Page 55 of Hard Rock Heat

"Remember what I told you?" he said. "It's not about thesize."

I flushed as I remembered the rest of the words he'd said. And the tone of voice in which he said them. Deep, low in his chest,seductive.

I cleared my throat and moved on quickly, not wanting to see if Damon would continue along that subject. I didn't want to have that kind of conversation surrounded by kids and pre-teens. Carnivals were supposed to be family-friendly events, afterall.

I must have walked too quickly because I soon lost sight of Damon. The distorted mirrors were arranged in a maze. I found myself alone and trapped in a corner. No matter which way I turned, I couldn't find an exit. At first it just irked me. I was annoyed at myself for having gottenlost.

"Damon?" I called. "Where areyou?"

Damon didn't appear. The longer I stayed trapped, the more flustered I became. The more flustered I became, the more the irritation turned into something else. I was stuck and no matter how hard I looked, I couldn't find my way out. My heartbeat pounded in my throat. I hated the slight panic welling in my chest. I hated that I couldn't control myreaction.

"Damon?" I called again. "Are youthere?"

It began to feel like the walls were closing in. My breathing turned heavy and labored. I looked around, taking in all sides, but everywhere I looked I only saw my own reflection, eyes wide, facepale.

"Dammit." I squeezed my eyes closed and forced myself to take in a slow breath. Calm and steady, I told my myself. Breath in. Andout.

Strong arms wrapped around my waist. I yelp andjumped.

"Hey, it's okay," Damon said from behind me. "It's just me. I've gotyou."

I exhaled sharply. He turned me to facehim.

"Are you scared?" he asked, concerned. "Are you claustrophobic? I'm sorry, I didn't know. I shouldn't have suggested amaze."

"I'm not claustrophobic," I said, feeling slightly abashed. "Not really." I smoothed my hair down, fidgeting and trying to find a way to explain it that didn't make me sound crazy or high strung. "I couldn't find an exit. I started to get annoyed and angry. And then I got upset that I was getting angry. It was so stupid. This is a kid's maze. I shouldn't have gotten so upset. I hate…" I trailedoff.

"You hated that you freaked out, which freaked you out even more?" heguessed.

"I'm supposed to be the calm and collected one," I said. "I shouldn't have gotten so workedup."

"You don't always have to play it cool, Faith," Damonsaid.

"Yes Ido."

Damon examined me closely before pulling me to his chest. "Why don't we call it a night?" hesuggested.

I readily agreed, more than happy to go home. I still felt upset andashamed.

Damon lead me out of the fairgrounds and to the car, his arm around my shoulders. When we arrived at my building, he walked me to the door. I opened it and steppedthrough.

"I'm not inviting you in," I told him, hand still on theknob.

He quirked a knowing smile. "Not even for a cup ofcoffee?"

"I know exactly what a cup of coffee leads to," I said. "I don't have sex on the firstdate."

"We already had sex," he pointed out with a sly smile. "Twice, depending on how you definesex."

I placed a hand on his chest and leaned forward. I turned my head at the last minute and pecked him on the cheek. The look on his face as I swung the door closed wasamused.

"Does this mean you're up for more public sex?" he called through thedoor.

"GOOD NIGHT DAMON," I saidloudly.

That man was ridiculous, insane andimmature.

But he was also charming. Confident. Not to mention hot ashell.