Jared (The Protectors #2)(35)

“Holding someone?” Tessa squeezed his hand as the ride operator motioned them forward.

Helping her up onto the seat he sat down and wrapped his arm around her pulling her close. “It would be like we were one.”

Grinning, Tessa liked the sound of that. “Well, I hope so because if I die on this thing I’m coming back to haunt you.”

Jared laughed loudly before his eyes zeroed in on her. “You are a treat honey.”

She didn’t want her heart broken again, but sometimes you had to throw caution to the wind and say the hell with it and take the chance. Turning away embarrassed, she looked out over the fairgrounds spread out around them. The lights twinkled in different colors making everything look magical and romantic. “It’s beautiful up here.”

“Yeah, beautiful.” Jared replied staring at her.

Tessa turned to look at him, her blush blooming across her cheeks. Suddenly the Ferris Wheel took off again with a jerk. Grabbing hold of Jared she practically jumped on his lap. Her stomach was tingling, but she wasn’t really sure if it was from the ride or the vampire holding her tightly in his arms. Adam and Nicole had both looked back at them a few times waving, but Tessa just smiled not comfortable letting go of Jared.

The ride started slowing down and it was their turn to stop at the top. Gripping the bar tightly Tessa looked over. Everyone went on with their fun while they were stopped at the top of the Ferris Wheel. The wind kicked up making their basket sway, sending Tessa right back into Jared’s arms.

“I won’t let you fall Tessa.” Jared whispered into her hair.

“You’re going to make it hard for me to stay away from you.” Tessa pulled back looking into his eyes. He had honest eyes….beautiful eyes.

“That’s the plan.” He chuckled.

“We hardly know each other.” Tessa replied not even realizing they were moving again.

“Oh, but that’s the fun part Red.” Jared leaned closer taking a deep breath. “I hate to see you afraid of a relationship with not just me, but with anyone because of Oat.”

Tessa snorted at his nickname for Otis. “Yeah, I need to get over that.”

“Definitely.” Jared replied, playing with a strand of her hair his eyes still staring into hers. “You ever been kissed at the top of a Ferris Wheel?”

Her mouth suddenly dry, she licked her lips shaking her head. “No.” she whispered.

Jared’s hand slipped behind her head cradling it in his large hand. “Good.” His mouth slammed down on hers. “Umm, you taste like cotton candy.” He whispered into her mouth before diving deeper.

Tessa was lost…she knew it…accepted it and the really scary part was she really liked it. She was so lost in the kiss it took her a second to realize he was pushing her away and another second to realize why. Screams reached her kiss fogged brain. Grabbing the rail she looked over to see people running and screaming in all different directions.

“Stay here!” Jared leaped out of the basket grabbing the rail beside them.

“What do you mean stay here?” Tessa felt panic set in. “Where in the hell am I going to go?”

“Fuck!” Jared cursed looking from the panicked crowd below to her.

“Go!” Tessa demanded. She knew he was torn. “I’ll be fine. Go!” Damon dropped down to another rail scaring the crap out of Tessa.

“I called in reinforcements.” Damon shouted and with that both men jumped into the crowd below.

“Tessa!” Nicole yelled down at her. “I’m coming down.”

“Oh my God!” Tessa turned to watch Nicole, not as bravely as the warriors, make her way down to her basket.

Climbing in, Nicole took a deep breath. “Even though I know I won’t splatter that scared the hell out of me.”

“What is going on?” Tessa looked over the edge trying to find Jared, but there was so much panic she couldn’t see him anywhere.

“Half-breeds.” Nicole also looked over the railing.

Nicole and Tessa both screamed as they watched Adam, Jill and Steve jump past them to the ground. “No!” Tessa screamed the protest, but it was too late. They were lost in the maze of screaming masses.

“Oh shit.” Nicole’s head popped up. “We got a problem.”

Tessa looked over to where Nicole was looking and gasped. A large half-breed was jumping from basket to rail making his way up, two more followed. Tessa looked around for a weapon, but there was nothing. Toeing off her shoes, she grabbed one, reared back and let it loose as hard as she could, hitting the closest half-breed in the head.

“Good shot!” Nicole took her shoes off doing the same thing, but her throwing had a lot more power behind it almost knocking him off balance.

He stopped, looking up at them with a loud growl. His eyes landed on Tessa and he grinned. “There!” He pointed right at her as the others looked up moving faster.

“Dammit!” Nicole stood up making the basket rock dangerously. “Come on!” She started to climb out of the basket.

Tessa grabbed the back of the basket and the railing to steady herself as she stood. “You might not splatter, but I will.” She followed the way Nicole had gone, but she couldn’t reach the rail.

“Come on Tessa!” Nicole looked past Tessa and the look in her eyes told her she was about out of time.