AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“But I’m touching you.” My hand reaches out, caresses his cheek before sliding behind his neck. And even though I said I wouldn’t make a move, I can’t help but pull him toward me for a kiss.
Coen comes easily, and the moment our lips touch, he takes control. His arms wrap around me and he pulls me close, rumbling low in his chest as the kiss deepens.
He doesn’t let me go until the wheel moves again, lowering us back down to earth. Our eyes lock, and for a moment, I think he might say something, but instead he merely presses his lips to my forehead.
When we’re off the ride, Erica asks, “Rides or games?”
“Games,” Xander says, then looks right at Ann Marie. “I’m going to win the biggest stuffed teddy bear on the midway.”
Judging by the smile she gives him, Ann Marie looks like she’s just fallen head over heels.
“Bet I can win the biggest,” Hank exclaims. “I’m an expert on knocking milk cans over with a baseball.”
“My hero,” Erica exclaims.
“I’m a professional athlete,” Coen says, and all heads turn his way. It’s the first time he’s openly mentioned his hockey career. It doesn’t go unnoticed—at least by me—that he uses the present tense. “There’s no doubt I’ll win the biggest stuffed bear.”
“Oh, it’s on,” Xander says.
Hank points his finger, swinging it between Xander and Coen. “You two are going down.”
We spend the next half hour bouncing from game to game, but I’m the one Coen hands a ginormous purple stuffed bear to when all is said and done. The thing is as big as I am, and Coen immediately has to take it back. “I’ll carry it for you.”
We play a few more games and then hit the funnel cakes. Coen and I share one while the teddy bear sits on top of a picnic table. I can’t help but be a little envious as I watch Hank kiss powdered sugar off the corner of Erica’s mouth, or the way Xander hasn’t let go of Ann Marie’s hand all night. They’re officially a couple now.
But still, Coen won me a teddy bear and kissed me on the Ferris wheel. It’s a far cry from him threatening to have me arrested.
We say our goodbyes to everyone right there. Erica and Hank are heading back to the games. He’s not ready to give up trying to win a bigger bear, and while Coen doesn’t give him shit about it, he looks smug. And Xander and Ann Marie want to hit the Ferris wheel again.
As we near the midway exit—Coen with the big bear slung under one arm—I realize this was probably as perfect an evening as I could’ve had with someone like Coen. I know there’s more to come, as Coen will stay at my house once again tonight, but I think he enjoyed being out in a casual environment with laid-back people.
Just as we’re about to step through the gates leading into the parking lot, a group of women step into our path. I wish I could say I was surprised to see it’s Cici leading the pack, but I’m not. She’s giggling, as are the others, and I’m guessing they’re drunk. They’re all dressed in tiny shorts, midriff-baring T-shirts or halter tops, and full-blown makeup and styled hair. I doubt one of them has been on a ride, and I’m sure funnel cake would mess up their bony hips.
God, I’m petty, and I hate myself for it, because that’s my insecurity talking. Funny how I was never really insecure around their presence and taunts until I had Coen’s notice.
They don’t look at me but instead focus on him. “Hey,” Cici says, her voice a bit slurred but obviously trying for a sexy purr. “We were wondering if you wanted to come back to my house. I’m throwing a party tonight, and everyone will be there.”
Does she not understand the world doesn’t revolve around her? Doesn’t she get that Coen isn’t interested because twice so far he’s called out her and her friends for being bullies?
“A party, huh?” he asks. His voice is pleasant and… interested?
My head whips toward him. Have I misjudged everything? Is a party with pretty, drunk girls a better prospect than sex with me tonight?
My heart sinks, and I fear our expiration date is upon us.
“It will be a wild time,” she murmurs seductively, and I feel like I’m going to vomit.
When Cici steps in closer to him, Coen gives her an appreciative look, starting at her head and going down to her toes before focusing on her face.
“Cici.” Coen leans toward her, voice rumbling in a way that would make any woman shiver, and her eyes turn hot in response. “If you were the last woman on earth, there’s still no way in hell I could ever tolerate being around you.”
Oh, damn. That was brutal.
I even feel slightly bad for her.
Okay, no, I don’t.
It takes a moment for it to register that she’s been insulted, her eyes narrowing. She opens her mouth to say something, but my attention is diverted when Coen reaches out and drapes his arm around my shoulders. He escorts me past the women just as Cici screeches in outrage.
