Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Fang
The carnival is in full swing and to be honest, I didn’t expect to see so many adults out tonight.
When I think of a carnival, I think of endless kid activities and screaming children.
I’m walking around, overseeing—as my uncle put it—the haunted house.
To be honest, I’m bored as all get out. I’d rather be at the bar.
Hell, I’d rather be sitting on my bed with nothing to do.
Ramon nods at me when I glance over at the kissing booth. He is happily planting his lips on every girl that steps up to the booth. He’s even taken pictures with a couple of them. That man is having the time of his life tonight.
Wish I could say the same.
We are letting in groups of six. The haunted house is set up into five rooms, each room has a gory scene. Unbeknown to the guests, each room is interactive. No, we don’t do anything that would harm a guest, but we do give them the scare of a lifetime.
The back door flies open, and a group of girls come running out, holding onto each other and screaming loud enough to wake the dead. I glance at my watch. Not even nine o’clock. Good lord, will this night ever end?
A man dressed as Dracula flaps his cape as he walks by, shouting, “I vant to suck your blood,” as he rushes up to a blonde and bends her at the waist, planting his mouth on the side of her neck. She squeals and he tightens his grip, bringing their bodies flush together.
As long as she’s not protesting, I’m not getting involved.
When I trek toward the front of the line, two of the women standing there bat their eyelashes at me. The redhead reaches out and runs her hand down my abs. Her fingers are chilly from the cooling night air, and it elicits goosebumps on my flesh.
“Not right now, sugar,” I tell her.
Sticking out her bottom lip, she uses what she probably thinks is a seductive voice. It’s not. “Come on, Mr. Fallen Angel, surely you can spare a few minutes.” Looking around, she smiles when she finds the corn maze. “I’m sure we can find a private spot out in the corn field.”
“I’m sure we could.” Removing her hand from my body, I step just out of her reach so I can talk to Zero. “You got this handled for a few? I need to step away from all the screaming for a minute.”
Zero nods. “Sure thing, Fang.”
“Fang?” The handsy redhead smiles. “I’ll let you sink your fangs into me anytime.”
“I bet you would.” Turning on my heel, I stalk off. Away from the overly dramatic women inside the haunted house. What I need is a smoke. As I stroll through the carnival, I dig my pack of cigarettes from my front pocket.
Just as I flick my zippo and bring the flame toward the cigarette, a small hand curls around my arm. I glance down at the petite girl clinging to me. Her black hair has bright orange highlights in it. It kind of reminds me of flames licking at the night air. “Please, just go with it.”
Furrowing my brow, I’m about to ask her what she means when she lifts up on tiptoes, rips the cigarette from my mouth, and plants her lips on mine. Thank God I have enough sense in me to close my zippo, so I don’t set her pretty hair aflame.
It’s clear that she is putting on a show, most likely to make a boyfriend jealous, because her lips don’t move against mine.
She is perfectly still and looking over my shoulder.
Well, this won’t do. If she wants to make some guy jealous, then we’re going to make him good and jealous.
Stuffing my zippo back in my pocket, I cup the back of her head and open my mouth against hers.
There’s a small gasp when I poke my tongue out and run it along her bottom lip. Her eyes shoot to mine and widen. “I’m going with it, baby.” With my free hand, I grab her ass and squeeze. “You gonna join in on the fun?” I ask against her lips.
Footsteps grow louder behind me. This gets her attention, and she glances behind me.
Wrapping her arms around my neck, she opens her mouth, and I take the opportunity to slide my tongue inside.
She tastes like barbeque and margarita. An odd combination, but one I’m thoroughly enjoying.
Only because it’s on her, my little siren.
A small moan slips from her throat, and she runs her fingers through my hair. Gripping her thighs, I lift her, and she automatically wraps her legs around my waist. The carnival and the crowd fade as we kiss. All I know in this moment is the feel of this nameless woman in my arms.
“Winter?” The man’s voice is grating on my nerves.
Winter, is that her name? Her name matches the spearmint gum I love to chew. At the sound of her name coming from this man’s mouth, Winter stiffens in my arms. Her tongue stops moving against mine.
She breaks the kiss, resting her head on my shoulders for a brief second before untangling her legs from my waist. Setting her down on her feet, I gaze into her hazel pools.
Agony reflects back at me. I don’t know who this man is, but he put that dimness in her eyes, and I want to punch him in the throat for hurting her.
“I’ve got you,” I whisper into her ear. There’s a slight tremble to her body and she nods her head.
Wrapping my arms around her, I glance over at the prick.
Ain’t nothing special about him. He’s lean, but there’s not an ounce of muscle on him.
Just a basic male who doesn’t care what his body looks like. “Can I help you?”
“Yeah, you can leave so I can talk to my girl.”
In the distance I can see a blonde glaring daggers at us.
She crosses her arms and pops out a hip.
Well, well, well. Looks like this guy here is a Romeo.
I’ll have fun knocking him off his throne.
“Doesn’t look like she’s your girl to me, seeing as she’s in my arms and the taste of her still lingers in my mouth. ”
Nostrils flaring, he takes a step toward me. “Listen here, I don’t know who you think you are—”
Funny, he doesn’t have a clue who I am. Of course, many don’t recognize us without our cuts.
Being without them is a very rare occurrence.
We wear those like it’s a second skin. We’re proud of who we are and where we come from.
“I’m gonna stop you right there.” No need to make scene, Sinner will kill me if I do.
“Looks like you have a girl over there that wants your attention, why don’t you leave us alone. ”
Ignoring me, he turns his attention to the woman currently burying her face in my shoulder. “Winter?”
Her chest expands against my bare flesh when she inhales.
I swear it’s like she is preparing to face the devil.
If only she knew who the real devil was.
Stepping out of the confines of my embrace, Winter turns to face the prick standing before us.
To my satisfaction, she loops her arm through mine, and his eyes follow the movement.
“What do you want, Billy?” She says his name with such disdain, it makes me wonder what the asshole did to her.
Billy waves his hand in my direction. “What are you doing, Winter? This isn’t like you.”
“Not like me?” Winter’s arm tightens around mine, like she needs my strength to have this conversation. “Look, Billy, what I do and who I choose to do it with is no longer your concern. If you recall, you broke up with me by text this morning.”
“I know, but—” He doesn’t get the chance to finish that sentence because Winter straightens her spine and speaks over him.
“You texted me this morning that we should see other people. You broke up with me on my frickin’ birthday.
” Wait, today is her birthday, and this loser dumped her on her special day.
Unbelievable. Snuggling into my side, she cups my jaw with her free hand.
“You didn’t want me, so I found someone who does. ”
“Oh yeah, you found a new man in less than twelve hours?” Crossing his thin, undefined, arms, he says, “That’s rich.”
“Considering you posted a picture of you and your girl,” she almost snarls the words, your girl, “just seconds after you sent that cowardly breakup text, I’d say that statement defines you quite well.”
When Billy reaches for Winter, I snag him by the wrist and squeeze. Those pathetic brown eyes of his widen in fear. Yeah, you better fear me. You cross me and I will rain hell down on you so fast you won’t know what hit you. “I think it’s time you get the hell away from Winter. Ya hear me?”