Page 78 of Hot Knot Summer
He studies me for a moment, his gaze lingering on my lips before returning to meet my eyes. It’s the same hungry look from last night on the balcony.
“You deserve good things, Emma,” he admits, voice dropping lower, for my ears only. His hand comes up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, fingertips grazing the sensitive skin of my neck. “You have no idea what it does to me, seeing you smile and laugh like this.”
The heat of his palm lingers against my skin, and I find myself unconsciously leaning toward him like a flower seeking sunlight. My pulse quickens as he steps even closer. For a wild moment, I think he might kiss me right here, surrounded by carnival games and cotton candy stands.
“I keep thinking about last night,” he murmurs, his thumb tracing the curve of my jaw. “The taste of you. The sounds you made.”
Heat floods my face, and lower, much lower, atthe slick that seems to respond instantly at the first sign of an Alpha’s attention. “Atlas,” I whisper, not sure if I’m warning him off or begging for more.
A slow, predatory smile curves his lips. “Don’t worry. I can be patient when the prize is worth waiting for.”
Before I can come back with a response to that loaded statement, River calls us over, having apparently won the ride debate with Levi. Atlas’s hand slides down my arm as he steps back, his fingers tangling briefly with mine in a touch that feels more intimate than it should.
“Coming?” he asks.
“Not yet,” I tease sarcastically with a wink, enjoying the flash of surprise in his eyes.
The smirk on Atlas’s face is wicked.
“The Scrambler, then we work our way up to the big stuff,” River announces, already pulling me toward the carnival rides and breaking my hold with Atlas.
The Scrambler looks like a giant metal octopus, its long arms extending from a central hub, each tipped with a small two-person car painted in garish primary colors. As we approach, I watch the current riders shrieking with laughter as centrifugal force flings them outward while the entire structure spins, creating a dizzying double rotation. Looks exciting.
“Two per car,” the operator announces as we reach the front of the line.
River immediately tightens his hold on my arm. “Icall dibs on Emma for this one!” His possessive enthusiasm makes me laugh as he tugs me toward a red car.
“Try not to traumatize her with your screaming,” Levi calls after.
“That was ONE time,” River protests over his shoulder. “And it was a wasp, not the ride.”
We slide into the narrow seat, thigh to thigh. River practically vibrates with excitement, bouncing slightly in his seat as the safety bar lowers across our laps.
“Fair warning,” he says with a mischievous grin. “I’m a bit of a Scrambler enthusiast. I know exactly how to maximize the spin.”
“Why does that sound terrifying?” I ask, but I’m smiling.
“Trust me,” he winks. “It’ll be the most fun you’ve had with your clothes on.”
I burst out laughing at his outrageous flirtation. Across the ride, I spot Atlas and Levi settling into a blue car, both looking amusingly oversized in the small space.
The ride lurches into motion, starting with a gentle spin that gradually increases in speed. River wasn’t kidding; he seems to know exactly how to time his movements, leaning into the turns to amplify the force.
“The trick,” he shouts over the ride’s music, “is to work with the physics, not against it!”
“You sound like Levi!” I yell back, gripping the safety bar as we pick up speed.
River throws his head back with a laugh. “Don’t tellLevi I understand physics. I’ve spent years cultivating my pretty but dumb persona!”
With the next turn, he demonstrates by pushing slightly against the outer edge of the car, causing us to spin more dramatically.
“Holy shit!” I shriek, half terrified and half exhilarated, as the world becomes a dizzying blur of colors and lights. “What did you do?”
“Magic!” River grins wickedly. “Want more?”
“You’re insane!” I shout, but I’m laughing too hard to clearly sound convincing.
“That’s not a no!” he calls back, timing another push perfectly with the ride’s rotation.
