Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 49258 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49258 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
As soon as Jerico stepped away from the wall, Koa scampered up, making it look effortless. He tapped the ceiling when Max had reached the halfway mark. Koa passed him on the way down and patted his back as the large man powered upward.
“What are you? Part mountain goat?” Max demanded.
“I think we’ve found our rock-climbing expert. That’s an excellent skill for the team,” Caden commented as Koa’s team high-fived each other.
“I grew up climbing rock faces in Hawaii,” Koa said.
“Can you give the rest of us some pointers?” Caden asked. “I’d love to see all of us increase our speed.”
“Of course. The key is capitalizing on our natural talents. For example, Jerico is nimble. He does best when he makes big moves upward—lifting his foot to a step at his collarbone level. That boosts him tremendously instead of taking smaller steps,” Koa explained.
“What’s your advice for me?” Max asked.
“You have massive strength in your shoulders. Reach as high as you can and power upward,” Koa suggested. “Try it.”
Max immediately returned to the wall and jumped to reach a grip with his left hand. He steadied himself with his right hand and then pushed off footholds to propel himself upward. Koa helped him choose suitable targets as Max tried the new system. He reached the top in a much shorter time.
“That’s impressive, Koa,” the big man said when he once again stood with the group. “I would have said I always use my arm strength, but you shifted my grip, forcing me to use my shoulders and back. That was more efficient.”
“Well, do me next,” Caden requested. “What do you suggest?”
One by one, Koa worked with everyone. Each member of the team reduced their time and gained new insight. They’d all done climbing with ropes or scaling flat walls. This was a new format for them to adjust to. Koa helped each make the most of their skills while dangling from finger holds.
By the time Caden called an end to their fun, Koa’s muscles quivered from the intense workout. As everyone moved arms and legs to stretch, Koa was sure he wouldn’t be the only one who would feel the effects of this afternoon. They were getting ready to run back to Koa’s when his phone rang.
“Giana? Are you headed home?”
“I’m actually in the parking lot. When I saw everyone’s car at your house, I thought you might want a ride,” Giana said.
“Giana’s here with her truck. Anybody want a ride?” Koa asked the group.
Everyone looked at Caden. The man in charge of their training was notorious for pushing them hard.
“It’s supposed to be our day off. I think we can hitch a ride,” Caden announced.
Everyone patted Caden on the back as they tromped out to the truck. Piling into the cab and the truck bed, the team filled the space. Koa made sure to be next to his little girl in the cab.
CHAPTER 12
After parking her truck, Giana took a moment to gather her energy. She hoped Koa would understand that she was completely wiped out. All she wanted to do was wash the smoke smell out of her hair and crawl into bed. The quiet thunk of his door closing made her look toward the now-empty passenger seat.
She checked the mirror and saw him circle the back of the truck and arrive at her door. When he opened it, she rushed to say, “Koa, I’m…”
“Daddy,” he corrected gently and reached in to unfasten her seatbelt before scooping her up in his arms. “Come on, little girl. Let’s get cleaned up and take a nap.”
She wanted to suggest something else he might rather do, but that sounded heavenly. After nodding, she rested her cheek on his shoulder as he carried her into the house. “Daddy,” she whispered.
“Have you eaten?”
“No. That fire burned so hot. We roasted in our gear. I couldn’t imagine eating.” Some of the guys had iron stomachs, and they’d refueled while she was filling out forms. They’d brought her a sandwich, but the thought of taking a bite made her stomach roll.
“We’ll get some nutrition in you before you sleep,” Koa promised.
She nodded. “Shower, Daddy.”
“Bath, Flame,” he suggested as they walked down the hall to the large bathroom.
“Not hot,” she pleaded.
“Cool. It will help bring your temperature down. Trust your daddy.”
“Will you wash my hair? It smells like smoke.”
“Of course. Daddy’s going to get every part of you clean.”
That promise made her stomach do another flip-flop. Not the bad kind that made her sick, but the type that kindled a different type of fire inside her. She couldn’t believe she could even consider hanky-panky. But her body was all in—especially when Koa sat her on the side of the tub and turned to start the water.
She reached out to pat his hard butt. It felt amazing. Her face heated as he stood back up to look at her.