He grinned at her. “I’ve created a monster. Let’s grab some food, then head for prize row. We don’t have much time.”
* * *
Delaney’s legs were wobbly and rubbery from the ride, but the sensation had begun long before that when she and Ethan had kissed. Her face heated, thinking about the moment. She had always avoided public displays of affection beyond a light peck on the cheek or holding hands. Her mother had drilled into her head to watch her reputation. There were always reporters looking to find a Winters in a less than flattering picture. Roller coasters, kissing in public, heck, having fun was out of the picture. She had to always appear to be the very image of cool, calm, collected. She had spent years cultivating that image, reveling in her success as the Ice Princess, as page six reporters anointed her in her debut at sixteen. Ethan was the only one who had ever tempted her to shake off those chains. Be free, be wild, be daring. But fear and family duty had woven themselves deep into her psyche, into her very soul, until she couldn’t break free.
Sadly, it took the collapse of her family for those chains to loosen. Not right away, of course. She had needed the coolness under pressure, the restraint that collected veneer to cover the roiling emotions beneath the surface. She wrapped herself in her pride, in the Winters’ name, to survive the hatred and vitriol launched at her and her family daily.
Never let them see how they’ve hurt her. Never show emotion. Never let them see her cry.
Ethan nudged her with his shoulder, a questioning look on his face. “Everything okay?”
She pasted a bright smile on her face. “Of course. I haven’t had a po’boy this good in years.”
“Wow, living on the edge, Ms. Winters. Are you sure you can handle it?”
She shot him a glare, then grinned at his teasing look. “Better than you. As long as I never have to get on that monstrosity again.” She was going to embrace the week and be damned health, image or other people.
He smiled indulgently at her. He never could resist her. “You got it, Ms. Winters.”
They strolled out of the food court and toward the games, the next scavenger hunt item on their minds.
“We only have a limited budget. We have to pick smart this time, Ethan. We have to win easily and quickly.”
They scanned the row of games and sighed. “Thoughts?”
She pointed to the balloon and dart game. “That one.”
Ethan laughed. “Okay, but it’s been a while since I played darts, like college, I think.”
She shot him a dirty look. “I always was better at darts than you.”
He arched his eyebrow in disbelief. “Care to wager on that?”
She grinned, a more personal competition adding fuel to the fire. “What did you have in mind?”
“If I win, you kiss me.”
She sucked her lower lip between her teeth. “Hmmm, what do I get if I win?”
He leaned close, voice lowering to a husky tone. “I kiss you.”
She grinned and grabbed his shirt with her hands, pulling him closer. “I’ll whip your butt, Van Owen.”
He quirked his lips. “Let’s see you try.”
They walked over to the game and paid their money. She hefted one of her three darts in her hand, gauging the weight.
Ethan glanced at her. “Ladies first.”
“Oh, no, I couldn’t do that. You proposed the wager. It’s only fair that you go first.”
“If I win, it’s over.”
She just smiled. “We’ll see about that.”
Ethan squared his shoulders, rolling them to loosen them.
Delaney rolled her eyes. “Now you’re just showing off. Get on with it, will you?”