Heath (Wild Boys After Dark, #2)(44)

By the time it was their turn, she was gripping his hand so tightly that he was sure she’d leave fingerprints.

“Are you sure you’re okay to do this?” he asked.

She nodded enthusiastically, her eyes wide. “Definitely.”

He helped her into her swing and kissed her before claiming the swing beside her.

“I wish we could hold hands while we rode these,” she said.

“We’ll make up for it later.”

As the ride lifted them above the crowd, Ally clung tightly to the red protective sheathing on the metal chains attached to the chair. Heath watched her muscles flex as she tightened her grip, and when the ride picked up speed and her swing arced out and angled slightly sideways, she closed her eyes and tilted her chin up toward the sky. She released the chains and held her arms out to her sides, as if reaching for brass rings, and tipped her head back. Heath couldn’t remember ever having witnessed such unencumbered joy. Her hair waved behind her like a thick mane, and when the ride slowed, she looked over at him with rosy cheeks.

When they touched down, she kicked her feet excitedly.

“That was amazing!”

He helped her from her seat, and she jumped into his arms and kissed him as other passengers weaved around them toward the exit. He drank in her exhilaration. He’d forgotten what it felt like to do something like that for the first time, and he realized that what she felt over the ride, he felt being with her.

They laughed and talked as they made their way deeper into the park. Two children scampered by with cotton candy, and Ally’s eyes lit up.

“I want that sugary goodness.” She pulled Heath toward a cotton candy vendor, and he couldn’t help but laugh.

“I haven’t had this since I was a kid.” Heath ordered a cotton candy and paid while Ally pulled a hunk off.

“Me, either. But I’d eat it for breakfast if I knew how to make it.” She put the pink fluff into her mouth and closed her eyes. “Mm. This is better than sex.”

“What?” Heath plucked off a hunk and put it in his mouth. “Mm. That’s really good, but I’m not sure it’s better than sex.”

“Oh, come on,” Ally teased as she pulled off another hunk and shoved it into his mouth. “Tell me that’s not orgasmic.”

He tugged her against him and took her in a sloppy, sugary kiss. The cotton candy melted in their mouths, and they both came away laughing.

“Maybe if I were eating it off of you…” He arched a brow and licked a sticky speck of pink from the corner of her mouth.

“Dr. Wild, what are you suggesting?” She narrowed her eyes and gave him a limp-wristed wave.

“Exactly what you think I am.” He kissed her again and realized a woman and her young boys were watching them. He draped his arm around Ally, and they walked toward the rides, chuckling and kissing.

The scents of hot dogs and fried foods hung in the air as the afternoon wore on, and the blue sky darkened with the setting sun. They’d ridden the bumper cars, the Ferris wheel, and the roller coaster and had spent hours exploring the park and people watching. They were heading for the beach to stroll along the shore when Heath was drawn in by the lights and sounds of the arcades.

“Don’t waste your money,” Ally said. “No one ever wins these things.”

“Didn’t you see all those people carrying stuffed animals? Of course you can win, and I happen to be a master at this stuff. Pick a prize and I’ll win it for you.” Heath nodded toward the bank of arcades. He’d spent so many hours playing these games with his brothers that he’d learned all the tricks of the trade. Like how he had to toss the basketball high and dead center or it would bounce off the rim, and when playing the squirt gun target game, one movement away from center would cost him the match.

Ally crossed her arms and surveyed the prizes at the water gun shooting game.

“I have a better idea. How about if you win the stuffed cat so Fifi has a friend?” he suggested.

“Me? I can’t win anything. You do it. I’ll watch.”

Heath shook his head. “There’s nothing you can’t do if you try.” He took out his wallet and paid for Ally’s turn. “It’s easy. All you have to do is aim and shoot. As you hit the target with your stream of water, the monkey climbs the tree. The first one up wins.”

Two teenagers were egging each other on beside them as they paid and got ready to play.

Heath moved behind Ally and put the gun in her hand.

“I’m seriously going to suck. You might as well have thrown your money into the ocean.” Ally held up the gun and looked nervously at the teens, who had gone silent and serious, standing with their legs shoulder width apart, arms outstretched, reaching forward, and clasping their guns.

Heath pressed his cheek to Ally’s from behind. “The key is to find the right spot on the target, then not to move. Don’t look at them and don’t get distracted by noises. Look, aim, fire.”

Ally shrugged. “Okay, but I’m telling you…”

The guy behind the counter sounded a buzzer that counted down 3, 2, 1, then buzzed again.

Ally held down the trigger. Heath held her wobbly arms steady as the hard stream of water pelted the target.

“We’re doing it!” she hollered, then looked over at the teens and tilted the gun, missing the target for a split second, which cost them the round. “Aw! Let’s do it again. I can do better.”