13. Tyson

13

TYSON

W hen I pull up at the carnival, I glance at Sofia to see her nose wrinkling in disgust. “What’s wrong? Is it not fancy enough for you?”

“Why are we here?” She crosses her arms, green eyes flashing with defiance.

“We’re here because I want to show you how a real man treats your clit.”

She gasps, and her cheeks flush a deep pink.

I open the door to my Mustang. “But first, dinner. Can’t have you going hungry. And you’ll need a lot of energy for what I have planned.”

Her perfectly shaped eyebrow arches. “Dinner? Here?” She glances at the carnival entrance with disdain. “I usually dine at Michelin-starred restaurants.”

“Tonight, you’re getting the authentic carnival experience.” I climb out of the Mustang and walk around to open her door.

She reluctantly takes my hand, and I guide her through the carnival entrance, my hand resting possessively on the small of her back. Her discomfort at being here amuses me—the mob princess is so far out of her element.

I grab her hand, pulling her toward the food stands.

“I wouldn’t be caught dead eating this greasy carnival trash.” She tries to dig her heels in, but I keep her moving.

“One corndog won’t kill you,” I ordered two corndogs and a couple of beers. “Here’s your five-star dining experience.”

“This is ridiculous.” But I catch the slight quirk of her lips as she accepts the corndog, holding it delicately between two manicured fingers.

“Take a bite. Live dangerously.”

She rolls her eyes but takes a small, tentative bite. Her eyes widen slightly.

“Good, right?” I take a long pull from my beer.

“It’s... not terrible,” she admits, taking another bite.

“High praise from someone who probably eats caviar for breakfast.” I wink at her, enjoying the way her cheeks flush.

“You’re impossible.” But she’s smiling now, really smiling, as she sips her beer.

I watch Chloe lick a spot of mustard from her finger, my cock twitching at the sight. She’s loosened up after the corndog and beer, her shoulders relaxed as she leans back in her seat.

“Admit it – you’re enjoying yourself.” I collect our empty paper plates and bottles.

“I’ll admit nothing.” But her smile gives her away. “ Though I suppose there are worse ways to spend an evening than slumming it with carnival food.”

“Just wait, baby girl. The night’s not over.” I stand up. “Stay right here. Don’t move an inch.”

“Where are you going?” She asks.

“To get dessert. Trust me.”

“Trust you?” She laughs. “That seems unwise.”

I head to Mark’s stand and order two fresh funnel cakes loaded with powdered sugar. The sweet aroma fills the air as I carry them back.

Sofia’s eyes widen.“What is that?” She peers at the twisted, sugar-dusted confection.

“This is a funnel cake. The crown jewel of carnival cuisine.” I set one in front of her with a flourish.

“It looks like a heart attack waiting to happen.” But she’s already reaching for a piece, pulling apart the crispy strands.

“The best things in life usually are.” I watch as she takes her first bite, powdered sugar dusting her lips.

“Oh my god.” Her eyes close in pleasure. “This is... incredible.”

“Better than your fancy French pastries?”

“Don’t push it.” She breaks off another piece. “But it’s good.”

“The simple pleasures in life.” I hand her a napkin, but she waves it away.

“No point. I’m just going to keep making a mess.” She downs the last of her second beer. Gone is her stiff posture from earlier. “You know what? This is actually... fun. ”

“Did that physically pain you to say?” I smirk as she rolls her eyes.

“Don’t be smug.” She tears off another piece of funnel cake.

I down the last of my beer, dragging my eyes away from the way Sofia’s tongue swipes a stray bit of powdered sugar from her lip. I’ve been with more women than I can count, but something about this girl has gotten under my skin. I’m aching to see what’s under that dress.

“Ready to go, baby girl?” I extend my hand to her, and she hesitates momentarily before placing her palm in mine. I pull her to her feet and tug her close, her body fitting perfectly against my muscles. She looks up at me, green eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“I—” She swallows, searching my gaze. “I’m ready.”

I lead her away from the bright lights and noise of the carnival, back toward my trailer. The night is cool, and I wrap an arm around her shoulders, drawing her close. She doesn’t pull away, instead nestling into my side. I can feel the tension radiating off her, a mix of nerves and desire.

“You know, I’ve thought about this moment a lot,” I murmur, my lips brushing her ear. “You, coming back to my place. Letting me show you how well I can care for that body.”

She shivers against me. “Oh yeah?” Her voice is breathy, and I can feel her soft breasts pressing against my chest.

“Oh, yeah.” I chuckle, a deep rumble in my chest. “ I’ve imagined those thighs wrapped around my waist, your soft skin under my hands.” I pause outside the trailer, key in hand. “And don’t even get me started on that mouth.”

She bites her lip, glancing up at me. “Ty?—”

“You want to know what I’m going to do with that pretty little mouth of yours?” I tease, pressing even closer to her. Her breath quickens, and I can feel the pounding of her heart. I lean down, my lips ghosting over hers. “I’ll let you find out soon enough.”

I pull back, studying Sofia’s flushed face. This girl has me completely twisted up inside. When I first spotted her, I thought she’d be just another conquest—someone to chase, catch, and eventually discard. But there’s something different about her.

It could be how she challenges me, refusing to follow my usual tricks. Or how her genuine smile lights up her whole face when she lets her guard down like she did tonight over that damn funnel cake. How she fits against me feels right in a way I can’t explain.

And hell, watching her enjoy simple carnival food instead of her usual fancy fare did something to my chest that I was not ready to examine too closely. I’m playing a dangerous game here—she’s Jimmy Moretti’s daughter, engaged to another client, and completely off-limits. But standing here with her soft curves pressed against me, the sweet scent of her perfume mixing with powdered sugar, I’m already in too deep.

This isn’t just about getting her into my bed anymore. I want more. I want all of her—her sass, her smile, those moments when she drops her rich-girl act and lets herself feel. And that terrifies me more than any business deal gone wrong ever could.