Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 31355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 157(@200wpm)___ 125(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31355 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 157(@200wpm)___ 125(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
As we walked back towards the circus lights a minute later, the gravel crunching under our feet, I thought about us. Each moment with Ava was a high-wire act of its own, a balance between desire and restraint, every step calculated but fraught with peril. As the ringmaster, I was used to taking risks, but Ava—she was proving to be my most dangerous act yet. She made me want to change the rules—I loved my life alone, but something down deep made me think this woman might be the reason I finally give up my solitude.
The midday light filtered through the high windows of the dressing room as I scrawled a quick note, my hand steady but my mind a tornado of thoughts and feelings as I thought about Ava. I slipped the folded note into her locker like a silly kid with a schoolyard crush and smiled. The note was an invitation to dinner after tonight’s last performance, the words carefully chosen to convey warmth yet tinged with an intimacy that had begun to define our recent interactions. As I closed the locker, I felt a mix of adrenaline and fear coursing through my blood. I didn’t ask women out often, or at all. I couldn’t remember the last time a woman had even caught my attention.
Hours later, under a canopy of twinkling string lights, I waited outside my caravan for Ava to arrive. I set a table for two, secluded from the rest of the circus grounds. Soft music played from inside the caravan, so when Ava stepped into the light, her eyes met mine, and the world seemed to hold its breath. We settled at the table in silence, and I lifted the covered dishes I’d made for us—chicken and pesto with angel hair pasta, and we shared a meal under the starlit sky.
“You’re talented in the kitchen,” she commented.
I shrugged, “I like to cook.”
“You do?” She asked, her lips parted gently drew me in and begged to be covered with mine. I wanted to be a gentleman for her. I’d never had that desire before, wanting to be better for her scared the hell out of me in ways I couldn’t quite explain.
We talked about small things, like the next stop on the schedule—Napierville—and where we went to high school. Minneapolis—me, Aurora—her. Our conversation flowed easily, and each glance, each laugh we shared, drew me deeper under her spell.
I finally asked, “Tell me Ava,” she shifted in her chair when I used her name, “do you like it here?”
Her eyes held mine for long moments. I was captured by her. “More than I thought I would, honestly.”
She clamped down on her bottom lip as she watched me. I breathed the question that’d been rattling in my mind for a few days now, “Are you afraid of me?”
Her eyes widened, but she shook her head quickly. “No.”
I reached across the table, dragging one fingertip along the curve of her palm. “Good. I’m glad.”
“Why did you think I might be afraid?”
“Because the way you look at me.” I leaned closer. “And the way you bite your lip when you do it.” My eyes flicked to her full pink lips. “You look like you either want to run or scream.”
“Both,” she gasped.
“Excuse me?” I laughed.
“Both. It’s both.” She clamped down on her lips like she’d just revealed too much.
I chuckled. “Do I make you nervous?”
“Yes,” she whispered so softly it went straight to my cock. I had to suppress a groan or bite down on my own damn lip to stop myself from throwing her over my shoulders and taking her into my caravan right now.
Instead, I tried the approach of a gentleman. “Can I kiss you?”
“Yes.” Came her quick reply.
I closed the distance between us and cupped her face in my palms. I dusted my lips with hers, groaning when she opened her lips and I breathed her in for the first time. She was mint and honey and so sweet I thought I might lose my mind. I pressed my lips against hers a little harder. Her palms traced my forearms as I held her to me, fighting the urge to never let her go. Hell, I’d move her into my caravan right now if she’d have me.
We finally pulled apart, her sweet lips parted as she gasped for a breath of air.
“I like stealing your breath,” I winked.
Her cheeks flushed under the lights over our head. My heart thundered away in my chest when she stood, smiled softly and then blew me a kiss. “I like when you steal my breath too.”
I stood, cupping her elbow. “Do you want me to walk you home?”
“No, no it’s okay. I need a moment to collect my thoughts. It’s not everyday a girl get’s her breath stolen by a handsome ringmaster.”