29. Lars

29

LARS

One month later…

I wipe the sweat from my brow as I tighten the last bolt on the Gravitron. The sun beats down mercilessly, but I barely notice, my mind focused on the task. Beside me, Cade grunts as he heaves a heavy metal panel into place.

"Fucking hell, it's hot today," he grumbles, reaching for a bottle of water.

I nod in agreement, taking a swig from my own bottle. "Yeah, but at least we're almost done. Just need to double-check the safety harnesses, and we're good to go."

Cade chuckles, shaking his head. "Always the responsible one, aren't you, Lars?"

I shrug, a small smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. "Someone's gotta be with you around."

He flips me off good-naturedly, and we fall into a comfortable silence as we work. After a few minutes, Cade speaks up again.

"Hey, did you hear? Lily and Alice are helping out with the food stalls today."

I pause, looking up at him. "Yeah? That's good. I'm glad Lily came with Alice. It's good for her to have a friend to navigate all this with."

Cade nods, wiping his hands on his jeans. "Yeah, It can be a lot to take in."

I think back to when Alice first joined us. She's adapted quickly, embracing the carnival life with an enthusiasm that always amazes me, and having Lily by her side has helped.

"You know what? Let's go find our girls," I suggest, standing up and stretching my back. "I think we've earned a break."

Cade grins, tossing his wrench aside. "Don't have to ask me twice."

We walk through the carnival grounds, dodging workers and equipment as we head toward the food stalls. The scent of deep-fried delights and sugary treats fills the air, making my stomach growl.

As we approach, I spot Alice and Lily at the corn dog stand, laughing and chatting as they prepare it. Alice looks up, catching my eye, and her face lights up with a smile that makes my heart stutter.

I quicken my pace, eager to reach her side. It's only been six weeks since we met, but already I can't imagine my life without her in it. She's become my everything.

Beside me, Cade lets out a low whistle as he spots Lily. "Damn, my girl looks good in an apron," he mutters, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

I roll my eyes, elbowing him in the ribs. "Keep your cool, man."

I stride up to Alice, pulling her close and kissing her cheek. She giggles and swats at my chest playfully.

"Hey there, princess," I murmur, nuzzling her neck. "How's it going?"

Alice sighs, leaning into my embrace. "Fine, but we've got a lot to do for later. I don't need any interruptions right now, Lars."

Beside us, Lily echoes the sentiment to Cade. "Same here. We're busy and need to focus."

Cade catches my eye, a knowing smirk spreading across his face. I mirror his expression, tightening my grip on Alice's waist.

"Well, that's too bad," I drawl. "Because Cade and I were thinking you two could use a break. Some meat needs tending to if you know what I mean."

Alice's eyes widen, her cheeks flushing pink. She glances around quickly, making sure no one overhears. "Lars! We can't just leave when we're supposed to be preparing for tonight!"

I chuckle, trailing my fingers along her hip. "Sure you can, princess. Ty won't mind. In fact, he'd probably encourage it."

Cade nods, his hand sliding down to cup Lily's ass. "Absolutely. Consider it a team-building exercise."

Lily bites her lip, clearly tempted by the offer. She looks to Alice, who seems to be wavering.

I lean in close, my breath hot against Alice's ear. "Come on, princess. Let me take care of you. I promise it'll be worth the break."

I smirk as the girls agree, their eyes sparkling with anticipation. Cade wastes no time, grabbing Lily's hand and practically dragging her toward the nearby tree line.

I turn my attention back to Alice, pulling her flush against me. "As for you, princess," I purr, trailing my fingers along the curve of her jaw, "I have somewhere else in mind."

She shivers under my touch, biting her lip coyly. "Oh? And where did you have in mind, exactly?"

Leaning in, I brush my lips against the sensitive spot below her ear. "The Haunted House isn't opening for another hour,"I murmur. "Which means it's all ours for the taking."

Alice's breath catches in her throat as I nip at her earlobe teasingly. "L-Lars...someone could catch us..."

"That's half the thrill, isn't it?" I counter, giving her ass a firm squeeze. "Now, here's what's going to happen. I will give you a head start, and you'll run and hide somewhere inside. Then I'll come looking for you."

Her eyes widen, darkening with arousal at my commanding tone. "And if you find me?"

I grin, grinding my growing erection against her belly. "Then I'm going to make you scream my name so loud, the whole town will hear you."

Alice whimpers, already trembling with need. I chuckle, stepping back and gesturing toward the looming facade of the Haunted House.

"Well? What are you waiting for, princess? Run."

She takes off with a breathless giggle, disappearing into the shadowy entrance. I count to twenty, my cock straining against my jeans as I envision all the deliciously depraved things I'm going to do to her.

Then, with a predatory grin, I follow after her. The hunt is on.

I watch her run, the swell of her hips beneath the thin fabric of her shirt enticing me further. This is a game I know well and one that always ends with Alice moaning my name. Her desire is my addiction, and I won't deny myself the pleasure of hearing her sweet surrender again and again.

With each step, my hunger for her grows. I push through the entrance of the Haunted House, my eyes adjusting to the dim light. The familiar scent of must and dust fills my nostrils, sending a shiver down my spine. My eyes scan the room, searching for her, the anticipation building with every second that passes.

The rustle of movement to my right catches my attention. I spot Alice, her eyes widened in surprise, but her lips curved in a mischievous smile. She backs up against a wall, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

I stalk toward her, deliberately slow, relishing the fear and desire that flash in her eyes.

When I'm close enough to touch her, I reach out, gripping her hips and pulling her against me. She gasps as I push her body against the wall and lift her off the floor, making her legs instinctively wrap around my waist.

Our lips crash together in a feverish kiss, my tongue demanding entrance. I groan into her mouth, already spiraling out of control.

My hands roam wildly, tearing at her clothes, desperate to feel her bare skin. Buttons pop open, the thin fabric of her shirt ripping under my frenzied grasp. Her warm, soft skin is soon revealed, and I groan again, this time in appreciation.

"You look so fucking good, princess," I growl, my voice hoarse with need. "But you look even better out of those clothes."

Her breath hitches as my hands skim her body, exploring every curve and hollow. I grip her ass, squeezing and molding her cheeks in my palms as I thrust against her, my cock straining for release.

She whimpers, her arms wrapping around my neck. "Lars, please..."

Her plea sends a jolt of arousal through me, and I claim her lips in another searing kiss. Her soft moans fuel my desire further as I rip the last of her clothes away.

When I finally step back to admire her, she looks like an angel bathed in the muted light of the Haunted House. Her skin is flushed, her hair wild, and her eyes filled with equal parts desire and apprehension.

Perfect.

I kick off my own clothes, my gaze never leaving hers. Her eyes widen at the sight of my naked body, and she bites her lip, her gaze flicking down to the thick, erect length of me.

"Now, princess," I murmur, stroking myself slowly, "I want you to watch."

Her eyes widen as I position her before a full-length mirror, her back pressed against my chest. I nip at her neck, sucking a particularly sensitive spot that makes her squirm.

"Watch us, Alice," I continue, my hand sliding between her legs from behind. "I want you to see how gorgeous you look taking my cock."

I thrust my fingers into her, relishing her gasp and pumping my fingers slowly in and out of her.

"Look at us, princess," I rasp, kissing her neck as I inch forward. "Don't you look so fucking beautiful?"

She meets my gaze in the mirror, lips pursing. "Please, Lars," she begs, and I know exactly what she wants. Pulling my fingers out of her pussy, I stroke my cock through her wet folds. "Do you want my cock?" I tease.

Her eyes flutter shut as she moans. "Yes, please."

"Open your eyes," I demand.

Those beautiful green eyes immediately meet mine in the mirror. "Watch me claim what's mine." With a swift, powerful thrust, I sink into her, filling her completely.

Alice cries out, a strangled sound of pleasure, as I bury myself to the hilt. The mirror offers a perfect view of our joined bodies, and I begin to move, my eyes never leaving hers.

"You like this, don't you, princess?" I taunt, my voice a harsh growl as I pound into her. "You like watching me fuck you."

She nods frantically, her hands braced on the mirror as I thrust into her relentlessly. Her eyes are hazy with pleasure, her mouth open in a silent scream.

My hand snakes out, gripping her throat as I continue to move within her. "You're mine, Alice," I growl, punctuating each word with a rough thrust. "Say it."

"Yours," she chokes out, her body trembling on the brink of release.

"Again," I demand, tightening my grip. "Louder."

"I'm yours!" she cries, her body bucking as she teeters on the edge. My hand is blocking her airways, and fuck does it look hot watching her with my hand like a collar around her neck in the mirror while she stares right back at me.

I can feel her getting close. Her walls are fluttering around me, her body tensing and arching, seeking that final push that will send her over the edge.

"Come for me, baby. Let me feel you tighten around my cock."

Her head falls back against my shoulder, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps. I reach between us, rubbing her swollen clit in time with my thrusts.

"That's it, princess. Let go. Scream my name."

Her cry echoes through the abandoned house as her pussy clamps down on me, milking my cock with powerful contractions. I thrust into her a few more times, riding out her orgasm before my own release slams into me.

I roar as I explode inside her, biting down on her shoulder to muffle my cries. My body shudders with aftershocks as I spill myself into her, marking her as mine in the most primal way possible.

Slowly, I recover my senses, letting out a contented sigh as I pull out of her and force her to face me, resting my forehead against hers. My arms wrap tightly around her, anchoring us together, unwilling to let her go. I can feel her heart pounding against my chest, her breath still a little ragged as she recovers from the intensity of her climax.

"I love you," I murmur, nuzzling her hair. "So damn much, princess."

She meets my eyes, her expression soft. "I love you too, Lars. More than anything in this world."

Her words send a rush of warmth through me, and I smile, my thumb gently caressing her cheek. "You've got no idea how long I've wanted to hear you say that." It's the first time she's openly told me she loves me, even though I've felt it for a while.

She kisses me softly, her lips brushing mine in a tender gesture contrasting sharply with our earlier passion. Pulling away, she regards me shyly, her eyes sparkling with love and desire.

"Really? How long?"

I chuckle, tugging her closer. "Long enough. I thought you'd never come around."

She lays her head on my chest, a contented sigh escaping her lips. "I wanted to be sure you were in this for the long haul. Plus, it was fun making you guess."

"Oh, it was, was it?" I tease, kissing the top of her head. "Well, now that you've said it, I guess I'll have to keep you around."

She laughs, punching my shoulder playfully. "Glad to hear it. Where would you find another girl crazy enough to stick by your side?"

I contemplate this, a serious expression on my face. "You're right. There's definitely no one else like you."

"Oh?" She lifts her head, a teasing glint in her eye. "And what makes me so special?"

I consider her momentarily, my eyes roaming over her beautiful face. "Well, for one, you're the only person I've ever met who can drive me absolutely insane and still make me love you for it." I pause, my thumb brushing her jaw. "Also, you're the only one who knows my real name."

Her lips curve in a smile, and she goes onto her tiptoes to kiss me softly. "That's true. It's not every day you meet a Larson. Especially one as irresistible as you."

I hate my full name, Larson. Ever since I can remember, I've been Lars. But I told her because I want her to know everything about me.

I mock scowl at her, but my heart swells with happiness. "You'd better believe it, princess. There's no escape now. You're stuck with me."

She snuggles closer, her head resting on my chest. "Good. Because I've got no intention of letting you go."

I smile, bringing my hand up to tangle in her hair. "And I've got no intention of letting you go either."

We stay like that for a while, content in each other's embrace, the world feeling right for the first time in a long time. Whatever challenges lay ahead, we'll face them together. As long as we have each other, we can weather any storm.