...Brady moved quickly through the families and young couples meandering through Playland. He looked everywhere for the sight of Kyra’s blonde hair and the pink blouse he’d glimpsed as she got in the truck. On the drive over, a plan had hatched, and he was eager to catch sight of her before she spotted him. The element of surprise was what he needed. After only a few more minutes of conversation with the secretary, he’d learned what Kyra was up to. The twenty-minute drive had allowed him needed time to cool off—and then to plot a test.

How far she was willing to go, he didn’t know. But he intended to find out. To his left, the Ferris wheel spun and he heard a familiar laugh. He tracked the basket’s progress as it inched higher on its ascent, loading passengers, until he spotted her blonde head. Gaze fixed on their entangled clinch, he tensed, a long-forgotten protective urge rising.

Although he’d initially doubted Shirley’s assessment, he couldn’t deny what he was seeing. He reached for his cell phone and punched in Kyra’s number from memory. After the phone connected, he watched her straighten, reach toward the bottom of the metal basket and then hook a hands-free unit over her ear.

“Kyra Whittaker here.”

“Hello, Kyra.”

A gasp sounded. “Brady Keegan? Is that you? How did you get this number?”

A swell of pride settled in his chest that she’d immediately recognized his voice. “Doesn’t matter. I learned what you’re planning and I wanted to watch.”

“You’re here?” Her head swiveled, blonde hair flipping over her shoulder. “In Playland? Where?”

On reflex, he edged back, deeper into the shadow of a sprawling oak tree. “You won’t find me, but know this, I can see you.”

“Why are you here? Back in Oak Knoll?”

“Weren’t you listening? I want you to know that I’m watching every move you make, that I intend to enjoy every inch of skin you’ll be exposing.” The mixture of anger and excitement hardened his cock. He shifted, widening his stance against the constricting fabric of his trousers.

“You know what we’re doing here, and you want to watch?”

“Have to, babe.” He watched her slump back in the seat. “I wasn’t invited to participate.”

“Still arrogant as hell, I see.”

A surprised laugh escaped his lips. “Ah, the girl has some sass. That’s new.”

“Did you call just to harass me? If so, I’m ending this call.”

“Don’t do that, Kyra. I want to inspire you.”

“What?” Her breath whooshed out.

“Pretend I’m sitting next to you.” He watched her glance at the man beside her and then lean over the restraining bar to take another look at the area directly below the Ferris wheel ride.

“Why?”

“Because I’ve missed you, Kyra.”

She sucked in a breath. “What are you saying?”

The excited note in her voice encouraged him. “Admit it…you’ve thought of me.” He glanced around the immediate area and intentionally lowered his voice. “I’ll bet you’ve remembered my hands on your body.” A memory he revisited often. Before he faced her again, he had to know if she still held any soft and sensual feelings in her heart.

Through one entire revolution of the Ferris wheel, he waited for her answer and then continued, “Be my hands, Kyra. Trace the outside of your breasts.” When she didn’t move, he clenched his jaw and forced out a single word. “Please.”

He watched her lift a hand to her breast, rubbing from her breast to her waist and back up. Blood pumped through his body, echoing in his eardrums. Yes, he still had a chance.

“Both hands. Cup the weight of your breasts and flick your thumbs over the nipples.” If only he’d arrived at the park five minutes earlier. He’d have flattened this jerk Paul for the chance to be sitting beside her on the ride.