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The crowd goes wild in the warm California night as the band finishes with fireworks exploding up from the stage. From my vantage point beside the entrance to the Ferris wheel, I am able to see over the heads of the crowd gathered but I’m too far away to be able to pick out anything about the band member’s facial features. From what I had heard, they had sounded pretty good for an up and coming band.
Sighing, I brace myself for the onslaught of customers now that the concert is over. Given it is Halloween, the park will be open until midnight to allow extra time for celebrations, making it a long night for anyone working, but I don’t mind.
I am truly going to miss this place, I think to myself as I smile at the first person approaching the entrance. Taking their ticket, the first of many yet to come, I unhook the chain to allow them entry.
For the past five years of college, this place has been my social outlet and has helped to pay my tuition. I had tried to keep this as a part-time job after starting my day job in September but the long days of learning the ropes of an advertising executive assistant is making it impossible to keep up this pace. I had mournfully decided that to excel in my new grown up job, I have to let go of the job that I started in my late teens, finally letting the last attachment to the days of my youth go.
Giving my notice two-weeks ago had been hard but I had consoled myself by making my last night of work Halloween. It was always great at the park on Halloween. Visitors dressed up, happy to pretend to be someone else for this one day a year, came in throngs to enjoy the amusement park rides but also to take in the evening concert and the spectacular firework display immediately afterwards.
I had always loved the vibe on Halloween.
The next couple of hours pass swiftly and it is on the last ride of the night that I look up for a moment to look down the line. My gaze becomes riveted on one guy. His costume is a black mask that covers his eyes and part of his nose, leaving his sensual mouth exposed. With his long, lean, toned body encased in a black t-shirt and black skinny jeans, I flush. This guy has sex appeal that radiates from him and with his intent gaze boring into me, I feel myself involuntarily flush.
Lifting my chin, I tear my eyes away from him to continue looking down the line past him, but they inevitably come back to him.
He grins knowingly.
I quickly move my eyes away from the cocky bastard and focus them on the girl in the front of the line.
"Next!" I shout with my eyes purposely trained on her, and not on him as I drop the chain to allow her access.
The line continues and as I let people through, I am aware that the black masked guy is moving closer and closer. I focus my gaze on collecting tickets, not on looking up to see who is next.
But my body feels, reacting of its own accord to his close proximity, when he is next.
"Hey," he says softly upon reaching me, his tone deep and sensual, his voice reverberating throughout my body.
"Ticket please," I force myself to say stoically.
His right hand comes out to grasp mine and I jump while noticing a cross tattoo just over his thumb. His action has my startled eyes coming up to his.
Such beautiful green eyes.
"What time are you off?" he asks in a murmur.
Clearing my throat, not quite understanding why I do, I respond, "After this ride."
Nodding, he says softly, "I'll be back," then squeezes my hand before handing me his ticket with the other, causing me to notice the multitude of tattoos over each of his arms. When he releases me, I realize my breathing is hitched. His smile is erotically gentle, like he knows I am attracted but also that I am weary, as he turns from me to climb into the seat.
As the wheel continues to move, moving him further and further up into the air as more people climb on, I silently wish I was with him. To look out over the park, the crowd, but then to look skywards, and watch the stars.
Finally, the line-up of people is down to one and I let the last person through. The big wheel begins its tedious process of grinding to allow everyone the vantage point of feeling like they are on top of the world. As my mystery-masked guy is lowered, his gaze finds mine, holding it, until he is taken back up into the air again, cutting off our visual connection. But he always searches and holds my gaze each time he is lowered.
As the big wheel grinds to a stop, my heart picks up its beat.
I could leave now but something keeps me here. Waiting...
As the wheel turns, allowing passengers off, my masked guy comes into view again. He holds my gaze until it is his turn to exit the ride. He thanks Billy, the operator, as he steps off before heading over to where I am standing.
He doesn't hesitate as he takes my hand, threading his fingers through mine. I watch as he brings it up to his mouth for a kiss.
I want to swoon. What guy born in this century thanks an amusement park operator and then strides confidently over to you, even though he doesn’t know you, to kiss the back of your hand?
"Shall we go someplace?" he asks quietly.
With my body on high alert, so highly attuned to him, I try to focus my brain. To think.
"You're a stranger. I was always told never to go anywhere with a stranger," is my mumbled, stupid reply.
He grins as he teases, "I never said I was whisking you away to some place where we would be alone. I asked if you wanted to go somewhere, of your choosing."
My cheeks flush further. I feel like an idiot.
With him still holding my hand, he gently gives me a tug, prompting me to move, for me to guide us to anywhere I want to go.
"There's another way out, away from the crowds," I confide.
"You lead, I'll follow," he says gently.
I guide him around the Ferris wheel onto a path that encircles the entire park, which allows employees to move around the park quickly instead of through the hordes of people. It is relatively quiet, except for an occasional fellow employee who stops to wish me well, telling me they will see me tomorrow evening for my going away party.
"You are finishing up here tonight?" the masked guy, walking next to me, holding my hand asks.
I nod.
"What's your name?" he asks.
I flush again, scolding myself that I am walking and holding hands with a guy I just met, and I didn't even think to ask his name.
"Cass," I reply.
"Borden," he replies in turn.
I nod, flustered.
"You have another job, Cass?" he asks. Hearing my name on his lips sends a flush of desire through me.
Clearing my throat, I answer, "Yes. I started as an advertising executive assistant in September."
I force my mind to think, to stop looking down at our joined hands, to stop wondering how his hands would feel on me.
Clearing my throat, I ask, "Do you have a job?"
I lick my lips as I look up at him walking next to me. His long dark hair curled down around his strong neck is enticing. I envision pulling his head down so that I could trace his jawline with my tongue.
My nipples pucker and I flush.
"I do," he admits but pauses before continuing, "I'm a musician."
"Are you any good?" I blurt out.
He chuckles as he responds lightly, "Some people think I'm good."
As we near the exit for the park, I suddenly have no idea what to suggest.
Bringing him back to my place is out of the question, it's too forward. But it's what I want.
"Do you have a car?" I ask.
"Not with me," he replies.
"Okay..." I stop in the parking lot, torn. I really shouldn't be in my car with a stranger I just met. He stops beside me, waiting for me to make a decision.
Flustered, awkward, I say, "I shouldn't offer to take you in my car."
"No, you shouldn't," he replies. He stands quietly, waiting patiently.
He does nothing to persuade me in any direction, only stands there, looking hotter than any guy I have ever met, waiting for me to decide.
"Come on. This way," I say after a few moments, tugging him to my car.
I hear him chuckle.
I reach into my back pocket to pull out my car keys and press the unlock button. As the locks whir open, Borden reaches down to pull open the driver side door. I let go of his hand and settle myself behind the driver's seat, flushed once again at his gentlemanly ways.
I watch as he crosses the front of my car to walk to the passenger side. I continue to watch as he slides in next to me, his jeans pulling even tighter. I notice the large bulge between his legs.
Shocked, I whip my head up to stare straight forward. Fumbling, I start my engine.
We don't say much as I drive, and I realize he is letting me make all the decisions, giving me complete control.
I feel myself relax a little. I glance over at him, to find him staring at me intensely. He reaches out and places his hand on my jean clad thigh causing my muscles to jump underneath the material. Liquid seeps through my core.
I want him. Very badly.
Whether it's my mind or my body that makes the decision, I take the turn towards my apartment building.
We will just go for a late-night swim, I convince myself silently.
The drive doesn't take long and I see his eyes move to my face appreciatively as I pull into my parking space.
His hand squeezes my leg as he says quietly, "Thank you for trusting me."
I nod but admit, "We are only going as far as the pool."
He chuckles softly as he nods, his smile sexy, making my fingers itch to reach out and trace his sensual lips. He releases my knee and I try to bring my breathing back to normal. I watch as he opens his car door, focused on his long fingers and the cross tattoo as it flashes in the street light. He crosses to my side and opens my door for me. Taking my hand, he swings the car door shut behind me before walking with me to the pool area.
Taking a seat on a lounger, he pulls me down next to him. My entire body feels more alive than it ever has. My breath hitches as he reaches up to brush my hair back over my shoulder, exposing my neck. His hand softly wraps around the back of my neck, his thumb grazing the pulse underneath my jawline. I am sure he can feel how fast my pulse is throbbing.
"So beautiful," he whispers.
I swallow thickly.
"Are you going to take off your mask?" I ask quietly. I love the secrecy, but I want to see his face more.
I feel him stiffen slightly before he replies uneasily, "If you want me to."
Wondering why he has become suddenly uneasy, I nod, wanting to figure out what he’s hiding.
I watch as he reaches behind him, untying the mask. As it falls from his face, I have my first full look at him.
He is stunning.
His gaze penetrates me, as if searching for something, as I reach up to touch his facial features.
"You're the one that is beautiful," I admit quietly as I trace the slope of his cheek, down to his lips.
I can't help myself as I lean forward, pressing my lips to his. It's electric.