Chapter Seven
I’ve spent the last two days alone since Wyatt had to travel back to Indianapolis for another board meeting. He’s due back late, but I gave him my key, so I don’t have to worry about hearing him knock. A small grin spreads across my face as I get ready for bed. Maybe I’ll surprise him. I have a set of skimpy lingerie that Jani got me as a gag gift last year. She thought it was hilarious because crotchless panties isn’t something I’d ever wear, and the bra is so sheer, there’s really no point in wearing it.
I quickly dress in the tiny scraps and step in front of the mirror, fully prepared to laugh at myself, but I have to admit, it flatters my lean body more than I expected. Wyatt will waste no time tearing it off of me.
Tomorrow is going to be such a big day. The carnival has to be a success if we’re going to show the town that Scarlet Toys can be a positive thing for the community. I’m sure the prudes will object to the kissing booth and the lingerie fashion show, but they aren’t the people we’re trying to convince. Shoving a lamp up their asses couldn’t get those people to lighten up. It’s the reasonable people we want to influence.
With all of these thoughts and concerns bubbling in my brain, I’m surprised I fell asleep so quickly.
A tapping sound pulls me from a dream a couple of hours later and I look up to see a shadow standing over me. I really should’ve left a light on if I wanted Wyatt to see what I’m wearing. My voice is clogged with sleep when I tell him, “Turn on the light. I have something for you.”
The switch is flipped and the room floods with light that makes me wince. My eyes adjust after a second, and pure fear floods through me. I jump to my feet and grab the heavy lamp from my night stand.
A man grins down at my barely clad body, but it isn’t Wyatt. He’s young, younger than me from the looks of it, and the expression on his face says he’s struck the lottery.
“What the fuck! Who are you? Get away from me!”
He steps back, his grin fading. “Is this part of the scenario, Jade?” He takes another step towards me, and I cock the lamp back, prepared to bust his head open with it.
It takes me a second to realize what he called me. Jade. This fucker climbed through my window just like the last two attempted to do. Jasper is still using the hook up app or running another ad, apparently.
“I’m not Jade. You have the wrong apartment and you have one second to get the fuck out of here before I call the cops!”
His face pales and he darts for the window, clambering through. I set the lamp down and grab for my phone. Fuck it. I’m calling the cops again. I’m sick of this shit. And I’m going to tell anyone who will listen what’s going on next door.
Before I can dial, my bedroom door flies open and Wyatt is standing there, glaring at me. Without a word, he stalks over and drops my house key on the table.
“Wyatt—”
He raises his palm. “Don’t fucking bother, Cassidy. I saw the dude jumping out of your window. If you wanted to see other people, all you had to do was tell me.”
My adrenaline is pumping, and I can barely hear over my own heartbeat in my ears. “You don’t understand.”
His disdainful gaze travels down my body, taking in the skimpy panties and transparent bra. “No, you don’t understand. I don’t fuck with cheaters.”
I’m stunned by his response, and that he won’t even give me a second to explain. Whipping around, he stalks out of the room, and I hear the front door slam.
What the fuck just happened? In the last five minutes, I went from being sound asleep, to being terrorized by a fucking moron, to losing my boyfriend. My phone is still in my hand, and I remember I’m supposed to be calling the police. I don’t really see much point since the guy must be long gone. I’ll contact them in the morning and see what can be done about the situation.
Flopping back on the bed, I watch the clock on my dresser flip from 3:59 to 4:00. Four in the morning, and I know there’s no way I’m getting back to sleep.
After all that talk about being together and finding a way to make it work, Wyatt just stormed out without even giving me a second to defend myself. I mean, I understand how it must’ve looked, but the way he looked at me, like I was the dirtiest piece of trash he’d ever seen, tears me open.
Part of me wants to explain, to call or text him, but I just can’t do it. Living on the circle, it’s not the first time I’ve seen that look, and it said all I needed to hear. He’ll never really see me as an equal. I’ll always be one mistake or misunderstanding away from being a lying slut.
Fine. He’ll be back in his town soon enough, and if he thinks for a moment that this means I’m giving up this job, he’s crazy. He’ll have to fire me, because I’m not quitting.
I do my best to behave so I don’t get painted with the same brush that everyone does just because I live in a poor area. I’ve never been the one screaming in the yard, or acting crazy, but all bets are off when it comes to my next door neighbor now. I’m about to go white trash on his ass.
Since I have plenty of time before I need to be at Scarlet Toys, I dig through my closet for the poster board and paint I stashed there last summer after I helped Jani make signs for a yard sale. No one is going to get the wrong window again.
On each poster, I paint a large arrow pointing toward Jasper’s side of the apartment. The messages vary.
Lying asshole here.
Jasper aka Jade two windows over.
Looking for your booty call? Next window.
I spend the next few minutes attaching the signs to my windows. Finally, I put one on Jasper’s window that reads; Not sure if you’re into P or V? Enter here and win the mystery genitals.
I’m going to contact the police and the rental office, but after what I’ve been told in the past, I doubt they’ll do much. In the meantime, this should show him I’m serious and keep people away from my windows.
My attempt to wallpaper the exterior of the apartments has at least kept me from thinking about what just happened with Wyatt, but as the anger and adrenaline wear off, those thoughts seep in.
I shouldn’t care. It started as just a fling and even though we both wanted more, we had no idea how we’d make that work. It’s better to end it now. He’ll be leaving to go run his father’s company before long and I’ll be left here drowning in crazy as usual.
I’m supposed to meet some of the other volunteers at eight, but pacing around my apartment gets old, so I go in early.
As I’m getting in the car, Neal calls out to me and jogs over. “What the hell, Cass?” he laughs, gesturing to the signs on my windows.
“He’s still doing it. I had some idiot in my bedroom in the middle of the night last night.”
“Are you shitting me?” All the humor is gone from his voice.
“Nope. I’m going to talk to the rental office on Monday. I won’t have time today.”
“You didn’t call the cops?”
“I didn’t see the point. They’ll arrest the guys who get the wrong apartment, but that doesn’t solve anything. As long as he keeps telling them to use the window, this shit isn’t going to stop.”
Neal shakes his head. “This is bullshit. I’ll talk to the office today. My address is one number off from his, and I have a daughter at home.”
I hadn’t thought of that. “I’ll file a police report too.”
Neal nods and heads home as I pull out of the drive.
It’s early, so I don’t expect Wyatt to be at the community center yet, but I’m still relieved when he isn’t. The entertainment company is setting up the rides and attractions for the kiddie carnival, so I head to the refreshment area and start setting up tables.
Wyatt shows up a couple of hours later and stops in his tracks when he sees me. Without a word, he walks past me and starts to direct some of the other workers. Okay, if that’s how he wants to deal with this.
Ignoring him, I hop in my car and head to Scarlet Toys, where the large tent has already been set up.
Jani takes one look at my thunderous expression and exclaims, “Oh no. What happened?”
“Too much shit to explain right now. Let’s just get this stuff done. What can I do?”
“I thought you were helping Wyatt at the center.”
I silently shake my head, and she nods. “Okay, well, then you can set up the table for the vibrator races. Just use the colored tape to divide the surface into two lanes.”
Despite the turmoil in my mind, a snort escapes. “Vibrator race? Where do you come up with this stuff?”
Jani shoves a hose into a large plastic tub and begins filling it with water. “Don’t you remember that video that went viral? Three friends crashed a prissy bachelorette party? One of the things they did was hold a vibrator race. It was legendary.”
“I must’ve missed that one.”
“The winner gets their choice of a free vibe or cock ring, so I’m thinking this game will be popular.”
By the time I have the table set up and taped off, Jani has the tub filled and proceeds to dump in a bunch of little plastic boobs and penises. I recognize them as party favors from our bachelor party section.
“Bobbing for dicks?” I ask.
“And titties. I don’t discriminate.” She gestures to a couple of boxes filled with prizes. Along with sex toys and porn DVDs, there are also some tamer options like gift certificates to local restaurants and the movie theater. “Each dick and boob are marked with a number. They get to pick a prize from the corresponding box.”
A truck pulls in, and Jani drops the hose. “Ooh, the baked goods are here!”
“Do I even want to know?” I giggle, following her to the truck.
It’s pretty much what I expect. Trays of cupcakes and cookies in every x-rated shape you can imagine. “Vagina cupcakes,” I remark, placing a tray of elaborately—and I have to admit—realistically portrayed vagina decorated cupcakes on the table.
“Cuntcakes,” she replies, as if I should’ve known.
Two boxes of cookies shaped like balloons are mixed in with the other items. “I hope these are balloons because if they’re meant to be testicles, they have a serious medical problem.”
Jani glances over at the box I’m holding and shakes her head. “They’re meant for the kiddie carnival. Would you mind running them over to Wyatt?”
Shit.
“Um, actually, I’d rather not. We aren’t exactly…speaking to one another.”
Jani whips around so fast she nearly loses her balance. “What? You’re fighting? Today? Tell me you’re kidding.”
“We’re not fighting.”
Jani releases a breath. “Thank fuck.”
“We broke up.”
“What?” she screeches. “We’ve been preparing for this day for two months! What the hell happened since yesterday?”
I focus on putting the cupcakes into neat little rows. “I don’t want to talk about it yet.”
Before Jani can demand answers, Noble and the rest of the guys from Frat Hell arrive. “The entertainment has arrived,” Noble announces. He flashes a devious grin at Jani. “I might need a little warm up before manning the kissing booth, though. Jani?”
Despite her near meltdown a second ago, Jani doesn’t miss a beat. “Clarence brought his Dalmatian. If you sniff her ass first, I’m sure she’ll let you kiss her.”
Noble’s friends burst out laughing, and Jani shows them where to get the kissing booth set up.
I spend the next couple of hours jumping from one project to the next, making sure everything is ready. At one point, I realize Wyatt’s car is parked behind Scarlet Toys, so I head down the street to the kiddie carnival to see how things are going.
Everything looks great. There are little rides for the kids, a petting zoo, a bounce house, an inflatable slide, and plenty of little games to win prizes. The kids are going to love it. Wyatt has recruited the new people he hired for the community center to chaperone the kids and help them with the games and refreshments. They mill around, waiting for the moment we open the carnival.
The sweet smell of fried dough and cotton candy fills the air, but my stomach clenches at the thought of food. I’ve managed to block out the thoughts of what happened last night so far by keeping myself busy, but the pain is there.
I love Wyatt. I believed in all the plans we made, believed we had a future, and now all that is gone. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, whether I’ll still be working for Scarlet Toys or what, but I do know I’ll be alone, and the thought makes my eyes fill with tears.
I knew I shouldn’t have let things get serious. I’m going to miss him so much. For now though, I have to swallow it down and get through the day. With or without Wyatt, this town is better off with the community center, and that will be supported at least in part, by Scarlet Toys.
We still need the vote to go our way.
We still need to Save the Scarlet.
* * * *
I don’t know how well attended the kiddie carnival is, but the Scarlet Toys festival is a raging success. It’s amazing how even the most serious adults cave and end up giggling like children when presented with the dirty games.
I’m supervising the Dick and Boob Bob game while Jani runs the vibrator races right across from me. Noble and Denton are in the kissing booth along with two of their female friends I don’t recognize. For a dollar, you can get a kiss, right there in public. For five dollars, you get to go into the little curtained area for three minutes. It reminds me of being twelve again and playing seven minutes in heaven in a friend’s closet.
When the crowd thins a little, I let another of the Frat Hell guys take over watching people bob for titties so I can walk around and see how the rest of it is going.
Neal sits at a table at the entrance, making sure no one under eighteen gets in, and hands out Save the Scarlet shirts to everyone who enters. A group of protesters march near the road, but no one is paying them much attention. Security keeps them far away from the patrons.
“How is everything going?” I ask Neal, taking a seat beside him.
“So far so good,” he says. “I talked to the rental office before I got here and let them know we’ll be filing police reports on Jasper.”
Shit. I still need to do that.
“What did they say?”
“Same old run around shit.”
My phone vibrates in my pocket. “Speak of the devil,” I mumble when I recognize the apartment manager’s number. I step behind the tent to answer it. Instead of the apology and promise of action I expect, the manager starts bitching about the signs I put up.
It’s the cherry on top of my shit sundae of a day and I’ve had it. My voice rises higher with every word until I’m yelling into the phone.
“Oh, you’ve got a complaint? Well, here’s my complaint. I have guys climbing through my window to fuck me because Jasper is running ads claiming to be a woman named Jade and inviting them to climb through his window. I’m sick of you dodging the problem. I ended up with a stranger standing in my bedroom at four o’clock this morning! Since you aren’t prepared to do anything, you can expect a call from the police as well as the local news station. I’m done dealing with this shit!”
I hang up the phone and turn to find myself face to face with Wyatt. “Get the fuck out of my way!” I snap, stepping around him.
His hand grips my arm. “You didn’t know the guy? He broke in?”
“Now is not the time, Wyatt!”
“Yes, it is! Tell me what happened,” he insists.
I jerk my arm from his grasp. “No, the time to ask me that was about twelve hours ago. That’s when you should have given me two fucking seconds to explain instead of assuming I was cheating. Because that’s what trashy people like me do, right? Just stay away from me.”
Noble steps around the corner, drawn by the shouting, no doubt. “Cass, you all right?”
“Fine,” I reply through gritted teeth. “Do you need something?”
“Just looking for a chick to fill in for a few minutes in the kissing booth. Dina needs a break.”
“I’ll do it.” Okay, so it’s an immature, impulsive decision made only to piss off Wyatt. But in my defense…it works.
“The fuck you will,” he exclaims, glaring at me.
“What now, Wyatt? You want to fire me? Make my day from hell complete? Then do it. But until you do, I have a festival to run.”
Without another word, I stalk off beside Noble and return to the kissing booth. It’s not that I mind kissing a few guys, it’s no big deal, but it’s not something I normally would’ve volunteered for. I’m being petty, I know, but if he wants to act like I’m some kind of cheating slut, then I’ll show him one.
I can feel Wyatt’s eyes on me when I return to the booth where Noble, Denton, and a girl named Stacey are standing behind a table. There isn’t anyone in line at the moment so we’re just standing around and talking.
“So, he still isn’t speaking to you?” Stacey asks Denton. I have no idea who they’re talking about, but I’m listening anyway.
“No, he’s so uptight.”
Noble scoffs, “Dude, you drew a face on his dick.”
“You mean he drew a dick on his face,” I giggle.
“No…I don’t.”
“Hey, I didn’t put the googly eyes on!” Denton defends.
“Only because the glue wouldn’t stick,” Noble laughs.
“Whatever.” Denton crosses his arms. “It still doesn’t excuse what he did to me.”
“I’m afraid to ask,” I remark, sitting down and propping my feet on the table.
When Denton doesn’t reply, Noble speaks up. “He switched his mother’s name in his phone with Kelly’s, his usual late night booty call.”
“It’s not funny!” Denton insists when I crack up. “I texted my mom and asked for a blow job!”
“But she thought it was me, so she said yes,” Noble quips, and Denton punches him in the shoulder.
“Fuck off!”
My chest hurts from laughing at these guys. It’s just what I needed at that moment. A girl approaches with a cute, young guy. Freckles dot his cheeks, which are already filling in pink. “Come on, Ron, if I’m doing this, so are you,” the girl laughs.
She grins at Noble. “We both want three minutes.”
Noble leans across the table, smiling at her. “Pick your person.”
The young man smiles shyly at me and nods. “Her.”
“I’ll meet you in the booth,” I tell him, smiling and retreating behind the curtain while Noble collects the money. I hear the girl choose Noble, and Denton’s grumbling just before a flash of light blinds me.
The booths are just made of blackout curtains, so I can’t see the guy, but I know he must be nervous. It’s cute and I want to set him at ease. “Am I the first girl you’ll kiss?” I whisper.
“No, but you’ll be the last,” a familiar voice replies before his lips crash onto mine.
Lust wars with anger as Wyatt’s tongue slides into my mouth like it belongs there. I want him. I hate him. I love him. I kinda want to bite his tongue off.
Finally, I pull away. “What the fuck, Wyatt?”
His hand runs through my hair, and I close my eyes, grateful he can’t see my response to his touch. “I’m sorry, Cass. I saw that guy jumping out of your window and it ripped my heart out. I should’ve given you a chance to explain, but I was so angry and hurt.” He pauses for a second before asking, “Did he hurt you?”
“No, as soon as he realized his mistake, he was terrified, as usual.”
“As usual?”
“Time’s up!” Denton calls out.
“Let’s get out of here and talk about this in the light. We’re hogging the make out booth.”
As we exit, I see the freckle faced boy follow Dina into the second booth. I guess her break is over. “Thanks for all the help, Cass!” Noble calls sarcastically as we walk away.
I flip him my middle finger, and we head over to a picnic table.
“What did you mean, as usual? This has happened before?”
Wyatt listens as I describe the situation with the neighbor. “According to the office manager and the cops, it isn’t illegal to run an ad and tell someone to climb in your window. It’s just that his apartment is connected to mine, so they keep getting the wrong window.”
“We’re moving out of there,” he states. “I’ll rent a house.”
It takes a second for me to comprehend his words. “We?” I repeat finally. It’s time to get something straight. I stare him in the eye. “We don’t live there, I do. And I’m not going anywhere else. It might not be the best neighborhood, but it’s what I can afford for now and it’s home to me.”
Wyatt grabs my hand. “We’ve practically been living together, anyway. I can rent us a place. You don’t need to pay for anything.”
I hold up my hand, cutting him off. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but no. I’m not moving in with you—or anyone—for financial reasons. If I live with someone it’ll be because we both want it, not because I need it. This isn’t a fairytale and I’m not the damsel in distress you need to rescue. I can take care of myself.”
Wyatt sighs and runs his hand through his hair. “I just want you to be safe, Cass. At least let me try to do something about the guy next door.”
“I’m handling it. Neal and I are both going to file a police report, and I’ll be going to the local news station if I have to. In the meantime, I’ll keep the windows locked.”
Wyatt shakes his head. “You’re stubborn as fuck, you know that?”
“So are you.”
His eyebrows spring up. “How do you figure?”
Maybe it’s none of my business, but I can’t help but tell him something that has been on my mind. “You keep fighting to win and take over your father’s company. But whenever you talk about him or your responsibilities there, your whole body tenses up and you get all broody. It just looks like you’re trying really hard for something that only seems to make you miserable.” His thoughtful gaze meets mine. “I hope you get everything you want, Wyatt. I just hope you enjoy it once it’s yours.”
“Are we okay now?” he asks.
He pales a bit when I pause, and I can see how much he wants the answer to be yes. “I need to know that you won’t always jump to the worst conclusion about me when something goes wrong. I may be poor, but that doesn’t make me a slut.”
His jaw drops open. “Cassidy…your income or neighborhood never entered my mind. I would’ve thought the same thing if you were living in a mansion and some asshole was climbing out of your bedroom window. I don’t care what you have or where you live. I care about who you are. I love you.” He squeezes my hand. “So tell me I haven’t lost you.”
Maybe I have been seeing this whole situation through a veil of my own insecurities. Wyatt has never treated me as less than him for not having money. But some part of me believes it makes him better. That’s my issue, not his.
“I’m not that easy to get rid of, Wyatt. I will expect a nice, long date with your tongue tonight, though.”
He gets to his feet and pulls me into his arms.
“Until you beg me to stop, or Scooby starts playing again.”
“If you don’t stop with that, I’m going to start referring to it as a Scooby snack.”
His laughter draws the attention of everyone around us. “Oh yeah, that’s going to stick.”
“No. No it isn’t. Forget I said that!”
Jani approaches us with a grin. “All made up? Great. Good. Fantastic. Because the minister from Hillside Baptist just walked in and I doubt he’s here to race vibrators or bob for dicks.”
George Hyland walks through the displays and games, taking pictures with his phone, as if we won’t recognize him. He doesn’t speak to anyone, but I see a few guilty looks tossed between the guests playing games when they realize he has seen them here.
Jani elbows me. “I’ve got this. Have your camera ready.”
Jani walks over to Noble and whispers something to him. Noble grins at her and nods, abandoning his post at the kissing booth. “Any idea what they’re about to do?” Wyatt whispers.
“Nope, but I’ll bet it’ll be memorable.”
Stepping aside, I train my phone on him and wait. The minister stands in front of the tub of plastic boobs and dicks, frowning, as Noble walks by behind him with a large glass of water. Pretending to trip, he dumps the whole thing right on his head.
“Sorry, dude, I’m a little drunk,” he slurs.
Jani rushes over with a towel. “I’m so sorry about that! Let me help you.”
George snatches the towel and dries his face as Jani grabs a vagina cupcake from a nearby tray. “Here, have a complimentary cupcake,” she insists, shoving it into his hand before he can get the towel away from his eyes.
Jani nods at me, and I take a few pictures, trying to hold back my laughter. It takes him a second to realize he’s standing in front of the Bob for Dicks and Boobs game with his wet hair plastered to his head and a vagina cupcake in his hand.
Snarling, he spikes the cupcake to the ground. “Have your fun now. This den of iniquity will be closed down soon enough. And no one will hire a bunch of harlots who sided with Satan.”
“Hey!” Jani yells after him when he storms off. “I’m only half harlot! On my mom’s side!”
She rushes over to me once he’s gone. “Text me the picture.”
“What are you going to do with it?” Wyatt asks.
“The reporter from our local paper was here earlier, taking pictures and interviewing people. She asked me to send her any interesting photos or stories that might pop up later. I’d say the minister bobbing for dicks and holding a coochie cake qualifies.”
“I thought you called them cuntcakes,” I laugh.
Shrugging, she downloads the picture I sent. “Got to clean it up for the general audience, you know.” Jani looks from me to Wyatt and back again. “Now go get dressed for the lingerie show. It starts in ten minutes.”
Wyatt glares at me, and I shake my head. “Don’t even think about going all alpha hole on me. Nothing I’m wearing is transparent.” I give him a quick kiss on the lips. “I’ll catch up with you in a bit.”
I see him and Jani chatting as I rush toward the tent. I can’t believe I let Jani talk me into this. At least the lingerie I’m wearing isn’t too skimpy. Some of the other girls are wearing thongs, and barely more than pasties covering their nipples. My black lace, baby doll nightie is almost prudish in comparison.
Jani pops around the curtain behind the makeshift runway that’s been made out of fuzzy red carpeting. Yeah, classy all the way. “Dina, you’re up first, then Cassidy, then…”
Jani drones on, listing off the order, but I’ve tuned out as my nerves have taken over. All I have to do is walk to the edge of the carpet and back, then stand over to the side while the other girls do the same. We aren’t being judged. It’s just to show off the assortment of lingerie Scarlet Toys offers. And to bring in the men, of course.
When it’s my turn, I step through the curtain to a scattering of applause and whistles, just as Dina did, and I see Jani smiling up at me from the audience. Okay, I can do this. No big deal. So what if Dina’s big boobs jiggled all the way and mine would need a six point earthquake to move at all. Totally irrelevant.
I can feel my cheeks heat while I walk to the edge and turn to walk back. The woman who is announcing talks about the clothing and the sizes available, but I barely hear her. I breathe a sigh of relief when I take my place beside Dina. Sure, they can still see me, but the focus isn’t on me anymore. It’s on…Wyatt?
Wyatt!
With a big, cheesy grin, Wyatt struts down the runway wearing a tiny blue thong that leaves very little to the imagination. My mouth falls open as I stare at his completely bared, tight ass as he walks away, but it’s nothing compared to his walk back. I don’t know how he packed himself into that thong, but his cock looks ready to spring free and attack at any moment.
I cover my mouth to try to hold in the laughter, but it’s a lost cause.
“What? You don’t like it?” he asks, flexing and making me and Dina laugh until our eyes water.
“Wyatt, what the hell?” This seems so out of character for him.
He shrugs. “Jani talked me into it. Wait until you see Noble.”
The show goes on to hoots and cheers while Wyatt and I toss Save the Scarlet T-shirts into the crowd. The announcer calls Noble’s name last and he comes out wearing leather chaps and a ball gag.
“For the more adventurous customers, we have an array of leather and latex wear, along with bondage gear,” the announcer says.
Noble nods at the audience as he makes his way to the end of the carpet, his ass hanging out the back of his chaps. He catches the announcer off guard though, by taking the microphone and removing the ball gag from between his lips. His gaze locks on Jani as he speaks.
“Have a look, ladies and gentleman, at what I had to do to get a beautiful girl to go out with me. January—the girl trying to hide—dared me and I won. So, where would you like to go on our date, babe?”
January laughs, shaking her head. “Get off the stage.”
“Yes, dear.” Noble jumps down and walks over to her and the crowd cracks up.
“He just had to top me,” Wyatt murmurs in my ear.
“Don’t worry, you have a much better ass.”
“Aw, thanks.” He glances around. “Let’s make our exit.”
We sneak back through the curtain and get dressed. “I have to get back to the center. We’re cutting the ribbon in a few minutes and I have to give a little speech. Are you coming?” he asks.
“I’ll meet you there.”
Jani is directing a group of volunteers while they break down the impromptu stage. “Hey,” I call, jogging over to her. “I’m going to head down to the kiddie carnival if you’ve got everything under control here.”
“I’m good. Noble said the guys will stay until we close.”
“You know you have that boy wrapped around your finger, right?” I tease.
“Yeah, but that’s not what he wants me wrapped around.”
I grab my jacket from one of the tables. “Are you really going on a date with him?”
“I made a deal.” She shrugs, then smiles thinking about it. “I never thought he’d actually do it.”
“He’s as crazy as you. Thanks for everything you’ve done to make this work. I’ll call you later.”
It’s clear why the crowd was thinning at the Scarlet Toys celebration. Almost everyone has made their way to the community center for the grand opening. Hope swells inside me when I see a sea of people in Save the Scarlet T-shirts. I know they’ve also been giving out stickers and signs as well. Maybe we do have a shot at this.
I’ve arrived just in time to see Wyatt walk into the roped off area just outside the front doors. He taps on a microphone and everyone recoils from the feedback, but it draws their attention.
“Hi, in case we haven’t met, I’m Wyatt, owner of Scarlet Toys.” He gives the crowd a dazzling grin that could charm the pants right off of the ladies…and some of the men. “I’m not good at speeches, so I’ll keep this short. I’ve only been a part of this small town for a few months, but I’ve grown very fond of it. Growing up in a large city, I’ve never seen people pull together the way you do, and I’m so happy that some of you have come together to support our cause, to Save the Scarlet.”
There’s a smattering of applause, along with a few grumbles.
“I know not everyone agrees, and I also understand why some of you may be a bit apprehensive, so I want to clarify a few things and maybe put a few anxieties to rest. Scarlet Toys is an adult establishment and no one under eighteen is allowed inside. None of the merchandise we sell is illegal and all of it can easily be found in similar stores around the country.
“Certain…groups have built this agenda against Scarlet Toys on the premise that allowing us to do business here would be harmful to your children. I understand that you don’t want your children exposed to adult items which may confuse or upset them. That’s why the store doesn’t have a display window or any way to view the merchandise without entering.”
He grins down at the crowd. “Scarlet Toys has nothing to do with children, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about the needs of the children in your community. And that’s what the new community center is about, meeting those needs. Giving the kids a safe place to go after school, to get help with their homework, learn new skills such as swimming and archery, or just hang out and play a game of ping pong in the rec room. All of these services will be available to every child in the county completely free of charge.”
That gets their attention, and applause lights up the night.
“So, you’re using bribery,” a voice calls out. Of course, it’s Minister Hyland.
Not ruffled for a second, Wyatt chuckles. “I suppose it looks that way. However, this isn’t the only community center I’ve built and sponsored. A simple internet search will show that this is the third center, and in case you’re wondering, neither of the other two are in a town with a Scarlet Toys store.
“My father, Adam Cavenite, instilled a sense of charity and compassion in my brother and me from the beginning, and it’s my pleasure and honor to give back to the people who have given so much to me.”
A rumble of murmurs and exclamations send a tremor through the crowd at the mention of the name Cavenite. They’re as stunned as I was to realize who is addressing them. “More than anything, I want to stay and do business in your lovely little town, but either way this turns out, I respect your right to choose what you’d like your town to be. We’re fortunate enough to live in a free country where our voices can be heard, so please, make your voice heard Tuesday and cast your vote on Proposition Four.”
The crowd applauds again, and Wyatt flashes another heart stopping smile. “Now that all that has been said, I believe it’s time to reveal the name of the center and let everyone in for a look around.” Wyatt nods to a man on a ladder, and he pulls the plastic tarp from the sign.
The West Center for Families is written across the concrete in black lettering, and before I can even realize he named it after me, I feel a soft hand on my arm.
“You’d better marry that man, honey,” Martha says, shaking her head. She gestures to a balding man bearing a soft smile beside her. “This is my husband, Herb.”
Herb shakes my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Cassidy.”
“You too, Herb,” I mumble, but my eyes are on Wyatt, who is gazing at me with a devious grin.
“Complimentary pizza and drinks are available in the game room,” Wyatt announces, and props open the door. “Please, come in and look around.”
The crowd filters inside while Wyatt finds me, still nailed in place.
“Well, how did I do?” he asks with a smirk.
“Why…you named it West.”
He slides his arm around my shoulders. “Yeah, well, I thought another Lawson House would be a bit narcissistic. West has a much better ring to it.” Leaning over, he kisses my ear and murmurs, “You’ve worked just as hard for this as I have. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“I love it.” I turn and wrap my arms around him. “And I love you.”
“And all it took was seeing your last name in three feet high letters,” he teases.
“You do know how to seduce a girl.” We walk toward the door. “They know you’re a Cavenite.”
His smile is sheepish. “Yeah, total name drop, but for a good cause. Hopefully they’ll realize having a benefactor would be good for the town.”
“If Scarlet Toys is shut down—”
“The center will stay,” he replies, anticipating my question. “It won’t be the kids’ fault if their parents vote against it.”
“I guess we’ll know in a few days.”
By the time we close the center and everyone leaves, it’s after eleven.
“The rental company will be here early in the morning to disassemble the rides and get everything. I’ve hired a local company to clean up after them.”
I glance around the dark, deserted parking lot and an idea grabs me. “So, we’re all alone?”
“Looks like it,” he replies.
“So, Mr. Lawson, in your years and years of experience, have you ever had your cock sucked in a bounce house?”
His deep laughter fills the night, and it occurs to me I could listen to it for the rest of my life. Maybe I can make it my ring tone.
I grab his hand and lead him over to the bounce house.
It’s dark, but a little moonlight bleeds through the mesh sides of the inflatable castle. Giggles fall from my lips when I step inside and promptly fall on my ass. It’s been years since I stepped in one of these and I forgot how hard it is to stay on your feet.
Wyatt flops down beside me, sending me a foot or so off the floor. Laughing, he pulls me back over beside him. “Not as easy as I remember,” he laughs.
There’s no part of this that’s going to be the slightest bit romantic, but really, who doesn’t want to have some fun sex once in a while?
“I’m sure I can manage.” He glances around again when I unfasten his pants and pull them down. Usually, by the time I get my hands on it, his cock is rock hard, but he hasn’t gotten there yet this time. I want to feel him get hard in my mouth.
I wrap my lips around the head and take the opportunity to suck all of him in for the first time. Groaning, he threads his fingers into my hair as he thickens between my lips. It’s a unique experience to say the least. Crickets sing around us and the smell of popcorn and fried dough still hang in the air while I make him squirm and pant. I love how he reacts and how fast I can make him come this way, but that isn’t what he has in mind.
“Stop, Cass. I want to come inside of you.”
“No condom,” I mumble, rolling his balls between my fingers and making him curse.
“I have one.”
The next thing I know, I’m on my back with my pants off and my panties around my ankles. Naked from the waist down, he crawls up over me. My eyes fall shut as he kisses and licks my neck, his hand traveling under my shirt and bra to rub and pinch my nipples. He knows my turn ons, that’s for sure.
Something rattles outside, and I sit up a little, glancing around. “Oh, now that it’s not just my ass on display, you’re worried, huh?” he teases.
“Yeah, because getting caught with your dick in my mouth in an inflatable pink castle wouldn’t have been humiliating at all.”
His lips return to my neck. “We’re alone. Don’t worry.”
The groan that escapes when he slides inside me could have been broadcast over the radio to the whole town and I wouldn’t give two shits. He feels so good, the whole world around me fades.
Until the squeaking starts.
Yeah, a little bit of advice if you ever want to try fucking in an inflatable bounce house. Plastic squeaks. Loud. And it also rubs your ass raw.
His eyes meet mine and we both start laughing. “We’re squeaking, not fucking,” I giggle.
“I’m going to squeak the hell out of you,” he replies, and then slams into me.
The plastic burn on my ass really starts to overpower the pleasure I’m feeling, and I know he’s getting close. “I want to ride you,” I gasp.
The squeaking fades as he rolls off of me, and I struggle to straddle his hips. I rest my hand on one of the corner bars for a second to catch my balance as I take him inside of me. Apparently, there’s some kind of button under my hand, because when I let go, music starts playing.
Loud.
As if the Scooby Doo theme song wasn’t bad enough, now we’re fucking with “It’s a Small World” blaring.
Wyatt’s body shakes with laughter beneath me, and I lie on him, pressing my face to his chest while I try to control my own. After about thirty seconds, the music stops and we get control of ourselves.
It’s hard to get any traction and there’s nothing to grab ahold of, so I hook my feet under his legs and lean forward on my hands, dragging his cock out of me and back in. The angle is perfect to hit my spot, and I realize I can come this way quickly.
There’s no more laughter as I fuck him, slow and steady. My orgasm is right there, so close I can’t stop when I feel him stiffen and find his own release. “Cass,” he calls, but it barely registers.
I hear him call my name again, but I’m so lost in my own bliss, I can’t respond. When I finally come down from the high and find my brain again, Wyatt is staring at me with a strange expression.
“Cass, um…”
It’s then I notice the flashlight, and the face peering through the mesh screen. “You kids get out here,” a voice says.
All I can see is a peek of the blue policeman’s uniform.
Shit on toast.
I scramble around, trying to find my panties, but it’s too dark. I settle for pulling my pants on. The urge to laugh almost overcomes the humiliation I’m facing when I realize every move we’re making is causing the squeaking sound again.
Wyatt stands and tries to pull on his pants, but only gets one leg in before losing his balance and falling, bouncing me into the air.
I can’t help it. I burst out laughing and the cop calls out. “Come on now, out!”
“Sorry! I’m working on it!” I reply.
Leaving Wyatt to finish dressing, I crawl out and come face to face with the same cop who helped me when the guy was at my window, and also stood guard for us at Scarlet Toys. Wyatt climbs out after me.
You wouldn’t think a guy could sound so nonchalant talking to a cop while zipping his fly, but Wyatt manages. “My apologies, officer. We didn’t realize anyone else was around.”
The cop laughs and shakes his head. “I heard the music and assumed it was a couple of teenagers trespassing. I assume this is your property?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Okay then, you all have a good night.”
Wyatt chuckles when I cover my face and groan.
“Hey, this was your idea.”
“How long was he there?”
Wyatt’s grin is devious. “Before you came.”
“Oh god, don’t tell me that. And my panties are gone. Some poor kid is going to be jumping around at a birthday party or something and find my panties.”
Throwing back his head, he laughs and pulls me over to kiss my lips. “You fucking kill me, Cass. I’ll find them.”
He crawls back into the castle and emerges a few minutes later, waving them like a trophy. When I reach to take them, he pulls his hand back and stuffs them in his pocket. “Finders Keepers.”
“Pervert.”
“Said the girl who wanted to blow me in a pink castle that plays It’s a Small World.” His grin widens. “And we would’ve gotten away with it too if it weren’t for that meddling cop.”
“I hate you.”
By the time we head back to my apartment, we’re both exhausted, but the night isn’t over.
As soon as I’m parked, I notice the moving truck out front and see Jasper carrying out boxes. He glances in our direction, then pretends he didn’t see us as he loads up his stuff. My signs have been torn down. Only the tape lines remain.
“Cass!” Samantha calls, waving from her step.
Unlocking the front door, I turn to Wyatt. “I’ll be back in a sec.”
“Does nobody over here sleep?” he mumbles.
“Life on the circle.”
Samantha gestures for me to sit next to her. “Looks like your signs worked. The office manager tagged his door with an eviction notice this afternoon. Guess he thought he’d move out in the middle of the night to avoid everyone.”
Maybe I should feel bad for getting someone evicted, but I don’t.
“I talked to his mother. She’s pretty out of it…dementia. She’s going to stay with her sister in Marion.”
“That’s good. I couldn’t care less where Jasper goes, but I’d hate for his mother to suffer because of his stupidity.”
“Yeah.”
“I saw Wyatt’s speech at the center. I think this is going to go your way. The talk after was mostly positive. Even the people who wouldn’t necessarily shop at Scarlet, don’t really care whether it stays or goes. But they do care about having a place to take their kids swimming and stuff.”
I get to my feet and stretch. “That’s what we’re hoping.” The people don’t realize the center will stay either way.
“Well, you’ll find out Tuesday, I guess.”
“Yeah, the mayor has promised to come and let us know the second the votes are counted Tuesday night, so we don’t have to wait for the news in Wednesday’s paper. We’ll probably have some friends over to wait with us if you’d like to join us.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Wyatt peeks out the front door, and I nod to him. “I’d better go. It’s been a long day.”
I’m almost back to my door when I turn and add, “Oh, and if you know anyone who needs a ride to vote Tuesday, let us know. We have volunteers to take them.”
“Will do,” Samantha calls.