Where in the hell is it? I dump the contents of my makeup bag next to the sink, spewing out almost every piece of makeup I own. Picking up tube after tube, I can’t find the peach-colored gloss anywhere.
“Mil, have you seen my Perfect Peach gloss?” I yell from the bathroom.
Hearing her giggle in the distance, I’m almost certain she knows exactly where it is. “Yep, it’s in my handbag.” Knew it.
Stalking out to the living area, I snatch Millie’s bag from the coffee table. Digging through all her crap, I finally locate my gloss.
“You’ve got some explaining to do, woman.” Walking toward her, I point the tube of gloss at her accusingly as she holds Rose against her shoulder.
A wicked laugh escapes her. “What’s yours is mine, and what’s mine … is mine.” She hides behind Rose as if she thinks she’s safe, which she may very well be … for now. But payback’s a bitch.
After painting my lips in my favorite gloss, I begin to put on my worn-out brown boots when a knock sounds on the door. Hopping on one leg, I attempt to pull my boot on and bounce to the door at the same time. Millie sees my struggle and waltzes past me straight for the door. Opening it wide, Millie steps back for Seb to cross the threshold and grin at Rose. Typical, she steals everyone’s attention. “Gimme,” he says to Millie with his arms stretched out wide.
She pushes his hands away. “Nuh-uh. The last thing you need on that tight shirt of yours is baby puke. She’s been purging like the exorcist all afternoon.”
Finally getting my boot on, I stand and give Seb a once-over. I bite my lower lip as my eyes rake over him from head to toe; he pushes his glasses further up his nose and widens his eyes. With muscles bunched tight under his white V-neck shirt, his body sculpted to perfection, I’m able to see every ripple of his torso. Tight black jeans that hug him in all the right places have me practically salivating, but paired with Timberland boots? My hand raises to my chin to check for drool.
I point down to said boots as I tilt my head toward my shoulder. “Looks like we’re matching tonight.” I laugh nervously as I step toward him.
Grabbing my waist, he pulls me close to lay a kiss on my forehead, murmuring into my hair, “Does it look like I’m wearing a dress?” He chuckles under his breath as he lets me go. I grab the bottom of my black and white spotted sundress and molest him with my eyes yet again.
“Would you guys stop eye fucking each other and get outta here? You’ve got a baby here that doesn’t need to see that kinda stuff.” Millie snickers from behind me.
Seb and I both laugh at Millie trying to get rid of us. Moving to Rose, I give her a quick kiss on the cheek; Seb follows and kisses the same cheek. “Okay, whatever. Make sure you put Rose to bed on time and—”
Millie cuts me off. “I’ve got it. God, you’d think this was the first time I’ve ever looked after my girl. Go, get out of here.”
And with that, I wave at Millie and Rose, grab my purse, coat, Seb’s arm, and then practically drag him out the door.
Seb hits the key fob just as we reach his truck then opens my door but doesn’t allow me to climb in. Standing in front of me, he swings his arm around my waist and pulls me to him, his gaze filled with heat. Surveying the brown depths of his eyes carefully through his glasses, my heart rate accelerates in my chest, but I remain silent.
“We’re not going anywhere until you lay one on me,” he says with a mischievous grin, tapping his index finger to his cheek.
Giggling like a fool, I stand on my toes and lean toward him. “I’ll do you one better,” I whisper. Leaning in further, I brush my lips lightly against his as he wraps his hands around the back of my neck, tilting my head into the perfect position to crush his lips against mine. Parting my lips with his tongue, he glides in and over my teeth, pushing past the barrier to tangle with mine. The kiss is slow and deliberate yet filled with an urgency that renders my mind empty.
Seb pulls back first, breathing heavy. “Shit, if we don’t stop, we won’t be going anywhere. Which isn’t exactly part of the plan for tonight.”
Heat creeps across my cheeks as I bite my lip. “You started it. Now, get outta my way, so I can get in.” I place my hands on his hard chest and push slightly; he throws his arms up in surrender and steps back from me. I notice he adjusts his jeans on the way around to the driver’s side door.
Riding in silence is torture as tension and excitement drift through every available inch of air in his cab. Feeling bad for the way I left him, I reach across to place my hand on his thigh, careful not to get too close to his groin. Gently laying his hand on top of mine, he intertwines our fingers as we continue in silence for a while longer.
When I can’t handle it any longer, I ask, “So are you going to tell me where we’re going or what?”
Continuing to watch the road, he squeezes my hand. “Nope, it’s a surprise. Just a few more minutes and we’ll be there.” Squeezing my hand a little tighter and releasing it, he changes gears as we pass through a narrow street.
“You’re killing me here.” I hate surprises. The only good surprise was waiting to find out what sex my baby was, probably because I had control of that particular one. We navigate our way down a few more narrow streets on the outskirts of Ivy Falls; the streets and alleys are bustling with people, families and couples alike. Spotting someone pulling out of a car space on the small street, Seb pulls in and parks the truck.
“We’re here.” He turns to me and grins with clear excitement. I look around the street in confusion trying to figure out where the hell here is exactly. I scratch my head, not getting it. I know he doesn’t live here.
“Uhh, I hate to break it to you, but I’m not really following …” I trail off, laughing nervously. Seb jumps out of the truck, nabbing both of our coats as he goes. Grabbing my bag, I attempt to open my door, but it won’t budge. Preparing myself to climb across the bench seat, the sound of my door opening has me pausing. Tilting my head back, I see Seb standing there with the door held wide and a shit-eating grin on his face. “What the hell?”
“Child lock.”
“Do I look like a damn child? I was about to climb across the seat to get out.” I huff in amusement.
“As much as that would have been a pretty sight, I was trying to be chivalrous. I kinda just wanted to open your door.” He scratches at his neck. “Mom did teach me manners, y’know?” He laughs.
Laughing at his sly antics, I hop out of the car and plant a kiss on his dimple. “Gosh, you’re cute.” I grin up at him from ear to ear.
He frowns, probably at being called cute, but then closes the door behind me. He holds out my coat, so I turn and slip my arms inside the soft sleeves, thanking him as he shoves his own on. After stuffing his keys into his pocket, his hand reaches for mine, and our fingers automatically link together.
Walking along the sidewalk down the small street, I’m finding it hard to believe so many people are out and about at this time of night. I’m also still wondering where the hell we’re going. Rounding the corner, I take in the sight before me, and my jaw drops as my eyes widen with surprise.
“The freakin’ carnival?” I squeal, remembering all the times my grandparents brought me to the spring carnival as a kid. I would go home so full of junk with several show bags in tow after trying to distract my grandparents from making me go on the rides. They’d tease me mercilessly until I caved and went on the tea cups or bumper cars.
Seb wraps his arms around my shoulders, leaning in to plant a kiss on the side of my head. “Yeah. That okay?” he asks.
“Yes! I love the carnival. The last time I was here, I was a teenager.” My excitement diminishes quickly. “But you do know I’m afraid of heights, right?” I bring my hand to my mouth, biting my nails as a pool of nerves ripples through my stomach.
“Millie kinda left that fact out. All good, what’s the point of anything without a little fear?” He laughs it off as if a fear of heights is something I’m just going to get over. I give him the stink eye as we continue walking, his arm still firmly wrapped around my shoulder.
Slowing his steps to match mine, a content smile takes up residence on his handsome face. To think I’m the reason for his happiness at this moment has my heart swelling to almost double its size in my chest. The need to remind myself that I deserve this, nags at me. And I do deserve to feel happy, but most of all, after everything this man has been through with me, so does he.
The spring carnival backs onto the town’s namesake, and with the recent rain, the waterfalls are flowing rapidly. Surrounded by stunning wildflowers and greenery, the picturesque views are only this vibrant two to three times a year. For one of those times to be now, it feels right for Seb to be by my side as we marvel at the beauty together.
He removes his arm from my shoulders and takes my hand once again, holding it close between us as we move toward the gates of the carnival. A plump, balding man in the ticket booth hands over our tickets. “Enjoy,” is all he grumbles before returning to watch something on his tablet. I look at Seb and bite my lips to hold back a smirk.
“Where to first, milady?” he says as he rolls out his hand and motions for me to lead the way.
“The clowns.”
“Huh? You’re not serious, right?”
“Deadly; they used to be my favorite part of this as a kid.” I grab his hand and head toward to them, dragging him along behind me.
Seb pays the game operator as we get set up in front of one of the clowns, a pinging sound rings out as the balls drop into the tray. Picking up the first ball, I shove it into the mouth of the clown at what I think is the perfect moment. Damn it, crappy slot, only one point. I repeat the motions as I finish my game and win with a grand total of ten. I’ve always sucked at this, but it was one of my favorite games to play while I tried to distract my grandparents. Seb laughs at my ridiculous score and rubs my shoulders from behind as if to soothe my damaged ego. The operator asks if I want a candy bar or a slappy hand. I choose the candy bar, of course.
“Where to next?” Seb asks as I turn around in his arms.
“You choose. Clearly, I kind of make sucky choices anyway.” I laugh it off, shaking my head.
He grins. “Ferris wheel? You okay with that?”
I immediately stiffen in his arms. I just told him earlier that I hate heights … “Liv, I promise you’ll be safe with me. All in?”
“Fold.” I croak. I can’t. Nope, not happening.
“Come on; it’s not like we’re going on that.” He turns me to point out some super drop slide. My stomach drops just looking at it.
“Oh, okay, fine,” I grumble
He chuckles. “You’ll be all right; you’ll see.”
My stomach summersaults. “I swear to God, Seb, if I end up in hospital after having a heart attack, I’ll deprive you of anything and everything you were hoping to get from me in future. I mean it—not so much as even holding my fucking hand. We clear?” I can’t believe I’m actually agreeing to this. This is bullshit.
His lips curl into a smile as he moves back beside me and links our arms together. “Noted. Come on, then. We have a Ferris wheel to ride.”
He tugs me along, hesitation slowing my steps as we near the bottom of the ride. There’s no line when we get there, so the operator guides us up the stairs and into the awaiting cage that’s seen better days. Lovely. Climbing in, I sit on the right-hand side as Seb sits directly next to me, his jean-clad leg sidled up to mine. As the operator locks the door, I squeeze my eyes shut, effectively blocking out the sight of us leaving the ground. I’m so tense I feel like I could crack in half. I’m sure if my grandparents could see me, they’d be laughing and cheering their asses off.
Seb’s arm wraps tightly around my shoulders, tugging me right up against his side, lightly beckoning my head to rest on his shoulder.
“Open your eyes. You don’t want to miss the view, trust me. I’ve got you,” he whispers into my hair. Hesitating for a moment, I reluctantly pry them open and instantly have to fight the urge to snap them closed again. But I don’t because this is something he wanted me to see, and I really don’t think I’ll like the feeling of letting this man down in any way.
I raise my head from his shoulder and turn to look into his eyes
“Thank you.” I let my gaze roam over toward the falls and can’t help but smile. It’s truly breathtaking; the sound of the falls is clearly audible over the various sounds of the carnival. Despite the sound and my racing heart, it’s peaceful up here, and I feel safer than I ever have by his side.
The Ferris wheel has stopped us right up at the top. I take a deep breath and exhale slowly.
“It’s really beautiful up here.” I tilt my head to take in Seb’s reaction. Only to find his gaze already pinned directly on me. I let out a shaky breath while he stares deep into my green eyes before leaning in to brush his lips against mine.
“I know, but it’s not nearly as beautiful as you are.” He leans in further and deepens the kiss, his tongue coaxing mine. Threading my fingers into his hair, I tilt my head sideways, allowing him to gain the access he needs. He places his hand on my knee, slowly traveling up to rest it under the hemline of my dress. I bite his lip lightly, and he groans into my mouth. My heart rate elevates at the possibility of being seen, but Seb doesn’t let up. I halt his traveling hand by placing mine on top of it as he nears the seam of my panties, causing his eyes to flash open as he looks around, clearly just remembering where we are. He grins, nudging my nose purposely with his as he slides his hand back down to my knee. Giving my lips one last peck, he pulls away.
“Sorry, one small taste of you, and I can’t get enough. You’re fucking intoxicating.”
A few hours later, we pull up outside the front of my house in Seb’s truck after traveling in deafening silence almost the whole way home. I think he’s been trying to keep himself under control. I know what he needs; I’m not a complete idiot, and he’s a guy. But he says he wants to wait until I’m ready, so I guess I need to respect that by not pushing him too far. Little does he know just how ready I’m starting feel, though.
“Thanks for tonight and for winning this monstrosity for me.” I lift the ugliest stuffed toy dog with droopy ears I have ever seen that he won on a strength tester for me.
“No, thank you, Liv.” He grabs my hand and rests his head back against the seat as he watches me. “Facing one of your greatest fears with me is something I won’t forget … But know that you have nothing to fear with me. Not a damn thing.”
Speechless, I take off my seat belt and lean over to kiss him, but he stops me with a raised hand. “Hold up, or we might not get out of this cab for a while. Let me walk you in.”
I smirk; he’s probably not wrong in thinking that, so I wait for him to round the truck and open my door.
I take his hand and jump down, swinging the door closed behind me as he leads me up my porch steps. I twist the doorknob to discover it’s not locked. That’s weird. We live in a fairly safe town, but Millie is home alone with Rose, and it’s getting pretty late.
I discover the reason when the door swings fully open, and we move inside. Beau has Millie on my kitchen counter, one hand up her shirt from behind and the other roughly holding her head to his as they make out like it’s their last day on Earth.
“Well, shit,” Seb whispers as he stops beside me. I just nod, biting my lips to hold in the shocked laughter that’s bubbling up my throat. They finally realize they aren’t alone when Seb backs up and purposely shuts the door loud enough for them to hear. They pull apart and look around frantically. Beau notices us first then Millie jumps off the counter like there are ants in her pants, her eyes widening in horror as they land on us.
I grin. “No, please. Don’t mind us. Carry on.” I wave my hand around.
Beau chuckles while Millie simply glares as she’s righting her shirt.
“Get your eyes checked because you’re seeing things.”
We all laugh. Her face only gets redder by the second.