"Well, I think we have a winner." He walked past Swift and Starlah a few times, but then he backed up, smiled, and pointed at Starlah. "The winner is this beautiful darling right here!"
Starlah screamed, then leaped, and Swift caught her. She'd almost knocked him down when he steadied himself, his laugh matching hers.
"Oh, my! I can't believe I won!"
Swift wanted Star to win, but he didn't think she'd kick his ass when she didn't miss one time. When she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, he held her, then slowly lowered her. Her body dragged down his before her feet were planted on the ground. Her chest heaved, her jaw lowered, and her skin glowed under the sun. He'd never seen a sight as beautiful as she was.
He wasn't sure what had gotten hold of him, but he leaned over and crashed his lips against hers. Star's breath hitched before she moaned as his tongue slid inside of her mouth. His mouth tasted of peppermint, but not the kind she'd tasted before. When he pulled back, his eyes never left her. It was like he was seeing her for the first time. She wasn't Starlah Steel, Lucky's little girl, or Creed's pestering sister. She was Starlah and all woman.
"So, are you ready to pick your prize?"
They both looked at the worker and laughed. Starlah's eyes danced around when it landed on a stuffed dog — an Anatolian Shepherd.
"What about this one?" She extended her finger, and Swift groaned. "What?"
"I have to deal with three of them now?"
She playfully punched him when the worker handed her the stuffed animal. The stuffed dog was peanut-butter-colored with chocolate eyes, almost akin to Swift's eye color.
"Here you go, Darling. Want to play another round?"
Swift looked up at the ride that circled in the air just above them. He lifted one brow, daring her to back out.
"Ugh, fine, but remember, if I close my eyes, just let me miss it all."
"You can't miss anything you've never experienced," he replied, but that wasn't true at all. Swift had a strange yearning to get to know Starlah better. It was a feeling he'd never felt, but it was also a feeling he never wanted not to feel, and because of her.
"Want to give it a try?"
She nodded, then slipped her arm through his as he carried the stuffed dog. Before he returned to Cedar Spike, he was sure he'd be surrounded by dogs, real or stuffed.
Swift didn't think he had the emotional real estate to dote on a woman, especially one he hadn't seen in years. However, that quickly changed after four hours of playing games, going on rides, and eating everything from cotton candy to corn dogs, even getting t-shirts with their faces spray-painted on them.By the time he had two arms filled with prizes, his eyes were heavy. He fought through it because he had one more stop to make: Mount Hillshire. It was where movies were played on a massive screen while people sat under the stars on the lawn with blankets.
"We don't have to do this, Swift. I've already had a wonderful day."
"Star, man." He yawned, then pinched her cheek. She was too damn cute. "We are doing this."
He lifted the first blanket, tossing it up twice before placing it on the lawn. The second followed. Luckily, he thought of the pillows he'd snuck in the truck before Star came outside.
"Need anything?" he asked, lowering himself.
When Swift extended his hand, Star took it and lowered herself close to him. He couldn't help it. Once his head hit his pillow, he barely saw the beginning. It was the movie,Marry Me, with Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson. Wildly, it was a chick flick she loved, despite her love for sci-fi movies and television shows.
"Nothing except for you to rest. You've been so attentive today, thoughtful too."
When she placed her head on her pillow, he immediately scooted over and wrapped his arm around her tiny waist. His lips landed on her shoulder, offering a gentle peck.
"If I snore, nudge me."He grinned, his dimples emerging.
Star so wanted to poke them with her pointer finger, but she didn't as Swift took a deep breath and lay on his back.
He motioned for her to lie next to him with his hand. She hesitated but soon realized that he made it easy to follow his lead. Swift wasn't like Colt, who was flaky, predictable, and most times, a screwup. Star hated to compare, but she couldn't help it, and she couldn't help that she didn't miss him either.
"Comfortable?" he asked, her head on his shoulder.
"Yes, thank you."
"Naw, thank you. I'm proud of you for letting your hair down today. You deserve that shit." Her eyes lifted, studying his face before she quickly lowered them. "You know that, right?"
