Bare Hearts
all yours,” Lily says, looking at me with a furrowed brow.
    “Are you really not going to ride a rollercoaster?” I ask as we continue walking.
    “Hell no!” she says loudly.
    “Are you thirsty or hungry? We can stop and have a bite before we continue on.”
    “Yes, please,” she looks at me sweetly.
    We stop at a hotdog stand for two hot dogs and lemonades. One way or another, I will get her on a rollercoaster before the day is over. We grab a high table and stools to eat our food. Tim and Molly went ahead and we agreed to meet in an hour at the Kissing Tower. I’m not sure why it’s called a Kissing Tower, because it is only a ride that you go on that moves in a clockwise direction as you see the panoramic views of the city. But the windows are shaped like Hershey Kisses so that might be why.
    “Want to play a few of these games?” I gesture toward a ring toss game after we finish eating.
    “Sure,” she says with excitement.
    We approach the stand and I pay for rings for both of us to toss. Throwing the first toss I land right on the target, as I do with the second and third. Lily gives her first toss, missing the target. I position myself behind her, guiding her arm with mine and toss the ring, landing right on the target. She jumps in excitement. The heat emanating off her is electrifying and it sends my body into overdrive as we do the same for a third toss, which also lands on the target. The game host offers her an array of prizes. Her eyes scan the wall of various animals and she points to a small monkey. The smile on her face from the win is so sweet and I’m happy to see her beautiful smile.
    “Thanks for the assistance,” she says, turning to tuck the monkey in her arm.
    “How ‘bout that game?” I ask about the game that has water guns aiming into the targets. I know I’m at pro at this. It’s something my dad and I did when I was little. He taught me how to shoot in the back yard.
    “Fine, but don’t cry if you lose,” she says. I know she’s bluffing.
    “What about a little wager? I win, you ride a rollercoaster, or if I lose you can pick a ride.”
    “Deal,” she says with determination.
    I pay the game host and we take our position waiting for the bell to ring. Hunched over with my finger on the trigger, I squint and look through the scope. Once the bell goes off, I squeeze the trigger, aiming the water on the bull’s eye of the target. The bell rings again letting us know the game is over and I gain the victory. I throw my arms in the air, expressing my victory.
    “Show off! That is hard, keeping the water shooting in the target. It was all over place. So not fair. I hate rollercoasters,” she says. Since I won, the host offers an array of prizes. I point to a giant bear.
    The hour passes quickly and we make our way to the Kissing Tower to meet Tim and Molly. While waiting in line, I give the details on the wager I made with Lily.
    “You shouldn’t have done that,” Molly says to Lily, shaking her head.
    “A bet is a bet,” Lily says with a weak smile.
     

Chapter Nine

LILY
    I can’t believe I have to ride a fucking rollercoaster. What have I gotten myself into? Clearly this guy is nothing but bad news, conning me into that. Looking into his blue eyes, and being mesmerized by them, I unwillingly said yes. Hell, he could probably con any girl right out of her panties. I mean, all he’d have to do is ask.
    We all chat as we wait in line to go up in the Tower. Even though it’s very high, it’s not a fast ride. It moves slowly, which is more my speed. Spending the day with Parker has clearly ignited the heat between us even more. He looks absolutely gorgeous in his shorts and shirt. I can see the colorful tattoos snaking down his arm, and it raises the hotness factor a hundred times more. I really just want to reach over and trace them all with my fingers.
    As we move up the line, Parker wraps one arm around my waist, keeping me close to him and holds the big bear in

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