The Fine Print (Dreamland Billionaires #1)(52)

My heart doesn’t stop racing until the coaster cart comes to a halt right outside the unloading station.

I turn to face Rowan, wondering what he thought of the ride. “What did you think?”

“I think you popped my eardrums.” His eyes are stuck on me, darkening as he licks his bottom lip. His hand reaches out and brushes my crazy waves down.

My once steady heart picks up its pace again, pounding harder in my chest than a minute earlier. “I could ride this over and over again and never get sick of it.”

He lifts a brow. “Over and over again?”

“Yes! Doesn’t it make you feel alive?”

Our cart pulls into the undocking station. Rowan makes some fancy hand-twirling motion, and our safety harnesses remain locked in place.

“Umm. What’s happening?” The passengers all step off the cart, but we remain seated. Rowan does another hand signal, and the cart takes off again, empty except for us.

“Why are we doing this again?” I speak louder over the cranking gears.

He looks over at me, his face flat. “You said you wanted to do it again.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t exactly expect us to.”

“Well, here we are.”

The cart moves forward, cranking up the volcano again.

“Why are you really spending so much time with me? Don’t you have other things to do and people to torment?”

He offers a noncommittal shrug. “Maybe I enjoy hearing your screams.”

“Freak.”

I’m surprised Rowan doesn’t send me straight into cardiac arrest when he winks. My heart thuds in my chest, and my skin tingles in response.





26





Rowan





I’m not sure what the hell I was planning on doing once I found Zahra in the park but joining her on this bizarre day was the last idea on my mind. Yet here I am, a helpless bystander, desperate to be a part of her orbit in any way I can.

Today, I was more than willing to wait in a few long lines with Zahra because she said I needed to experience how the rest of the world lives. I’ve thrown off my entire diet by eating through half of Dreamland with her. I even agreed to walk through the House of Presidents, also known as Dreamland’s most boring fucking attraction, all because Zahra wanted to.

Everything I do today is for Zahra’s sweet smiles and soft laughs. She has the magnetism of the Bermuda Triangle, and I’m a lost plane desperate to land.

With the sun fading away, our day is slowly coming to an end. The idea of going back to my office fills me with dread.

“Hurry up!” Zahra yells at me. She takes off toward the German-inspired Christmas village set up in a corner of the park for the holiday season. Dreamland takes advantage of Christmas enthusiasts as soon as Halloween ends. It might only be the first day of November, but the park doesn’t miss an opportunity to profit off the holiday spirit.

With massive Christmas trees surrounding the plaza, it’s as if guests are transported to a different country.

“Come on!” She checks the time on her phone. “We’re going to miss it if we don’t pick up the pace.” She leads us toward the town square. I swipe two cups of hot chocolate from one of the stations and pass one to Zahra.

She smiles down at the tiny marshmallows swimming at the top of the cup. “How’d you know I like hot chocolate?”

“Because everyone likes hot chocolate.”

“I shouldn’t. We’ve basically eaten everything they sell at Dreamland.”

“If you complain about your weight, I’ll gouge my eyes out with this spoon.” My eyes trail down her body, taking in the way her clothes cling to her in the best kind of way. She’s got curves I’d love to memorize with the tip of my tongue and the brush of my lips. Blood relocates itself to my dick at the mental image of Zahra in my bed, covered by nothing but a silk sheet.

Her cheeks flush as she catches me staring. “My ex used to call me fat.”

My jaw clenches to the point of pain. This is the first time Zahra’s mentioned anything about her ex to me, and I wish I hadn’t heard anything about him. “I take it that’s why he’s an ex.”

“No. Sadly not. Although, I should’ve taken it as a sign.”

“That he was losing his vision?”

She lets out a sad excuse for a laugh, and I realize I never want to hear that version of her laugh again. A weird feeling claws up my chest to make her feel better.

“Seriously, what kind of idiot complains about a woman having curves? Off the record, your body is hot as fuck.”

Her cheeks turn into two red splotches. “Please pretend I didn’t say anything.”

“Why?”

“Because we shouldn’t be having this conversation. You’re my boss,” she whispers the words as if someone can hear us.

My molars press together. “I’m not technically your boss.”

“My contract begs to differ.”

“You report to Jenny, who then reports to me.”

“Well, you’re my boss’s boss, which means I should definitely not bring up my ex to you. So be a gentleman and shut up. Kay, thanks!”

I chuckle under my breath as I lean over and talk into her ear. “Gentle is the last thing I want to be around you.”