Billionaire's Secret: The Complete Series

by Simone Sowood

  “What’s the deal? Why do you keep coming up to me?” She asks.

  “Because you’re the prettiest girl I’ve seen in the whole country.”

  “But not the whole world?”

  “I’m sure the whole world too, but we don’t go there.”

  Kickstart my Heart

  (EMILY)

  “Oh, where do you go?” I ask, making polite conversation.

  The ride moves again. It’s still loading new passengers, so we only go a short distance up the side of the track. Our cage swings back and forth when we come to a stop, and I grab the padded bars in front of me. Steel doesn’t even look like he’s aware we’re moving.

  Why does he keep talking to me? This, for some reason, is the third ride I’ve been on with him tonight.

  There’s no point in denying that my skin tingles everywhere his body brushes against mine. This cage is cramped, and I’m pinned between Steel and the metal.

  “We go all over. Since we’re small, we take a different route every year.” I can feel his eyes on me as he speaks, but I keep my gaze on the Gravitron that’s straight ahead of us.

  “Huh, interesting. Have you been in the carnival long?”

  “Ten years.”

  My eyes widen, and I turn my head to look at him. Our eyes connect and a rush of something moves through me. What was that?

  “Wow, that’s a long time,” I say, holding his eye contact. Even in the dark, the blue of his irises is bright.

  Our cage moves and stops again to load more people.

  “It’s all I know.”

  “So, what made you join? Couldn’t find a circus to run away and join?”

  “Something like that,” he says smiling.

  The smile once again transforms his face to utter gorgeousness, and my heart flutters and I have to look away.

  No one in Colmar looks half as good as him. Or even a quarter as good. Even Dylan, our high school’s heartthrob, is a smear on a shoe compared to Steel.

  “Something like that? Like I’m sitting in a cage with an ex-con?”

  Our cage moves and stops to load another pair of passengers.

  “You know, carny code says you don’t ask a person about their past. It’s no one’s business.”

  “Carny code?” I say laughing, “Do I have to follow your code when I’m not a carny?”

  “Goldie, you’re so pretty, you can write your own code.”

  “Then are you going to tell me?”

  “Tell you what?”

  “Why you joined?”

  “I joined so I could travel to this town and meet you.”

  I burst out laughing. “To meet me? You joined a decade ago.”

  “It took me that long to find you, but I never gave up looking. I knew I’d find you.”

  “Do you use that line on all the girls?”

  The ride moves again, but this time it doesn’t stop. The noise of it creaking and groaning as we sped up is even louder than the thumping music.

  Our cage swings more and more each second. One second it’s like I’m lying on my back, the next I’m facing the ground and locking my grip on the bars to keep me from falling on my face. Steel still hasn’t grabbed the bars, and sits like he’s on a chair at a dining room table.

  But it’s stupid fun, and I can’t stop laughing.

  We’re at the highest point, and our cage flips upside down, causing me to squeal. On reflex, I grab Steel’s thigh. The hardness of the muscle underneath his jeans draws my attention away from the ride.

  He puts his hand on mine, and says, “Don’t worry, I won’t let you smash your face.”

  I want to ask if many people smash their faces, but I’m breathless from being whipped around. At least, I think that’s why I’m breathless. It could also be from being locked in a tiny cage with a really hot guy. Even with a neck tattoo.

  For whatever reason, the excitement, the flattery, the way it makes me tingle — I don’t take my hand from his leg, and keep it there the rest of the ride. It’s not because his hand is still on top of mine radiating heat into me.

  We reach the bottom again, and Steel moves his hand from mine to my bare thigh. I’m laughing at the ride, when his touch immediately commands all my attention. Tingles are spreading from his hand and pooling between my legs. It’s wrong, but I don’t do anything to move it.

  After a few more rotations, the ride slows and stops to let off passengers. I should take my hand off Steel’s thigh. I really should. But I don’t. He makes no move to take his hand off my thigh either.

  We continue to chat as we’re waiting for our turn to get off. He’s easy to talk to, and we laugh and joke around. I still wish he’d tell me why he joined. It intrigues me.

  “What makes someone drop out of society and live a completely different lifestyle?” I ask. I’m almost embarrassed by my question.

  “Look how much fun I’m having. Every day’s fun. Life’s a party. Can’t you understand that?”

  “I suppose. But, I don’t know. What about real life?”

  “Real life? You mean running in a hamster wheel to pay bills? Thanks, but no thanks.”

  “So you’ll never quit?”

  “No fucking way. It’s who I am.”

  Courtney and Maddie’s cage opens, and they get out. We’re next.

  Steel looks at me and says, “We always have a party after the carnival closes. Come join us. It’s just a few beers and a good time.”

  “Beer? I’m not old enough to drink.”

  He laughs, “That don’t matter for shit.”

  “Thanks, I’ll think about it,” I say out of politeness. Steel may be gorgeous and charming and fun, but he’s a carny. As if.

  “I’m serious, Goldie. Come find me.”

  Our cage opens and I climb out and walk to Courtney and Maddie.

  “Enjoy the carnival,” Steel calls after me.

  I look back at him and laugh. How many times has he said that tonight?

  “What was that about?” Courtney asks, her lip snarled. For once, the Zipper has left her with disheveled hair.

  “Steel came on the ride with me so I wouldn’t have to ride alone.”

  “Ew, what’s with that guy?”

  I don’t know, Courtney. You mean, what’s wrong with him because he’s flirting with me instead you? Who even cares, he’s a carny.

  “He’s just joking around and having fun,” I say.

  “Besides, who wouldn’t mind being trapped in a cage with someone as hot as him?” Maddie says.

  “Exactly,” I say and laugh.

  Maddie laughs too, and I hook my arm through hers.

  “Whatever, you’re lucky he didn’t grope you,” Courtney says.

  “He was a perfect gentleman,” I say. After all, I touched him first.

  “A gentleman with a neck tattoo,” Courtney says, her nose twitching in disapproval.

  “Lighten up,” I say.

  “You just be careful, he’s scamming you for something. He probably noticed your Burberry dress and is going to try to get some money out of you,” Courtney says as we walk to the Scrambler.

  “As if, Courtney,” Maddie says.

  “Thank you, Maddie,” I say.

  “Like the guy knows what Burberry is. He’s scamming you to get in your pants,” Maddie says and laughs.

  “Well, he did say there was another reason he’s called Steel,” I say.

  “Just be careful. Your father’s going to freak as it is, since everyone in the town has seen Steel single you out,” Courtney says.

  “Yep, he’s going to freak when it gets back to him.” Because he always freaks. Still, there’s a weight in my chest, knowing the lecture that’s coming.

  When we get off the ride, our cheeks are flushed from laughing so hard. Rides that fit all three of us are always the most fun.

  Steel stands at the exit, with a stick of cotton candy.

  “Hey, Goldilocks, you like cotton candy?” He asks, holding out the stick to me.r />
  Ace of Spades

  (STEEL)

  “Thanks, but we can buy our own,” the brunette says.

  “Go on, take it, otherwise I have to put it in the trash,” I say, nudging the stick against Emily’s hand.

  She looks at me, smiles and takes it.

  “I’ve always loved the way cotton candy dissolves on my tongue,” Emily says.

  I can think of another thing I’d like to put on her tongue.

  “Are you enjoying the carnival?”

  Emily starts laughing, and I don’t know why. Is she laughing at me or with me?

  “What are you laughing at?” I ask.

  “You keep telling me to enjoy the carnival.”

  “Well, that time I asked you if you were.”

  “Same thing,” she says, still laughing.

  “So are you?”

  “Yes, it’s lots of fun, just like every year.”

  “I was hoping this year would be even more fun for you.”

  She shrugs, “Maybe a little bit.”

  “Only a little bit?” I say, flashing my best get-them-into-bed smile.

  “Why can’t you just leave us alone?” the brunette says.

  “And why can’t you just let us have a little fun? That’s all this is. No need to get snippy.”

  “Don’t worry about Courtney. She’s just jealous you aren’t giving her the cotton candy.”

  I turn to the brunette and say, “Courtney, eh. You’re beautiful too.” I pause and turn to the redhead, “You too, Red. What do you say I take you three beautiful ladies for some funnel cakes?”

  “Oh my God, funnel cakes are the best thing ever,” the redhead says.

  “No thanks,” Courtney says.

  I nod and smile at the redhead, and turn to Emily and say, “What about you, Goldie? You’re the tie-breaker, do you want funnel cakes or not?”

  She thinks about it, her eyes flitting between her two friends. I catch her blue eyes and hold them, to convince her.

  “All right, funnel cakes it is,” she says, and stuffs a piece of cotton candy in her mouth.

  “Awesome,” I say, and lead the three of them to the funnel cake hut.

  I overhear Courtney tell Emily, “Your dad is going to flip when this gets back to him.”

  Fucking ace. There’s nothing better than corrupting the good girls. I could tell from the second I laid eyes on her that she was ripe for the picking. Who else comes to the carnival in a fancy-looking dress like that? Not that I’m complaining. She looks hot. Fucking hot. I can’t wait until I’m ripping it off her and tasting her pussy.

  We have to walk down the midway to get to the funnel cake hut. Shitloads of townspeople are looking at me. No doubt wondering what I’m doing with three of the town’s finest young women. Suckers would all be jealous if they knew it’s like this in every town I go to.

  “Don’t look now, it’s Connor,” Courtney says.

  “Who’s that?” I ask.

  “The jerk she used to date,” the redhead says.

  “Is that so,” I say, turning to look at her. Emily’s cheeks turn red, and I laugh.

  “He’s winning at that game. Look, he has a massive tiger and he’s trading it in to win a giant dolphin.” It’s the Basket Toss, all you’ve got to do is get the baseball in the peach basket. Her ex-boyfriend seems to be cleaning up at it.

  “Your ex, you say?” I start to walk to the booth. Time to have a little fun.

  “Hey,” I say. “That guy cheated. I saw from out here.” Cess is going to love me for this. It’s a big hit to her wallet when the big prizes are won, since she’s paid on commission.

  “Is that so?” Cess says.

  “Yeah, he put spin on the ball.” It’s the oldest carny excuse in the book.

  “Sorry, sir. No putting spin on the ball.”

  “What the fuck? That’s not a rule.”

  “Yes, it is,” Cess snaps back.

  If anyone can handle herself in a situation like this, it’s Cess. She doesn’t need any more of my help.

  “Can you smell them funnel cakes yet?” I say to Emily, returning to the three girls.

  “I can’t believe you just did that.”

  “Why? Your friend said he was a dick.”

  We pass the Balloon Dart and Shoot The Star. The midway is busy. When it’s this busy on a Saturday night, it usually means there’s shit else to do in the town.

  A little further down the midway, I notice a boy at the Basketball Toss. He’s maybe five, six, fuck if I know. His age doesn’t matter, he’s young. But he’s holding a basketball and taking aim with a big smile on his face.

  The fourth best thing about being a carny is seeing the smiles on kids’ faces. We’re their wonderland, and every weekend I get to bring Christmas to kids in all the little towns in the Carolinas. I’m fucking Santa Claus.

  As we get closer, I realize the boy has a broken arm. Duke’s working the booth. I take three big strides to reach the booth and nod at Duke.

  He hands me a ball, and I stand beside the kid.

  “Hey, buddy,” I say to the kid, “What do ya say we take this shot together? If one of us gets it in, you win a kangaroo.”

  The kid smiles hard, and his eyes shine with excitement. He looks at his parents, and they give him their nod of approval.

  “Ready?” I say, holding up my ball.

  “Yes!” he shouts, holding his ball tight above his head.

  “Set,” I say, taking aim.

  He stays motionless, waiting for my next word.

  “Go!” I say and release my ball.

  I put a hard arc on my ball, and it passes through the hoop with a swish. Even though the hoop is oval and the ball over-inflated, I can get it in every time, that’s how much I play it.

  The boy’s ball goes up in the air and almost reaches the edge of the hoop.

  “High five, buddy, we did it! We won!” I say, and crouch to get a high five off him.

  “Yay!”

  Duke passes him the stuffed kangaroo. The kid’s got the biggest smile ever, even bigger than before. He high fives me.

  “Have fun at the carnival!” I say, and ruffle his hair.

  Emily and her friends had stopped to wait for me, watching the whole thing. I don’t feel the need to say anything. I’m still too pumped from making that kid so happy. The smell of the funnel cakes is calling me, and I carry on walking to the funnel cake hut.

  They don’t think I can hear them, but you learn to have big ears in this business.

  “He just did that to impress you,” Courtney says.

  “So what. Do you think I care?” Emily says.

  “If you didn’t, you’d take your eyes off his butt,” Courtney says.

  “It is a great butt, and there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the view,” Emily says.

  That’s why I wear the tight jeans, ladies.

  We arrive at the funnel cakes, and I grab three for them from behind the counter. Papa Smurf would dock my ass something awful if he found out, so I don’t risk getting them any of the great toppings. They’re going to have to settle for some sugar on top.

  Speaking of the devil, I see Papa Smurf’s stupid red hat coming down the midway. Time to get my ass back to work before he busts my balls about slacking off.

  “Sorry, ladies, I have to get back to the rides.”

  “No apology necessary,” Courtney says. Bitch.

  “So, Goldie, remember what I said earlier, come find me at close.”

  One side of her mouth turns up in a half smile, and she says, “Thanks, but I’ve got to get home.”

  ***

  Thank you for reading the first five chapters of Carnal. Read the rest of the story by going to Amazon.com to read the full book. Thank you!