Hired Love

After paying for their ice cream, they left the stand.

"So what do you want to do next?" Roman asked them with a smile.

"What's happening there, Roman?" Olivia was pointing at a crowd, a small pink tongue dashing out to lick the ice cream at one side of her mouth.

"Let's go check it out."

They headed towards the increasing crowd, Stacy in tow. It was a game Stacy loved, High striker. It was deemed the ultimate test of human strength. A person had to hit a platform hoisted by a spring and if he hit hard enough, the punk would skyrocket up through a vertical and ring the bell.

The person with the mallet was Matt. A small crowd had gathered to watch him hit the platform to win a prize. Claire was by his side, laughing heartily.

"Hit it as hard as you can, baby," She urged, rubbing his arm.

Stacy watched Matt breathe deeply then exhale. The crowd stepped back to give him space and after a long moment, he lifted the mallet far above his head and brought it down with force.

There was yelling and then cooing. "Aw, So close." Someone moaned from the audience. The puck had skyrocketed but not with enough force to ring the bell.

Matt looked disappointed and Claire just laughed. "It's okay. You can go again."

"How about you try, Roman?" Olivia said. "You have big muscles."

"You know what?" He responded. "I think I will."

They pushed their way into the crowd, standing at the front.

"Can I have a go?" Roman said.

Stacy enjoyed the irritated look on Matt's face. She stared at him, daring him to refuse. Roman turned to her to hand Olivia over, flexed his muscles and then grabbed the mallet from Matt without waiting.

He looked at the man in charge of the game. "What's the price?"

"This big teddy bear." The man pointed to the teddy bear at the top of the vertical column.

"Ooh, Roman! I like it!" Olivia squeaked. "Can I have it?"

"Sure, sweetie."

Roman didn't breathe or take a moment as Matt did. He swung the mallet as hard as he could and when the crowd cheered, Stacy knew he'd rung the bell before she even looked at it. She laughed, sneaking a glance at Matt's expression. Roman had made him look weak; she couldn't blame him for being angry.

"There you go, sweetie." Roman handed the teddy bear to Olivia.

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"Thank you!" She held it with his help because it was too heavy for her. Stacy offered to hold the teddy bear as she handed back the child to him.

Surprisingly, Claire didn't look angry. She smiled encouragingly at Matt, hugging him. Stacy couldn't be bothered. Even though Roman wasn't actually her boyfriend, he'd shown them that he was better. That was all that mattered. Maybe she was being a bit too petty, if she said so herself.

"So, where do you wanna go next?" Roman asked Stacy this time.

"I want hotdogs,"

"You're hungry?" He asked with surprise. "You literally just ate."

"I didn't say I was hungry." Stacy rolled her eyes. "I said I wanted hotdogs."

He shook his head exasperatingly, grabbing her hand. The contact sent shivers through her body, reminding her how electrifying his touch was to her. She hadn't felt this happy in a very long time.

Roman paid for their hotdogs, getting one for himself as well. They found a bench in a corner that wasn't crowded to sit and eat.

"Can I have some?" Olivia murmured to him. It seemed like she'd taken to him well. She was staring furiously at the hotdog in his hand and when he brought the food closer to her mouth, her tongue flickered out to lick some custard. She giggled at her actions, repeating them. Roman let her. His face was a mask of laughter and delight. Stacy could tell he wasn't used to kids but he looked at the little girl like she was his own.

That nostalgic feeling resurfaced.

Stacy almost groaned out loud. Her heart was a traitor.

"Do you like it, sweetie?" She asked the little girl after she bit into a side of the bread, her face scrunched up as she chewed. Olivia nodded as she went for another bite. Soon, Roman stopped eating so she could have enough. Stacy pointed at the left corner of her lip. "You uh... You have a little something here."

When he tried and didn't get the right spot, she took a wild chance and leaned in, licking the custard off with her tongue.

Roman froze for a second before his hand shot out to the back of her head, holding her firmly to his mouth. He kissed her and she tasted the ketchup on his tongue. His mouth was hot, demanding. She opened her mouth, not caring if anyone was watching them.

"Ew!" They pulled apart when Olivia moaned in her little voice, her mouth full.

They both chuckled, adjusting themselves though Stacy knew her cheeks were hot. Benjamin would kill them if he found out they'd been kissing in front of his daughter.

"Don't tell your daddy, okay?" She cooed to the little girl.

When Olivia only gave her a blank stare, she knew it was too much to ask.