Walking toward his bunk, he plucks a plain black T-shirt off the mattress. I watch the way his back muscles ripple and roll as he pulls it over his head. The level of attraction I feel toward him is not normal. At least, for me it’s not. I’ve been dying to be touched how he touched me last week. I felt his need for me. You can’t fake that sort of thing. He was on fire for me, and now…now there’s not an ember left among the ashes. Is it because I’m a semi-permanent fixture now? Or is it simply because fucking a girl with daddy issues is less appealing?
Part of me questions my choice to come here. In my mind, Sebastian was this larger-than-life, mysterious creature who turned my world upside down once a year. I romanticized him, even when I condemned him for something he didn’t do. Reality rarely lives up to the fantasies I’ve dreamt up in my mind.
“You ready, or did you want to stare at me some more first?” Sebastian’s words jerk me from my thoughts. I scowl at him, but he only smirks in response.
I stand and make my way for the door and out the trailer, not waiting to see if he’ll follow. He’s by my side before I’ve made it more than a few steps, hands stuffed in the front pockets of his black jeans.
“Shit.” I stop short once I realize the fairgrounds are noticeably empty.
“What’s the problem?”
“The rides will be closed.” The asshole probably planned it that way.
“Only for customers.”
Right. “How silly of me to think the rules would apply to Sexy Sebastian.”
“Hate that fucking name,” he mutters. We walk in silence through the littered fairgrounds, past the trash cans that overflow with onion rings and napkins and aluminum beer bottles. I’d hate to be the one in charge of cleaning this up.
When we approach the entrance, Sebastian makes eye contact with the guy operating it, then points up to the wheel. The guy nods, giving him a thumbs-up. Sebastian pushes the gate open, motioning for me to go first.
“Such a gentleman,” I tease.
“Never that.”
I scoot into the silver cart, the metal seat warm against my exposed thighs. Sebastian slides in next to me, pulling the lap bar up to rest over our legs.
“That’s it?” I ask, my eyes wide as dinner plates. “That’s what’s going to protect me from plummeting to my death?” I try to push the bar lower so it’s tighter on my legs, but Sebastian’s a lot bigger than I am, and it’s already pressing into the tops of his thighs. His laugh is a low rumble at my expense. “This thing doesn’t feel very sturdy.”
“Ride safety is the one thing you don’t have to worry about. The ride jocks are too afraid of Jessup to fuck up.”
The wheel jerks into motion and slowly, we’re lifted from the ground. I white-knuckle the bar over our laps, suddenly feeling a whole lot more nervous than I thought I’d be. My stomach rolls as we get higher and higher, and I can’t bring myself to open my eyes. If I see how high we are, I might puke on Sebastian McAllister for the second time in my life.
“Relax, Evan,” Sebastian murmurs.
I inhale deeply through my nose as the cart rocks—I wish it’d stop doing that—my palms sweating as I grip the rail.
“Any news on your dad?” he asks. I’m momentarily thrown off guard before I realize that he’s trying to distract me.
“I don’t want to talk about him right now,” I snap. Or ever.
“Open your eyes.”
“I can’t.”
“Open your eyes,” he says again, this time sounding closer.
“What are you doing?” I ask, sensing his warmth closing in on me.
“Open. Your. Eyes.” This time, his lips brush against my ear as he says the words, causing goosebumps to prick my skin. I shiver, dropping my head forward as I bite down on my lip to keep them from doing something stupid like asking him to kiss me.
I suck in a breath when I feel his tongue against my neck, followed by the scraping of his teeth. I squeeze my thighs together, feeling that familiar sensation building. A noise slips free from the back of my throat, and Sebastian presses his lips deeper, sucking on the sensitive, thin skin. Eyes still closed, I bend my neck in invitation. A bead of sweat slides down the back of my neck, and my pulse flutters in my ears. Nerves are all but forgotten, and in their place is crippling lust.
I don’t know what caused the sudden shift, but I don’t question it. Sebastian’s mouth is finally on me again, and that’s all I can focus on. Suddenly, his hand moves to grip my jaw, angling me where he wants me as he continues his ministrations, reducing me to nothing more than a boneless pile of need. When I’m completely breathless, he pulls away.
“Open your eyes.”
I do.