Page 71 of Unspoken Promises

I buy two tickets for the wheel, and we get in line. Now that our feet have stopped she lets out a sigh.

“This is amazing.”

“Not bad. They throw great fairs in Mount Hamilton.”

“Yeah.”

We stare at each other, a million words passing in our gaze; none are needed to make it clear why we’re both here. And suddenly, I don’t give a damn about contracts or fraternizing. The urge inside me to have her isn’t the kind of feeling that’s supposed to be pushed down. It’s supposed to be explored.

I swear she wants that, too.

I can feel she wants that.

Maybe I can take us there.

The tension between us is thick, but we avoid being drawn back into that lusty haze that passes between us when we lock eyes by staring up at the tall wooden structure instead. I focus anywhere but on her perfect features. I see nothing but blinking lights and tubs full of lovers, and I’m drawn in to the moment. Why can’t that be us? Why would I stop myself pursuing her for the sake of my reputation with a bunch of employees? I became the boss for a reason.

I want and need the control.

And I want and need Ava Scott.

Our arms press against one another; her merest touch is as electric as the neon lights. For the first time since meeting this flawless woman, I let my guard down and allow my fingertips to search for hers through the calliope sounds and the moonlit night.

We’re about to be called up and we’ll be alone. Unwatched. My jeans tighten just thinking about her lips on mine, but then again, I’d struggle to stop there. If I could do what I want to do to Ava, we’d be banned from this fair for all eternity. They could shield their eyes, but nothing would stop the sound of me making her scream with my head between her legs.

I slide my fingers deeper into her touch, and she wraps her soft skin around mine. Her hand is dainty and my palm fills with that electric feeling of something exciting and at the same time, it’s a comfort as though we’ve held hands a million times before. Finally, I dare to drink in her wide eyes and freckles. It’s going to be mighty hard to wait to kiss this woman.

We’re so transfixed, when her phone beeps it makes her jump.

She laughs and clutches her chest. “I don’t know why that scared me.”

I let go of her hand. The text somehow broke our sense of intimacy.

She slides out her phone, and in an instant, blood drains from her face and she’s a million miles away from where she’s standing now.

She’s stiff. Absolutely paralyzed. And my heart stills.

A couple dismounts the Ferris wheel bench, and the operator calls us forward.

Ava doesn’t even notice, hypnotized by whatever is on her phone.

A young man’s voice calls from behind me.

“Come on, folks…”

Her mouth opens; she’s aghast. She looks seconds away from passing out.

I grab her wrist. “Scottie?”

She snaps her gaze to mine. Her haunted eyes are far, far away from where we are.

“I’ll… I’ll be right back.”

She rushes off, and it’s apparent she doesn’t want me following her because she’s running off at breakneck speed, weaving through the crowd.

Not only does she not want to be followed. It’s also clear she’s not coming back.

23

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