Page 2 of Carnival Master

The crowd erupts in cheers and applause. I can feel the energy crackling in the air, a live current that only I can harness and control. With a sweeping gesture, I direct their attention to the center ring.

“Prepare to be amazed as we bring you feats of daring and displays of unparalleled talent!”

On cue, a spotlight cuts through the dimness, illuminating the graceful figure of a lithe acrobat ascending the silk ropes. It’s Nash, executing his routine with flawless precision, twisting and spinning high above the ground.

I pace the perimeter, playing the role of ringmaster to perfection. “Marvel at the artistry! The flexibility. The raw courage required to perform such gravity-defying stunts!”

The crowd is transfixed, oohing and ahhing in sync with Nash’s every move. He’s putting on a show, just like he trains to. Nash and Colt always start with a solo show, then bring in the big guns and do their ridiculously talented duo show, tossing each other up in the air on the trapeze.

Once Nash sticks the dismount, I whip the audience into another frenzy of applause. “Incredible! But that’s just the beginning, my friends! Hold onto your hats because you haven’t seen anything yet!”

The rest of the show goes off without a hitch, and when it’s finished, the crowd’s roars are deafening as I take my final bow. These people live for the spectacle, the thrill of witnessing death-defying stunts right before their eyes.

And I love to give it to them.

As the tent empties, I go backstage to congratulate the crew. Nash is already there, grinning from ear to ear as he towels off the sweat glistening on his chiseled body.

“You were on fire out there tonight, man!” I clap him on the back, matching his infectious energy. “The crowd was eating out of the palm of your hand.”

Nash flexes his biceps with a cocky smirk. “What can I say? They just can’t get enough of this.”

I chuckle and shake my head. His talent matches his arrogance. “Don’t let it go to your head, pretty boy. We’ve got another show tomorrow night.”

I go to Colt, who’s methodically packing the rigging equipment. He’s focused, his brow furrowed in concentration as he coils the ropes with practiced efficiency.

“Colt, my man,” I say, clapping him on the shoulder. “Solid work out there tonight. Great show.”

He looks up, his steely gaze meeting mine. “Thanks, boss. Just doing my job.”

“Keep up the good work.” I turn and stride out of the main tent, still riding high on the rush of another successful show. The roar of the crowd, the electric atmosphere—it’s a feeling like no other, and I thrive on it. With a satisfied grin, I loosen my tie and roll myshoulders back, ready to slip into my other role for the night’s dealings.

That’s when I slam right into her.

The impact knocks the breath out of me, but not because of the force—no, the beauty standing before me leaves me stunned. Fiery red hair frames a heart-shaped face with delicate features and full, rosy lips. But her eyes ensnare me the most. Twin pools of emerald green pierce right through me.

“Well, hello there,” I drawl, recovering my composure with a grin. I take a step back, giving the woman an appreciative once-over. “Fancy running into you like this.”

She arches one perfectly sculpted eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by my attempt at charm. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” she deadpans, sarcasm dripping from her words. “I’ll be more careful next time.”

Undeterred, I lean in closer, dropping my voice to a low rumble. “No need to apologize, baby girl. I’d run into you again any day.” I flash her my most disarming smile, which usually has women melting at my feet.

But this fiery vixen doesn’t seem fazed in the slightest. She regards me with an amused look as if I’m some pesky insect she could swat away without a second thought.

“You’ve got some nerve, don’t you?” She eyes me up and down with thinly veiled disdain. “Sorry, but I don’t go for the whole ‘carnie’ look.”

With that scathing remark, she brushes past me, the sway of her hips and the scent of her vanilla perfume lingering in her wake. She’s curvy in all the right places,and fuck, I love a curvy girl. For a moment, I’m rendered speechless—an incredibly rare occurrence.

As I watch her disappear into the crowd, I can’t help but feel a spark of intrigue ignite within me. This woman is different, immune to my usual tactics and unaffected by my charisma. And strangely, that only makes me want her more.

A slow, predatory grin spreads across my face.

You can run, baby girl, but you can’t hide from me. I’ll show you why you should be totally into the carnie look when you’re bouncing on my cock later.

2

SOFIA

Isearch for my father through the carnival grounds, my nose wrinkling at the smell of grease and sweat mingling in the summer heat. This place gives me the creeps—too many shady characters lurking about, their eyes lingering too long.

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