“I know,” Connor admitted, letting my shirt go and falling a step behind. We arrived at the game area and it was loud and consuming. “First up, horse races with the water gun. Last one has to eat one whole cotton candy in five minutes,” Connor ordered.
We each took a seat by a gun. Amber sat to my left and Connor sat to my right. He leaned toward me.
“Good luck, my love.”
A shiver ran down my spine.
The carnie blew the horn and the race began. My adrenaline rushed and my heart rate increased. I tapped my feet as I squeezed my gun, aiming water into the tiny hole.
The sound of a winner rings.
“Ugh.”
Connor stood and look for the last placed person. He pointed to his bald, tattooed friend. “Tate, prepare your mouth, buddy!”
We laughed as his friends slapped him on the back. I checked to see who had won: Connor. He picked out a green bear and handed it to me. I hugged it close.
“Awww, I’m so jealous. He even chose your favorite color,” Amber said, petting the head of the stuffed animal.
I know.
“Having fun yet, Amber?” Connor asked.
“Yes, I am. You’re a cool dude, Mr. Tomlinson.”
Connor laughed and walked towards the snack booth. He paid for a bag of cotton candy and handed his friend the bag. We huddled into a circle as his friend started to eat.
“I’m timing you.” Teal shirt guy pointed to his watch.
Tate stuffed his mouth with big puffs of cotton candy. We watched and laughed at his struggle. Connor took this moment to slide a hand into the back pocket of my jean shorts, the big teddy bear concealing everyone’s view of us.
I sucked in a breath. I liked his hand there. If we were alone right now, I would pull him in for a kiss. I angled my behind to get closer to his hand.
Connor moved his hand away.
Tate finished the cotton candy. “Under three minute!”
“I’m not surprised,” Connor’s friend with short dark curly hair muttered.
“Another game or a ride?” Connor asked the group.
“Ride, a scary one,” Amber suggested.
“Ride it is.”
Connor took us to a ride called the Zipper. “I’ll sit this one out. I’ll stay with Vida and her bear.”
“Well played, Mr. Tomlinson,” I whispered.
“I know.” He smiled.
Amber winked at me before she left with all of Connor’s friends toward the line.
Connor grabbed the bear from me and wrapped his strong arm around it, his other arm hooking around my shoulder.
I lifted my hand and laced my fingers with his. “Are we not caring that someone from school will notice us?”
“I hope not. It’s a school night.”
“But—”
“We’re riding the Ferris wheel, maybe more than once. We need to talk.”
We walked quietly toward the Ferris wheel. Connor slid his arm off me, giving the attendant our tickets. I get into a car and he climbed in after me and sits next to me, leaving the bear in front of us.
Connor took my hand in his. “I’ve wanted you for so long. I didn’t know what that feeling was when we first met. But seeing you again in class, I understand what it was all about,” he murmured, turning my hand in his. “If our circumstances were different, you’d be mine now.”
“I’ve been yours. I’ve been yours since I was eight,” I stammered, knowing what was coming. “Don’t do this.”
“There was an incident after class that I’ve been trying to clear up. Fortunately for me, the school believes me,” he cupped my chin, “but it made me realized I can’t continue this.”
“What happened after class?” I asked, grabbing and clenching the end of my flannel, panicking.
Elizabeth.
“It’s nothing for you to worry about. I’m taking care of it.”
“Tell me,” I urged gently.
He brushed his thumb across my cheek. “I’m protecting you by not allowing you to be privy to what happened. V, I’ve always cared so much about you, your wellbeing … your happiness.” His eyes roamed over my face. “You deserve more than what I can give you.”
“Don’t end us before we have a chance to start,” I whispered, deciding to seize the moment. Without another thought, I grabbed his face and kissed him deeply. All my emotions seeped into our kiss. He needed to know my heart belonged to him.
It had always been his.
He kissed me back, his fingers threading into my hair, his tongue delving into my mouth. His kiss was hungry and demanding, everything he’d been holding back, he showed me with this kiss.
I want him.
I want him.
I want him.
I needed him to know.
I ended our kiss and pulled back, staring into eyes that smoldered with fire. I licked my lips, seizing the moment again. “I want you to be my first.”