Chase stepped onto the ferris wheel after Penny, grabbing the bars as it shook slightly. “You sure this is safe?” he asked uncertainly. “This thing looks pretty old.”

“That’s what gives it its charm,” she said with a cheeky smile. “Come on, you big baby. It’s romantic.”

She wanted romance, huh? That could be arranged.

“So,” Penny said once the ferris wheel started to slowly creep up. She seemed hesitant.

“What’s up?” he asked, concerned.

“You know,” she said tentatively, “you don’t need to impress me with money or anything.”

“I don’t remember any woman not liking money,” he said with shrug.

“It’s not that I don’t like it,” she said. “It’s just…I’m here for you, not the money. Just to be clear.”

Interesting. Usually when he went out with a woman, he would charm her with extravagance and glamour. What did this girl want, then?

“It’s okay to have a little fun with the money you’ve got,” he reasoned. “I like spending it on my interests.” One of them being her.

“I get it, but, I don’t know—Chase, you can’t possibly be this flashy all the time, and just so…rich.”

“So, you don’t like it?” Chase asked, his eyebrows raised. What would it take to impress her, then? This woman was really making him work for it, but he just had to find out.

Penny sighed. “You can just be yourself. Don’t try so hard, you know?”

“Okay, fine,” Chase said, words tumbling out of his mouth as he finally lost his cool exterior. “I’m only trying so hard because I usually don’t have to. But you make me want to—need to—impress you, and I don’t even know why!” He paused. “Fuck, I obviously know why. I really like you, Penny. I mean it. I find myself wanting to spend more and more time with you.”

“Oh,” Penny breathed quietly, clearly not expecting such truthful words. She gave him a small smile and laced their fingers together. “I like you too, Chase.”

Chase let out a long breath and relaxed, kissing her hair and leaning back in the seat. “I’m glad. I really hope you’re having a good time, even though you’re here with a complete carnival newbie.”

Penny laughed, but suddenly, she couldn’t make eye contact with him.

“What’s wrong?” Chase asked. His stomach dropped. Did she find another flaw in him already?

“Well,” Penny said uneasily. She sighed and looked at him with fierce eyes. “I honestly hope you don’t think that I didn’t see you shamelessly staring at that girl’s boobs when we were in line. I know you’re a guy and that’s all guys see, but really?”

Chase frowned, thinking back. What girl? He didn’t even remember looking at any girl’s breasts. Well, he did do it a lot, so maybe it was just an automatic reaction now. He was ready to apologize when he figured it out and burst out laughing.

“What?” she asked, annoyed.

“You mean the girl with that huge stuffed owl?” he asked through his laughter. “That’s who you’re talking about?”

Penny paused, clearly in thought. “She did have a prize with her, yeah, that’s the one.”

Chase gave her a pointed look. “Actually, I was looking at her owl with envy. I was thinking that I’d win you a bigger one than hers. And I did, as tacky as it is.”

Penny’s eyes widened. “Oh,” she mouthed silently in surprise and embarrassment. “Oh, my God, I’m so sorry. I feel so stupid.”

Chase laughed again, squeezing her hand. “No worries. I’m used to unwarranted accusations.”

Penny hit his arm playfully. “I’m sorry! This is now my favorite doll,” she told him, hugging the Tweety Bird plush with one arm. “I love it.”

“Yeah, you better!” he said jokingly. “It almost cost me the possibility of a next date! Speaking of, there will be a next date, right? You sort of have to now that you falsely accused me of eye-fucking a girl’s breasts.”

“We haven’t even finished our first one yet!” Penny said with a laugh.

“I know,” Chase said, “but I’m already looking forward to the next.”

Penny blushed, and instead of answering, she said fondly, “You’re a lot different than I expected, Chase Ellis.”

“What do you mean?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.

“You’re just so likable,” she said. “I’m comfortable with you. You’re less suave than you make yourself out to be.”

“And I should take that as a compliment, I presume?” he said dryly.

Penny giggled. “Yes, definitely! It’s a good thing. I wasn’t sure back at the club when we first met, but I’m glad I got to know you like this. Just us two.”

Chase squeezed her hand again. “Me too.” He smiled down at her, and before he knew it, he was kissing her, his hand caressing her cheek.

Penny melted into him, so close that she was almost on his lap. She moaned softly as he slipped his tongue in her mouth. God, she felt so fucking good. He trailed kisses down her neck, turned on beyond belief by her small gasps, before capturing her lips once more.

“Fuck,” he muttered as they felt a jolt and Penny let out a small squeak. The carriage had slowed to a stop and the ride was over all too soon.

They pulled back, breathing heavily with flushed faces and identical smiles. Knowing they were done playing games, they decided to head back. The drive back to her place was quiet but strangely familiar, and as he silently followed her up to her apartment where he would ravage her all night, he had just one thought.

He was definitely going to get that second date.