Chapter 27 – Willa #2
I’m wearing a worn Three Kings Tree Farm hat, I think I stole from Wren, or maybe Hallie, and my darker hair is in a low bun at the back of my neck.
I’m wearing a red tank top and a pair of jean shorts with beat-up sneakers I’ve been doing housework in, and I’ve never felt more like I fit in somewhere.
Occasionally, someone gives a double take, as if they think they see someone of importance, but each time, they shake their head, an embarrassed look on their face when they realize it’s “not” me.
But right now, I’m not focused on the people around me. Instead, my full attention is on one of the game stands. My steps falter as we approach it, Leo’s steps slowing as my hand tightens in his. The man manning the game smiles widely at customers approaching.
“Step right up! Win a prize for the lovely lady,” he says.
“Oh my god, Leo, can we?” I ask, jumping up and down. “I want that one!” I say, pointing to the giant purple otter hanging at the top.
“Just gotta knock down all six milk bottles and it’s yours,” the man says. “Win the lady a prize, and you’ll win her affections.”
Leo glares at the man.
“Yes! Win me a prize!”
“It’s a scam, Will. They’re all scams,” Leo grumbles.
“You’re just afraid you won’t be able to do it.”
He pulls me into him, his lips tipping up, though he’s already pulled his wallet out.
“What do I get if I win?”
‘The joy of giving me a prize?” I ask with a light-hearted laugh, but he pulls me in closer, his lips moving along mine as he speaks in a near whisper.
“Whatever I want. You at my mercy, all night…”
My body stills. “What?”
“I get an entire night, doing everything and anything I want.”
“Are you—” I ask my eyes wide, my lips parted, my breathing suddenly coming heavy. “Are you bartering for sex?” I ask under my breath.
“Are you against it?” he asks, face sobering.
I bite my lip, and when his lips tip, I know he sees the intrigue on my face.
His hand slides into the hair at the back of my head, gripping it and angling my head.
He does that a lot, burying his hands in my hair, and there are a lot of ways I like it, especially when we’re alone and naked, but I like it like this the most, when he grips my hair to get my head where he wants it to kiss me.
He does that just then, dropping his head and pressing his lips to mine gently. He kisses me, something that from afar would look soft and sweet, but the way his body is pressed into mine, the way his fingers feel in my hair, I know it’s anything but.
“You’re into it,” he murmurs, against my lips. I’m still breathless and lost when he steps back, hand sliding out of my hair and down my arm to grab my hand before tugging me closer to the stand.
“Five balls, five dollars,” the man says, a wide grin on his face as if he saw the whole show we put on. “Win something for the little lady.”
“Hey, guys!” a familiar voice calls, and when I look over, Hallie, Jesse, and Jesse’s daughter Emma are approaching us.
I’ve chatted with Emma, Hallie’s soon-to-be stepdaughter, a few times since I did a FaceTime with her at her birthday party earlier this year, and although she’s a big fan, she’s incredibly chill, mostly because, according to Hallie, she thinks she and I are best friends now.
I am totally okay with that, since Emma is possibly the coolest twelve-year-old I’ve ever met.
“Hey!” I say, moving over to give them each a hug before Leo does the same, giving Emma a fist bump and Jesse a bro-hug of sorts that I never thought I’d ever see uptight Leo Sinclaire give anyone.
“You got wrangled into this money suck?” Jesse asks, tipping is chin towards the game before us, Leo’s five balls lined up.
“He told me it was a scam, and I told him he was just scared he’d lose.”
“Ah, yes, my favorite tactic. Works every time,” Hallie says, face looking stoic. “Come on, businessman. Let’s see if those muscles are all for show, or what.” Leo glares at her, and I bite back a laugh.
“Hallie,” Jesse says, but Hallie ignores it, lifting an eyebrow at Leo. With a sigh and a roll of his eyes, Leo grabs a ball, winds his arm up, and throws it, hitting the top bottle off, though the rest stay perfect. Emma lets out a hiss, but Hallie laughs.
“Oof, god, Leo, you suck at this.”
He looks over his shoulder and glares at her.
“Hallie,” Jesse repeats his warning, but his own lips are tipped in a smile.
“You’ve got this, babe!” I encourage, pressing a kiss to his cheek. He looks down at me, a hint of exasperation on his face. He throws and misses the next one, which makes Hallie hoot with laughter. On the third throw, he hits another, leaving four still standing.
“It’s a scam,” Leo grumbles, glaring at the bottles. It’s clear there is some kind of product keeping them from all tumbling easily.
“Willa’s got a great arm,” Hallei says with a smile. “She should try.”
“Oh, yes!” I say, clapping. “Let me try!” Leo sighs, shaking his head, and handing me the ball. I grip it, tossing it once in the air before throwing, no real hope that it will work.
But somehow I hit the bottom-center bottle. I watch, holding my breath as they shake, and then…all of the bottles fall.
“Yes!” Hallie yells.
“You did it!” Emma calls.
“Oh my god!” I say, jumping up and down, locking my arms around Leo’s neck. He smiles down at me, shaking his head.
“I can’t believe you just did that,” he grumbles, but he does it with a smile, one that stays as he points to which toy I want.
Once we have it, all five of us walk off towards the zeppole tent for Hallie.
She found out I’d never had one and insisted she fix that immediately.
We’re standing off to the side while the little King family waits in line.
“It was rigged for sure,” Leo says, an irritated groan, but still, he carries the giant otter for me. I step into his space, putting my arms around his neck.
“I know, baby. But don’t worry: I’ll still let you do whatever you want with me tonight,” I murmur into his ear, then press a soft kiss to his neck, let my tongue dip out to taste him as I do.
His body stills, and for a moment, I wonder if I said the wrong thing, but then his head turns, and he looks down at me, fire in his eyes.
“After you eat this zeppole, anything else you want to do here?”
“What?” I ask, confused.
“Did you get your fill of a town fair, or am I good to drag you home and get my prize?”
I let out a loud laugh before pressing my lips to his.
We don’t spend much longer at the fair.