Page 221 of Boots, Bucket Lists & Bad Ideas
“The suction cups on the tentacles are still functional,” I continue, when his thumb starts rubbing my skin in a calming manner. “They can stick to the inside of your mouth or even to your throat. Which makes eating it a bit of an experience in itself.”
“Sounds like an experience.”
I’m about to ask him about fried tarantula, but he beats me to the next question.
“Do you remember why we chose the fair on our list?” There’s a twang of bitterness in his tone.
“Because we couldn’t attend one together back then.”
“It’s kind of shitty if you think about it. Pitting kids against each other.” He swallows hard, but it’s not because of the ride.
He’s reliving our past.
“It is,” I agree.
“I’ve been so mad at Levi and Hope for breaking the feud. I mean, hard up anger.” He inhales an angry breath. “But it wasn’t because I supported the feud.” He looks at me. “It was because I didn’t do it.”
“Hart.” I turn, and my knee bends on the seat. “We were all dealt shitty hands in this fight.”
“I wanna clarify, I’m against it. I never saw you as an enemy, and I’m sorry I made you see me as one.”
“I know you are.”
“No more sneaking around.”
“No more sneaking around.” I place my other hand on his.
“No more hiding.”
“No more hiding,” I repeat. “But I also liked our secret meetings.”
He grins. “Did you?”
“Sneaking into the event storage at school. Sneaking into the library to read together, and—” I bite my lower lip. “Hiding out in the barn together.”
He shifts in his seat, but I know it isn’t the ride anymore. His eyes have a mix of nostalgia, amusement, and lust.
A week ago, this man looked at me like he intended to crush me—not in a good way.
“You know, you made that barn way more exciting than it was. Sitting in the hayloft, talking, touching”—his smirk widens—“makin’ out.”
I laugh until I feel tears brimming in my eyes. “See, it was thrilling in thatwe can’t be seen togetherkind of way.”
“My kinky Jade.”
The word elicits something inside me. I’d always been more curious than he was. I’d always wanted to push boundaries.
“I don’t think I’ve tried the kinds of kinks you have.”
He holds up his hand, and a deep grumble comes out of him. “Don’t bring it up, unless you want details.”
“Do go on.”
“You don’t know what you’re asking for.”
“I want to hear every last detail.”
And I do. Not in a jealous way, because there’s no room for jealousy between us.
