Page 80 of Debts and Desires
“If I win, I get… to call you by your first name. Yours?” I was sure he’d put up a fight, but he didn’t.
“If I win,” he leaned in, squeezing me tighter to him. “I want a week added.” His hand dipped to the hem of my dress that sat on my bare thigh, his touch warm on me.
“A week?!” I sputtered.
“A week,” he confirmed. I would’ve said more, but the “First Call” melody rang through the speakers, the bugle sound loud and tinny. The gates opened, and the crowd cheered.
My eyes were glued to the track as each horse raced past in a blur of speed and power. The thundering hooves and cheers echoed through the air. His grip tightened on my thigh, creeping up the flesh ever so slightly. I couldn’t breathe until the race was over.
Neither of ours won, but his racer crossed the finish line before mine. And the chuckle that man let out would’ve given the evilest villain a run for their money.
“A whole week in my favor,” he breathed. “Mmm, the plans I have for you, Buttercup.”
31. DREAMS
October 14
Day Forty-Eight
238 Hours to Go
Carter’s arm around my waist offered a sense of comfort and security as we navigated the dimly lit corridors, laughter mingling with the shrieks of the other fair-goers. As we ventured deeper into the attraction, the darkness seemed to press in, heightening the lingering tension from the racetrack. I had jumped off his lap and headed in whatever direction I could go. He caught up, grumbling about needing to use my body to shield the public from an eyeful. I laughed, telling him he should’ve thought about that before teasing me.
“The teasin’ comes later, Buttercup. I promise,” he threatened. I could’ve melted.
I could feel the heat of his body as he stood close beside me, his presence both comforting and exhilarating, especially in the dark. And especially when his hand started sliding up my skirt like it did at the racetrack.
“Carter!” I hissed, swatting behind me. He only chuckled.
“What? I ain’t doin’ anythin’. Must be the ghosts.” I elbowedhim, eliciting a grunt of pain from him. I smirked in triumph, continuing on.
Why it had to be a haunted house, I’ll never know. I admitted to Carter about both my fascination and irrational fear of the paranormal when we were in the line and he’d teased me relentlessly since.
We rounded a corner and came face to face with a lifelike animatronic lunging out from the shadows. I let out a startled yelp and instinctively ran back to Carter, pressing myself closer to him, seeking refuge in his arms. He held me, laughing.
“It’s not funny!”
“It is.”
For a moment, our faces were inches apart, our breath mingling. Time seemed to stand still. I felt the urge to lean in, to close the distance between us. But just as I leaned in, the sound of a distant scream shattered the moment, jolting me back. Carter pulled away slightly, too.
“We should keep movin’ ‘fore we get kicked out of here for indecency,” he said, his voice husky with unspoken desire. I nodded, my heart still racing in my chest as we continued on through the building, eventually finding our way out. We wandered through the fairgrounds, hand in hand. Everything between us crackled like electricity. The knowing glances and playful banter had the both of us smiling wide.
Carter won me a massive stuffed animal after knocking down all the milk bottles. The triumphant grin on his face as he handed me the giant stuffed dog that looked like Mac made my heart swell. I pulled him into a tight hug.
“Thank you, Carter,” I whispered, my voice filled with genuine gratitude.
“You’re welcome, baby,” he replied, his voice still husky. “You can thank me later, too.” I playfully shoved him away.
“What other cliché shit can we do?” I asked. Carter looked up and behind me. I turned, following his eyesight, and grinned.
Moments later, we were in a new line.
“Wow,” I breathed, as we finally reached the top of the Ferris wheel. “It’s beautiful.”
“Mmhmm,” he answered. I rolled my eyes.
“Is this the part where you say ‘I know’ and look at me?” I looked over at him. Carter’s gaze was unsurprisingly already fixed on me.
