Page 87 of Fairground

“This is surprisingly good,” Molly says, taking another bite.

“Glad you think so,” I reply, not really paying attention. My eyes are scanning the fairgrounds, searching for one person. The one that I can't stop thinking about. The one that I’m always looking for in any crowd.

“Your girlfriend’s over by the pie-eating competition,” Molly adds, her tone laced with amusement.

“She would be,” I mutter, already picturing Rae standing there, probably laughing at some poor guy trying to inhale an entire pie without puking and thinking about the last time she sucked sticky pie filling off my cock.

At least, that's what I hope she's thinking about.

Molly’s eyebrows jump, and Regan chuckles softly beside her. “Go get her, Cash,” she says with a knowing smile.

I don’t need any more encouragement.

The fair is massive, sprawling across acres of land, and it feels like half the state showed up tonight. It takes me forever to weave through the crowd, stopping every few steps to shake hands, nod hello, or exchange a quick word with someone I know. It’s one of the perks—or curses—of growing up in a town like Whitewood Creek: everyone knows me, and everyone thinks that they know the real me. But the more time that I’ve been spending with Rae, the more I’ve realized she’s the only one who I’ve shown the real Cash.

By the time I reach the big white tent where all the competitions are happening, I’m restless, my hands twitchingwith impatience. Hot dog eating, cupcake eating, and, right now,—pie eating.

I spot Rae instantly. She’s standing off to the side, her arms crossed casually as she laughs with Lydia. The sunset casts a golden glow on her, but the twinkling lights from the rides and booths nearby are what really illuminate her—make her look like she doesn’t belong to this world but some brighter, better one.

“Cash!” Lydia waves at me excitedly, drawing Rae’s attention. She glances over, and the second our eyes meet, I’m done for. She owns me, plain and simple.

I cross the distance quickly, my arms sliding around Rae the second I reach her. My hands find her hair, fingers tangling discreetly in the soft strands as I hold her back to my front, and I don’t care who sees. I want to pull her closer, tilt her head back, and kiss her face upside down until she forgets her name. Hell, I want to throw her over my shoulder right here and now, drag her off into the dark, and make good on a promise I whispered to her last week.

But I know better. Rae doesn’t want us to be obvious—not until after the election. So instead, I settle for leaning down, letting my lips graze her ear as I whisper, “You see the way that man is eating that pie right now? That’s how I plan on eating your ass tonight.”

I pull back like nothing happened, enjoying the flush that creeps up her neck and the way her chest rises and falls just a little faster. Rae doesn’t say a word, doesn’t even look at me. But the faint smirk tugging at her lips? Yeah, that’s all for me.

We turn our attention back to the competition just in time to watch some guy absolutely destroy an apple pie. And I meandestroy. The man is going all in—grunting, licking, slurping—his entire face buried in the pan like it’s the last meal he’ll ever eat.

I can’t help but snicker because the sounds he's making coupled with Rae's ass pressed on the front of my jeans are turning me on and I know she's realizing that too.

When it’s finally over, and the judge hands the guy a ridiculous plaque that readsI ?? Pie, frankly, I’ve had enough. I tug on Rae’s hand, pulling her away from the crowd.

“Cash,” she hisses, trying to resist, but I don’t stop. Out of the tent, away from the noise and lights, and into the shadows near the parking lot I lead her.

When I finally stop, the fair sounds are distant, muffled by the darkness surrounding us. Rae’s cheeks are flushed, her eyes shining like she’s been laughing and smiling all day—and it’s a damn good look on her. I swear if she has smile lines from the past month that we've spent together, I'd have done my job. My little storm cloud, glowing like the sun.

“I've missed you,” I tell her, my voice deep as I rub my nose against hers.

She raises an eyebrow, her lips curving into a teasing grin. “We saw each other last night,andthis morning. Remember?”

“Doesn’t count,” I say, shaking my head. “We’ve been running around like crazy all day, making sure this thing doesn’t fall apart. Now that it’s the end of the week, and everything’s running smoothly, I think we deserve to celebrate.”

“Oh yeah?” she challenges, crossing her arms. “And how do you propose we do that?”

“With me. Inside of you. Raw.”

She rolls her eyes, but her smile gives her away. “Sounds like every other night we've spent together this week.”

“Exactly,” I say with a grin. “Consistency is key. I think we need some more practice.”

Before she can respond, I bend down, wrap my arms around her waist, and hoist her over my shoulder.

Cash!” she squeals, laughing as she smacks a fist against my back.?

I ignore her protests, stalking toward the parking lot with single-minded determination. To get her home and celebrate.

Chapter 37: Cash

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