Page 26 of Paparazzi Perfect
IF YOU FEAR THE DARK…
THIS RIDE IS NOT FOR YOU.
We hurtled through the darkness, screaming the entire way down before emerging into daylight, giggling, drenched, and buzzing with adrenaline.
The sign was right; it was pitch-black.
“Let’s go again!” Karson shouted over the screams.
I shivered as we waited in the shady line, and he wrapped an arm around me, sending a tremble down my spine.
I could almost feel those lips pressing against mine, and a sharp stab of longing hit me. As I stole a glance at his strong shoulders and tanned chest, I brushed my hand lightly across his back.
Okay, wow. This guy is stupid hot.
My gaze trailed to his muscular arms.How would it feel to be wrapped in them?
Little droplets of water beaded on his neck. His messy blond hair had turned a tawny brown now that it was wet. I suppressed an urge to smooth it back from his gorgeous face—
“Ivy?” hesaid. “You ready?”
We’d reached the front of the line. I pulled myself back into the moment, and we sat on the mats.
After hurtling down the spiral one more time, we decided it was time for lunch.
***
We argued about who was paying for the food, and despite my protests, he quickly made a contactless payment.
Before he put his phone back in the waterproof pouch, a notification came through. He checked the screen, grinned, and flashed it at me to read.
DYSON: I won’t be back tonight :) But don’t worry, I’ll be back in the morning before we need to leave.
“That’s Dyson code for he’s hooking up tonight,” he explained with a chuckle.
Good on Dyson,I thought, giggling.I kind of wish that was Karson and me tonight.
Heput his phone back in the bag.
We settled into the plastic chairs around an empty table and were munching hungrily on our fries and burgers when I saw a group of giggling girls, around our age, blatantly checking Karson out.
One of them walked over and tapped him on the shoulder. “Hey, my friend thinks you’re super-hot! Wanna come on some rides with us?” she said, as if he was sitting alone.
Karson, looking uncomfortable, politely declined, then glanced at me.
Ignoring his response, the rest of the group gathered around him and tried to change his mind.
“Hey, you look familiar, have we met somewhere before? I know your face,” said the girl who’d originally asked him on the ride.
“He does look familiar, I was thinking that too,” added the girl opposite her. “What’s your name? Maybe that will jog my memory.”
Karson shuffled from one foot to the other. “Look, thanks, but as you can see, I’m here with someone. If you can leave us to have our lunch, that’d be great, thanks.”
They didn’t budge.
“Oh, come on. One ride, then we’ll go. I promise,” said one of the others.
I slid my chair back and stood up. “Let’s go, babe. It’s time to pick the kids up from daycare—we’ll be late if we don’t hurry.”
