Page 119 of Forbidden You

“You took me to the carnival?”

“I did.”

She keeps staring at the rides that pop up from above the fences. People are walking in and out, some with stuffed animals and food in their hands. The Ferris wheel peers above the top of the trees and the sounds of the rides make their way through the car when I park.

I turn off the engine and face her. “Good?”

She presses her lips together, taking a deep breath through her nose, then her eyes find mine.

I let out a whining grunt when I notice how moist they are, and I reach out to cup her cheek.

“Ah, baby, don’t cry.”

“You took me to the carnival.”

“I know,” I titter.

“You hate the carnival.”

“I know.” It’s just one tacky money pit. “But you love it.”

A tear falls down her cheek and I wipe it away with my thumb, just in time to catch the next one. Shit, I wasn’t expecting this reaction.

“Hey, hey, come here.” I pull her head against my heart as much as I can with the center console between us, my hands cupping the back of her head. “Why are you crying, baby?”

“Because you’re doing this for me,” she sniffs.

Of course, I’m doing this for her. It makes her smile, why wouldn’t I?

“It’s not a big deal. You’ve done a ton of stuff for me.”

“Like what?” she scoffs.

I push out a laugh, a little confused she doesn’t even realize as I start to list them.

“You cooked for me. You made sure my father was at my fundraiser. You organized the fundraiser better than I could ever have done.”

“That’s my job.”

“You threw me a birthday party,” I continue in a serious tone. “You make me laugh. Things have been hard with my dad and all. But you’ve made it easier. You’ve done a lot for me, babe. The least I can do is take you to the one thing you love the most.”

“I annoy you all the time. I push you around. I do everything wrong.” She states, as if that explains her confusion, bubbling another laugh from my chest.

“What? No, baby. Yes, you’re a pain in my ass half the time, but you don’t do anythingwrong. You’re perfect, and that’s why I’m crazy about you.”

I hate that she feels like she’s doing everything wrong when in reality, she’s doing everything right.

She chuckles. “You mean I drive you crazy?”

“That too,” I hum, my lips connecting with her hair.

She tilts her head so she can meet my gaze. “Bodi?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.” She covers her mouth with mine in a bruising kiss.

“You’re welcome, babe,” I murmur against her plump lips. “Are you ready to go?”

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