Page 59 of Four Times Taken

I didn't need to be on a ride, sitting next to her, suspended and gliding through the air, all romantic and shit. Although, I'm guessing Ryan didn't have me in mind when he asked that question. He shot me eye daggers, but all I did was offer her a well-intended massage that got too hot, too fast. And he knew what I looked like when I'm after something.

Whatever, it's not like she belongs to him. She doesn't belong to anyone. But if there's anyone who's supposed to be shooting laser beams at me, it should be Eric. And he said he was all right with it. To be fair, he didn't look that all right with it that day outside the basketball court. I don't know how to read him, but if I know how to read Lily, I'd say, going off those sounds she was making, she's into something. Me or the massage. Both?

It was scary enough finding out that I was attracted to her and not being able to do anything about it. The prospect of her being into me as well was more terrifying. I wanted to reason it away and say that I was reading too much into her little sighs and barely suppressed moans, but I didn't think I was. I have enough experience to know the difference. Pair that with the obvious and hilarious jealousy she displayed at me getting any attention at all. What am I doing? I stopped my thoughts from running away with me. I'm overthinking things.

"I'm hungry; you hungry?" I walked away, needing to put distance between us.

"No?" She studied my fidgeting with a grimace. "Are you okay?"

Okay? Uh, let me get back to you on that. "Yeah, I'm fine." I fanned my hand. I want you to sit on my face, and I'm in turmoil as a result, but I'm completely fine. Couldn't be better. "I'm just hungry." I smiled, taking deep breaths as I got further away.

"Hello, sir. What can I get for you?" The woman at the food stand, wearing a hot dog hat, asked me.

I mean, why else would I be here, at the hot dog stand?

That's not fair; she doesn't deserve my irritation just because I'm sexually frustrated. "I'll have a chili dog, please. With lots of onions and cheese." A reminder that I won't be getting laid tonight, or kissed, for that matter.

At least my taste buds would be happy and later when I'm all alone, I'll have the memory of my hands on her body to guide my own hands on my body, if you catch the drift. Sighing, I stuffed my mouth with the hot dog, looking for another scintillating experience. I'm about to walk off when I remembered a lesson I've learned through my experience of dating women. Whenever a woman says she's not hungry, get her food, anyway.

Apologizing to the people directly behind me, I stepped back in line. Tempted to ruin her and Eric's sex night, I considered getting her lots of chili and cheese as well. But I'm not that cruel. They don't have to suffer because I'm suffering. Oh, why do I have to be so 'good'? I mused.

"I'll have another hot dog, please. Hold the chili and onions," I said.

To pay for the frustrations of the grumbling customers behind me, I handed the hot dog lady a thousand dollars to cover the orders of everyone in line and a tip. Because I already felt bad enough as it was, I didn't want to have to worry about whether or not I should've rejoined the line for another single fucking hot dog.

Chili dog inhaled, I searched for the wildest ride on offer, swinging people through the air as if they only lived once, and today was their last day. I purchased three tickets. Wild was what I needed right then. I wanted my brain to be tossed around in my head and my organs to be reshuffled. I wanted to be staggering and grappling with gravity when my feet hit the ground again. Forget the gondola ride, we're doing this. We could all use this type of adrenaline rush.

As expected, Lily eyed the hot dog in my hand on my way over. "Dang, that looks good." She pressed her lips together. "I should probably get one." She tipped over my shoulder to see the long line and scrunched up her face.

"This one is yours." I grinned.

"What? No. I can't take that. Where's yours?" she asked.

"Finished it on the way over here. Told you I was hungry. Got you one just in case." I pushed it toward her, and she took it with a smile and a blush, pulling me into her eyes.

"Oh great. So, I don't get one? Nice," Ryan interrupted in a loud voice. "I ain't even hungry anyway," he muttered to himself, walking off. "So, we're going on that gondola ride or..." he threw over his shoulders.

"Or... we can go on this one?" I offered instead, showing them the three tickets and pointing out the swing of death. Lily's brows rose, and she looked between me and Ryan before offering him an apologetic look.

"Maybe we can go on the gondola after?" She squirmed.

"Yeah, sure." His smile was tight before he met my eyes with a scowl. "Better not eat that right away then, or you'll be blasting chunks all over everyone," he suggested.

"Yeah. He's right." Lily nodded. "The gondola is probably a smarter move."

"Or Ryan could hold the hot dog for you, couldn't he?" I nodded at him, trying hard not to burst out laughing at how pissed he was.

"But what about you? Didn't you just eat?" she asked me.

"Yeah. You just ate. Maybe you should sit this one out, and I'll go with..." He folded his arms across his chest, smirking way too hard.

"Nah, I've got a strong stomach." I patted my belly, cutting him off. "I'll be fine. I've done wilder things than this on a full stomach."

"Have you?" Lily turned to look at me, and I gulped. I didn't mean that the way it sounded.

"We should..." I gestured to the ride, and she nodded before handing the hot dog to a fuming Ryan.

Chapter 39

---