Page 31 of Denim & Diamonds

Imagining his body on mine, I got a chill down my spine. Sticky, hot, sweaty. Something told me that wasn’t the kind of stickiness I’d be getting, though. I knew better.

February: Sounds naughty.

Brock: LOL. Get your mind out of the gutter, Red. This is actually the most innocent place you could imagine.

February: Should’ve known with you.

Brock: What’s that supposed to mean?

February: Just that you’ve been nothing but a Boy Scout since we met.

Brock: Lord knows you’re not making it easy.

February: How do I dress for this sticky outing?

Brock: Casual.

February: I can be ready in twenty minutes. But I’ll need some help sneaking out.

Brock: I can park outside your window next to the ladder and be on the lookout. I’ll text you when it’s safe to come down.

A half-hour later, after announcing to the center staff that I was feeling ill and retreating to my room for the rest of the day, Brock texted that the coast was clear outside.

I climbed down the ladder carefully and ran to his truck. Brock took off fast. Escaping in broad daylight felt even more dangerous than doing so at night.

When I turned to look at him, all I could think washoly hell. Brock was wearing a baseball cap backward. Pieces of his longish, brown hair stuck out of the opening at the front. I could’ve sworn the muscles between my legs tightened. He looked so freaking hot.

“The hat suits you.”

“Happy you approve,” he said, glancing at me before returning his eyes to the road. “And once again, you didn’t bring a jacket.”

I looked down at myself. “Whoops.”

He winked at me. “It’s all right. I’vegot you.”

God, why does he look sexier than ever today?“Okay, so now you need to tell me where we’re going…”

“Well, seeing as though you’re only in town for a limited time, I was thinking it would be a shame if you didn’t get to see more of it.”

It touched me that he wanted to show me around. But it wasn’t the town I wanted to see more of. It washim. “So…come on. Tell me where we’re going.”

He flashed me a smile. “The fair.”

My mouth dropped open. “Like a carnival?”

“Yep. Except ours is legendary and probably better than your average carnival.”

“Oh my God.” I clapped. “Are you serious? I’m so happy right now.”

“Just a warning…” He smirked.

“What’s that?”

“I’m pretty much a master at the ring toss—and all the other games, for that matter. So prepare yourself for defeat.”

“As long as I get to keep the giant stuffed animal you win, we’re good.”

“Not sure you’ll be able to take that back to the City, but I plan to win you one anyway.”