Lawson and Blake thoroughly enjoyed their dinner. Blake stared at Lawson with eyes practically dripping with affection.
"Blake, what's next after dinner?"
Blake glanced out the window at the Ferris wheel on the Santa Monica Pier. It was easily the most prominent structure on the beach at night.
"Lawson, want to ride the Ferris wheel?"
"Sure, let's go."
When the check arrived, Lawson didn't let Blake pay. He knew she was just a college student and didn't have much spending money.
But Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. wasn't wildly expensive anyway. This shrimp-focused seafood spot was basically just a mid-tier chain restaurant.
The only reason it was famous was because its fictional founder, Forrest Gump, had supposedly met three US Presidents.
Bubbling with excitement, Blake grabbed Lawson's hand and dragged him to the line under the Ferris wheel.
It was around 7:00 PM, peak hours for the ride. The line stretching from the base was massive.
Lawson and Blake would easily have to wait at least half an hour.
But Blake didn't look impatient at all. As long as she was standing next to Lawson, she felt incredibly happy.
Lawson, however, felt that needle-prick chill again. He couldn't shake the feeling that a pair of highly lethal eyes was locked onto him.
"Lawson, is everything okay?"
"Nothing. Maybe the ocean breeze is just a bit cold tonight."
"The ocean breeze is cold?"
Blake looked at Lawson, completely confused.
It was already June. In LA, that meant summer had officially hit. There was absolutely no "cold breeze" on Santa Monica Beach right now.
Plenty of people walking the beach were still in swimsuits.
But Blake didn't overthink it, because they were finally at the front of the line.
After buying tickets, the two stepped into a gondola and waited for the Ferris wheel to start moving.
"Lawson, have you heard the legend?"
"What legend?"
"They say if a couple kisses at the very top of the Santa Monica Ferris wheel, their love will last forever!"
Blake's eyes practically sparkled, her expression full of intense anticipation.
Lawson couldn't help but smile. Felt like every single Ferris wheel on earth had that exact same legend. Definitely some bullshit cooked up by marketing teams to trick young girls.
But honestly, the bullshit worked. The reason Blake was so desperate to ride this thing was obviously because of that exact legend.
"Well then, Ms. Gaines, would you care to share a kiss at the top?"
Blake couldn't hold back her smile anymore, though she still tried to play coy.
"Guess that depends on how sincere you are!"
But as their gondola slowly climbed higher, Blake ended up being the nervous one.
Blake's heart hammered against her ribs like a caged bird desperate to break free as the gondola climbed higher into the velvet night sky above Santa Monica Pier. The Ferris wheel's slow, rhythmic creak mixed with the distant crash of waves and the laughter drifting up from the boardwalk below, but none of it registered. All she could feel was Lawson beside her—his thigh pressed firmly against hers, the heat of his body seeping through the thin fabric of her summer dress, his cologne wrapping around her like a drug. The legend had her completely spellbound.
"Lawson, we have to kiss exactly when we hit the absolute top, otherwise it won't work!" Her voice came out breathy, almost pleading, her dark eyes wide with that mix of innocence and raw hunger only he could pull from her.
"Uh-huh. I'll follow your lead," he murmured, that lazy, devastating smile curving his lips as his fingers traced lazy circles on the bare skin of her thigh just below the hem of her dress. The touch was light, but it sent liquid fire racing straight to her core. She shivered, thighs pressing together instinctively, already feeling the slick heat building between them.
Blake stared intently at the gondola's position through the glass, leaning forward so her breasts strained against the low neckline of her dress. She looked more focused than a day trader watching the stock market on the final bell—lips parted, cheeks flushed, every muscle tense with anticipation. The wheel turned with agonizing slowness, the city lights glittering like diamonds scattered across black silk. Higher. Higher. The ocean breeze slipped through the slight gap in the gondola door, cooling the feverish skin of her neck, but it did nothing to quench the blaze Lawson had lit inside her.
She could feel his gaze on her profile, heavy and dark with want. His hand slid higher on her thigh, bold now, fingertips brushing the sensitive inner skin so close to where she ached for him. Blake's breath hitched. She wanted to tell him to touch her more, to slide those fingers under her panties right here, but the words stuck in her throat. Instead she bit her lower lip harder, shifting in her seat so her ass pressed back against the padded bench, unconsciously offering herself.
The gondola reached the very peak. The world seemed to pause—LA sprawled beneath them like a glittering playground, the moon hanging fat and silver overhead. For one suspended second, they were alone in the sky.
"Right now! Kiss me!" Blake gasped, whipping her head toward him, eyes blazing with desperate need.
Lawson didn't hesitate. His hand shot up, cupping the back of her neck with firm possession, and he pulled her in hard. Their mouths crashed together in a kiss that was anything but sweet. It was raw, hungry, devouring. His lips were hot and demanding, slanting over hers as his tongue immediately pushed inside, stroking deep and filthy against her own. Blake melted instantly, a broken moan vibrating from her throat straight into his mouth. She tasted the faint salt of the ocean on him, the sweetness of the shrimp from dinner, and something darker—pure male hunger that made her pussy clench hard around nothing.
Her hands flew to his chest, fingers curling into the front of his shirt, yanking him closer until her heavy breasts crushed against the hard planes of his torso. Lawson's other arm banded around her waist like steel, hauling her half into his lap so she straddled one thick thigh. The position pressed her aching center right against the solid muscle there, and she rocked instinctively, grinding her soaked panties against him with a needy whimper.
"Fuck, Blake," he growled into the kiss, the vibration rumbling through her body. His tongue fucked her mouth in slow, deliberate thrusts—mimicking exactly what she knew he wanted to do to her pussy later. He sucked on her tongue, bit her lower lip, then soothed the sting with another deep, wet slide that left her dizzy. His hand on her neck tightened, tilting her head exactly how he wanted so he could kiss her deeper, filthier, until she was gasping for air and still chasing his mouth like she'd die without it.
His free hand roamed possessively. It slid down the curve of her spine, tracing every dip and arch until it cupped the full, round swell of her ass. He squeezed hard, fingers digging into the soft flesh through her dress, pulling her tighter against his thigh so she could feel the thick, rigid line of his cock straining against his jeans. Blake moaned louder, the sound echoing inside the gondola as she rolled her hips again, riding his leg shamelessly. Wetness soaked through her panties and onto his thigh—she could feel the slick slide of it with every grind.
Lawson broke the kiss just long enough to drag his mouth along her jaw, sucking a hot, open-mouthed trail down the sensitive column of her neck. "You're so fucking wet already," he rasped against her pulse point, teeth grazing her skin. "Grinding on me like you need my cock right here in the sky." His hand slipped under the hem of her dress, palm gliding up the back of her bare thigh until his fingers brushed the soaked crotch of her lace panties. He pressed two thick digits against her clit through the fabric and rubbed slow, firm circles that made her cry out.
"Lawson—oh god—" Blake's head fell back, exposing more of her throat. Her hips jerked forward, chasing the pressure, her nipples tight and aching against the thin cups of her bra. He latched onto her neck again, sucking a dark mark into her skin while his fingers kept working her clit in perfect, relentless rhythm. The gondola swayed gently as it began its descent, but neither of them noticed. The world outside could have vanished and Blake wouldn't have cared.
He pushed her panties aside with one finger and slid two thick digits straight into her dripping heat. Blake's walls clenched around the sudden fullness, a sharp, needy cry tearing from her throat. Lawson groaned against her neck, pumping his fingers slow and deep, curling them to stroke that spongy spot inside her that made stars explode behind her eyelids.
"So tight… so fucking greedy for me," he murmured, voice wrecked with lust. His thumb found her swollen clit and rubbed tight, fast circles while his fingers fucked her harder. The wet, obscene sounds of her pussy taking his fingers filled the small space—slick, filthy, perfect. Blake's hands fisted in his hair, yanking his mouth back to hers in a sloppy, desperate kiss. Their tongues tangled wildly, saliva slicking their chins as she rode his hand with shameless rolls of her hips.
The gondola reached the bottom and started its slow climb again without them realizing. Another full rotation passed in a haze of heat and moans. Lawson added a third finger, stretching her open, his palm grinding against her clit with every thrust. Blake's thighs trembled violently. She was close—dangerously close—her pussy fluttering and gushing around his fingers.
"Gonna come for me, baby?" he growled against her lips, biting the plump lower one and tugging. "Right here where anyone could look up and see how pretty you look falling apart on my fingers?"
The dirty words tipped her over. Blake came with a shattered cry, back arching hard, pussy clamping down on his fingers in rhythmic, pulsing waves. Hot slick coated his hand and dripped down her thighs as she shook through the orgasm, hips stuttering, mouth open in a silent scream against his. Lawson kept stroking her through it, drawing out every last shudder until she was limp and panting in his arms.
Only then did the gondola finally glide to a stop at the loading platform.
Blake's eyes fluttered open, dazed and glassy, lips swollen and shiny with spit. Her dress was rucked up around her waist, panties shoved to the side, thighs glistening. She blinked slowly, trying to remember where they were.
"Is it… over?" she whispered, voice hoarse and wrecked from moaning his name.
Lawson chuckled low and dark, sliding his fingers out of her with a wet sound that made her whimper again. He brought them to his mouth and licked them clean, eyes locked on hers the entire time. "Not even close, Blake. That was just the first ride."
He kissed her again—slow, deep, and full of filthy promise—while the attendant outside cleared his throat awkwardly. Blake melted into it once more, already aching for round two, the legend of eternal love completely forgotten in the blaze of raw, consuming passion.
When Lawson finally broke the kiss, Blake still looked completely dazed, like she was trapped in a beautiful dream.
"Blake, time to get off."
Lawson's eyes scanned the crowd outside. Just as he was kissing Blake, that needle-prick chill hit him for the third time, and it felt significantly stronger.
"Alright, let's go!"
Still savoring the moment, Blake grabbed Lawson's hand as they stepped out of the gondola. She even wanted to ride it again.
But right then, Lawson's phone suddenly rang.
"Hold on a second."
Lawson checked the screen. It was Dominic's new burner number.
Did Luca Pastore finally reach out?
"Hey, Dominic. Why are you calling this late?"
"Lawson, we got a situation! I need your help!"
Hearing that tone, Lawson knew instantly this wasn't about Luca Pastore.
"What happened?"
"Can't talk over the phone. Get to Letty's apartment. We'll talk when you get here!"
With that, Dominic hung up.
Lawson frowned at his phone. He noticed a new notification pop up on the Payday app. That likely meant Dominic's situation triggered a new job.
Blake noticed Lawson's expression shifting.
"Lawson, is something wrong?"
"Looks like a friend of mine ran into serious trouble and needs my help."
"Oh. Then you should hurry up and go help him!"
"But we rarely get to go on dates..."
Seeing Lawson prioritize her feelings made Blake smile sweetly.
"This isn't our last date ever! Plus, once you fix your friend's problem, we can just pick up where we left off!"
Lawson nodded firmly.
"Alright. I'll drop you off at my newly rented apartment first. Wait for me there."
Blake naturally caught the underlying implication. A faint blush crept across her cheeks.
"Okay!"
After dropping Blake off at his new place, Lawson drove the Dodge Viper straight to Letty's apartment.
Seeing the cozy decor and prime location of the loft, Blake immediately assumed Lawson had specifically rented it to be their little love nest.
"Hiding a surprise like this! What a bad boy!"
Just as Blake was getting ready to test out the bathroom in Lawson's new place, her own phone suddenly rang. The number on the screen made her face go completely pale.
But since the call was coming through, she absolutely had to answer it, no matter how much she hated it. If she ignored it, the caller would literally kick the door down.
"Dad? Why are you calling so late?"
"Blake, where are you right now?"
"Right now? In my dorm, obviously!"
"Still lying. I literally just watched you and that Asian kid walk upstairs!"
Hearing that, Blake instantly panicked.
"What! Dad, how could you stalk me!"
"I came by to pick you up for family dinner, and instead I see you getting into that Asian kid's car!"
"You've been tailing me since then?"
"Listen to me, Blake! I ran a background check on that kid. His records are incredibly sketchy. Massive red flags. He might be a spy or something. You need to stay away from him!"
"I don't want to hear it! All I know is you not only stalked your own wife, but now you're stalking your own daughter! Are you insane?"
Blake's question was met with the most classic parental response of all time.
"Blake, I'm doing all this for your own good!"
"I don't want to hear it!"
Blake felt her privacy had been massively violated.
"Blake, open the door right now. I'll show you the evidence!"
Ray Gaines was literally standing outside the apartment door.
"But I don't want to see you!"
"Blake, don't make me break this door down!"
Knowing her father was entirely capable of kicking the door off its hinges, Blake had no choice but to open it.
(Blake Gaines)