Page 23 of Fairground (Whitewood Creek Farm #3)

“You can’t say stuff like that, Cash,” I whisper.?

“Why not?”

“Because… I don’t know. I just told you about all of my insecurities and then you say that. It doesn’t feel genuine. It feels like you're just trying to make me feel better because I was spiraling.”

He huffs, leaning closer. “Fuck if it’s not genuine—I mean it. Was planning on saying it before you started saying all that shit that isn’t true about yourself.”

“Well, we’re rivals,” I counter, folding my arms just enough to put a little space between our chests and my heart.

His thumb strokes my chin again as he continues to hold my face tenderly in his big, worn palms. “That the only reason you don't want me saying how I really feel, Rae?”

“No… I just… I don’t know.”

“Hm. Is it because you don’t think I’m handsome?”

“God, Cash, I’m not going to tell you you’re handsome. You’re already full of it and you know how good you look because this whole town is constantly telling you that.”

He smirks—that maddening, self-assured grin that flips something low in my stomach.

It’s not cocky, not exactly. It’s just… knowing.

Like he’s well aware of the effect he has on me.

On everyone. That easy charm, the warm brown eyes, the drawl that sounds like honey and whiskey.

I’m sure that smile’s been the beginning of a whole lot of bad decisions for the women in this town.

Or maybe they were good ones. I’d bet money it’s how most of them ended up in his bed.

“Why do I get the feeling you’re refusing to believe me?”

“Because… I don’t know.”I exhale, shaking my head, trying to find the words.“It’s not that I think I’m hideous or anything. I know I’m pretty. But I also know there are parts of me that just… aren’t.”

“You’re wrong,”he says, voice steady and certain.“Every part of you is beautiful.”

“I don’t need you to tell me that.”

“I know you don’t.”

“Okay…”

He chuckles and drops my face then rests his big palms behind him on the cool earth.

“Rae, I’m not a shy guy. You know that. And I’m not going to sit here and watch you get in your head all night because you had a bite of pie, so here it is.

” He scoots in closer, fully facing me now.

His long legs squeeze tighter until they circle my entire body in some sort of trap.

I don’t even realize I’ve turned to face him too until I look down at how he’s sitting like he’s trying to keep me from escaping.

“Really?”

He smirks. “Look, I can’t sit cross legged—doesn’t work for my thighs.”

I snort, rolling my eyes. “You sure you didn’t want to say it’s because your big cock would be in the way?”

He winks. “I was going to say that, but I thought it’d ruin the nice moment that we’re having.”

I let out a snort as he shoots me a wink. “You’ll find out some day.”

“I think not.”

His grin widens. “Look, that first day I saw you at the bar, I was drawn to you.”

“Hm.” I try to play it cool, but my heartbeat picks up a bit at that.

He nods like he’s reading my mind. “You looked like a little emo Kylo Ren. ”

I snort again, and his eyes widen in triumph.

“See? When you say dumb shit like that, I can’t help but snort. Also, that actor's hot.”

“Please, let me finish, Kylo,” he says teasing.

I roll my eyes, and his grin deepens.

“I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid eyes on,” he continues, his tone softer now.

“Those green eyes drew me in and no, I don’t put drinks on the house for everyone.

I was curious about you, but I could tell that your defenses were up, so I was hoping by introducing you to Lydia, you’d loosen up a little and give me a chance.

Do I want to win this mayor race? Hell yeah, I do.

And I fully intend on taking the title.”

I take a sip of my water and shake my head. “Okay, but you’re still going to lose.”

He grins, slow and sure. “Maybe. But win or lose, I want you during it. I want to get to know you more. Fuck I want to kiss you. Badly. I’ve wanted to since the first night that we met.”

“There are only two more weeks until the state fair. You can’t… wait?” I ask, feeling a little breathless from his confession.

He shakes his head slowly, his gaze locked on mine. “I can’t. But if you want me to, I will. Just… I need a taste of you tonight. Something. Please.”

“Okay,” I whisper, the words slipping out much too eagerly. Because I'm full on the meal he made me and because Cash makes me feel... safe.

His hands move to take my drink, setting it down on the grassy knoll beside us.

The creek bubbles gently in the background, the only sound between us as his hands brush my hair away from my shoulder gently.

His fingers fall to my neck, cradling it gently as he leans in, our faces so close, gazes locked.

My eyes stay on his until his lips meet mine in what can only be described as a full-body kiss.

My mouth parts, welcoming his tongue as it sweeps against my bottom lip, teasing, then tangling with mine.

His kiss is soft and unhurried, and I can feel how much he’s holding back in the tension of his chest where my hands have rested.

A part of me wishes he wouldn’t, even as alarm bells clang in my head.

Cash fucks them and leaves them. That’s what I’ve been told.

And maybe that’s all I need right now. A quick release before focusing on the race.

It’d be a scandal for the town if anyone found out, and knowing them, probably one that they’d eat up with a spoon.

But none of that stops me from letting his free hand slide around my waist, lifting me easily until somehow, I'm straddling him on his lap.

I can feel him beneath me—his hard erection is impossible to ignore, and I rock my hips into it just to drive us both wilder. He pulls back just enough to take one of my hands from his chest and place it over the straining denim.

“You feel that?” His voice is low and rough, the words sparking heat in my core. “That’s what just your mouth does to me. Now imagine what the rest of you could do.”

And fuck me, why is that so hot?

“You’re… huge,” I say, unable to stop myself. And he is—so big I can’t tell where he starts or ends. The way his jeans are stretched to their limits says everything I need to know about what’s underneath there.

He smirks, cocky and devastating. “That I am. Though I don’t think we should go there tonight.”

“Well… good,” I say, though my voice is shaky. “Didn’t want you anyway.”

He throws his head back, laughing before his eyes turn more serious. “What will you let me do then?”

“I think a kiss is enough,” I murmur, but my hips are betraying me, rocking forward instinctively as if being controlled by someone else.

The thin barrier of my joggers and thong does nothing to dull the friction, and I’m already wound too tight.

If I can just get a little more pressure, a little more traction, I think I could come right here on his lap.

Cash leans back on his elbows, watching me squirm with a grin that only makes me hotter.

“Why can’t I stop?” I ask, my voice catching as my body moves on its own.

“Don’t, then. Take what you want from me, baby. Get your orgasm. I’m good. I like the view.”

I grind against the hard ridge of him, the denim adding just enough pressure to drive me insane.

My body buzzes, every nerve alight as I chase the edge.

Why does he have to be so freaking attractive?

It's not just his outward appearance; it's the inside too.

His confidence, his kindness, his humor.

He's everything I feel like I can't be. So completely in control and aware of who he is.

A person who makes everyone around them feel comfortable and happy just with their presence.

His hand moves toward my chest, hesitant but eyes full of hunger. “May I?”

I nod, unable to form words. I need more—everything.

He lifts my tank top over my head, baring my chest to the cool night air. Normally, I’d feel self-conscious about my stomach, but the high waist of my joggers hides just enough to not overly think it. And the way Cash zeros in on my full, bouncing breasts with open appreciation fuels my confidence.

“Damn,” he murmurs as he rubs his jaw, his voice thick with need. “Can I touch them?”

“Yes. Do it,” I hiss, desperate to come.

Both of his hands cover me, warm and firm, and when he squeezes and groans, I feel him grow even harder beneath me. “You’ve got some soft-ass tits, Rae. Heavy, too. Think I’d like to come on them. Would you let me?”

“I think so?” I manage, my voice shaky.

He raises a brow. “You’ve never had someone come on your tits before?”

I shake my head, grinding harder against him, chasing the release that’s building inside me.

“That’s a damn shame,” he mutters, leaning up to push down the cups of my bra and free my nipples. “Fuck,” he curses then lowers his face and takes a nipple into his mouth.

His teeth graze it, and I cry out, the sharp sensation pushing me closer to my orgasm.

He switches to the other breast, biting and sucking before taking his fingers and circling my nipples.

I've never enjoyed nipple play much but there's something about the way Cash does it, and the night that we've had together that sends me flying over the edge into one of the most unexpected orgasms of my life.

My body jerks, my hips stuttering against him as pleasure consumes me. “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I groan, trembling as the waves crash over me.

When I open my eyes, Cash is leaning back on his elbows, watching me with heavy eyes. His gaze is heated, full of desire, and I feel exposed in a way I never have before. Vulnerable. Seen. Cared for.

He’s still hard as stone underneath me, and I don’t know what to do. Should I offer to take care of him? It feels like we crossed a line we shouldn’t have, and now I’m caught in the aftermath, awkward and uncertain.

His hand brushes a lock of hair behind my ear, his smile softening. Then he leans forward and presses a kiss to my forehead—gentle, not demanding.

“Let’s get you back to your car,” he says, his voice calm as he lifts me off his lap then shifts to stand.

I nod, still completely in shock, my body buzzing from a dry hump session that got completely carried away.

I tug my tank top back on as he holds out his hand, helping me to my feet.

We walk like that, a bit in shock, completely silent and I wonder the whole way what he’s thinking.

If he regrets doing that with me or if I should be more embarrassed.

"Are you okay?" he asks gently as he fires up the engine of the cart.

I nod, staring straight ahead because what the hell just happened? "Yeah, I think I'm just in shock."

He chuckles but doesn’t say anything more.

The drive back to the main house is silent and when we reach it, he opens my car door silently. No kiss on the lips goodbye. No have a good night, I’ll see you soon . Just a simple kiss on the forehead and a warning behind his hazel eyes.

I just wish I knew what he was warning me about.