Chapter Twenty-Six

Ferris Wheel

Mandee

Grayson positions me in front of him, his arms wrapped around me, holding me close to him, so close I can feel him pressed against me. I arch my back, and he groans in my ear, “Don’t.”

I look up as we continue walking. “You started it.”

His jaw clenches as he glances down at me. “We have an agreement, him and I.”

“Is that so?”

“He wasn’t invited to this date. Not until later.”

“Why?” I ask as he slows down, and I turn to watch where he’s taking us.

“Wanted you to know this has nothing to do with my dick.”

“I like your dick,” I tell him.

“Woman, are you trying to get fucked right here, right now?” he hisses.

I don’t answer. I just laugh.

Standing in line at yet another food booth, I lean back against him, and he rests his chin on the top of my head.

Once we get to the order counter, I look up at the sign. “Popcorn?”

“Not just popcorn. Johnson’s popcorn.” He winks, and I arch my back again.

His eyes widen in surprise.

“What? I know what a Johnson is.”

His head falls back on a laugh, and then he looks at the guy at the counter. “A gallon of your Salty-n-Sandy please.”

“In the can?” he asks.

Gray’s chest rises with a silent chuckle. “It’s our first date, so yeah, I’m thinking the can may be a bit much.”

I elbow him, and he looks down.

“It’s a great souvenir,” the guy says, holding up the can.

“No doubt it would make this even more”—he laughs—“member-able.”

Oh, my God, I think when the guy at the counter doesn’t seem to get the innuendo.

“What do you say, beautiful, you want it in the can?”

I turn around and bury my head in Gray’s chest so the poor guy doesn’t see me laugh.

“Mandee, babe, do you want the memory of taking it in the can on the first date or no?”

I bite his chest and, as luck would have it, I catch his barbell in my teeth and give it a good tug.

“Yeah, she wants it in the can,” he says.

“Coming right up.”

He looks down at me, and I look up. “I won’t force the issue, not tonight.”

My mouth opens in surprise, and he mimics me.

“If, and I mean if, that happens, you will be a heck of a lot gentler than you are with, you know.”

He leans down and whispers in my ear, “Your pussy?”

I feel my face flush and warmth pooling.

He closes his eyes and whispers what sounds like a prayer, “Stars and clouds.”

“Here you go. That’ll be twenty-nine ninety-five.”

Gray opens his eyes then leans down and kisses me chastely, causing me to smile...everywhere, before he hands him some cash. “Thanks, man.”

I start to move, but he stops me.

“You invited him. Now your can is gonna be his shield.”

Laughing, I turn around to find him holding the tin can while wrapping his other arm around me, making me feel loved and adored.

I see the Ferris wheel and get excited for a much different reason, because he’s smiling like a little boy.

“You excited?”

He nods. “Hoping you’re afraid of heights, too.”

“Why’s that?”

“Sit closer, of course.” He smiles.

“How many girls have you gotten to sit closer on here?”

“One, and she’s one hell of a woman.”

The way he’s teasing me makes me laugh.

He wrinkles his nose up. “Mags.”

“I know,” I tell him.

“Not even a little jealous?” he asks, eyes squinting a little.

“We don’t make each other jealous,” I tell him, and he nods once. “I mean, unless you want me to do that, too.”

Walking up the ramp, he leans in and says one word. “No.”

He hands the attendant our tickets, and then we get on. Sitting close, one of his arms is around my shoulders, the other holding mine, I lean my head against his shoulder and look up at him. He closes his eyes and lets out a slow, deep breath.

“You scare the hell out of me. Terrify, actually.” He opens his eyes and gives me a small smile. “I know this feeling.” He holds my hand to his chest. “I know it, and I’ve never known it before, not in this way.”

He closes his eyes tightly and shakes his head. “So afraid I’m not gonna be everything you deserve, everything I want to be with you. But more afraid to miss the opportunity to be with the girl I know I love than not to be with her at all. I love you.” He smiles then rolls his eyes. “I love you, and I promise you I will never be like him. I swear to you, I will be all those things your mom told you. And I am promising without even knowing what the hell it all entails.”

He laughs again. “I was a hundred percent sure this would make me uncomfortable. I’m happy to tell you it doesn’t, not one bit. I should shut the hell up and let you say it back, because I know you want to, but I can’t. I just want to make you every promise I can, to make sure you know that you’re it for me. You have been, before I even knew who you were, and I know I am for you, too. I don’t give a damn what anyone says about us. I’ll shut them down, Mandee. Cut them off at the knees. I will—”

“And I’ll do the same. You aren’t alone in this.”

“But you don’t have to pretend anymore. I will make damn sure you’re happy.”

“Neither do you,” I tell him.

His eyes narrow, and he stiffens a bit.

“Gray, I love you.”

He smiles, his head falls back, and he raises his fist in the air in victory. It’s so endearing. It’s also telling that the discussion about what I overheard the night of the wedding, and what I witnessed earlier, is not one we will have. Not tonight.

He’s never lied to me. He’s never given me false hope. He’s tried to do what he felt was right by me, for me, when we both knew immediately that there was something deeper between us.

He’s fought and won a battle. He’s decided to be happy. I will be his biggest champion in that win and all those to come.

He made me a promise, and he hasn’t broken it. Thinking back, he really hasn’t broken any. More importantly, he’s made me another promise I know he won’t break. The most important is that he loves me, and I love him. Love doesn’t die, I think of my mom’s words and lean in even closer.

We are at the top of the Ferris wheel now, looking out over the ocean, two lovers, two people who love each other, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else with anyone else but him.

“Mandee,” he says, looking down at me.

“Gray,” I say his name back.

“I’m gonna love you forever.”

“Promise?”

He nods. “Yeah.”

§

Leaving the pier with s’mores crepes and caramel corn in hand, we walk to his bike. He straps the items on the back then puts a helmet on me, fastens it, pushes my hair out of my face, and looks at me in that way.

He wants me.

I bite my lip to stop the stupid smile that comes with feeling stupidly happy, truly happy, for what may be the first time in my life.

He lets out a frustrated breath. “Gotta get you home,” he says, strapping his helmet on. “You have to work tomorrow?”

“Just until five. New schedule.” I grin.

He nods. “Gonna have to find a job myself.”

“ ’Cause you’re broke?”

He smirks and shakes his head. “I’m not broke.”

“But Gage said—”

“I’m not broke, Mandee, and we’re on a date. Table it, okay?”

I nod.

“Gotta get a job because I’ve finally landed.” He swings his long, thick, strong leg over his bike. “Let’s get you back.”

“You’ll stay with me.”

“I will.” He nods as I get on.

I wrap my arms around him and squeeze. “I wasn’t asking. I was telling.”

To that, he laughs out loud and starts up the bike.

I lean in and hold him tighter.