Page 34 of Lightning Angel
Ignoring the gentle voice in the back of her head, Alexa leaped. She fell through the air, and waited for the sensation replaced by the water’s embrace.
But it never came.
Two arms wrapped around her mid-section, the weight of another body upon her. And the next second, her feet found gravity.
7
Beautiful Distraction
“What were youthinking?”
Alexa froze, despite her body shaking violently.That voice…
She turned around, and the strong, masculine arms around her loosened, though they refused to let go entirely.
Electric blue eyes, wide and horror-struck, met her gaze.
“What were you thinking, Alexa?” His question was gentle this time, his voice as soft as feathers, but drenched in pain.
“Tristan,” Alexa breathed, and it was all she could say.
“Yes… Yes, it’s me.” He looked like he wanted to give her a smile, a small one of assurance,but there was so much pain on his face that his effort became a grim expression. “I’m here.”
The warmth in those two words was more than Alexa could comprehend. Tears filled her eyes, but she averted her gaze and blinked them away.
“H-how did you do that?” she asked, glancing over to the bridge rails where she had crouched only seconds ago before leaping.
“Do what?”
Her gaze diverted to him. “Catch me in the mid-air.”
“Mid-air?” His eyebrows rose. “Alexa, I caught you before you leaped.”
Alexa blinked, and then shook her head in protest. “No, Ileapt. Then you caught me in mid-air. Ifeltit.”
Tristan’s eyes softened. “I’m certain you aren’t well—”
“No! I feel completely all right.” She stepped back from his hold and hugged her arms around herself as his fell away. It felt too cold suddenly. “And Ididleap. I fell through the air, andthenyou caught me. I know what I felt, Tristan. You can’t manipulate me into thinking otherwise.” Her eyes narrowed at him.
Tristan sighed, weariness taking over his gorgeous face. “Whatever you choose to believe, you are free to do so. But the thing you claim is impossible for a normal human.”
Normal human.
Alexa’s breath hitched.
Was he…?
No. He couldn’t be. Could he?
“Can you please tell me what’s going on?” Tristan’s voice brought back her attention. “Why were you tryingto leap from the bridge? Were you attempting to take your life?”
Alexa looked away and didn’t answer. How could she tell him, a practical stranger, when she hadn’t told any of her loved ones?
At her silence, he sighed and continued, “If I was a second late…”
“I was only trying to dive,” she blurted out. Ifhecould lie to her, then she had the rights too.
Tristan’s eyes zeroed in on her with suspicion. “It didn’t look like that to me.”