Page 57 of Fairground

She doesn’t look back as she disappears through the tent flap, leaving me standing there, still tasting her name on my tongue and praying like hell she’ll show.

Chapter 23: Cash

Rae makes me wait.

And maybe I deserve that. With this woman, it’s always a game of waiting. She makes me wait, I make her wait—it’s all part of the push and pull. The rivalry. The tension. We’re rivals for a reason, I suppose. That constant clash ofwill they, won’t they.

But I’ve known all along.

Theywill.

And they'reabout to.

The storm clouds have settled low over the fairgrounds, the kind that darkens the world even though it’s only mid-afternoon making you forget what time it is. The sun’s completely swallowed up, and a misty cloud of moisture lingers in the air. Not quite rain, but damp enough to stick to your skin. And now I’m wondering just how wet my girl might be.

She’s walking toward me, her hips swaying just enough to make me clench my molars together so that I don't lose focus of what’s about to happen. Her gaze locks on mine as she crossesthe fairground, headed straight to where I’m leaning against the entrance to the Ferris wheel, right next to the slides.

See, I had this plan. From the first time we got roped into co-chairing this state fair together, I knew I’d take her on the Ferris wheel. It’s the perfect cliché—the rom-com moment where the guy finally kisses the girl at the top, suspended over the world. Think likeThe Notebook,with Noah jumping into the spinning cart to prove a point to Allie. That he’s crazy for her and doesn’t want her with anyone else. A movie I had to watch one too many times because Regan insisted she'd marry a guy like Noah one day and I needed to find out who the loser was that would be my future brother-in-law.

But Rae? She’d sniff that out a mile away. Too obvious. Too predictable if I told her this was where we were headed. So, I picked the attraction next to it—the slides. Because who the hell has ever tried making out on a slide? It’s impractical. Improbable. Impossible, maybe. But if there’s anyone that I wouldn’t mind trying it with, it’s her.

“Hey,” she says when she reaches me, her tone a little guarded and her green eyes skittish. “What are we doing here?”

I grin, wide and wolfish, because that’s exactly how I feel. Feral for her. Hungry in a way that makes every cell in my body alive with need. Every muscle in my body aches with how much I want her—to spread her legs wide and have her coming on my tongue. To show her that she's more than enough to me. She's everything. I need to taste her. Tonight.

“We’re going for a ride.”

“On the slides?” she asks, raising a brow.

I shake my head, leaning casually, though nothing about me feels casual right now. Her eyes dart to the Ferris wheel that's behind me and then they widen like she realizes what I’ve set up.I'm usually the calm and collected one, not losing my head over a woman but here I am, headless and lost in her.

“Everyone’s gone,” she says, her voice hitching just slightly. “How are you going to operate this thing?”

I hop over the chain fence and grip the lever, and give it a firm yank. The machinery hums to life, the wheel creaking slightly as it begins to move. I’ve planned this. Checked and double-checked to make sure this ride didn’t fail inspection. Hell, I even called in a favor to get it green-lit for tonight. Rae doesn’t know that, though.

Hopping back over the fence, I close the space between us. She looks up at me, eyes wide, just a touch of fear mixed with curiosity now.

“Trust me,” I murmur. And for once, she doesn’t argue or try to fight me on this.

“Of course you’d know how to operate a Ferris wheel. Dammit, is there anythingyou don’t know how to do?”

I smirk, unable to resist. “Nope. Don’t think so. Now come on. Let’s get on this thing before it picks up speed.”

I place my hand on the small of her back, guiding her towards one of the carts as it swings low. Without giving her a chance to argue, I push the gate open and practically usher her inside while the wheel keeps moving.

“How are we even going to get off? Cash, you’re insane!” she yells, gripping the sides of the cart as it begins to lift high into the air. The thing sways slightly, and by the time I slam the gate shut and lock it, we’re already halfway up the wheel.

“We’ll time it. Jump off fast.” My tone is casual, but her wide-eyed panic makes me grin.

“This is breaking every OSHA rule ever,” she mutters, covering her eyes with both hands as we rise higher.

I lean back, watching her for a second before reaching over to gently pry her wrists away.

“C’mon, don’t hide. I like looking at you,” I say, my voice dropping just a little. “Those pretty green eyes are my favorite.”

She exhales a shaky laugh, staring at me like she’s still trying to figure me out. “Why are you doing this?” This time, her question comes out softer, almost a whisper.

“Because” I say, holding her gaze, “I needed some alone time with you.”

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