Right as I went to snap the ride pass from my wrist, a deep voice from behind startled me. With a squeak cut off by my heart in my throat, I spun on a heel in the packed dirt of the fairground.
"Would be a shame to waste the bracelet since the night just started." A grinning young man proudly held out my slim pocketbook. One side of the strap was broken, but my heart soared when it appeared otherwise untouched.
"How in the world…? Thank you!" My tongue nearly tied itself in a knot as I took in the pretty man with dark Irish coloring. He was saved from being feminine by a square, dimpled chin and another indent sitting at the base of one cheek. Plus, he was just this side of too muscled. Any more and he would have appeared bulky rather than solid yet trim. My blatant perusal didn't seem to faze him at all though.
"You're quite welcome, Miss?"
"Shelby, Shelby Ann. But only Mama really calls me that," I muttered inanely, struck by the brightest blue eyes partially hidden under carelessly wavy black locks. "How did you get my purse?" My eyes narrowed on him, suspicious now that my initial relief and starstruck attraction had calmed down.
"I was just leaving the ticket booth when I saw that guy snatch it. I caught up with him by the entrance, and one of the security guards let me bring it back after I explained what happened. By the way, I'm Carter, and if anyone happens to ask, you're my girlfriend. Hope you don't mind, I had to tell them something." His grin was nervous when he finished, and I found out exactly where the messy hair came from as he ran a hand through it only to have it bounce right back into place.
Flustered, and kinda wanting him to stick around, I returned the smile with one of my own. "I think I could handle that—for the night anyway. If you want?" I waited for his answer, worrying my lower lip with my teeth.
"I'd be honored, Shelby. Would you like to hit up the concessions before we get on the rides? My treat." He held up his toned and tanned arm, showing off the wristband as well as making the fitted black T-shirt stretch over his lithe frame.
My gaze wandered down, noting his jeans and boots that completed the casual look. My luck had turned right around, and I ducked my head in a nod and turned to hide the pleased grin I couldn't seem to wipe off my face.
Play it cool, girly, and don't let him in your pants.
The thought of Carter in the carnal sense had heat racing between my legs and over my cheeks all at once. I wouldn't rule it out; I was out on my own for once with no one to answer to.
* * *
Hanging out with Carter was easy and so much fun. I texted the girls, who had started the rides while I went for food, that I'd catch up with them at the hotel, not bothering to tell them about the incident. We talked about everything and nothing. He worked in security, and I told him about waitressing at the diner, secretly hoping that he'd show up sometime. I didn't have any expectations past that night, but a girl could dream.
A girl can also get knocked up or an STD, and those are the nicer options for disappearing with a man.
He's only twenty! Lighten up.
I knew it was risky, but I was full-on enamored and didn't want to waste a moment on what-ifs. But the night was coming to a close, the rides and booths shutting down one by one.
"Hey, do you want to get a button?" I looked to where Carter pointed. One of the last booths open was a picture booth that made black and white pictures to go in oversized buttons. Nodding, I let him take my hand and lead the way.
Carter surprised me by sitting on the stool and pulling me onto his lap, our cheeks touching as we smiled for the cheerful woman behind the camera. "Well, aren't you two just the cutest! Since you're the last of the night, I'll give you two for the price of one."
As she pressed the pictures into the button frames, Carter wandered off to the stall next door. I had just tucked the buttons into my purse, leaving little room to spare, when he returned with something shiny hidden in his hand. We both thanked the woman as she shut her booth down then slowly made our way to the entrance of the midway.
Before we made our exit, he pulled me to the side and fiddled with my wrist. When he let go, a bracelet with tiny pewter charms hung from it—they were all from the fair. A ferris wheel, candy apple, and other themed charms dangled around it, and I was utterly charmed with the gift.
"Thank you, Carter," I said softly, voice husky with emotion as I peered up at him through lowered lashes. "This has been the best night of my life. I wish it didn't have to end."
A calloused finger hooked under my chin, tipping it up until I met his wistful gaze. "It doesn't have to end here if you don't want it to." But I couldn't take him back to the room with the others, and I knew I had to decline. "Come with me? I'm at the motel a few blocks from here. Or I can take you to yours if you'd prefer?"
Screw it, I'm going.
It's your funeral.
So be it. I was still going. I knew I'd regret it for the rest of my life if I didn't. Blushing ten shades of red, I accepted his offer. "Yours, please." I tried to sound confident, but the nerves made me feel shaky. Carter didn't comment on it, tucking me under an arm and guiding me back to his room.
The walk was silent but comfortable, and when we got to the single-story motel, we crossed the cracked pavement to the outside doors until he stopped to unlock one. Without turning on the lights, Carter lifted me off of my feet as he kicked the door shut before making a beeline for the bed. With my legs hooked around his hips, he followed me down onto the bed, and I let my purse slip off to the side.
Then Carter's lips were on mine, firm but plush, until the wet tip of his tongue pressed at the seam of my lips, begging for entry. Our moans sounded out in unison as I granted him access, and then it was a flurry of messy, clashing mouths and fumbling hands as we shed our clothes.
With Carter settled between my legs and my chest heaving from nerves and excitement, I looked up to find him staring down at me, the tender emotion softening his features making me feel like I was missing something, but also like I was the only girl in the world. For him, at least.
"You're beautiful, Shelby Ann. I don't want to forget this," he rumbled out in explanation while bringing a hand up to brush my wayward hair from my face. A pang of longing speared through me at the confirmation that it wouldn't go farther, and I wanted to ask why, but I was afraid to ruin the moment.
"I don't either." And I knew I wouldn't. How could I when I was certain I was half in love with him already? I used to roll my eyes at the girls in school, crushing so hard they had tunnel vision for the object of their infatuation, but now I had to admit it was possible to fall for someone instantly.