Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 58408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
For a second, I can’t breathe. He’s that close, the world crowded by broad shoulders and the furious intensity in his eyes. His grip tightens on my wrist, but his palm is warm, grounding. I don’t know who moves first, but his hand is on my cheek, thumb pressing just hard enough to leave a mark, and he wipes a streak of dirt from my face. For a heartbeat, I think he might actually kiss me.
I can’t breathe.
Instead, he hauls me up with one jerk and mutters, “Try not to embarrass us any more than you already have.”
My face burns so hot I wonder if I’m going to combust. I can hear the guys hollering from the table, and judging by Knox’s face, he is about to lose his shit. I ignore them, dusting off my thighs and untying the rope. Knox stands a little too close, not looking at me.
“There,” I huff. “We played along. Now can I get blackout drunk in peace?”
“Don’t be dramatic,” Knox growls.
“Oh fuck you,” I snap.
I stalk off to get more drinks. Mera catches up to me, her face split with a wicked grin. “So, that was intense. I thought he was going to take you right there in front of everyone.”
I huff. “Take me to the devil.”
“Oh, honey, you should have seen the way he looked at you. Man is desperate to get into those panties.”
I shoot her a glare.
“I need more alcohol to get through this day.”
“And it has only just begun!” Mera claps.
Fucking fantastic.
I’M BUZZING.
The sun has just set and the entire mood at the fair has changed. Now, there is country music playing, and people are laughing and the rides are all lit up. Couples dance in a makeshift dance floor surrounded by hay bales and little fairy lights.
I’m warm and fuzzy, and having the time of my life.
The hot dog I ate was so good, I am already thinking about another, and spending time with the club is more fun than I could have ever anticipated. Everyone is drunk except poor Sable, but she is having an amazing time.
It’s...well...incredible.
Mera, Nia, and Sable are hell-bent on riding every ride before the place shuts down, but I’m more interested in trying not to think about Knox. I can’t help it. I keep looking over, but he’s too busy lighting a cigarette and pretending that the air he’s exhaling isn’t as toxic as his attitude.
Dick.
Eventually, Knox disappears. He’s just...gone, and something inside me deflates. I lean back against the fence, far too drunk for my own good. The music behind me is catchy and way too cute, and the twinkle lights make everybody’s faces look kind of blurry and golden. A few people are even slow-dancing, and I can’t help but envy them.
Sable waves to me from the ferris wheel that she has dragged Kael on for the fifth time. Nia and Lily both call my name, begging me to join them one more time. With an exhale, I do. I can’t say no to a cute little girl with a smile like that. Lily is adorable and there are far worse things than riding that rickety old thing again.
The ferris wheel is run by an old man with a beard like a rope. He winks at us, locks the safety bar, and on the third loop, stops us at the very top. The wind is surprisingly cold up here, but the view is kind of magic. The fair, from above, looks like a blanket someone spilled Christmas lights onto.
Nia pulls a mini bottle of tequila from her cleavage, passes it to me, and I drink. “You having fun or what?” she asks.
I think about it for a second. “Yeah, I actually am,” I say, and it’s not even a lie.
She nods. “Thought so. You don’t suck at having fun as much as you think you do.”
“That a compliment?”
Nia flashes a smile. “Take it or leave it,” and then they both lean out and start screaming at the world below.
I sneak another sip of tequila. From here, I can see the dance floor, sawdust, hay bales, loops of light strung overhead, and a bunch of people who definitely do not dance for a living. I can also see Knox, leaning against a fence post, talking to Wolfe. His head tilts, and I swear to god, he looks right at me. My heart does the thing where it basically jumps out of my chest and runs away to join the circus.
We’re let down. Nia gives me a hug and Lily hands me a giant pink marshmallow. Then, they go running to the next ride and I stand there, alone once more. But then he comes into my vision, Knox. He walks towards me, two drinks in his hand, looking less pissed than he was earlier.