Page 39 of Obligation
Bradley leaned across the table and lowered his voice. “Did you lace them with something?” His tone was conspiratorial.
Carissa laughed. “No. Drunk people just happen to like to eat, and well, we’ve got the only food here.”
He waved his finger at her, his grin broadening. “Smart marketing.”
She rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t contain her smile. Something about the way he spoke to her—easygoing yet laced with heat—had her heart fluttering.
She laid her palms flat on the table and leaned forward, too. “Do you want some, or are you just here to harass me?”
He shrugged. “Why can’t I be here for both?”
A thrill shot down her back. Thankfully, the line had died down, and Georgia Rose and Amber were able to help the last few lingering customers while Carissa dealt with Bradley.
“Well, by all means…” She straightened, waved her hand for him to continue, then crossed her arms over her chest. “Let the harassment begin. If you’re really good at it, I might give you a S’mores for free.”
Bradley laughed and shifted on his feet. “It’s hardly harassment when youwantit to happen.”
“I never said I wanted it to happen.” She shook her head. “But you’re clearly on a mission, and who am I to stand in your way?”
He held her gaze, his mesmerizing gray eyes holding her captive. She wanted to break whatever connection they had in that moment, to run away and hide, pretend she’d never met him because the emotions bombarding her were confusing and overwhelming, and if she were being honest—terrifying.
“I’ll take two S’mores,” he said after a moment. Digging his wallet from his back pocket, he retrieved a hundred dollar bill and held it out to her. “You can keep the change. Consider it a donation.”
Her eyes widened. Based on the way he dressed and the car he drove, she’d been able to easily figure out that he was wealthy, but paying a hundred dollars for something that cost less than five bucks?
She blinked and tried to regain her wits. Then, she reached out to take the money. “Thanks.” Her voice gave out slightly, and she cleared her throat.
He nodded and took the two baggies she offered him. “So, you think you can sneak away for a few minutes and go have some of this crack you’ve been peddling all night?”
Carissa’s face heated, and she let out a surprised laugh. “So now it’s crack?”
He gave a lazy one-shoulder shrug, same as he’d done before, but tonight the gesture was much sexier and a hell of a lot more confident.
“Go.” Amber gave Carissa a gentle shove. “We’ve got things covered for a few minutes.”
“Are you sure?” Carissa asked.
Amber smiled. “Yes. Go have some of that sinful goodness, or else I will.” She giggled.
Carissa had no idea if Amber was talking about the S’mores or Bradley, but Carissa didn’t care. She had a few free minutes to wander the bonfire and enjoy the night, and she was going to take full advantage.
“Thanks. I won’t be long.” She waved to Amber and Georgia Rose, then stepped out from behind the table.
Bradley handed her one of the baggies, and they walked in relative silence toward the bonfire. Intense heat blasted her as she got closer, and she was almost positive her makeup had melted and was now streaking down her face. Talk about an inferno.
A large, rectangular table had been set up beneath a nearby tree. Sticks for roasting marshmallows were piled atop the table. Bradley grabbed two and handed her one. Standing far enough away from the flames so she wouldn’t catch on fire, she opened the baggie and speared both marshmallows onto the stick.
“Wow. A double marshmallow kind of girl, huh?” Bradley asked, brow raised in a teasing manner.
“Two marshmallows is the only right way to eat a S’mores.” She inched closer to the fire and lowered her stick toward the flames. “Watch and learn.” She slowly twisted the stick, turning the marshmallows over and over to get an even brown crisp on the outside.
When she was satisfied with the color of the marshmallows, she pulled them from the fire. Using the graham crackers, she carefully slid a marshmallow onto each cracker, placed the chocolate in the center, and then made a perfectly toasted S’mores.
“See?” She held up her creation proudly. Then she took a large bite. The marshmallow oozed out the sides and clung to her fingers. Another glob fell out the opposite end and landed on her TOP shirt.
Bradley didn’t laugh at her like she’d expected. Instead, he moved closer, swiped the marshmallow from her shirt, and then put his finger in his mouth. “Mmm,” he hummed, the sound more sinful than the dessert she was currently shoveling into her mouth.
“Good, right?” she asked, desperately needing to distract herself from the way his lips had closed around his fingertip, and the way his long, dark lashes had fluttered with pleasure, and the way his throaty hum had caused her to shiver.
