Page 27 of Heart's Masquerade

“You’ve seen how.”

He grinned and whispered into her ear so the others laughing and screaming around them wouldn’t hear. “I forgot. Remind me?”

She offered her mouth to him, and he gladly stole a kiss before encircling her with both arms. He’d never felt so content, yet so alive. She was different, and he couldn’t wait to enjoy her back at her home alone.

When the ride was over, Torrian jumped from the truck and held his arms out for Jaz. She grinned and took his hands before leaping to her feet. “Oh, look, there’s Kenny and his friends.”

Torrian stiffened. He turned and found she was right. His cousin leaned against a tree smoking a cigarette, his gaze locked on Torrian. While they had a staring contest, another man with the word Staff stamped across the back of his jacket said something to Kenny. Kenny frowned, but he put his cigarette out and spun away.

“Everybody comes out this way,” Jaz commented.

Torrian swore. “I wonder if he followed us.”

She waved her hand. “Billy was one of the zombies last year. Doesn’t look like he’s in costume, but maybe he couldn’t stay away from the fun.”

While her explanation made sense, he still had a bad feeling about seeing his cousin and the way he’d been looking at them. Torrian had wanted to enjoy tonight alone with her, away from the old neighborhood and familiar faces. He guessed they hadn’t gone far enough. Never mind. He wouldn’t let anything ruin his time with Jaz.

“So what next?” he asked, infusing his tone with cheer.

“Have you tried the cheese fries in there?” She pointed to the log building with oversize windows where he knew they served burgers, fries, drinks, and even souvenirs.

“I have, and we can’t miss out on the greasy burgers either.”

Jaz’s hand slid into his. “Come on. I’ll buy you a voodoo doll.”

He chuckled. “They don’t sell voodoo dolls. Or they didn’t the last time I was here.”

“You haven’t looked close enough at those creepy stuffed scarecrows.”

Soon they found a table and sat down to enjoy their food. Torrian listened as Jaz chattered about her family and about working with the less privileged. “You’re pretty devoted,” he said. “It’s not just a job for you.”

“No, it’s not. I love helping people. It’s just my heart. Dad always says I take after my mother. I guess she used to do a lot of volunteer work in her time, but she retired from years of being a court reporter.”

“No kidding?”

“No kidding,” she repeated. “Dad worked in maintenance for the school system. I would have gotten him to look at our plumbing at the center, but he’s got arthritis so bad.”

Why was he riveted to every word that fell from her lips? “I can’t imagine having…”

She waited for him to finish, and he found he wanted to.

“My godfather took me in at sixteen. My mother had finally overdosed. Still, he wasn’t around much.”

“Oh no! I’m so sorry, Torrian.”

She reached for him, but he hesitated to take her hand. He didn’t need anyone to feel sorry for him, but Jaz wasn’t one to accept that. She scooted along the booth they occupied until her hip touched his, and she nestled into his side. After nabbing a French fry, she held it out to him, and he ate it from her fingers. A longing to suck that same finger came over him, but he resisted. Otherwise, he might draw her onto his lap. This woman drove him crazy—with need and with joy. He didn’t understand it and wasn’t wholly sure he welcomed it. Most of all, he felt powerless to resist.

“Corn maze,” she announced.

“Pardon?”

She popped the last fry into her mouth and chewed. “We’re going to the corn maze now. Are you game?”

He dismissed thoughts of the past. “Yeah, I’m game. Let’s go.”

They started out with a group, finding their way by moonlight and ropes. The next thing he knew, the moon disappeared, and they took a wrong turn. They were alone. Jaz moved ahead of him, about to turn a corner, but he caught her and pulled her back to him. “I think I like it right here.”

He ran his hand over her belly, headed downward. She clutched his wrist. “You know someone could come along at any second. We are not doing it out here.”

---