Chapter 7
The ferris wheel
Kellin
My hands tremble with shock from witnessing Scarlett take a man's life, and my heart races, still soaring from the intensity of the moment.
I reach into the pocket of my cargo pants, retrieving my vape, all while tuning out the flirtatious banter swirling around Jax and Michael.
Instead, my gaze zeroes in on Scarlett, a flicker of jealousy igniting within me as I watch Hunter gesturing for her to come to him, leaning casually against the weathered ferris wheel.
I refuse to let him have her, at least not without a fight.
I know his type, and I know the game he plays.
I'm not the kind of person who lingers in the background, allowing someone else to take what's fucking mine.
I fight for what I fucking want. I'm focused, deliberate, and cunning, a blend of charm and menace. I might be the friendliest criminal you'll ever meet, but don’t mistake that for weakness; cross me, and I’ll reveal a side of myself that could haunt your fucking nightmares.
“What would you do if I did this?” I overhear Jax whispering to Michael from the teacup ride platform behind me, just before the quiet is shattered by the sound of wet lips smacking and light moans, urging me to move towards Scarlett and Hunter, giving those two some privacy.
I take a hit from my vape, the THC courses through me, bringing a wave of relaxation to my muscles and limbs.
Just as Hunter leans in, clutching Scarlett by her hip and pressing his fingers into her soft skin, I step in to interrupt the kiss that’s about to unfold.
A surge of triumph fills me as I maintain a stoic facade, concealing my happiness at this chance to disrupt them.
Hunter glares at me, pulling away from Scarlett to tie back his short, blonde hair into a loose ponytail, and I can’t help but match his glare with a satisfied smirk.
Scarlett looks at me, her brown eyes now radiating warmth, free from the colored contacts.
“Kell, glad you could join us,” she says, her voice playful yet tinged with mischief, dripping with desire and intrigue.
“I wouldn’t dream of missing out on any fun,” I reply with a smirk, shrugging as I refocus on Hunter, who seems to be emitting imaginary steam from his ears. “Besides, Jax and Michael are... occupied, and I thought they might appreciate some privacy.”
Scarlett's eyes widened in surprise. “Wait, are they... together? Like, actually fucking?”
I laugh lightly. “By now, most definitely.”
“Fucking queens,” Hunter scoffs, taking out a cigarette and blowing the smoke directly into my face.
“Hunter, don’t use that term,” Scarlett snaps, her cheerful demeanor shifting to irritation as she confronts him, hands firmly planted on her hips.
“I didn't mean anything by it, Doc,” Hunter protests, casually spitting on the ground beside my foot. “That's just what they're called in prison—no hate from me.” He raises his hand in a mock scout's honor salute, fully aware of the tension he’s creating.
“Still, you’re not in prison anymore. Act like you fucking belong in society,” she retorts firmly, visibly disturbed.
Turning toward me, Scarlett snatches the vape from my hand, bringing it to her red-painted lips and taking a deep drag.
Her eyes glisten under the moonlight, captivating me as mine journey across her face.
Overcome by impulse, I step closer, bridging the gap between us.
I reach around her neck, gently pulling her towards me, sucking the smoke from her lungs into mine before exhaling the thick cloud right into Hunter's face, relishing the spiteful act.
“Ever been fucked on a ferris wheel, Scarlett, my little sinner?” I ask, teasing her abdomen with the tips of my cool fingers, making her shiver.
She shakes her head, grinning. “No, not that I can remember,” she replies, raising an impeccably arched brow as her eyes turn dark and menacing, like something's just come over her and she's slowly getting sucked deeper into the darkness.
Taking charge, I tug her behind me as I step onto the ride platform.
Grabbing hold of the rusty wheel I begin climbing all the way up to sit in the top seat.
I glance back to see Scarlett following closely, with Hunter trailing behind, reluctant to be excluded.
As we ascend, the wheel creaks ominously, swaying perilously in the wind or possibly stirred by unseen spirits doing their dances here.
"Hurry up so I can fuck you," I yell down to her below me, close to the top of the ferris wheel.
"Bossy, I like it," she laughs, catching up to me while Hunter still trails below her, clearly pissed off.
As we reach the pinnacle of the ride, the world below us shrinks into shadows and silence, spooky howls echoing the thrill of the night.
I pull Scarlett close, her body fitting perfectly into the curve of my side.
Her warmth radiates against me, and for a moment, I feel like this is exactly where we were meant to be.
The air was thick with nostalgia and a hint of adrenaline, the creaking of the metal structure adding to the thrill of our secret desire.
“Look at it all,” I say, gesturing broadly to the haunting maze of overgrown trees below, the sparkling stars filling the sky, and the shadows that dance across the pavement under the moonlight.
Scarlett stands on her tiptoes of her black combat boots, making her ass poke out from the bottom of her skirt as she absorbs the stillness of the dark night.
She leaned back against the cool metal, her heart racing from both the height and the proximity we were in.
I was close—so close that she could feel the warmth radiating from my body.
The world below felt distant and forgotten, it was like our own little sanctuary far above the ground.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispers, as if afraid that speaking too loudly might shatter the illusion.
I turned to her, my gaze intense and searching, as if trying to decipher the emotions flashing across her face.
Without breaking eye contact, I reach out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
The simple gesture sends shivers down her spine, awakening something deep within her.
She felt a rush of exhilaration as my lips trailed from her mouth to her neck, sending soft shivers across her skin.
She gasped softly, arching into me, urging me on.
With a smirk, I respond, “But not as beautiful as you.” I tilt her chin to meet my gaze, the moment brimming with electric tension.
Is this crazy?" she whispered, a playful smile dancing on her lips, even as her heart pounded in anticipation.
"Crazy is good," I murmured, my voice low and enticing. I leaned closer, my breath warm against her skin, and Scarlett could feel the tension building between us—a palpable energy that seemed to crackle in the air.
Before she could respond, I cupped her face delicately, tilting it upward, and our lips met in a tentative kiss. Soft and sweet at first, the kiss deepened as we both surrendered to the moment, lost in a whirlwind of sensation.
Scarlett's body melted against me as I pulled her closer, hands exploring the curves of her waist, igniting every nerve ending. A sly grin dances on her lips, and I’m drawn even closer to her.
Hunter, still at the base of the ride, shouts up to us, breaking the spell that had wrapped around Scarlett and me.
“Hey, don’t keep her all to yourself! This ride’s no fun if you’re not sharing!” I can hear him talk shit under his breath as he gets closer, but it still puts a smile on my face.
“Sorry, Hunter,” I taunt. “But this is a two-person ride, and you’re not exactly invited.”
“Fucking cocky bastard,” he mutters under his breath, but I catch the slight curl of his lips—the competitive nature of his words contradicting the envy underlying them.
Ignoring him, I urge Scarlett to face the view again, and while she leans over to grasp the bar with both hands, I take a moment to absorb the way the moonlight dances across her features.
I run a hand down her back, feeling the smooth fabric of her skirt, and the breath catches in my throat as I allow my fingertips to linger, distracted by the violent pulse of desire surging between us.
“Would you really want to?” I ask, my own voice low and suggestive. “Get fucked on the ferris wheel, I mean.”
Her laughter dangles in the air like music, vibrant and enticing. “Maybe,” she bites her lip, clearly relishing the thrill of our mischief. “Are you always this brazen?”
“No,” I admit, leaning closer to brush my lips against her ear, “but you bring it out of me. Maybe I’m just feeling... inspired.”
In one fluid motion, I place a hand on the back of her neck, feeling the warmth radiate beneath my fingers, and pull her towards me until our lips almost touch.
The moment stretches between us, electric and alive, and I can only focus on the wild chemistry igniting in the space between our breaths as the bucket seat rocks back and forth, creaking in the night.
“Hey!” Hunter yells again, his voice tinged with irritation—he’s clearly not going to give up easily. “If you’re not going to fuck her, can we at least get on with the night?”
Ignoring him yet again, I close the gap, longing to capture that teasing smile, and finally our lips collide. It's electric, raw, and filled with an urgency that sets ablaze the simmering desire we've both navigated through so cautiously.
Scarlett melts against me, and I revel in the sensation of her invading my senses.
Her mouth moves in perfect harmony with mine, deepening the kiss, and every muffled sound from below fades into nothingness.
It’s as if the world has shrunk to just us, tangled in a dizzying orbit of our making.
Our kiss breaks momentarily, breathless, and Scarlett’s eyes glimmer as she takes in the thrill of the moment, sharing in my intoxicating high.