Page 51 of Hard Rock Heat

"Yeah, I'm awesome at it." Damon pushed a fistful of bills into the bored girl's hands and picked up a fishing pole. "And it's not ducks, it'spumpkins."

"This isn't a game of skill," I told him. "You fish for the toy and you win whatever prize it says on thebottom."

"I've got good luck," was all hesaid.

I hid a laugh behind my hand as Damon put his full attention into the game. He used the fishing pole to hover the hook over each duck, one at a time, trying to decide which one held the best prize. His eyes were narrowed inconcentration.

"You're ridiculous," I toldhim.

"You say that now," he said, not taking his eyes off the game. "Just wait until I win you that enormous stuffed unicorn upthere."

Looking up, I saw a number of stuffed animal prizes hanging from the booth's ceiling. There was indeed a sparkly rainbow-colored unicorn the size of my entirebody.

"Yes!" Damon cheered. I turned back to find him holding a pumpkin in his hand, his arm raisedtriumphantly.

"Congratulations on winning, what prize do you want?" the bored girl asked in a monotonevoice.

"The unicorn." Damon pointedupward.

"Wait," I protested. "What am I going to do withthat?"

But the girl had already taken down the stuffed toy. Damon took it from her and held it out tome.

I shook my head but took it in my arms and hugged it to my body. It was squishy. "I told you you're ridiculous,right?"

"You did," he agreed. "I have to say, I like it a lot better than you calling me anasshole."

"The night is young," I said. "There's still time." I looked toward the closest concession stand. "I kind of want to know what flavor that black popcornis."

"I bet it's black cherry," he said. "I've seen these gourmet popcorns before. They coat them with colored syrup, just like they do withcaramel."

"Ugh." I fake a shudder. "I hate the fake cherry flavor. I hope it's blacklicorice."

"You like black licorice?" It was Damon's turn to blanch. "You're a monster. No one likes black licorice. No, it's definitelycherry."

"Want to make a wager on it?" Iasked.

"What does the winner get?" He leaned in close, ducking his head until his nose almost touched mine. "Something sexy I hope," he murmured in a lowvoice.

My stomach muscles clenched at his words. The heat in his gleaming green eyes make my toes curl in my sneakers. Damon's eyes were trained on my lips. I wet them nervously. That heat in his eyes flared. It clouded my judgment. It made medaring.

"How about the winner gets a kiss?" I suggestedplayfully.

"We're both winners with that prize," henoted.

"Then the loser has to pay," Iadded.

"Soundsfair."

He took my hand again and lead me to the nearest popcorn seller. My heart thumped in my chest, my mind still fogged over. Damon approached the popcornstand.

"Hey sweetheart, can you help me out?" Damon asked the girl behind the counter with a winning smile. "We've got a bet going on over the flavor of that black popcorn. Loser pays. Could you give us each a kernel totry?"

The girl stammered, blushing and ducking her head. Damon's Rock Star Sex God effect. She scooped a couple pieces into a napkin and handed them to him. Damon put a few in myhand.

"Both at the same time?" hesuggested.

We brought the popcorn to our mouths and munched on thekernels.