The fair was brilliant. When we got there, the flashing lights and blaring carnival music gave me a headache, but when the lights blinded me and I almost tripped over my own feet Duke caught me around the waist and didn't let go all night. I think he was just as happy with this as I was. About halfway through, he decided I was safe and had to content himself with cradling my hand in his warm, protective one.
"Do you want to go on the Ferris wheel?" he asked, smiling, keeping me as close as possible as we waded through the crowd to get in line. He didn't have to wait for an answer. He knew what it was going to be.
"Yeah," I sighed, resting my head on his chest, our fingers entwined as we stood and waited for the line to move. I didn't care if it did.
So, there I was, on the tallest thing since freaking Mt. Everest. When I got on I was scared as anything, and he knew it, too. He gave me a not-so-quick kiss on the lips that left me dizzy with pleasure and I ached for more. He sat down next to me and rested his hand on my thigh. Like in the hallway, I was no longer self-conscious and hooked my arm through his, and he looked at me longingly and I knew he wanted more, too. The monstrous wheel lurched into motion and I almost screamed as inertia wrenched my gut momentarily. Duke sensed my fear and squeezed my leg reassuringly and I rested my head on his shoulder, breathing the scent of fabric softener and his signature smell that made me woozy, and I smiled. It was so romantic, like pulled straight out of a chic flick my older and grown sister was always hung up on. I took another deep breath and electricity jolted my every nerve straight into my heart. My heart was filled with the warm desire of having him forever. But, sadly, it didn't last forever. When I opened my eyes we were on the ground and the ride attendant was grinning at me. I looked down and discovered I was sprawled across Duke's lap and he was smiling, his eyes bright and cheeks burning.
I got up and straightened my skirt and the rude bystander gave a low chuckle. My cheeks were burning too, I could feel it, and me being conscious of this seemed to make them burn brighter, if that was possible. Duke was proud as ever and led me by the hand, tight against his side, out of the car and into the cool breeze below.
"I have a surprise for you," he whispered softly, his lips smooth against my ear and cheek, and my world caved in around me when he pulled away. He moved toward me and I stepped forward, and he kissed me with such pure intensity that every nerve on my body was shocked, twitching on a live wire. I returned the kiss gratefully, curving myself around him in a graceful arc. "But that's not it," he breathed against me neck, sighing and trying to take in my flowery scent at the same time. He grumbled with regret as he pulled away, but kept his arm in a viselike grip around my waist as he led me into a side street, the moon lighting our path like a great white orb, shining down on us. The road was lined with flower petals. He opened a curtain and when I saw it I almost fainted. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, so divine that words cannot describe it, but I'll get as close as I can: the clearing was small and dark, with billions of dancing lights shimmering in the background. "For you," he breathed, and then, we danced. The most slow, dazzling song I've ever heard started playing. He stepped forward with a sly grin and wrapped his long arms securely around my waist, and mine around his neck, and we kissed in peaceful bliss. I could've sworn the world had stopped turning. Then he pulled away reluctantly and spoke, tracing the shape of my lips with his finger. "I know, it's only been a week or so, but Madison…I love you."
"I love you, too." I whispered, and there we swayed to the music, the stars glittering on the pure, velvet, inky black sky above.