Page 88 of Fairground

Fifteen minutes later, we’re back at my family’s place, and I’m kicking the front door open.

The house is empty, just like I knew it would be. Everyone’s still at the fair, enjoying the cool fall night. Normally, that’s where I’d be too—tossing a ball to prove I’ve still got the strongest arm in town, riding rides with my nephews, maybe stealing a kiss from a girl under the Ferris wheel lights.

But tonight? All I want is Rae.

I carry her upstairs to my bedroom and toss her onto the bed. She bounces slightly, her laughter filling the room like music.

“It’s still a little bizarre that you haven’t upgraded your bed since you were a kid,” she teases, propping herself up on her elbows to watch me.

I smirk, kicking off my boots and then yank off my t-shirt, tossing it aside, and work on unbuttoning my jeans.

“Smaller the bed, the tighter I get to hold you,” I say, grinning at her like the cocky bastard that I am.

Rae shakes her head, her lips twitching like she’s fighting back a smile. Her eyes follow every movement as I strip down, leaving nothing between us but air and the heat that we always have for each other. I take my cock in my palm, stroking slowly the way I know she likes to watch me.

“What is it, baby?” I ask, still pumping, wishing she’d stop teasing me with all those clothes she’s wearing and get naked too.

Her gaze flicks up to mine, thoughtful and a little hesitant. “You just… the things you say sometimes. They come so easily. Sometimes I wonder if you really mean them.”

That makes me stop. I drop to my knees in front of her, bringing us face-to-face. Her hands instinctively settle on my shoulders, grounding me, but there’s a weight behind her stare that says she’s got something heavy on her mind.

“I’m not your type,” she says softly, like she’s testing the words.

“How the hell would you know what my type is?” I challenge.

She rolls her eyes and starts to flop back on the bed, but I catch her wrists, holding her upright to face me.

“Go steady with me,” I blurt out, repeating Regan's words about her and Declan.

That gets her. She bursts out laughing, her head tilting back as the sound fills the room. “What the hell does that even mean?”

I grin, shrugging. “Regan told me that she and Declan are going steady. Thought I’d give it a shot with you.”

“You’re such a goof,” she says, shaking her head, but the way her lips twitch shows me she likes it.

“I’m serious,” I say, my voice dropping a notch. “Date me. For real. Fuck me. For real. Let me show you all the ways that I'm agood boyfriend if I want to be—for the right woman. And you're the right woman for me.”

She bites her lip, nervous now, her eyes darting to the side like she’s searching for an escape. My stomach twists a little. That’s not the reaction I was hoping for after sharing my feels for her. I’m laying it all out here, and she’s… hesitating. That flicker of fear in her eyes, the way her body pulls back slightly—it guts me. I’m not used to feeling this way, not with her. I’ve always been the one in control, the one who knew where we stood or at least I thought I did. But right now? I feel like I’m standing at the edge of something big, and I don’t know if she’s about to jump with me or walk away.

“The election is on Tuesday,” she says finally, her voice quiet.

“So? You want to wait until after to make things public? Fine. But tonight, I want an answer regarding whatyouwant.”

“Wait.” She holds up her hands, stopping me in my tracks. Her eyes lock onto mine, serious now. “There’s something I need to tell you before we go any further.”

I arch an eyebrow, leaning in closer. “That you finally want me to be inside that pumpkin? Are you propositioning me for anal, baby?”

“Cash,” she groans, her laugh breaking through her mock-serious expression as she shakes her head. “Be serious for a second.”

“Hm?” I murmur, my fingers trailing up her legs, slow and teasing, until they reach the waistband of her jeans. I pop the button and ease the zipper down, revealing black lace underneath. “Black. My favorite color on you.”

She grabs my wrist, holding me in place, and shakes her head. “It’s hard to talk to you when you’re like this.”

“It’s hard for me not to want to get you naked,” I counter, smirking.

“Then should I go to the other side of the room?”

“No!” I shout, a little too loudly, earning an eye roll and a reluctant smile from her. She leans forward, pressing into my arms, and I hold her close. “What is it, Rae? I’ll listen this time, I promise.”

---