“I’m twenty-eight.”
I wrinkle my nose at him. “That’s almost thirty. No wonder you have high blood pressure.”
“I do not.” He grabs me by my waist, pulling me into him. “And if I did, it would be because I have to put up with you.”
I plant my hands on his chest, grinning up at his smoky eyes. “I want to go in this candy store.”
He sighs, releasing me and waving me in as he opens the door. A little chime has me giddy as I enter.
The walls are filled with old-school candy dispensers. Every sort of sweet from chocolate to gummy to rock candy. Literally anything you can imagine. And don’t get me started on the jelly bean wall. They even have popcorn flavor, which is my favorite. Even if everyone says it’s the worst flavor, it’s not, chocolate pudding is.
I grab three candy bags—I don’t want my candies to mix. “How are you, young lady?” I turn, smiling at the older gentlemen. He has a weathered face, smile lines, and sparkling green eyes. He wears a red-and-white striped uniform. A white sailor hat to top it all off.
“I’m great,” I say way too loud. He looks just out of a sixties movie, and I can’t help it. I want to keep him.
“I see you have some company with you.”
I look over to Lincoln who is looking disgusted by all the candies. He should by some Sour Patch Kids. It would suit him but by the look on his face, I can tell he isn’t buying anything. His loss. “Yeah, my dad brought me to your cute little town for fall break. I adore it.” I hear Lincoln choke on a cough behind me as I grin at the older man. “He’s a bit under the weather. Refuses to take his vitamins.”
The older man laughs, a full belly laugh that makes my heart warm. I love old people. “Yeah, I used to be that way until my daughter nagged me to death.”
I’m dying inside. Because this man believes Lincoln is my dad. If he smiled some more, maybe he wouldn’t look so old. I pour popcorn flavor jelly beans in my bag, closing it with a tie, before I move on to the selection of chocolate and fill a second bag with all kinds. And lastly, I get all the gummies. I walk up to the counter, dropping my candy bags on the scale. I turn over my shoulder to look at Lincoln. “Hey, Daddy. Can you come pay for my candy?” His eyes narrow, promising punishment for my stunt. He slides his card over, discreetly grabbing my ass in his palm and squeezing hard. I have to swallow the moan. Paste on a smile until we’re out of the store.
“You did not deserve seventy-eight dollars’ worth of candy after that little stunt.”
I shrug, dropping a gummy in my mouth. “Told you, you were old.” He grips my neck, leading me behind a tree. It’s not at all a discreet spot, but as he pins me to the bark, his lips attaching to mine, I can’t find it in me to care. Candy store man may be concerned if he sees us, though. But then, he bites down on my lip, penetrating the sensitive skin with his teeth before breaking away. His tongue coming out to swipe the tidbit of blood from his bottom lip. “That was uncalled for.”
He raises his eyebrows. “Was it?”
I pretend to think about it, before rolling my eyes and beginning to walk away from him. A hard slap comes to my ass, causing me to smother a moan. “Was that an eye roll? I told you to watch those eyes,” he whispers darkly. He snatches my hand as if nothing happened, interlocking our fingers and bringing my hand to his sinful mouth, kissing the knuckles. Then he leads me through the town to explore.
* * *
“Oh.”I look around the gravel parking lot. Cars are parked in rows next to tiny speaker boxes. I don’t believe they work, more for show. There is a projection screen, people on blankets in front of it. A concession stand at the far side of the lot. “It’s a drive-in cinema.”
“Have you ever been to one?” he asks, leaving the truck running as the sun sets in the distance, ready to give in to the demand of night.
I shake my head, “No, I’ve only ever seen them in movies. I had no clue they still existed.”
“Very few do, but this is a tourist town. It’s made to have old-fashioned things we long to experience and will pay a hefty price to do so.”
“These tickets are on me,” I offer.
He looks over to me flabbergasted. “Are you fucking playing?”
“Uh, no?” He glares. “Yes?” I stumble for the right answer. I was just trying to be nice.
“Don’t offer to pay for anything ever again. If you’re with me, I’m paying.”
“Well, you know, Mr. Boyd, this is the twenty-first century and women can treat men.”
“Not this one,” he mumbles.
A couple pulls up next to us. Early thirties, maybe. Not too old but definitely older than us. The windows are not tinted, which I find odd because I have rarely seen clear windows in cars. Maybe they love the feel of sunrays. Crazy people.
The sun finally sets, allowing the stars to shine bright with the full moon. I’m a little shocked when an old horror movie comes on, but since it’s October, I shouldn’t be surprised.The Amityville Horrorplays. I like scary movies. Especially old ones. Where it all begins, the original plot—I love it. Even if they are at times cheesy and the fake blood is obviously paint. Movement catches in the corner of my eye from the car next to me, the couple fumbling with their clothes, mouths unable to part.
I feel his breath on my neck. “Voyeurism. You’re just full of kinks, aren’t you?” I go to deny it, but he cuts me off, pulling me onto his lap, so I’m facing forward. He presses my face to the cool glass window. His are tinted so no one can see in, but we can see out. My eyes catch and hold on the couple. The man has his shirt open. His hands wrapped around her thighs as he bends down and begins feasting on her. Her eyes flash open, landing straight on me. I know she can’t see me but the way she bites her lip, how her eyes grow hazy, it feels like she can.