Page 26 of As Long As You Kiss Me

“There’s more where that came from. Next, we’ll have to hit up the Halloween store for more spooky stuff.”

“Yes, like spiders. He’s terrified of them.”

“Is that so?” An idea formed rapidly in his mind. “Maybe we ought to pay a visit to the little pet shop on Main Street.”

“For what?”

“To buy a spider. We can plant it in his house. You know how old houses always have bug problems.”

Her eyes lit up. “I like how you think.”

“Have a good night.”

She smiled at him. “You too.” She shut the car door, and his heart ached for her to come back. She was beautiful and funny, the perfect partner in crime.

Jackson pulled off a long,fuzzy chunk of pink cotton candy and shoved it in his mouth. The sweet treat melted in his mouth as it dissolved into nothingness.

Sully looked irresistible in a yellow sundress and straw hat. Her long, black hair was curled and flowed down her back. He’d noticed that she’d been wearing it down more often around him. He offered her some of the cotton candy, and she pulled off a fluff.

“This stuff is so good,” she said. “But I’m going to be sick to my stomach if I don’t get something heavier in it.”

“We could get a couple of hotdogs,” Jackson suggested. He reached down and took her hand in his. He had a part to play, after all. But her fingers were warm and soft as they entwined with his, and it sent little sparks traveling through his body. This woman had an effect on him that he couldn’t deny. The more he was around her, the stronger it got.

He spotted a hot dog cart down a ways, and he led Sully over to it. “Two hot dogs and a cola.” He turned to Sully. “What do you want to drink?”

“I’ll take a bottle of water.”

The vendor grabbed a bottle from a cooler and set it up on the counter. Then he got busy preparing their hot dogs.

“I’d like ketchup and mustard on mine,” she said.

“Mustard only for me,” he told the vendor.

When everything was ready, he paid for them both.

“You didn’t have to pay for mine,” Sully protested.

“Yes, I did. I can’t have my girlfriend paying for her own stuff.” They were in public, after all. They had an image to keep up.

“I guess you’re right.” Sully took the hotdog and bit into it. “This is really good. There’s nothing like a nice greasy hotdog to hit the spot. Nice and unhealthy.”

Jackson couldn’t help but laugh. It was so typical of Sully to love junk food. It was a wonder she was so skinny with the way she ate.

He bit into his hotdog and savored the flavor. When he’d swallowed his food, he went for another bite. Only this time, the mustard dripped down his white t-shirt. “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.”

Sully grabbed a wad of napkins from the stand. “Here. Let me help.” She wiped at his front. She stood close enough to him that he could smell her shampoo or perfume or whatever that feminine smell was that wafted off her in an intoxicating way. She looked up at him and desire darted through him. The memory of their kiss flitted through his mind, and he couldn’t help but remember that he lips really were as soft as they looked. They were warm and firm at the right moments too.

“Unfortunately, this napkin doesn’t seem to be doing much good.”

“I guess I’ll just have to go through the fair with a big yellow streak down my front.” Just what he needed. To look like a complete fool as he paraded around with the prettiest girl in town on his arm.

But Sully didn’t seem to mind. “I don’t think you’ll be able to get that stain off, no matter how much you wipe at it. You’re going to need something better than napkins.”

“Like what? It’s not like they have soap and running water.” The bathrooms consisted of a line of portable potties.

“I have an idea.” She waved at Lauren and Chase Remington, who stood a few meters away pushing their baby in a stroller with Lauren’s little girl at her side. “Lauren, do you have a baby wipe? Jackson just spilled mustard down his shirt.”

Baby wipes? Jackson never would have thought of that. But it would probably be more effective than just a plain napkin or even a napkin with some water from Sully’s drink.

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