Page 27 of Fairground (Whitewood Creek Farm #3)

Rae makes me wait.

And maybe I deserve that. With this woman, it’s always a game of waiting. She makes me wait, I make her wait—it’s all part of the push and pull. The rivalry. The tension. We’re rivals for a reason, I suppose. That constant clash of will they, won’t they.

But I’ve known all along.

They will .

And they're about to .

The storm clouds have settled low over the fairgrounds, the kind that darkens the world even though it’s only mid-afternoon making you forget what time it is.

The sun’s completely swallowed up, and a misty cloud of moisture lingers in the air.

Not quite rain, but damp enough to stick to your skin.

And now I’m wondering just how wet my girl might be.

She’s walking toward me, her hips swaying just enough to make me clench my molars together so that I don't lose focus of what’s about to happen.

Her gaze locks on mine as she crosses the fairground, headed straight to where I’m leaning against the entrance to the Ferris wheel, right next to the slides.

See, I had this plan. From the first time we got roped into co-chairing this state fair together, I knew I’d take her on the Ferris wheel.

It’s the perfect cliché—the rom-com moment where the guy finally kisses the girl at the top, suspended over the world.

Think like The Notebook, with Noah jumping into the spinning cart to prove a point to Allie.

That he’s crazy for her and doesn’t want her with anyone else.

A movie I had to watch one too many times because Regan insisted she'd marry a guy like Noah one day and I needed to find out who the loser was that would be my future brother-in-law.

But Rae? She’d sniff that out a mile away.

Too obvious. Too predictable if I told her this was where we were headed.

So, I picked the attraction next to it—the slides.

Because who the hell has ever tried making out on a slide?

It’s impractical. Improbable. Impossible, maybe.

But if there’s anyone that I wouldn’t mind trying it with, it’s her.

“Hey,” she says when she reaches me, her tone a little guarded and her green eyes skittish. “What are we doing here?”

I grin, wide and wolfish, because that’s exactly how I feel.

Feral for her. Hungry in a way that makes every cell in my body alive with need.

Every muscle in my body aches with how much I want her—to spread her legs wide and have her coming on my tongue.

To show her that she's more than enough to me.

She's everything. I need to taste her. Tonight.

“We’re going for a ride.”

“On the slides?” she asks, raising a brow.

I shake my head, leaning casually, though nothing about me feels casual right now.

Her eyes dart to the Ferris wheel that's behind me and then they widen like she realizes what I’ve set up.

I'm usually the calm and collected one, not losing my head over a woman but here I am, headless and lost in her.

“Everyone’s gone,” she says, her voice hitching just slightly. “How are you going to operate this thing?”

I hop over the chain fence and grip the lever, and give it a firm yank.

The machinery hums to life, the wheel creaking slightly as it begins to move.

I’ve planned this. Checked and double-checked to make sure this ride didn’t fail inspection.

Hell, I even called in a favor to get it green-lit for tonight. Rae doesn’t know that, though.

Hopping back over the fence, I close the space between us. She looks up at me, eyes wide, just a touch of fear mixed with curiosity now.

“Trust me,” I murmur. And for once, she doesn’t argue or try to fight me on this.

“Of course you’d know how to operate a Ferris wheel. Dammit, is there anything you don’t know how to do?”

I smirk, unable to resist. “Nope. Don’t think so. Now come on. Let’s get on this thing before it picks up speed.”

I place my hand on the small of her back, guiding her towards one of the carts as it swings low. Without giving her a chance to argue, I push the gate open and practically usher her inside while the wheel keeps moving.

“How are we even going to get off? Cash, you’re insane!” she yells, gripping the sides of the cart as it begins to lift high into the air. The thing sways slightly, and by the time I slam the gate shut and lock it, we’re already halfway up the wheel.

“We’ll time it. Jump off fast.” My tone is casual, but her wide-eyed panic makes me grin.

“This is breaking every OSHA rule ever,” she mutters, covering her eyes with both hands as we rise higher.

I lean back, watching her for a second before reaching over to gently pry her wrists away.

“C’mon, don’t hide. I like looking at you,” I say, my voice dropping just a little. “Those pretty green eyes are my favorite.”

She exhales a shaky laugh, staring at me like she’s still trying to figure me out. “Why are you doing this?” This time, her question comes out softer, almost a whisper.

“Because” I say, holding her gaze, “I needed some alone time with you.”

She arches a brow. “We couldn’t do this in a tent? Maybe under some kind of cover? Look at the sky. It’s about to rain.”

I shake my head. “Nope. Had to be here. In the air. Where you can’t run.”

Her lips twitch like she’s holding back a smile, but she shakes her head again to keep it away.

“How are you doing?” I ask after a beat.

Her brows furrow. “What?”

“I mean… since moving to Whitewood Creek. Running for mayor. Taking care of your sister’s kids. You know, the whole you change your entire life to do something new and move to a new city thing. ”

Her mouth drops open, and she stares at me like I’ve grown a second head. “We’re making small talk right now. In a death trap ?”

“It’s not a death trap. I made sure it passed inspection.”

She crosses her arms, her tone sharp. “How would you know that? I just signed off on the paperwork ten minutes ago.”

I smirk, leaning back lazily. “I called in a favor yesterday. Had it pre-inspected last night. Double-checked it myself to be sure it was going to pass today.”

She rolls her eyes, muttering under her breath. “Of course you did.”

“I’m nothing if not prepared. It’s a characteristic of a strong mayor.”

She snorts but is smiling now and looks a little more relaxed.

“So… how’s it going?” I press. “And don’t think I haven’t noticed. You’ve been avoiding me. Running off every time I get you alone. Like you’re not sure what to do with me since—” I lean forward, my voice dropping a bit as I smile at her— “since I sucked on your pretty tits.”

Her face turns scarlet, and she jerks back in the seat. “Don’t say that.”

“Why not? It’s true. That’s exactly what happened.

” I tilt my head, letting the memory flood back.

“Want me to remind you? I yanked off your shirt, put my mouth on those gorgeous tits of yours, and felt you fall apart while grinding all over me. You came so hard, I thought you’d break my zipper with the force of your orgasm.

Hell of a sight. Would like to replay it.

In fact," I snap my fingers together, "I wonder if Colt's security camera picked it up.”

Her cheeks burn even redder, and she sputters, “I remember what happened. I was there. I don't need a video of it.”

I grin, leaning even closer, crowding her in the tiny space. “Good. Just making sure because it'd be a shame if you didn't. It’s something I’ve been replaying in my mind for days now.” I pause; my eyes locked on hers. “So… how’s it going?”

“It’s going… fine,” she says finally, her voice steady, though her fingers fidget with the hem of her jacket. “I feel like I’m getting into the swing of things around town. Got a good routine going—waking up early with the boys, dropping them off, hitting the gym.”

I nod, keeping my eyes on hers. “Mhm, that’s good. And how are you feeling about your campaign?”

Her lips twitch into a smirk. “Should I really be discussing that with you? You are my competition.”

“Good answer.” I lean back with a satisfied grin. “That was a test.”

She rolls her eyes, but she’s still smiling.

“And how are you feeling about me?” I ask.

That catches her off guard. Her brows knit together as she blinks at me. “What do you mean?”

“I mean… I can’t figure out why you’re keeping me at a distance. We're friends, right?”

“Well, because…” She pauses, her lips parting like she’s searching for an excuse. “You’re my competition.”

“Nah,” I drawl, shaking my head slowly. “I don’t think that’s it.”

Her silence speaks volumes. She nibbles on her bottom lip, a nervous tic, one I’m starting to recognize, and that pink flush creeps up her cheeks.

“You’re attracted to me, yeah?”

“Um, I think that was apparent from the other night. I’m not going to stroke your ego by saying it again.”

“Good,” I reply smoothly, leaning forward, my voice dipping lower. “I’m not interested in you stroking that .”

Her cheeks darken, her eyes narrowing, but she doesn’t pull away.

“But let me stroke yours,” I murmur, closing the space between us.

“I’m wildly, insanely attracted to you, Rae.

I think you’re beautiful—I’ve told you that before, but I’ll keep telling you that every day because I like to.

Ever since you rode my cock through my jeans like you couldn’t get close enough…

ever since I cupped those gorgeous tits of yours while grinding against me, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about how tight your pussy would feel clenching around my fingers.

The way that it'd smell, and feel wrapped around me.”

Her sharp intake of breath is audible, her chest rising and falling as the Ferris wheel cart sways slightly in the drizzle that’s started. Her lips part like she wants to protest, but no words come out. The tension in the air is thick enough to cut, and I seize the moment.

I slide off the bench and drop to my knees in front of her, my hands bracketing her knees. Her breathing stills, and she leans back instinctively, her eyes locked on mine.

The rain has picked up, soft and steady, dampening her hair so it clings to her flushed cheeks.

It only makes her look more irresistible, more real.

And that's why I've always been attracted to her.

She has walls around her heart, but when they come down, she's the most beautiful woman I've ever met.

I rake a hand through my wet hair, pushing it back as I take her in. Enjoying the flush on her cheeks, the way her eyes can't look away as she wonders just what the hell it is that I'm going to do next...