The Faire (Harrow Faire #5) - Kathryn Ann Kingsley Page 0,50

in comparison to so many others. She pulled her knees up to her chin and rested her arms atop them, watching the people wander by. “I’m surprised people still want to come to a circus.”

“People will always want to come to a circus.” Laz chuckled. “They will always want to see wonders. They want a night away from their normal lives. And here, in this place, we can give them something fantastical and new. We can give them something they could only dream of before. We’re freedom to them.”

“Ironic.”

“Isn’t it?” He nudged her with his elbow. “Buck up, Cora. We’re going to win this thing. I know it.”

“Do you really? Or are you just trying to cheer me up?”

He turned her question around on her. “Does it really matter?” When she glared at him, he smirked. “Still an eldritch creature. I have to speak random riddles once in a while, or they’ll revoke my membership card. I have a quota to meet.”

Cora laughed. She didn’t want to. But she did. He was such a weirdo, but she liked him. She honestly enjoyed his company. And it wasn’t because he had burrowed his way into her head—she had found him funny before that.

She shut her eyes and leaned her head back against the tree. Despite her coat, she was still damp from the rain. Her hair was wet. She couldn’t care less. Something about the chill of the water made her feel more connected to the moment.

It reminded her of the first time she had been stuck out in the rain at Harrow Faire. Although this time, she was out here willingly.

And just like before, something fluffy landed over her head. She yelped in surprise and ripped it off. It was a towel.

And, just like before, Simon was standing at her feet, looming over her, an umbrella over his head. Two-toned sunglasses glinting orange in the electric filament bulbs of the lanterns nearby.

He looked immaculate, sharp lines of his suit all perfectly arranged. The black pinstripes on the crimson fabric accented how tall and angular he was.

How beautiful he was.

How terrifying.

Even now, even with his cynical little smirk as he looked down at her knowingly, she was a little afraid of him. She knew she could wreck him—pull him limb from limb, and then eat his seity and destroy him. She knew her fear was silly now. But like watching a horror movie, she discovered she enjoyed it.

“What is it with you and sitting like an idiot in the rain?” He turned to look out at the park. “I fail to see the appeal.”

“It’s hard to explain.” She took the towel and rubbed it over her hair. Lazarus had probably disappeared before Simon walked up. “Something about it reminds me that I’m smaller than my problems. That the world is bigger than I am. And to be blunt, the first time I got stuck in the rain, I had nothing to do with it.”

“Well, now you have no excuse. I’m hungry, and I think we should attend dinner. It would be good to be seen.”

“Yeah. I’m sure they have more questions.” She pushed up to her feet and brushed herself off. She was struck by the sight of him again. He really did know how to tailor his appearance to be impactful. Like a snake in the wild with its bright colors, warning the world around him that he was dangerous.

And she loved him.

“Simon?”

“Hm?”

“You really are tall and sexy.”

He laughed loudly, grinning at her, wide and dangerous, and stepped into her threateningly. She took a step back and bumped into the tree. Just like that, he flipped every switch she had.

With his free hand, he caught her throat in his grasp and pressed just enough to make his point. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten. And don’t think I’ve forgotten how much you love being just a little afraid…” He tilted her head to the side and leaned in to press a slow kiss to the hollow of her throat beneath her ear. “Why does the knowledge that you could destroy me at any moment make this so much more exciting? That you bare your throat to the wolf? Is it because you want what I can do to you?” When she stayed silent, her head reeling, he tightened his hand just a little. “Hm? Do you?”

“Yeah,” she said through a breath.

“Good.” He let go of her and stepped back. One second, he was there, and the next he was gone in a