Free Oslo Overtures by Marion Ueckermann Page A

her before sliding his helmet on.
    She followed his lead.
    Soon the green light blinked and the belly of the plane opened. Time for this little star to shine.
    The flight couldn’t have been more smooth or perfect. With the entire flocking group’s positions established and the drop zone coming into view, Anjelica knew it was time. She checked her altimeter. Three barrel rolls at a safe enough height before deployment, but low enough for those on the ground to see her as a flickering star. That’s what she and Jeremy had agreed upon to start with. Tomorrow she’d start at a slightly higher altitude and try for five.
    She closed both arm wings partially before twisting her torso and legwing to the right. Her body tumbled around. The first rotation complete, she reopened her wings, and checked her altimeter. Still good.
    Stabilizing for a few seconds, she repeated the action a second time, then a third with plenty of time to spare. She was tempted to try for a fourth roll when a black shadow swooped beneath her.
    What was Kyle doing, taking lead position?
    Anjelica swallowed hard. She guessed that was his way of saying he was not impressed.
    He closed one arm wing and rolled over onto his back, re-opening the wing. The movement was fluid from years of practice—not a flicker of instability. Anjelica was sure his eyes burned as dark as the shades that covered them. He rolled back into position and clicked his legs together three times before breaking away from the group.
    Safely away from the others, he deployed his chute. It was black, like his wingsuit, and it floated down to earth like an ominous cloud.
     
    ~*~
     
    Kyle fumed as he waited for her to land. He bulldozed his way to her as she pulled in her chute.
    Anjelica yanked off her helmet, loosened her ponytail, and shook her head, allowing her hair to flow free. A gentle breeze tousled several strands, making them take flight. Everything about her was soft. Everything except that icy stare. Same look she’d given the first time he met her.
    The best form of defense was attack, and Kyle intended to get in first. So, she was mad. He was madder. “What do you think you were doing up there?”
    She dropped her chute and helmet and shoved her hands on her hips. “Let me see, last time I checked, I think they called them barrel rolls. I would think that someone of your caliber would know what they were.”
    Kyle took the last few strides until they stood inches apart. “I know what they are. Let me tell you what they aren’t... They aren’t in the flight plan.”
    “They are now. And tomorrow, there’ll be more.” She bent over to retrieve her gear.
    He wasn’t about to let her dismiss him this quickly. He placed his hand firmly around her arm. “Do you realize that maneuver requires a huge level of control and skill?”
    “And you think I don’t possess such control?”
    From what he saw, she probably did, but he wasn’t about to capitulate. “Still, it has to be second nature. There’s no room for instability, no room for error.”
    “Was I unstable in my performance?”
    She wasn’t, and Kyle could tell she knew that. So did he. Still holding her arm, he took a step closer. “You can’t fly—”
    Her eyes flashed. “I can’t? Why? Because the skies aren’t pink today?” She yanked free of his grip, grabbed her gear, and marched off before he could stop her. “Argh.”
    You can’t fly like that, I meant. Why had he allowed her to cut him off and assume what he was going to say? Kyle caught up in a few strides. He reached for her. At his touch, she swung around. Before she could argue with him any further, he’d dropped his chute and wrapped her in his arms.
    Like the first time, she responded fully to his kiss. But this time, she didn’t run away.
     
    ~*~
     
    Anjelica lost herself in Kyle’s kiss, determined to claim what she’d been denied. She didn’t care who looked on as she wrapped her arms around him, feeling the strength of his