by Fiona Riley
A half hour later, Savannah inhaled the smells of freshly popped corn and cotton candy combined with the gentle lapping noise of Lake Michigan as they walked under the ornate archway of Navy Pier with the sun setting in the distance. She’d kept their destination a secret for the whole ride from the office to here, a smile etched on her face as Olivia asked more and more questions the closer they got to their destination. Olivia had squealed with excitement when the Ferris wheel came into view.
“This was one of the places I was hoping to see while I was here,” Olivia said as they wove through the crowds of people. “It popped up on every must-see list when I was researching Chicago.”
Savannah chuckled. “Well, what kind of girlfriend would I be to deny your need to experience Navy Pier?”
The cheers of the crowd around a street performer nearby preempted Olivia’s response. She turned to watch him breathe fire as he spun a flaming rope above his head while balancing on a large ball. The crowd that had formed around him clapped and tossed money into his tip bucket while another performer played the accordion nearby, the beat egging on the fire-eater to increase the pace of his spins. As the rope twirled faster and faster into a large circle, the performer jumped off his ball and somersaulted through the flaming hoop, landing perfectly on the ball positioned on the other side. Olivia cheered and clapped, the glow of the flames reflecting off her face in such a way that Savannah felt her heart rate increase just a bit.
“Did you see that, Savannah?” Olivia’s smile was blinding. “I can’t even walk in a straight line and that guy just jumped through a flaming hoop and landed on a ball. A freaking ball!”
Savannah nodded and tugged on Olivia’s hand, pulling her toward the array of carnival games that faced out toward the water. Music played over the speakers that ran along the pier, and children laughed as parents won them stuffed animals. Savannah pulled Olivia to her favorite food vendor and pointed out the many choices, whispering suggestions into Olivia’s ear and punctuating her words with softly placed kisses along Olivia’s jaw.
They ended up with a little of everything: sausage with peppers, a famous Navy Pier Chicago hot dog, funnel cake with cinnamon and sugar, and a large, freshly squeezed lemonade to share. Savannah led them to a bench near a fountain whose spray danced in a choreographed show with colored lights to the soft music piped through the pier. Olivia sipped her drink and settled into Savannah’s side on the bench as they watched the dinner cruise ships that were returning to dock. It was a warm night with a gentle breeze, and the sky was clear of clouds, the stars starting to twinkle as the night settled above them.
Savannah used her thumb to catch the powdered sugar along Olivia’s bottom lip and sucked her thumb clean while Olivia watched with a giggle. Olivia rested her head on Savannah’s shoulder and they watched a little girl run by with her mother chasing after her, a balloon tied to the child’s wrist whipping in the wind.
“I spoke with Christine today,” Olivia said quietly as Savannah pressed a kiss to her top of her head.
“Oh, yeah? How is she?”
“She’s good.” Olivia paused. “I had a little bit of a meltdown today and called her.”
Savannah pulled back and waited until Olivia made eye contact with her. She had spent the better part of the day talking to the legal department and playing phone tag with Olivia’s boss, Corrine. Legal had advised her that Ken’s moves were within the parameters of the original contract between Greater Image Design and New Horizons. They also warned her that she was not to mention anything to Olivia or her team because they were still working on the current installation. That both relaxed and infuriated Savannah. She wanted to tell Olivia herself, as she felt her boss’s behavior was a betrayal. But part of her was glad that she was forbidden to be the messenger. Still, she felt like a coward, like she was somehow part of the betrayal. So she took a risk and reached out to Corrine. She realized that doing so could very well put her own job in jeopardy, even though Corinne wasn’t technically part of Olivia’s team. But she wanted to make sure Olivia had support when the news broke, that no one would blame her for losing the contract. Corrine had been grateful for the heads-up, which offered little consolation to Savannah. She still felt awful about it all.
“What happened?” Savannah asked. “Is everything okay?”
“Farrah saw us kissing outside the hotel this morning.”
Savannah was relieved that was all that was wrong. Afraid she would betray her emotions, she directed her focus to the water in front of them. “Oh.”
When Savannah didn’t continue, Olivia said, “We talked about it over lunch, and she promised me that she wouldn’t tell the rest of the team.”
“Are you okay with that?”
“That she saw us or that she’s sworn to keep it a secret?”
“Well, both, I suppose.”
Olivia was quiet. Savannah’s gaze followed a seagull swooping low above the water’s edge. Olivia’s hand gently cupping her chin broke her trance.
“I’m not ashamed of kissing you or anyone knowing about it. No.” Olivia leaned forward and connected their lips, the taste of sugary sweetness evident on her lower lip as Savannah sucked it between hers.
Savannah let herself enjoy the kiss, leaning into it and running her hands through Olivia’s hair affectionately, before a thought occurred to her. “Why did you have a meltdown, then?”
Olivia pulled away from the kiss and ran her hands through her curls, brushing them out of her face, her expression almost pained. “I realized that being with you makes me very happy, Savannah. And our time together is running out. You said so yourself this morning. Having Farrah see our connection and comment on it makes it that much harder to imagine not waking up with you every day. Not seeing you at work. It’s so much more real when other people know.”
Savannah frowned and nodded. She had felt a similar apprehension when Cooper had called her at work to tease her about meeting Olivia for dinner the night before. It was his call that had inspired her to bring Olivia here tonight. She wanted to share all the important things in her life with this woman—she wanted lots of hearts on hidden Post-its. Savannah reached into her pocket and pulled out the message from earlier, showing it to Olivia with a shy grin as she kissed the heart on the note and placed it into the breast pocket of her jacket. She looked at Olivia’s slightly teary eyes and admitted, “I’m having a hard time accepting the fact that in a few days you will be hundreds of miles away.” Savannah took Olivia’s hand and entwined their fingers as she held Olivia’s gaze. “I meant what I said that day at lunch. I want this to work. We’ll figure it out, Liv.”
Olivia nodded and wiped her eyes with her free hand. “Farrah thinks we make a cute couple.”
“Farrah has excellent taste. I knew I liked her.” Savannah kissed Olivia’s smiling lips once more before nudging her with her shoulder. “Enough sad talk. Ready for Phase Two of our date?”
“Aye, aye, Captain.” Olivia saluted as Savannah led her back to the lights and sounds of the carnival area.
Chapter Twenty-four
“All right, Liv, we gotta be fast. All the good horses get scooped up first,” Savannah instructed as they impatiently waited in line at the carousel.
Olivia nodded and narrowed her eyes in the direction of two little boys. “Which way should we go? Left or right?”
“Definitely left. If we go counterclockwise we can head off the foot traffic and get to Pegasus before one of them does.” Savannah pointed her chin at the rowdy teenagers at the front of the line.
“Pegasus, huh? A winged horse? Why is he so special?” Olivia questioned while playfully jostling Savannah as the attendant walked toward the entrance gate to let them onto the ride.
“Oh, you’ll see.” Savannah smirked as she grabbed Olivia’s elbow. “Ready?”
“Ready.”
When the attendant opened the gate and put the two little boys in front of the height chart, Savannah tugged Olivia toward the left and jogg
ed between the chariots and multicolored horses to the far side of the carousel.
Olivia’s laughter alerted the teenagers of their approach and Savannah pulled her along faster as she practically launched Olivia onto the horse as one of the guys ran toward them.
“Oof!” Olivia huffed as she attempted to get settled in the seat. The teenagers complained quietly as they moved in front of them to a pair of chariots a few horses away.
Savannah waved at one of the guys who glanced back over his shoulder with a frown.
“I mean, Pegasus is pretty awesome and all.” Olivia wiggled into the seat and ran her hands along the smooth white porcelain of the horse below her. “But what’s the big deal? And why aren’t you getting on one?”
Savannah positioned herself behind Pegasus’s right ear in front of his wing and looped a braided strap around her waist. She took care to make sure Olivia’s feet were comfortably and safely placed in the leather stirrups, and then she faced Olivia. She motioned for Olivia to lean forward so she could whisper something into her ear as the horses around them started to fill up. “Pegasus is the fastest and most beautiful of all the horses. Even though he is one of the lowest at the start, he moves the most during the ride. And I’m going to stand to make sure you really get the full effect.”
Olivia leaned back and gave a confused look to Savannah as the lights above them flickered and the music began. The carousel started to rotate forward and slowly the horses around Olivia started to move up and down. When Pegasus began to move she noticed what Savannah had mentioned—his movement was faster and off beat with the horses and chariots around them. She gripped the gold pole a little harder for stability as the carousel lurched forward. Halfway around the first rotation, Savannah shifted forward and her right hand, hidden from public view by Pegasus’s ornate wing, cupped Olivia’s sex on one of the fast descents.
Olivia’s eyes widened and she hissed as the heel of Savannah’s hand connected with her clit. The pressure from the horse’s sculpted saddle held Savannah’s hand against her firmly as Pegasus sped up even more. Olivia moaned.
“Shh,” Savannah said. “Enjoy the ride, Liv.”
The lights flashed around her as the carousel slowly sped up. The singsong haunting music paired perfectly with the rise and fall of the horses while Savannah’s hand cupped her possessively, sending sparks through her with every alternate beat. Pegasus rose and fell faster than the other horses, and Olivia felt Savannah stroke her fingers along the crotch of her pants while she pressed harder against Olivia’s clit as the carousel hit its maximum speed.
Olivia’s hips rolled forward of their own accord as she locked eyes with Savannah, grinding into Savannah’s hand with every movement of the horse as the background blurred around them. She released one hand from the pole to caress discreetly across Savannah’s chest, the pebbling of Savannah’s nipple under her touch and the lustful look in Savannah’s eyes that accompanied her low moan spurring Olivia’s movements to become more erratic.
Savannah bit her bottom lip as Olivia pinched her nipple through her shirt. Soon, Olivia felt the telltale flush working its way up her neck. Savannah must have noticed because she pressed her fingers against Olivia’s opening, penetrating as far as the fabric allowed. Olivia rolled aggressively against her palm and whimpered at the sensation.
“Just like that, baby. Come on,” Savannah encouraged, her left hand reaching out to grip tightly around Olivia’s thigh, her nails digging into the sensitive skin there.
The carousel lurched again and reversed directions. Pegasus’s motion jerked at the change, driving the heel of Savannah’s hand harshly against Olivia’s clit and catapulting her over the edge. She closed her eyes as she felt the blood drain from her face and neck, the flashing lights making her feel dizzy. Olivia felt Savannah’s hand gently squeeze her sex once more through her pants before it slid up to rub comfortingly along Olivia’s belly, grounding her.
As the ride slowed and the music began to fade, Olivia blinked her eyes open and grinned at the adoring look Savannah was giving her. “Whoa.”
Savannah’s grin outshone the carousel lights as she wiggled out of the rope holding her in place and shifted under Pegasus’s wing to help Olivia slide off the horse and into her arms. She pulled Olivia into a snug embrace, her arms looped around Olivia’s waist as she kissed her passionately on the lips. “Mm, you taste like funnel cake, baby.”
Olivia smiled but did not break the kiss as she started to regain feeling in her legs. She wobbled a little as the ride came to a full halt.
Savannah held her tight and waited as the rest of the riders made their way to the exit. “You almost ready?”
Olivia nodded and nuzzled against Savannah’s chest for a minute as she caught her breath. “Okay, I’m good.”
Savannah stepped back and ushered Olivia toward the exit. Olivia saw her glance at the clock on the operator’s podium. “Good, because we have to hurry to the Ferris wheel and we’ll get there a lot faster if I don’t have to carry you.”
* * *
Savannah pocketed her phone as they stood in line for the Ferris wheel. Olivia was reading the sign explaining the ride’s history as she nestled her ass into the crook of Savannah’s hips.
“Did you know that this Ferris wheel was modeled after the very first Ferris wheel from 1893?”
“Let’s hope they used more updated technology when they built it.”
Olivia rolled her eyes and elbowed Savannah in the ribs. “It’s over one hundred fifty feet tall and is supposed to have the best view of the Chicago skyline in the whole city.”
Savannah felt her eyes bulge.
“Wait, are you afraid of heights?”
“Only when I’m hanging in a car by some cables from the largest moving wheel in the Midwest.”
Olivia gave her an exaggerated pout and pressed a quick kiss to her lips before resuming her position cradled by Savannah’s hips. She leaned back and rested her head on Savannah’s shoulder as the line moved forward infinitesimally. “I promise to keep your mind off the height while we’re up there.”
Savannah kept her eyes straight ahead. “Oh, yeah? And how do you plan on doing that?” Her fingers gripped Olivia’s hips a little tighter.
Olivia tipped her head up to kiss the skin below Savannah’s jaw. She sucked lightly as she slipped a hand between them and mirrored Savannah’s previous ministrations.
“Liv,” Savannah groaned out, the wetness from her playtime with Olivia on the carousel sticking to her panties as Olivia pressed against Savannah’s skirt with her hand discreetly between them. Savannah knew that to the naked eye it would appear that Olivia’s back was innocently pressed against Savannah’s front in a casual embrace, even though this was anything but innocent at this point.
“I can feel how hot and wet you are, Savannah,” Olivia teased as she pressed her ass into the back of her hand. She punctuated her taunt with a gentle bite to Savannah’s jaw which Savannah answered with a moan and closed her eyes in response.
“Hey, you two there. Yeah you, the two ladies looking cozy.” A male voice sounded off to Olivia’s left, jarring her hand out from between them.
Savannah’s eyes blinked open and she squeezed Olivia’s hips twice as she turned toward the voice. “Hey, Coop.”
“Cooper!” Olivia exhaled. “Jesus, you scared me.”
“Sorry, Liv.” Savannah liked that he used Olivia’s nickname like they’d known each other forever. It felt right. “I just came to see if you guys were ready.”
“Ready for what?” Olivia glanced up at Savannah, who took the opportunity to edge away from her in an attempt to take a deep breath.
“To ride on the greatest amusement ride of the Pier, duh,” Cooper replied as he pulled them out of line. Savannah laughed when Olivia finally noticed his bright yellow polo shirt with Navy Pier Staff embroidered over the left chest. “As my special guests for the evening, you two get to go right to the front of the line.”
Cooper
brought them to the front, passing them under the security tape to the operator’s entrance. He whispered something into the ear of the attendant, who nodded and cycled down the next gondola. Olivia noticed the caution tape at the entrance and looked back at Savannah with concern. Savannah was equally concerned.
“What’s with the caution tape, Coop?” Savannah questioned.
Cooper leaned close and whispered, “I had to make sure you two got a romantic setup, so I put this tape on with the false warning that it can only safely hold two people.”
“It is just a false warning, though, right, Cooper?” Olivia asked, sounding nervous.
“Yeah, duh. Like the park people would let an unsafe gondola go around.” He shook his head and laughed as he ushered them into the car. “Now, you two ladies have fun.”
Savannah glanced back at him as he closed the door and waved, tapping the car’s door to signify it was ready to move.
Savannah was trying not to panic. She kept her attention directed straight ahead out the opening of the gondola as they slowly lifted off the platform. She was only aware that Olivia had turned to face her when Olivia took her hand.
“You’ve been on a Ferris wheel before, right?”
Savannah blinked and nodded, careful to make as little movement as possible. “Yeah, but it’s been a while.”
The car moved up another few feet and a gentle breeze rocked them lightly in the air.
Savannah sucked in a sharp breath and gripped the seat with her other hand. Olivia leaned forward and pressed her lips to Savannah’s clenched jaw. “So, Cooper was in on your little date night plan, huh?”
Savannah’s eyes closed at the sensation of Olivia’s warm lips. “Mm-hmm. He’s the one who told me about that great Pegasus detail.”
Olivia chuckled as she sucked on the skin of Savannah’s neck. “Well, I definitely appreciated that intel.”
Savannah shuddered at the cool breeze coupled with the hot mouth moving along her neck. With her eyes closed, she could ignore the height change as the gondola rose again.
