Page 63 of Soul Food

“What?” His eyes widened like planets.

I sighed. “If not, then I’m not yours.”

He peered over at me, deciphering me with those beautiful gray eyes I thought about too much every night before I fell asleep. “It’s cute.”

My nose wrinkled. “What is?”

“The fact that you think you don’t belong to me.”

I frowned. “Listen here, Amit Kingston—”

He bent over and kissed me then proceeded to grab my hand and hold it tightly as he turned and peered out the window so that I couldn’t see his face. I saw the way his hand dwarfed mine and lost my words. I couldn’t stop staring at our fingers as he slipped his through mine and how well they fit together.

It took a few minutes before I realized Amit’s driver was already driving. “Wait, how does he know where to go? I haven’t told him yet.”

“I told him,” Amit replied, finally looking over at me. “Dream World, right?”

I gawked at him as he turned his head back toward the window. “How did you know that was where I wanted to go?”

“I just do.”

“You’re scary sometimes,” I whispered, my gaze still focused on him.

“You have no idea, Ruth, just what you’ve let inside your body.”

His words made my skin crawl while my pussy throbbed. So confusing to feel so many things for one person.

“It’s too late now, there’s no going back when you’ve already invited me in.”

_____

After three hours at the park, Amit’s scary words seemed almost laughable. But I sensed there was something truly dark about him I had yet to uncover.

The big, scary guy was no match for rollercoasters though. Truthfully, neither was I, but I wasn’t going to admit that to Amit when he looked so close to admitting how petrified he was every time I dragged him on one.

He never gave in though, and after the third time I was ready to call it quits before I was so sick I couldn’t enjoy this experience. We sat on a bench to let our stomach settle, and my gaze snapped on the long-range basketball game where you won a prize after so many baskets made.

I nudged his shoulder. “Win me a stuffed animal.”

“A what?” His eyes moved to where I was staring. “You’re going to make me do a lot of unnecessary shit, aren’t you?”

That made me laugh. I stood up and grabbed his hand. He got up and trailed behind me with a sigh. And that was how another hour passed at the park. Amit truly sucked at such simple games, but he didn’t relent until he won me three giant stuffed animals from three different games. He was probably regretting it, though, as he had to carry around two of them while I carried one. I couldn’t stop smiling at him as I glanced over at him as we walked. The highlight of the day came with seeing my lion and giraffe draped against each of his sides. Too cute.

He caught me looking and exhaled loudly. “What?”

“Are you not having fun?” I asked him. “I am.”

“Are you hungry?” He asked instead of answering. “Here.” He loaded me down with the other two stuffed animals. “Go sit at that table over there, and I’ll get us some food.”

I watched him wonder off to get food before going to the table. So far, only a few people recognized me, but they didn’t approach. Most were park staff and kept it low-key. As for everyone else, they were too busy enjoying the day. It was in the low seventies today, so the heat was tolerable. I was so glad I came. If I had had the chance to have kids, I would have loved taking them to places like this. I enjoyed this and wished I hadn’t waited so long. Maybe I should have taken time away from music after all.

“Here.” Amit shoved a hotdog in my face while taking a bite of his.

I looked it over. “Wow, you guessed the right toppings.”

We ate in silence. He handed me the soda he got us to share and wiped the side of my mouth with his finger as I took a drink. He shook his head. “You’re terrible at eating.”

I almost choked. “Hey.” I shrugged. “I am—”

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