He sniffed and caught a scent of something sweet. “That’s cotton candy.”
“I've heard of it, but I never tried it. Can we get some?”
“Tonight is your adventure, baby. You can have anything you want.” He took her hand and led her into the fair.
They stopped at the booth to buy a book of tickets for the rides first. Next stop, bumper cars.
Music played over loud speakers set up on poles. All around them screams of delight and excitement from those brave enough to get on the rides mingled with the shouts of the carnies daring passersby to try their hand at a game. Lights flickered and flashed. The smell of fried dough drifted past him, reminding him she had to try a zeppoli before they left.
Staring wide-eyed at the chaotic scene, Summer held tightly onto his hand as he led her to the bumper cars. She was hesitant at first, but the woman learned quickly, smashing into him from every direction. Her laughter was engraved in his memories. He needed to hear it more. Next stop, the pirate ship.
They made their way around to each ride. Fear no longer entered her gaze. She rode them all with enthusiasm. When they exited the tilt-a-whirl, her gaze flew to the carousel. Longing made them twinkle.
“You want to go on?” he asked.
“Can we? It looks like so much fun. The horses are beautiful.” He liked how she said “we,” including him in her adventure. “At least these ones won't throw me off.” She chuckled.
He laughed. “Of course, baby. Let's go.”
She pulled him toward the ride. After handing the guy their tickets, she broke free from Kian's grasp and ran to the large black stallion a few feet away. The ticket agent laughed at her enthusiasm. Kian was too busy watching her lift her skirt as she straddled the shiny horse to be amused. Sitting astride exposed her long, soft legs to his view. He bit back a moan.
When he noticed the carnival guy staring at her thigh too, Kian threw him a glare. “Hey, eyes here buddy,” he snapped. The guy took a step back and swallowed hard.
Kian stalked toward her. A possessive energy sparked in him. He never cared if someone looked at his date, but tonight the fact other men stared at Summer made him selfish to keep her to himself.
Maybe, bringing her to a place surrounded by dozens of strange men was a bad idea.
His doubts sizzled out when she glanced up at him with a bright grin. The multi-colored lights reflected in her olive-green eyes.
He took the smaller horse beside her. Too small for his six-foot-two frame, he knew he looked ridiculous, but it didn't matter; being beside her, being the reason for the huge grin on her face was worth the humiliation.
The ride started and she laughed, grinning from ear to ear like a child filled with excitement and joy. Six full turns completed before the ride slowed. They stepped onto the platform leading back to the fairgrounds and she hugged him. “Thank you,” she whispered in his ear. “Thank you for bringing me here. I've never had so much fun.” The embrace lasted longer than expected. He didn't want to let her go. He'd hold her forever if she let him.
“Kian,” hollered a voice he knew all too well. He closed his eyes and cursed before turning to see his friends Eddie, Mike, and Chris sauntering up to them. Behind them followed a trio of scantily dressed females. Summer tensed and dropped her arms away from him as her gaze fell to the ground. Shit, he forgot he was supposed to meet them.
“What's going on, guys?” He fist-bumped his friend's knuckles. Judging by his eyes and the scent of whiskey, Eddie started the party long before he arrived at the fair. The girls giggled in greeting.
As the blonde wearing too much makeup advanced, Summer grabbed his hand. “Hey, Kian, been a long time.”
A sudden spark of power shot into him from Summer's hand.
Was she jealous?
He couldn't deny, he liked the possibility.
“Hi, Shaster, been busy, you know.”
Shaster eyed Summer for a moment. “I can see how busy you've been.”
Summer's hand tightened around his.
Eyes bloodshot and his breath smelling like the bottom of a shot glass, Eddie leaned on his shoulder. “We had some beers at Willey's.” Eddie glanced at Summer. Desire flashed in his eyes. “Who are you, babe?” He rolled his heated gaze over her body. “You're different from Kian's usual treat, but I'm not as picky as this son of a bitch.”
Summer narrowed her eyes. “I remember your stench. You’re the one who likes to throw rocks.”
Shit, not good.
“What the fuck is she talking about? She's kind of mouthy for you, Kian. Don't you like your women obedient?”
Kian spun on Eddie. “Hey, watch yourself. Show her some respect. She's got every right to be mouthy. You broke the windows in her damn house.”
Mike moved closer. His eyes wide. “What the…? Wait, you mean she's…? She lives at…?”
“Yes, I live in the house you and your friends saw fit to desecrate last week.”
“Are you out of your mind, Kian? What the hell are you doing with this freak?” Eddie took a threatening step toward her.
Kian grabbed him by his shirt and threw him up against a nearby pole hard enough to knock the air from Eddie's lungs. “Don't fucking touch her.” Power oozed into his hands. He wasn't sure how he knew, but if he released it, his friend wouldn't survive.
Chris pulled Kian back while Mike tried to grab Eddie.
Mike spoke first. “Let him go, Kian. He's drunk. He doesn't know what he's saying.”
“Well, he needs to sober up before I put him in a damn hospital.”
Eddie escaped Mike's grip. “So that's how it is. You gonna let a bitch come between us.”
Kian glanced at Summer and turned back to his friend. “For her… yes.”
Eddie scowled. He pushed past Kian, stumbling toward a pair of security guards who eyed them all with suspicion.
“I better make sure he doesn't fall off a cliff or something. See you later, Kian,” said Chris. He cast Summer an awkward glance and then hurried after Eddie. The girls followed behind him.
Mike shifted his attention on Summer. “I'm sorry about what happened at your house the other night. Eddie has a real problem. He's not a bad guy when he's sober, but his drinking has gotten out of hand. Listen, I'm a contractor. If I can help you out with fixing anything up at your place, let me know, okay?”
“What's your name again?” Summer asked.
He smiled. “It's Mike.”
She flashed a pleasant grin back. “Thank you, Mike. I'll keep your offer in mind.”
“Cool. I'm gonna catch up to those two numbnuts. I'll see you guys later.”
“Later, bro.” Kian bumped Mike's fist with his own.
As soon as Mike was out of earshot, Summer turned to him. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have provoked him.”
“It's not your fault. Eddie and I have been due for a confrontation for a long time.” He slipped his hand into hers. “Come on, let's get a couple more rides in.”
***
Summer glanced around, unable to drop the sense they were being watched.
“What's wrong?” Kian asked.
“Nothing.”
She opened the clear bag filled with pink fluff, buried her hand inside, and yanked out a huge hunk. The second it touched her tongue, it melted into a sugary taste of heaven. Her eyes grew wide. “Goddess be, it's delicious. Here, try some.” She shoved a huge piece in Kian's mouth.
He accepted her offer with a chuckle. “Good.”
They strolled around the fair hand in hand. Kian played some of the games. On the ring toss, he won, with a little help from her powers of course, but he didn't need to know. She sensed deception from many of these gamemasters. She saw no harm in evening the score. Kian presented her with his prize, a cute stuffed bunny, and she took it with a huge smile on her face.
As they made their way further into the carnival, Summer spotted a giant metal structure. It spun in a slow, steady pace. A single couple cuddled together in one of the swin
ging benches at the top.
“Can we go on the metal wheel?”
“You mean the Ferris wheel.” Kian gave her sideways glance.
“What does it do?”
“Not much. Spins a few times.” His grin turned wicked. “Come with me.”
They approached the large spinning wheel, and Kian leaned into the attendant and whispered something. She made out the words “stop” and “an extra five for you,” but little else. He slipped him the tickets. The attendant grinned before bringing the last occupied car to the platform and letting the couple off.
“All yours, sir.” The grinning teen held the small metal door open for them.
Summer narrowed her eyes on Kian. “What are you up to?” She sensed some sort of devious plot brewing beneath the surface of his less-than-innocent smirk.
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
She frowned but climbed onto the framed metal bench. Kian followed. The steel carrier swung as if pushed by a gentle breeze, jarring her when Kian sat beside her. Such a strange contraption. No pretty colors flashed and little adornments decorated the metal frame. Its only highlight was the dull white lights attached to the plainly painted steel, but still it drew her curiosity.
The boy closed the bar over their laps, locking them in place. The ride moved forward and she glanced out over the fairgrounds as they rose higher to the top. Off in the distance, she noticed the forest canopy. Although shrouded in still darkness, she heard nature's song carry in the gentle breeze.
Below them, couples strolled hand in hand. Children laughed and played while their parents stole a sweet kiss.
She smiled.
They descended. Kian sat back, his arm sliding behind her. The weight of his stare rested over her like a thick, warm blanket while his fingers played with one of her curls.
“What?” she asked. His stare unnerved her.
He shook his head. “Nothing, just looking.”
“Well, stop, please. I don't like it.”
He rubbed his face. “Why? Does it make you want something? Does it make you as hungry as you make me?”
On the second turn, when they reached the top, they stopped with a slight jolt. She spun her gaze to him. “What happened? Did the machine malfunction? Are we stuck up here? Why did we stop?”
“I asked him to stop it.” He drew closer.
“What?” she gulped. “Why?”
The arm he had behind her came over her shoulder. “So you couldn't escape me.”
He pulled her against him and kissed her hard. Kissed her like a man starved. His tongue plunged past her lips, exploring, conquering. Helpless to resist him, she surrendered.
“I've been waiting to taste those lip since you lifted your damn skirt to get on my bike,” he said breathlessly. “You have no idea how sexy you are. How fucking hard I get being next to you.” He grabbed her hand and brought it to his rigid shaft trapped beneath his leather pants. His words weren't sweet or uncertain. They were raw and untamed and filled with utter confidence. “This is what you do to me, Summer.” Underneath her palm, his cock jerked and grew harder. “I can't think with wanting you.”
“Please, Kian.” She yanked her hand away. He allowed her retreat.
“You ask for friendship, and I thought I could do it.” His hand rested on her cheek. “But I can't, Summer, not after the moment we shared in the lake. Not after knowing how sweet your lips taste and how perfect you feel against me. You want me too. Don't deny it.”
She turned away from his touch. “You know we cannot.” Her gaze landed on the moon. “In a few days’ time, I'll be gone. I'll be mated to someone else. It isn't fair to you or to him to allow this to continue.” She sighed, holding back the sob threatening to escape. “You should take me home now, Kian.”
***
The wheel lurched forward. At the same time, the magnitude of his action struck him. What the hell was wrong with him? Whenever the woman was near him, he turned into a freaking Neanderthal.
With a jolt, the ride stopped at the bottom. The second the attendant freed them, Summer popped up and marched away.
“Summer, wait up,” he called out.
The pimple-faced kid flashed Kian an oh-shit-you’re-in-trouble look as he hurried past. Kian ignored the attendant's pity and jogged after her.
Even though he knew the exaggerated swing of her ass was because of his stupid move, he eyed the sexy sway of her hips with lust. He couldn't help it. The woman was sexy as hell.
As furious as she was, he doubted she'd listen to anything he had to say, but he had to try. He refused to leave this anger hovering between them.
As she stormed off toward the exit, he grabbed her wrist to stop her. “I said to wait up. Jesus, you're one stubborn woman.”
“I am not stubborn. There is nothing wrong with me, but there seems to be something very wrong with you.” She poked him in the chest. She had no idea how bad he wanted to snatch her damn finger and suck it into his mouth. Nip the defiant digit for being so bad, so wicked, so disobedient.
“And what's wrong with me.”
“You know the situation, Kian. I have been honest with you from the beginning about my promising. I offered you my friendship, but it's clear you are not interested in my proposal.” Tears clung to her lashes. “I pray to the Goddess every night for some kind of escape from my duty, but here is no way out for me. I am to mate with Malcolm.”
“It's hell watching you being bullied into a ridiculous marriage with some jerk-off who won't give a shit about you. How can you expect me to sit back and let them destroy the woman I'm…” He stopped himself from blurting out what he knew would make matters worse. “Jesus, Summer, you deserve so much more than a marriage of convenience. You deserve passion and strength of character, someone who will allow you to be yourself, the kind of guy who would never try to mold you into the perfect little wife because he loves your imperfections perfectly. I watched my dad destroy my mother for years. I don't want to see it happen to you.”
He took her hand. Relief overcame him when she didn't pull away.
“You don't understand, Kian,” she whispered.
“I guess I don't. What I do know is I've never wanted anyone the way I want you, ever,” he admitted. “You turn me inside out and, at the same time, give me peace. I may not comprehend the duty you have, but I know about the need to protect those you love. Maybe if this man you are supposed to marry was kind, if your expression at the mention of his name didn’t hold so much anger and disgust, I could accept your sacrifice. But the fact that it does, makes me killing mad. It makes me want to throw you over my shoulder and take you away to somewhere safe, to a place where Malcolm will never be able to lay a filthy finger on you.”
She smiled. “If I could, I would pack right now.” Her amusement faded. “But they'd find me. There is no escape from the fates. They will find me no matter where I hide.”
“Well, if you can't escape, maybe we can enjoy what little time we have left together.” Let me show you how good it could be between us. “I'm willing to if you are.”
“And after our time is up, you will be able to hand me off to another man, without hesitation?”
He clenched his fists so hard pain shot through his palms. “I wouldn't be handing you off to anyone. When the time came, it would be you walking away from me. If that's a choice you can make, well, I guess there was nothing worth holding onto in the first place.”
He wasn't being honest. He doubted he'd have the strength to let her go, but he needed this time with her. He needed to convince her that what they had together was worth going against all she knew, going against the planned life her parents contracted for her. He hoped, when the time came, she'd find the strength to stay with him.
Her hand edged toward his and she inspected the crescent-shaped wounds on his palms from his nails. He hadn't broken the skin, but blood bruises welled up beneath the indents. She slipped her fingers over them and a blanket of heat settled over the damage
. When she uncovered his palm, his wounds had vanished. She brought his knuckles to her lips for a kiss. “You are a far better man than I deserve, Kian, but I can't resist you.”
He pulled her closer, kissing her the way he wanted to—with a sweet, tender passion that made him as hard as stone and made her moan into his mouth in delight.
“I need to clean up. I'm sure I look a mess with all this crying.”
He brushed away a tear from her cheek. “Nah, you're beautiful.”
She pressed against his touch. “You're just being sweet. Where can I freshen up?”
“I'm never sweet. I'm stating the facts. Come on, baby, the bathroom is right over there.” Hand in hand, he bypassed the porta-potties and led her to a small building that held some public bathrooms run by the park. “I'll wait right here.”
She smiled and disappeared through the doorway.
“Mixing a little business with pleasure, kid?”
Kian's entire body tensed. He turned, hoping he imagined the bastard’s voice behind him. “What the fuck are you doing here, Pete?”
“I'm keeping an eye on the boss's investment. You're ignoring his calls and he's getting… concerned.” Pete locked his eyes on the doorway Summer had entered. “She's one hot piece of ass, kid. I don't blame you one bit for tagging her. Tell me, boy, is she a screamer or does she lay back all quiet-like? Nah, I bet she screams like a demon when she comes. Girls like her are wild in the sack.”
“What do you mean 'girls like her'?”
Pete's toothy grin set Kian on a sharp edge. “She's got that whole innocent-but-fucks-like-an-animal look going on. Hmm, maybe animal isn't the right word.”
Kian took a threatening step forward. “Keep talking about her like she's one of your whores, Pete, and I'll show you how I make someone scream.”
Kian fought the desire to kick the shit out of Pete. Although well matched in size, Kian, at the urging of his mother, had taken years of martial arts and boxing, even trained with some of the best fighters in the country, but no amount of training could stop a bullet. He had no doubt, if threatened, Pete wouldn't hesitate to put a bullet right between his opponent's eyes.
“Sorry, boy, but I'm a taco guy. I don't bend over for sausage.” He laughed. The boisterous sound made Kian cringe. “So sensitive. If I didn't know better, I'd think you cared for the little bitch. Tell me, you don't got more than a hard-on for some pussy, boy, because the boss wouldn't be happy to hear about such a development, being it might ruin his well-thought-out plans.”
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