As soon as I slipped into my room, it struck me how stupid I was acting. Like some lovesick puppy, breaking all the rules I set for every con I’ve ever undertaken. My heart seemed to be trying to lead me astray, the same way it had a dozen times over in the past.

It always amazed me how hard a pretty face was on the old ticker, to the point that I’d nearly lost my life on multiple occasions. Not to a broken heart or anything that dramatic, just an angry boyfriend or the occasional southern poppa wielding a shotgun.

I mused that the most rational thing would be to tuck myself into bed and forget about my little caged bird. When I closed my eyes, though, I could see that deep sadness reflected in her eyes. The sadness of a life spent in the background while her mother orchestrated the whole show.

It seemed like a hellish existence, and though I was pretty sure Ella had gotten used to being disappointed by those around her, I didn’t care to be another shitty statistic in her life. It was foolish to put the con in jeopardy, and I was painfully aware of it. I just happened to be painfully aware for my heartache for this little lady, as well.

As I lingered near the door to my cabin, my eyes darted from my bed to the suitcase where I stashed my circus props. Even a silly performance could leave traces of my identity for Ella to pick up on, should she feel the desire to. I put my whole heart into my acts. It was one thing to do the frilly little number for the entertainment of the entire ship; it was another thing entirely to do a solo act for someone who I could feel my heart reaching out to.

I tried to tell myself I was being an idiot. I tried to convince myself to knock back a shot of whiskey before curling up in bed and forgetting about the gorgeous woman on the top deck. There had been plenty of babes in my life; she wouldn’t be the last.

The funny thing was, I kind of wanted her to be the last. I knew it was soon to be thinking of forever, but I was a firm believer in fate. Had every door that had slammed shut in my face been leading up to this moment?

Maybe not. Maybe it was too soon to tell. Or, hell, maybe I was as stupid as I felt. All the same, I wouldn’t be another disappointment in that sweet little woman’s life.

I stepped towards my suitcase, rummaging around inside for the smaller case that I knew would be there. I took the thing on every con, mostly as a reminder of home. It was supposed to keep me grounded, but at that moment, it felt as if it were doing just the opposite.

Poor old Paulie was stuck with his head in the clouds, with no hope of a cure.

My hand landed on the metal shell of the case, and I smiled to myself as I yanked it out of my suitcase. I glanced at my watch, cursing myself for how long I’d been dawdling. I’d be lucky if she hadn’t given up on my return at this rate, and I had no idea what cabin she was staying in.

Sure, if I lost track of her tonight, I could apologize the next day. But there was something about this night in particular that felt a bit more pressing.

I tucked the metal case under my arm, darting out of my cabin and nearly forgetting to lock up in the process. I paused, closing the door behind me before bolting in the direction of the upper pool deck. The stars seemed especially bright at that moment, almost as if some mystical force were drawing them closer to Earth. Just for the time being. Just for that night. I felt caught in a frantic high, but God, I wouldn’t have traded it for anything.

Nearly stumbling over my own feet, I ascended the stairs that led to the upper deck, and my heart felt as if it leaped into my throat as I spotted my little bird sitting at the edge of the pool. Her face was tilted skyward; her feet dipped into the artificially heated water of the pool. Curse myself for saying it, but I have to admit that I stood there for a few moments, just watching her.

The party on the lower deck was beginning to wind down, and the music had died down along with it. I could make out the softest little hum as she swirled her feet in the water, a sound that could have shattered even the iciest of hearts.

It took a minute, but I managed to gather my nerves enough to approach her once more. I moved carefully, as if a minor misstep would make her disappear, like a spirit. I cleared my throat, and she looked at me with a happy expression.

“Paul! I was beginning to think that you’d ditched me. You’re lucky I’m a sucker for handsome men,” she teased, and I felt my cheeks grow warm.

I wasn’t the sort of guy for mush in most situations, but damn was this girl sweet.

“I’d never ditch you, lovely little lady.”

Grinning, I took no small pleasure in the reddening of her cheeks. She averted her eyes shyly, and it was all I could do not to sweep her up in my arms and drag her off to my cabin. She turned her eyes back to me as I shifted towards a better lit area on the deck, setting down my case and popping the latch on it. She was curious, her eyes widening in disbelief as I withdrew a sword from it.

“What are you, a pirate?” she asked in mock surprise.

Ah, she was a feisty one. A woman after my own heart.

“No, but I’m all about getting some good booty,” I retorted, biting back a bark of laughter when she snorted in the most unladylike fashion.

“That’s so corny,” she murmured, shifting her body to watch me properly.

I waved the sword dramatically, and the curiosity dancing in her eyes would have made a lesser man swoon. I liked to consider myself rather well fortified when it came to baby-doll eyes, but hell, I think anyone could tell I was falling hard for this chick.

“What’s with the sword?” she inquired tentatively.

“You said you wanted to see a real circus act, right? Well, I learned a few tricks traveling with a freak show a few years back. Sword swallowing, fire dancing…not to mention I can lift a good hundred pounds more than most men my size,” I said, bragging.

She grinned, excitement radiating from her as she drew her feet out of the pool and stood up.

“Now, you’ll have to stay way back with the fire dancing, little bird. Would hate to see you turned into fried chicken.”

Smiling, I took more than my fair share of delight in her little pout. Her lips were so kissable, so soft and delectable, that I could only imagine what they’d look like wrapped around my…

Hey now, Paulie. You’re getting way ahead of yourself.

I took a step away from her, setting out the props across the deck. As I began my routine, I felt my stomach tighten in the face of her less than objective interest. I started with the sword swallowing, which was always a hit with the ladies. They tended to like a man who flirted with danger, and well, I was more than willing to show that talent off.

Her eyes widened as I grabbed my fire gear, consisting of one large hoop, two smaller ones, and a couple of rods. I planned to go the whole nine yards and show her what a real routine I could put together. I lit the props aflame and began to juggle the hoops, whirling them around my body while I traced the rods through the air to form intricate patterns.

I was more than vaguely aware of the way Ella’s eyes traced my body, her thighs pressing close together as I increased the danger level. I felt the warmth of desire curl in my belly as her eyes fixed on my body, and I couldn’t deny that feeling her eyes so steadily upon me lit another fire, inside of me.

I extinguished the fire dancing props, and she clapped enthusiastically. She drew her lip between her teeth, and her face flushed, though I couldn’t tell if it was from the heat of the flames, or something more…intimate. As I began to put away my props, she watched me carefully, closing the distance between us.

“That was…amazing. Unlike anything I’ve ever seen before,” she murmured, and I smiled proudly.

The way she was looking at me sent shivers down my spine, and I had to rein myself in before I grabbed her and had my way with her right there on the deck. Her mind seemed to be in a similar place, and I was confident she wouldn’t act on it, but if she wanted me, she’d have to say as much. I wanted to know for sure that she wanted me before I made my move. As much as I’d risked the con already, I couldn’t risk getting myself thrown off the ship for harassing the CEO’s daughter.

“I thought it was only right that such a beautiful little bird should get to see something outside of her gilded cage,” I said, and her eyes flashed with sadness.

She stepped closer to me, resting her hand on the swell of my bicep.

“What I would give to escape my cage. Just for a night,” she whispered.

I looked her in the eyes, seeing hunger, not unlike my own. It seemed like she was taking the bait—or maybe I was the one getting hooked. At that point, it was nearly impossible to tell.

I moved to draw her closer, and she didn’t bother trying to hide her lust. Her eyes were dark with desire, almost pitch black in the darkness of the night. I hesitated, resting a hand on her hip before leaning in, closing the distance between us. Her eyes fluttered shut, and her lips pursed as she prepared to meet my lips with hers.

I stopped a breath away from her mouth, exhaling a laugh against her skin. She squinted an eye open, and I couldn’t mask the utterly stupid and infatuated look I had on my face.

“Are you going to kiss me or not, Mr. Drake?” she whispered, growing impatient.

“That just depends on how bad you want it, sweetheart.”

She breathed an exasperated sigh, and for a moment I was afraid I had pushed her too far. I suppose I shouldn’t have expected someone of her upbringing to lower herself to begging a smooch off of a carnie, but…

Oh, Christ.

My mind came to an abrupt stop as she tangled a hand in my hair, pulling me closer and pressing her lips to mine in a heated kiss. I moaned against her, and she flicked her sweet-tasting little tongue against my bottom lip.

In that moment, I knew I was doomed. I lost myself to the world inside our passionate little bubble, and the con was the last thing on my mind as our tongues brushed against each other. It felt like molten hot lava was forming in my gut, and I could feel myself growing hard just from her kiss.

She drew away, glancing at my crotch with wide eyes. Then, she smiled wickedly, reaching down to cup me between the legs. I groaned, pressing into her touch. There was no way she was going to jerk me off on the upper deck; no way in hell.

And, of course, as expected, all good things had to come to an end. Ella drew her hand away, stepping back and considering me with a sexy smile. I waited with bated breath, trying to calm my boner as I waited for her to bid me goodnight.

“Come back to my room with me,” she ordered gently, much to my surprise.

While I wasn’t the sort of man to be bossed around, I’d have been an idiot to deny her.