Chapter Seven: Tunnel Of Love

Devon decided picture perfect couldn’t begin describe the sea-side amusement park. From the fairy lights that curled around the iron gates and steepled up the stone entrance ways to the laughing children dragging parents from one ride to another. Magic layered with carnival music floated on the cotton candy and fried dough scented air.

The roar of roller coaster rails and well-oiled wheels harmonized with screams drawing them into the park. Something bubbled inside her. Was she excited to simply get out of the clinic and enjoy herself? Or was it all because of the man beside her?

Out in the open some of her nerves faded. Inside her shop, he was too intense. Sometimes she wondered if she could breathe without a piece of him lodging itself inside of her. But out here he was just a normal guy. In fact, no one gave Jon a second glance. She could do this. They were just enjoying a national landmark like two New Yorkers.

Jon tucked his shades into his pocket and wiggled his brows. "Ready?"

"This is just…wow!" She flipped her scarf and her worries over her shoulder and smiled. Jonathan was right, she'd been locked away from the world too long.

He rubbed his hands together. "Now, what ride should we try first? I'm not eating anything until we do a ride or two."

She giggled. Never in a million years did she expect him to bring her to a place like this. She nodded towards the tower of twisted steel and wood. "We totally should go on that."

"You want to go on the Cyclone right off the bat?"

She slid her hands into the pockets of her coat and rocked back on her heels. "Chicken?" Teasing him came easier than she expected too. “I love roller coasters. We just don’t have many back at home. We’d go over to Aussie for vacations and I’d just die as they have the best theme parks.” At his indulgent grin, she realized she’d shared more than she intended.

"Oh, I’m more than up to it. Let's see how brave you really are, brat." He grabbed her hand and they headed over to a relatively short line waiting to board the rollercoaster. Her belly went nuts. Nerves, that’s all. The ease between them was not only surprising, it made her want more. Already, she wondered what it would be like to kiss him...really kiss him. Not that quick peck he’d given her at the clinic.

"Where did you go?"

"Huh?" She opened her eyes and her cheeks burned. It was dark enough that he probably wouldn’t notice. Please, don’t notice.

"I thought I'd lost you for a minute." He winced as the screams fizzed past them. "It's not too late to back out."

"Back out? No—God, I'm fine. I'm having a lovely time."

He flicked the end of her scarf and smirked. "I was talking about the ride, but that’s good to know."

Oh, Jesus, she was a mess. She needed to pull herself together. "No chance there, buddy."

His gaze lingered just enough for her breath to back up before he took her hand. "Good, because we're up!"

Jon dropped his cap and glasses into the bins provided and waited for her to do the same. "After you." They climbed in and no choice but to sit snug against each other. He was warm and God, he smelled so good. As the safety bar came down she laughed at his white knuckle grip.

"You are chicken!" She was relieved to lighten the mood again as the ride attendant made the final checks and cleared the area.

He turned to her, so close she could smell the sweet scent of mint on his breath. Her eyes fell to his mouth. It was ironic that she was on a rollercoaster when that's exactly how he made her feel. The ride jerked into life and they both looked ahead to the steep climb of the track.

“Are you ready to take the plunge?"

He was talking about the ride, but Devon couldn't help but draw a parallel. Could she trust herself to keep racing down the track with him? She wanted to. God, she wanted it more than she could remember wanting anything in a long time.

They crawled to the top of the roller-coaster. She caught her breath, it was definitely the theme of the day, as the city skyline glittered across from the Hudson. Was this really real? Or was it something she just talked herself into to because she wanted it to be. She nodded and gripped the bar until her knuckles matched his. "I'm ready."

The wind blasted her face as they rocketed down the track. Nothing mattered except the freedom of flying. She laughed and screamed as they twisted, turned and cornered the bends. For the first time in forever, she felt herself let go. The sharp jolt back to the docking area and reality wouldn’t let go of her smile. "Oh, my God!"

"Wow! I can only think of one thing that could top that." That damn shit eating smirk played on his lips. "Perhaps you'd scream just as much too."

She elbowed him. "You're a very bad man, Mr. Bon Jovi."

He shrugged, unapologetic. “I have to say, I didn't think anyone screamed more than my daughter—I think I've been proven wrong."

She slapped his arm playfully. "Well, I just happen to enjoy fast rides." It was her turn to smirk and she turned away before she could register his reaction. She stepped out and straightened her coat. “Now, are you going to feed me or what?”

“Patience, bossy woman.”

She chuckled, it was more like bawsy woman in his Jersey accent which drawled a little more when he was relaxed. He teased her and adjusted his cap, glasses, and took her hand. “A future of fried carbs and refined sugar awaits us.”

“Fried carbs are the best kind of carbs.” They zigzagged through the lines of stalls until she had a corn dog in one hand and a stick of cotton candy in the other.

“I’m so going to pay for this tomorrow,” he muttered.

She took a bite of her corn dog. “God, so good." She laughed as he stuffed a hunk into his cheek to chew. “Don’t worry, you’ll work it off winning me a toy.”

He snorted. “You think it’ll take me that long?”

“Maybe. You’re over-confident and very self-assured. It’s been known to trip people up in the past.” He was easy to rile up. Hell, any man was when their honour was on the line.

“Better hurry up and eat. You’ll need your strength for the piles of toys I’ll win you.” The spun sugar melted on his tongue, staining it a dark pink. Would he taste like mint and sugar?

She blinked, finding it hard to focus with that thought lodged in her brain. “See what I mean?”

“Prepare to be bedazzled,” he said with a purposeful stride toward the shooting gallery. He dumped his trash and slapped his hands together.

She thought it was cute—ok not cute, it was sexy that he was so adamant to prove her wrong. She wasn’t stupid, Jon was a man who got what he wanted. Hell, she was here wasn’t she? She bit her lip as he held the gun and lined up the targets, checking his line of sight. He was taking it all very seriously. He licked his finger and held it up in the air.

“How’s the wind? Think you’ll make it, Dirty Harry?” She dug her hands into her pockets.

“Shhhhh.” He aimed the gun and fired. She snickered as all the shiny black and red targets remained.

“Just warming up. Every good performer needs a warm up.” He shook his shoulders and resumed the position before firing again.

Nope, he missed. He aimed again and missed. Oh boy, this wasn't going to be good for the male-ego thing. "It's ok, I can—"

"Dammit, there's something wrong with this gun."

She laughed and laid a hand on his arm. "Really it's fine."

"I know you're laughing. See if you can do any better." Before she could protest he handed her the shot gun and folded his arms. "You realize if you do hit that target, you're carrying my balls home in your purse."

She snorted. "Now that sounds like a challenge." She lifted the gun and aimed, her heart beat raced and her arms shook. She squeezed her eyes shut and fought the nausea that rolled in her belly. Her palms were as slick as the sheet of ice down her back. With practiced ease her finger hovered over the trigger.

Do it, Do it now! Shoot him bitch or I'll do it myself! The shot echoed in her memories as the rifle slipped in her hands.

"Devon?” He curled an arm around her shoulders gently. “Hey, are you OK?"

She managed a smile and laid down the rifle on the counter. "I'm good. Sorry, I just—"

"It's ok. Thanks, my man, we're done here." Jon threw the kid a few bills and lead her away from the crowd.

She blew out her breath quickly realizing she had some fast explaining to do. "Sorry, just stirred up some old memories." She patted down the front of her coat and nodded. "I'm good."

"C'mon, let's get a soda. I don't know about you, but all that salt and sugar has left me parched."

"Sounds perfect." She stopped. "Jon, it's not what you think. I'm not—"

Liar.

"Hey, baby, I don't think anything. If you want to talk about it then that's fine. If not, that’s fine, too."

She didn't, but she wanted Jon back to the way he was with her. "My dad is a policeman back home. There were just some rough times that's all."

Jon paid for the sodas and handed her one before tucking his wallet in the back of his jeans. "Wow. A cop's daughter, huh? You do surprise me, Devon Scott.” His eyes were soft and kind as he brushed a lock of her hair back. “Did something bad happen?"

She took a long sip. "You could say that, but that is not a first date story." A smile played on her lips and she was relieved as his face eased and he grinned right back at her. Whew.

"Now that sounds like a challenge." He dumped his soda and took her hand. "I know exactly what we need to do."

Jon led her around to the big, old-fashioned Ferris wheel that slowly spun into the night with more coloured lights than a well-lit Christmas tree. The boarded a car and again she slid snug in beside him as the metal bar came down over them. "At least I won't lose my hearing on this one."

With a jerk they were pulled backwards and the swinging car rose until the whole park came into view, leaving her breathless once again. Lights and water bled into the distant skyline as they slowly climbed to the top.

"What a view. There's something about the New York City skyline that just gets to me."

"Home," she whispered. And it was her home now. New Zealand was a far cry from this world, but it was still in her heart.

"I haven't had this much fun in a long time, Devon. It’s no one’s fault but my own, but no less the truth." He leaned back and loosely rested his arm along the top of the seat as they glided down to complete the first lap.

"I'm sure your lifestyle is very demanding. I can tell just by the state of your skin remember?" She turned to him, their position one of easy comfort and her automatic lecture died on her tongue. "But I'm having fun too."

He said nothing, his eyes sparkling with all the intention in the world. The pads of his fingertips skimmed her jaw and then tilted her chin. He inched closer and the sound of rides, music, and laughter melted away. Her fingers curled around the safety bar, but it wasn't falling out she was afraid of. His gaze fell to her lips. She closed her eyes as the cool scent of mint and the kick of his spicy cologne jangled all her senses to life. His lips barely brushed hers and she was jerked forward.

"Oh, God!” She burst out laughing, releasing the tension between them. Their car had come to a complete stop right at the top and swayed gently.

"Son of a bitch!" He gripped the bar and looked down as another couple were set to board a car.

"It's so pretty up here." She took a deep breath and calmed her nerves. Jon made her feel things that she hadn't in a long time and she wasn't sure, especially now, if she was ready to go there.

He kicked back and tightened his arm around her shoulder with his fingertips resting on her arm. "You're not wrong there." He was content to leave it at that, and she even snuggled into him a little as the ride continued and they talked. One thing was definitely clear though and that was the thing that scared her the most. She didn't want the night to end.