. Maybe she could get halfway across and justfall, right into his arms!

Hmm.all of her options involved those arms. Good plan!

No! Bad plan! Ryker was the best friend of not just one of her overly protective brothers, but both of them. And since the oh-so-steaming-hot Ryker was also part owner in The Solutions Group, the company at which she also was employed, Carly didnt think it would be wise to make a pass at him.

Not that she even knew how to make a pass at someone like Ryker. Ha! That was a stupid thought. Carly didnt know how to make a pass at any man! Flirting just didnt come naturally to her. Organizing? Yeah, she could take over the entire US military and make it more efficient. Flirting, unfortunately, wasnt in her skill set.

Carly? Are you okay? Do you need help? Ryker called.

Carly glanced down at him, realizing belatedly that she was standing on the stupid platform fantasizing about the man. Now he thought she was scared. She was! But she didnt want Ryker to know that. Scared was for sissies and she wasnt a sissy!

Carly? he called, drifting nearer to the rope ladder.

Im fine! she answered, then bit her lower lip, thinking that maybe she should have let him come up and save her. She could have pressed against his hard chest and learned what it felt like. Just once, she wanted to know what Rykers arms and chest felt like wrapped protectively around her body. He was so damn big, stunning, and muscular and

Im coming up, honey. Just stay there and Ill get you.

No! Im fine! she told him quickly. And to prove it, she put her foot on the first log, gripping the rope with both hands as she stepped forward. Why are you here? she called out, needing a distraction. You werent supposed to be back for three more hours.

I finished early and told Jimmy to get us home fast, he replied, referring to one of the pilots that flew the various teams employed by The Solutions Group. The Solutions Group had ten private jets. There was always one plane here at home base for emergencies while the other pilots flew the teams around the world. They were all luxurious and amazing, but with extra-large baggage compartments capable of storing the teams sometimes bizarre equipment.

Thats nice, she replied back, focusing so that she didnt slip off of the stupid, swaying log and make a fool of herself.

Point your feet out like a duck. That will give you better balance.

She did so, angling her toes outward and, almost immediately, walking along the log was significantly easier. Huh! she moved to the second and then the third, making her way along the separate sections of the log to the next platform. I did it! she yelled, turning to look over her shoulder. But Ryker was no longer there. Did you?

A strong arm pulled her towards the center of the platform and Carly squeaked slightly, her hands flying up as her breasts were plastered against the incredibly firm chest of the man who had featured in way too many of her dreams over the years.

Yeah, Ryker said, his eyes smiling down at her from his superior height. You did it. Good job.

Was his voice deeper? Huskier? Oh my, he was shockingly hard! Peering up at him, Carly looked up into his eyes, seeing the crystal blue more intensely from here. Almost black hair, shockingly blue eyes, and tanned skin covering hard, yummy muscles, Ryker Thune wassmoking hot!

You did a great job, Carly, he told her. Even though she was nowhere near the edge of the platform, his arm remained around her waist, holding her firmly against his rock-hard chest. Since Carly had pictured this exact scenario so many times, there wasnt any possibility of her doing anything that might cause his arms to shift.