DEREK'S MATCH (DEREK #1) SAMPLE, NOW PUBLISHED

14. pushing your luck

I get used to Derek's arm around my shoulders very quickly.

He has it there as we walk from ride to ride and he has it there during the rides. If his arm is not around my shoulders, he's holding my hand. It feels like-well, it feels like we're a real couple even though I'm not his girlfriend.

The tickets he got for us let us skip the long lines so we actually get on most of the popular ones. We begin with the Batman ride which scares the crap out of me but it feels good to scream at the top of my lungs along everyone else.

Derek and I move from ride to ride all afternoon. We joke around and laugh. He tickles my stomach and I push him away playfully, secretly liking his hands on me.

"You having fun?" He asks me later on as we wait to get on a ride called Superman which is basically a very high drop. I'm getting more nervous as we get closer to the front of the line. There are people talking and laughing around us and we fit right in.

"I am," I say smiling up at him. I can see my reflection on his sunglasses and wow-my hair is a mess. I reach out and run my fingers through the tangles then I braid it. I can feel his eyes on me the whole time. I don't know why I get so nervous when he looks at me. It makes me feel self-conscious but I like it at the same time. I like having his attention. It flatters me.

He reaches out and touches my braid. "I like your hair in a braid, Gin."

"Thank you for letting me know. I'll stop doing it that way." I tease with a smile.

He chuckles then looks to our sides before leaning in closer. "I want to be able to compliment you without you changing anything," he says and I can feel his eyes burning through the sunglasses.

I blink, a little dazzled by his low voice. "Okay," I say, looking away.

He reaches out and his arm goes around my waist, taking me by surprise. His touch is gentle and I can feel his eyes on me, probably looking for any indication that he should stop. As if I could possibly not like the way his arm feels around me. I meet his gaze and he smiles at me, making me smile sheepishly. I turn my head to the side and he embraces me closer to him so my left cheek rests on his shoulder. I feel his chin on the back of my head.

Neither of us say anything and I allow myself to enjoy this little moment. It feels so intimate in a place full of people around us.

"What are the chances of this day ending with a kiss?" He asks quietly without moving.

I push myself away as the line moves up. "You're pushing your luck."

He holds my hand as we step forward. "I think I'm willing to take a shot."

I smile, shaking my head. He makes me feel like a teenager when he flirts with me. A lot of emotions are beginning to build up inside my chest and it's starting to get a little overwhelming. I didn't feel this many emotions when Kevin and I went on our second date. I compare this to him because he's the only other man I've ever dated. Derek and I barely know each other. All we've been doing is flirting and playing around. I should most definitely not be feeling this way. It's too soon. It feels like I like him more and more by the minute. If one day with him is making a feel this way, what would a week do? Or a month?

It's so scary to think about this and I force those thoughts out of my head. I want to have a good date today. I can worry tomorrow or Monday. There's always time to worry.

The Superman ride makes my stomach drop and feel things I can't explain but nothing compares to a roller coaster called X2. I can feel the anticipation of it as we begin to move. The machine moves so we're we're laying down in our seats and we're moving backwards so we're facing the sky. It's dark by now.