“Connor didn’t break the rules?”
“He broke the rule of being a prick.”
“Yeah, but that’s not a rule of the game.”
“Sure it is, that’s the only rule of the game.”
“So you only did that to impress me?”
“That and show you my abs.”
“I was impressed with your abs,” I say, sliding my hands under his shirt. Man, he’s warm, and ripped. But oh so warm. I slide as much of my arms under his shirt as I can, to try to ease my icy skin.
We talk for ages, although I haven’t managed to find out his real name, or why he joined the carnival.
It must be after one am by now. All the houses are dark, and the only light on in town is the McDonald’s sign. Although the carny party in their camp sounds like it’s still in full swing.
My arms are freezing, and every so often I move them deeper into his shirt. He wraps more and more of his body around mine, giving me as much warmth as he can. It feels good. He feels good. I’m afraid to complain about the cold because I don’t want to go back to the reality of the ground.
The party he talked about didn’t exactly look like the sort of place I’d feel comfortable. I’m much happier up here with Steel. Even if it is like being in a meat locker.
“Goldie, you’re not like any other girl I’ve met.”
I look up at him, trying not to smirk. “I bet you say that in every town.”
Steel’s face is serious, and even in the dark of the night, I can see honesty in his eyes. He runs his fingers along my cheek, the weight of his touch forces my eyes shut.
His fingers move to my lips and a sharp, short moan catches in my throat. I’m trembling again, this time from his touch instead of the cold.
My eyes stay shut. A moment later, his hand is tilting my head and his lips are on mine. They’re soft and warm and send a blast of heat through my body. His tongue runs along the seam of my mouth, and I part my lips for him.
Steel’s other hand presses between my shoulder blades, and brings my body tight against his. He kisses my harder, and a moan escapes my throat. All trace of cold is gone from me. My body is pure, bubbling lava right now.
And all he’s done is kiss me.
He breaks the kiss but keeps his face near mine, his eyes inches from my own.
“I ain’t lying when I said that.”
My eyes smile. I want to believe him. To believe this smooth-talking, charismatic man, but Courtney’s voice screams not to. No matter what happens tonight, I can’t let go of Courtney’s voice. I have to recognize this for what it is, a bit of meaningless fun. Otherwise I’m just an idiot.
“Do you believe me?”
“Yeah.”
“Now you’re the one who’s lying.”
“I’m not. I believe you.”
“You can’t lie to a carny, I’m a pro.”
“Okay,” I pause and take a deep breath, “I want to believe you.”
“I’ll take that.”
Before I can say anything else, his lips are back on mine. My God, this guy knows how to kiss. In hindsight, Connor was like kissing a fish. I could kiss Steel all night long.
His lips are soft, but somehow he’s in complete control of me. My lips and tongue are merely reacting to his.
We continue on kissing, and Steel’s hand grazes my skin as it travels from my back and through the curve of my waist. It comes to a rest on my hip bone, and a shudder runs through me. He pulls his lips away.
“What’s on your mind?”
“I can’t believe I’m letting someone with a neck tattoo kiss me.” I can’t believe I just said that.
“Do you like me kissing you?”
A massive smile spreads across my face. “You could say that.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“There’s no problem,” I say, leaning forward and trying to coax his soft lips back to mine.
He moves his head away and says, “I’m worried you’re cold.”
“Trust me, cold is the last thing I am right now.”
“Yeah but we should go someplace warmer. ‘Cause I want to rip this dress right off you, and if I do it here, you really will freeze.”
“Okay,” I say with a coy smile.
I really am going to do this. And not because I want to prove something to my parents anymore. Because I want to. More than I’ve ever wanted anything else.
“Wait here.”
“Where else could I go?” I say, laughing.
Steel gives me a broad smile, then jumps out of the car. My heart stops for a moment and I hurry to look over the side. He’s grabbed onto part of the wheel just below us, and is making his way to the bottom.
It’s insane, he should have a safety harness or something on. Before long, the wheel is turning and my car reaches the bottom. Steel opens the door and grabs the fleece off my lap.