Free Secrets Abound (Supernaturally Bound Book 1) by Erica Lee Cooke Page A

sound even cockier.
    “You had an unfair advantage. I was in bed all weekend and had no way of hearing about the carnival.” I protested.
    “It was in the newspaper which I brought for you to read this weekend. It’s not my fault you didn’t.” He argued.
    I didn’t respond having no comeback. He had brought me the paper, and I had used it to make a pirate hat for Katie. I could have been a good sport and bowed out with grace, but I decided to grasp at straws instead.
    “Well, I still don’t think you win because I’ve been to the field where they’re having the carnival at.” I maintained.
    “But you’ve never been to the carnival.” He said, holding his ground.
    “Talk about a shady technicality.” I asserted, trying to hold on to my pout, but it was difficult.
    I was ecstatic about going to the carnival. It was something I never got to do as a child but had always wanted to. I had told Aiden months ago about wanting to ride on the carousel, so it was my own fault that he knew I’d never been to a carnival. I found myself smiling at the thought of finally getting to ride one. Then, I remembered I had lost a bet and my smile faded into a wary expression.
    “So, what is it that you want me to do?” I asked.
    “You’ll have to wait until tonight to find out.” Aiden said with a coy smile, making me wonder what exactly I had gotten myself into.
    I was so sure I’d win, I didn’t even think of the consequences if I lost. I tried to push away any anxiety of his upcoming request and focus on the fact that I had a carnival to go to, tonight.
    Later that evening, the sun began to set around five thirty. Aiden said he was going to come over around six so we could go to the carnival together. I was already dressed and finishing up my homework at my desk when he breezed into my room and sat on my bed.
    “Hmm… Are you collecting on our bet?” I joked.
    “No, if I took you to bed, it wouldn’t be because of a bet.” He grinned.
    “Take me to bed? Does everybody from Australia talk like they’re from last century?” I laughed. Aiden always said things that made me realize just how different the slang was in Australia.
    “How would you put it?” He asked, leaning forward like he was incredibly interested in my answer.
    “Well, I’d probably just say let’s hump.” I joked. Aiden howled in laughter.
    “No you wouldn’t.” He asserted through laughs.
    “You don’t know. I might.” I argued, knowing I probably would never actually say that to a guy.
    “No way could you say that to someone with a straight face.” He challenged.
    “Okay, fine.” I said, forgetting all thought of homework, and moved to my bed. I was eye level with him without even having to squat or bend. I put on my most serious face and told him, “Aiden, let’s hump.”
    “Okay.” He said.
    Before I even had time to react, he grabbed me and rolled me over onto the bed. I was giggling too hard to say anything. He was on his side leaning over me. He stared down at me for a second and my heart raced. I thought he might kiss me. He lowered his head to within an inch of my ear.
    “I told you so.” He whispered.
    “That doesn’t count. We aren’t going to have sex.” I said, trying to ignore how his body was pressed into mine.
    “No?” He smirked.
    “We’re going to miss the carnival.” I swatted his chest with my hand. I resisted the urge to run my fingers across his muscles which I could feel through his shirt.
    “You’re right, and then I wouldn’t win the bet.” He lifted himself off my bed, and I felt disappointed as he did. I had to brush through my hair again thanks to Aiden.
    The light breeze brought with it the smell of popcorn and music which elicited even more excitement. The first thing we saw was the Ferris wheel which was so tall and so brightly lit, we could see it almost from my house.
    “I’ll tell you what I want when we are up there.” Aiden pointed to the top of the Ferris wheel.
    “Why not