Immersion (Magnetic Desires) Read Online Free

purse and regain my composure. "So what are we doing today?"
    Rough fingers gripped the strip of flesh between my shorts and T-shirt and spun me around. His jaw was set, and his gaze bored into me, the flirty Leo of a moment before replaced by a more serious man. "Are you sure you want to go forward with this bet?"
    "Are you going to keep chasing me if I choose not to?"
    A hint of a twitch played on his lips. "I’m not going to give up if that’s what you’re asking."
    I pushed my finger into his chest. "Then the bet stands. I hope it doesn’t hurt your ego too much when I walk away with your money."
    "I wouldn’t worry your pretty head about it since that’s not how it’s going to play out. Now come on, I have a great afternoon planned." He grabbed my hand, shutting the door behind us and pulling me along.
    We stopped at one of the cafes on the Queen Promenade and ordered coffee and sandwiches. I sipped at the coffee gratefully as the last dregs of my wine hangover dissolved. "So what are we doing?"
    "Rock climbing. Have you ever been?"
    His seduction technique was surprising. I'd assumed he'd be the type of man to wine and dine a girl straight into his bed, not this. "No, but I’ve wanted to try it."
    He chewed through a bite of his sandwich and swallowed it down with his coffee. "You’ll love it. Rock walls aren’t as good as the real thing though. There’s something amazing about standing on the top of a cliff, knowing you’ve conquered its challenges."
    I rested my chin on my palm as he talked, wrapped up in how he spoke with his hands and how his eyes brightened over his hobby. "Do you go often?"
    "Not as much as I’d like. Business keeps me busy."
    "Business?"
    "I own an art gallery, but that’s a conversation for later." He pushed away from the table and stood up. "Let’s go tackle a challenge."
    "All right, but I don’t have shoes." I cocked my head to indicate the shoes he’d thrown over his shoulder again. "Is it going to be a problem?"
    He sniggered. "If it doesn’t offend your sensibilities, they have shoes you can borrow." 
    "Should we bet on who will get on top first?" This time I meant the double entendre. I might be walking away at the end of this, but I could enjoy it in the meantime.
    He snorted and almost choked on his laughter. "No more wagers, girly. You’re only going to end up regretting them."

Chapter Four
    Leo
    Watching her shimmy up the rock wall the second time gave me a great view of her ass in those sexy shorts. The first time I’d taken the lead and hadn’t been able to enjoy the view. I’d thought she’d be done after one track, but the girl was fit. Her gorgeous figure packed a killer punch, and surprisingly, she was a natural. One toehold at a time, she pushed her weight through her legs and made her way up the wall.
    My palms itched to wrap around the belay rope. Normally I’d be holding onto it, the rope sliding through my hands as I gave the other climber more freedom to move, but this belay was automatic. It had been a while since I’d gotten out to the cliff face. Gathering pieces for the gallery had taken up a lot of time over the past three years. Lola was only feet from the top now, and I grabbed my camera and set up for the shot I wanted to take. When she reached the top, she glanced down at me, her face a picture of exultation. I ripped through film in burst shots, hoping at least one would capture her perfectly in this moment of conquest.
    She let go of the wall, and the auto belay brought her smoothly back to deck. "I can see why you love climbing. It’s so much fun."
    I packed up my camera. "Are you planning on doing another track?"
    "No, but I definitely want to come again." She unhooked the belay and took off the harness and shoes. "I wish I could do this at home."
    "Surely, there'd be an indoor wall where you live?" Harness and shoes in hand, we made our way to the checkpoint.
    "I don't exactly have…time to have fun."
    The way she hesitated, and