Heavy Metal (A Badboy Rockstar Romance) by Octavia Wildwood Read Free Book Online

hello to the ride attendant.  Then Brandon hopped onto the structure with ease.  Right away, he extended his hand to help me up.
    “I know it’s probably dumb that I’m in my mid-twenties and giddy about riding a carousel,” I said apologetically as I climbed onto a pink and white stallion with flowers in its long, flowing mane.  “It’s just that I’ve always wanted to ride one.”
    “You never have?” Brandon asked, surprised.
    “No.  I didn’t have the most privileged childhood,” I shrugged, not wanting to sound like I was trying to make Brandon feel sorry for me.  Then I let out a startled shriek as the music came on and the carousel suddenly and unexpectedly began to move.
    Brandon laughed at my reaction and I felt his arm slip around my waist, holding me steady.  “Easy,” he murmured reassuringly as he stood beside me.  “I’ve got you.  You’re not going to fall.  I’ve got you.”
    When the carousel ride came to an end, I was beaming from ear to ear.
    Brandon couldn’t seem to take his eyes off me.
    “So how did reality live up to the fantasy?” he asked, helping me down.
    “It was great!” I replied enthusiastically, unable to stop smiling.
    “Have you ever been on a rollercoaster?” he asked with a gleam in his eye.
    I shook my head.
    “Oh, you are going to love it,” he promised.  Then he asked, “You don’t have like, a heart condition or anything, do you?  And please tell me you don’t have issues with motion sickness?  Because that might not end so well...”
    “No, nothing like that,” I assured him.
    “Okay, good.  Then I stand by what I said.  You are going to love it!  C’mon!”
    A few minutes later, Brandon and I were strapped into the front car of a very large and impressive looking rollercoaster.  After the attendant had come over to make sure we were securely fastened in, he went over to the control booth and started the ride.
    At first it was little more than a slow and steady crawl to the top of the mountainous structure.  But then, as we were approaching the top, I started to get nervous.  I looked at Brandon and saw that he appeared to be on cloud nine, eager anticipation written all over his handsome face.
    He extended his hand and I took it gratefully.
    He gave it a squeeze and shot me a reassuring, happy grin.
    Then we went sailing over the side of the rollercoaster, hurtling toward the ground so fast that it left my stomach doing summersaults.  But it also gave me a huge adrenaline rush, and by the time we reached the bottom I was screaming and laughing all at once.  The thrill of what we had done left me giddy and carefree.
    “That was incredible!” I giggled as Brandon undid my safety strap for me. 
    “I told you it would be fun,” he chuckled, climbing out of the car and then helping me to my feet.  “What do you feel like trying next, the Ferris wheel?”
    “Sitting down sounds like a good idea,” I agreed.  “My legs are a bit shaky!”
    Just as he had done on the carousel, Brandon slipped an arm around my waist.  “Is that better?” he asked, letting me lean against him for support. 
    Not trusting my voice, all I could do was nod.  It was, in fact, infinitely better.  The closeness of his body and the gentleness of his touch were making my entire body tingle, waking up feelings I had thought were permanently comatose.  I wasn’t quite sure what to make of that.
    “Should we buy some cotton candy for the ride?” Brandon suggested.
    I shook my head immediately, always afraid that one little slip up would do me in.
    “No?  Okay.  I wish I had an ounce of your willpower,” he told me. 
    I knew he had meant for that to be a compliment, but after years of having Carl scrutinize my eating habits and criticize my weight, I hated discussing anything food-related.  Of course, Brandon had no way of knowing that.  And I didn’t feel like talking about it. 
    Instead, I pointed to the nearest distraction I could find.