by Whitney G.
I rolled my eyes and looked ahead, tuning out his words. We still had five more miles before we got to The Salted Shores Fair, and I could only deal with him in doses.
Born wealthy to the other “royal” Edgewood family, he was gorgeous with striking blue eyes that could take any woman’s breath away. With chiseled abs and the cocky smile to match, he was the type of man who was well aware that the universe had blessed him with a winning hand of cards. A hand he often played to his advantage.
We’d been forced playmates since the age of five, and although we knew each other well, our connection was far too strained for me to consider him a friend. Especially now that he was only a year away from inheriting his part of his family’s eight-hundred-million-dollar estate, and he’d evolved into even more of a jerk.
The sea blue Ferris Wheel finally came into view ahead, and I let out a breath.
Just turn in your crown, say “Good luck tonight, ladies,” and ride the Ferris Wheel until it’s time to leave...
“Are you planning to leave the fair with me tonight, Kate?” Grant asked, as he swerved in front of an eighteen-wheeler.
“Probably,” I said. “Don’t worry. I’ll be more than ready to leave whenever you are.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about at all. I’m more worried about how much you’ve been taking advantage of me lately.”
“What?”
“I feel like you don’t appreciate all the free rides I give to you. You never say anything when I pick you up.”
“Okay, well...” I gave him my best sincere face. “Thank you, Grant. I truly appreciate all the rides.”
“I’m sure you do.” He smiled and switched lanes. “I was thinking you could show me that appreciation, though. Actions speak louder than words, you know?”
“Okay...Do you want me to start giving you gas money?”
“No,” he said. “I want you to start giving my cock a little oral appreciation whenever I pick you up. Treat me to some road head whenever I’m driving, so I can relax behind the wheel.”
What the fuck? “Please tell me you’re joking right now.”
“Do you see me laughing? Everyone probably thinks we’re fucking anyway, so it wouldn’t be a big deal. Besides, I’m sure you’ll be begging me to be your boyfriend someday, so I’ll need to get a sample of your mouth before I consider committing to you.”
“I’m going to pretend like you didn’t just say that to me.”
“Why? I’m more than willing to repeat it.”
“Pull the car over. Now.”
“Really?” He smiled, slowing the car to a crawl. “If talking to you like that turns you on, I have even more where that came from.” He pulled the car to the emergency lane and unbuckled his pants within seconds. “Take it all the way down your pretty little throat and watch your teeth.”
Ugh! I unlocked my door and pushed it open.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” His face reddened. “If you get out of this car, I swear to God, I’m pulling off and I’m not looking back.”
“I’m counting on it.” I unfastened my seatbelt and stepped out, my purse and crown in tow. Before I could grab my jacket off the floor, Grant sped off with the door hanging wide open.
“Call me when you come to your senses, Kate!”
Letting out a frustrated scream, I ignored the honking cars from behind me and moved to the emergency lane. I walked the rest of the way to the fair, my heels throbbing with the pain from my stilettos.
I made my way to the Miss Edgewood stage, avoiding eye contact with the ballroom-clad contestants. I found the host and immediately handed her the crown.
“Um, you’re supposed to hand this to the next winner after she’s announced.” She smiled at me. “I know you’ve won this for the past few years in a row, and we’re going to sorely miss your cello playing tonight, but that’s typically how this thing works.”
“I’m not feeling well.” I lied. “I don’t want to take away any attention from the winner if I throw up or something.”
“Oh! Well, that’s very thoughtful of you!” She smiled. “I’ll have someone do it in your honor, then. Would you like me to make someone grab you a Sprite and crackers while you watch backstage?”
“That’s okay. Thank you.” I walked away before she could say anything else or convince me to stay. I wanted to be as far away from the crown and Grant as possible.
I moved through the crowds and headed for the Ferris Wheel.
Taking my place in line, I pulled out my phone and logged into Facebook. As I was stalking the saga of my ex best friend again, I heard a familiar, deep voice from behind.
“I’m beginning to think that you’re stalking me...”
I turned around and found myself face to face with James. Wearing dark blue jeans and a white shirt with a black leather jacket, he was covering his inked and muscled arms. Smiling his set of pearly whites, his green eyes briefly took my breath away.
“Hi...” was the only word I could manage.
“Hi.” He stepped closer, and I inhaled the sexy scent of his cologne. “You know, I’m not sure if this relationship is ever going to work if you keep lying to me. First, you lie about your name and who you are, and now I catch you in a lie about not being obsessed with Facebook. Not to mention, you let our first night end without giving me your phone number.”
I remained speechless. I was still lost in his eyes.
“I’m starting to believe—Well, almost believe that you’re not interested in me.”
“And if I say that I’m not?”
“Then that’d be your third lie.” His smile widened. “I’m up for playing that game, though. Are you not interested in me, Kate Kensington?”
“I am,” I admitted. “But deep down, I know there are several reasons why I shouldn’t be.”
“Okay.” He closed the gap between us, temporarily rendering me speechless. “Give me the top three.”
“Well, reason number three—” I tried not to stare too hard at his lips. “You live over three hours away.”
“Two and a half.” He corrected me. “Two if I go over the speed limit, and I always go over the speed limit.”
“It’d never be equal. I’m not the best at driving, so I would never be able to drive to see you.”
“Noted. Next reason.”
“I can’t easily read you. I’m not sure if you’re actually interested in getting to know me or if you’re just trying to fuck.”
“It’s both.” He stepped forward in the line, gently pulling me with him. “What’s reason number one?”
“I don’t trust myself around you.” The words rushed out of my mouth before I could think them through. “You’re too damn attractive. I think it’s your eyes.”
His lips curved into a smile and he laughed. “Would you like me to apologize for being ‘too attractive’ then?”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “Maybe try that and see if that helps me.”
“I will.” He laughed again. “But only if you apologize for being the sexiest woman I’ve ever met.”
I felt my cheeks heating, and I completely lost my train of thought.
“Or,” he said, saving me, “We can just call it even and start over. This time, let’s not forget the phone numbers.”
I nodded and extended my hand. “I’m Kate Kensington.”
“James Garrett.” His hand was calloused yet smooth—slightly rougher than any of the men I’d ever met, but his touch sent an immediate jolt through my entire body.
As if he could read my mind, he let go of my hand and showed his palms. “I work on restoring cars and boats all day. It takes a toll sometimes.”
“Do you make a lot of money doing that?”
“Yeah.” He smiled. “I overcharge every man who thinks he’s too rich to work on his own stuff, and I triple charge anyone who comes from Edgewood.”
I laughed, and we moved up a spot in line.
We waited in line, in silence—staring
at each other as the minutes flew by. When it was our turn to get on the ride, he ushered me into the cabin first.
We slowly rose high above the town, witnessing the fair’s lights twinkle against the night.
I shivered as winds blew against us, and he took off his jacket—placing it over my shoulders.
When our cabin reached the very top, I leaned against him and he pushed a few stray hairs off my face.
“Do you have a curfew, Kate?” he asked.
“Never. I’m twenty years old.”
“You’re also a Kensington, so I’ll take that as a yes.” He smiled. “What time do you usually have to be in?”
“Three.”
He laughed. “Will you need a ride home tonight?”
“No, my sister and her boyfriend are—” I paused, realizing that Sarah Kay hadn’t texted me since I messaged her about Grant, and I was never getting inside of Grant’s car again. “Yeah, I’ll need a ride home.”
“Noted.” He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “What do you normally do when you come to the fair?”
“Go to the pageant, grab a lemonade, and leave.”
“I didn’t know there was a pageant here...” He looked genuine. “You don’t grab a funnel cake or play any games before leaving?”
I shook my head. “I usually come alone or with my friend, Grant, but—” I shook my head at the thought of him. “We only stay for ten minutes. This is actually my first time in the past five years getting on a ride, and I’ve never had a funnel cake.”
“I think we should change that tonight,” he said, looking into my eyes. “But whenever you’re ready to leave, let me know.”
I nodded and he pulled me closer, summoning another bout of butterflies. Giving me another dose of what I’d felt on the first night we met.
We remained high in the sky for what felt like forever, and when it was time for us to step off, James helped me to my feet. Grabbing my hand, he led me through the crowd and to a bright yellow funnel cake stand.
I took out my wallet, but he gently pushed my hand away.
“I never let a woman pay for anything,” He looked amused. “Put that up.”
I obliged and he purchased two funnel cakes that were coated with extra powdered sugar.
I fell in love with it the moment it hit my lips, and devoured it in chunks as we walked around the fairgrounds. He stopped at a few ball game stands—winning me a stuffed violin (“close enough to a cello”) and a bouquet of candy lollipops in the process.
As the evening neared midnight, I asked him to get me one more funnel cake and one last ride on the Ferris Wheel.
When we made it to his truck, he opened the passenger door and motioned for me to get in.
“Wait,” I said, looking into his eyes. “I need to say something before you take me home. Like, we need to make sure we’re on the same page.”
He raised his eyebrow.
“Since my last break up, I promised myself that I would make sure I got exactly what I wanted whenever I started dating someone new.”
“We’re dating now?” He smirked. “I could’ve sworn I just met you a couple of weeks ago.”
“Oh.” I blushed. “Well, right. Sorry for assuming. I just thought—”
His laughter made me stop mid-sentence. “I’m listening...Tell me what you want.”
“I honestly prefer talking on the phone over nonstop texting,” I admitted, realizing that I’d never been this upfront with any of the guys I’d previously dated. “I won’t call you that much, since apparently that comes off as ‘needy’ these days, but that’s what I like.”
“You can call me whenever you want.” He stepped a bit closer. “I’ll answer.”
“I want you to come to at least one of my local recitals a month, if you can.” I expected him to balk immediately, but he smiled. “I have one every week, so I don’t think one every few weeks is a big deal.”
“Anything else?”
“No.” I shook my head. “What about you? Any lessons learned from previous relationships?”
“No, just a few numbers. Two, six, and zero.”
Before I could ask him what he was talking about, he pressed his lips against mine—silencing me in a way that only his kisses could. He wrapped his hand around the back of my neck, pulling me closer, kissing me deeper.
As I moaned against his mouth—begging him to take this further, he whispered against my lips. “Two is the number of hours we have left together tonight before I have to take you home, the number of hours I’d rather spend doing this, and not talking but that’s up to you.” He pulled me to him again, kissing me so deeply, that I lost my breath.
“Six is the number of weeks there are left in the year, so I’ll come to all six of your performances.”
“And zero?” I managed, still breathless.
“That’s the exact number of other guys you’ll ever think about after I get done with you.” He caught me off guard with another long kiss, and before I knew it, we were stumbling into the flat bed of his truck.
Our mouths connected, our bodies entwined, we kissed like it was the end of the world. Like we didn’t give a damn who was watching us roll back and forth against the grooved metal.
When he finally let me catch some air, I straddled him and pulled the hem of my shirt up, but he pulled it back down. Confused, I reached for his belt buckle, but he gently moved my hand away and pulled me back on top of him.
“I’m not going to fuck you in an open parking lot, Kate,” he whispered, smiling. “I’m not going to fuck you at all tonight.”
“Why not?”
“Because, for one, and contrary to what you may think, I like to get to know someone a little better before sleeping together...Especially, if I think she’s the type I’ll end up falling for.” He ran his fingers through my hair. “And for two, I need a few more weeks to make sure you’ll have the stamina to keep up with me.” He covered my mouth again before I could tell him that I did—I definitely did—and he tortured me with his panty-melting kisses for the rest of the night.
Two weeks later...
MY LEFT WRIST WAS SECONDS away from detaching itself from my body and running away. Every nerve in my elbow burned, and I couldn’t bear to play another note.
I’d performed all of my best pieces to perfection, over and over. I’d even earned a roaring round of applause from the groundskeepers right outside my window. Yet, even after twelve straight hours of rehearsal, I had yet to feel confident enough about next week’s performance in Las Vegas.
Setting my bow against the window, I walked over to my balcony and spotted Sarah Kay climbing over a hedge. She wriggled and writhed against the leaves, nearly losing her shoe, and then she ran toward a parked car on the service road.
I laughed and made a mental note to cover for her if my parents asked where she was.
I pulled out my phone and scrolled down to James’s name, hesitating before hitting call. We’d talked every day since the fair, sometimes more than once, and every single time left me wanting more.
I told him my truths, unfiltered. He never judged, never interrupted, simply listened. He’d sat in the back row of my recitals, leaving before the conductor’s notes, before I could tell him “Thank you for coming,” in person.
For the first time in my life, I felt like I had a friend who wasn’t forced upon me, someone who didn’t focus on my branded last name before getting to know me.
I stared at his name for a few more seconds, wondering if calling him three times in a day was overkill.
“You can call me whenever you want. I’ll answer...”
I hit call without thinking about it anymore.
“Hello, Kate,” he answered on the first ring.
“Um. hey...” I swallowed, instantly turned on by the sound of his deep and husky voice.
“Are you there? Kate?”
“I’m here,” I said.
He laughed. “What are you up to?”
“I was just tak
ing a break and wondering what you were doing.”
“The same thing I was doing when you called me two hours ago.” He was definitely smiling. “Working. Is practice going well?”
“No. I think I might’ve burned my brain and my wrists. I could use a couple hours of stress relief, but I don’t think I can afford it so close to my performance.”
“You should start taking longer breaks, then. I don’t know if it’s normal for an artist to work all day, every day.”
“I already told you that I’m not an artist,” I said. “Artists have choices in what they create. I’m just a pretty puppet, playing under the strings of my parents.”
Silence.
“In that case, I think you should get out of your house for the rest of the day.”
“And do what?”
“Spend the rest of it with me.”
My heart fluttered at the suggestion, the thought of playing another note today was now long gone. “I’ll get one of my drivers to bring me to the halfway point in Reno,” I said. “That way you’ll only have to drive one hour. Well, that and so you won’t be peppered by my parents’ questions.”
“I think they’d only be interested in how much money I make.” He let out a low laugh. “You can have your driver take you to the security tower if you insist on using them. I have no issues with driving the entire way to see you. I’ll leave in half an hour.”
“Okay. See you soon.” I ended the call and took a long shower. I changed clothes tens of times before settling on a pair of light blue jeans and a pale pink sweater.
I made my way down the stone steps just as a white town car was pulling into the circular driveway. Our butler rushed to the back door and opened it for my mother.
“Well, hello there, Kate.” She smiled, her eyes hidden behind a new pair of designer shades. “Are you taking a quick break before your next practice session?”
“No, I’m done for the day. I’m going out with someone to relieve some stress.”
“I don’t remember you asking if you could go out tonight.”
“I didn’t think I needed to.” I shrugged.
“I see,” she said, stepping closer. “Well, we’re days away from our family profile in Vogue, a week and a half away from your performance at the new symphony theater in Las Vegas, and not to mention, weeks from my annual Christmas party. Don’t you think that you need to ask to take time off at a crucial point like this?” She smiled. “You could at least say how long you think you’ll be gone.”