Cave of Terror Read Free

aroma.
    I grabbed the handle again and squeezed. The lights started rotating, my glance following the mesmerizing pattern.
    An arm snaked around from behind me and a warm masculine hand wrapped around mine. I swallowed a squeal, my heart slamming against my ribs. A static pop crackled in the air. I would've jerked my hand back from the force of the zap, but he it held hostage. Electric currents raced through my body. My skin heated and tingled. Warm, moist breath caressed my neck where my hair had separated and fallen forward. I gasped from the chill moving up my spine—goose bumps popping up over every inch of my skin.
    The lights surged and grew brighter, dancing with my own pulse—hypnotizing me. Never had I felt anything so powerful or so intimate. The flashing stopped and the only remaining light prominently displayed ‘uncontrollable.'
    Unsure of what to do next, I slowly turned my head. My belly flip-flopped, and my heart beat a crazy rhythm to some unknown melody.
    Full lips spread into a smile as a stranger gazed into my eyes, rendering me speechless. “Now, that's what I call chemistry,” he said.
    He was the hottest guy I had ever laid eyes on—tall, dark, and oh so gorgeous. He had clear blue eyes you could literally drown in—so inviting and beautiful. And there I stood like some lust struck idiot with drool dripping down my chin. Yep, I was a class act all right.
    He released my hand and stepped back. “Well, it was nice meeting you, Sparkie.” He winked, then spun around, leaving as quickly as he had appeared.
    When some semblance of my senses returned, I glanced around the building, looking for Mr. Hunkola. I had to point him out to Mandy. She would so not believe me.
    Mandy had her back turned to me, now playing the palm reader game. I raced to where she stood.
    "Mandy! Oh, my God, you won't believe what just happened to me."
    "Must have been good, cause your pissy mood seems to have evaporated.” She lifted one eyebrow in question and waited for me to fill her in.
    "I was over by the love tester, playing the game and—"
    "You got the ‘blah’ level, right?"
    "Do you want to know what happened or not?” I put one hand on my hip and glared at her.
    She rolled her hand in a forward circular motion in front of her chest, indicating for me to continue.
    "Well, I squeezed the handle, and this guy reached around me and grabbed my hand, causing this shock of static electricity. The machine went crazy and the light landed on ‘uncontrollable.’ I turned around to see who had zapped me, and it was this gorgeous guy. He was like BAM! I about fell over.” I scanned the building, trying to find him. “I don't see him now though."
    "I guess he just disappeared?"
    "Something like that. But, the best part ... he called me Sparkie and winked. He winked . He was tall and had these beautiful blue eyes. You would just die."
    She crossed her arms over her non-existent chest. “I'd love to see the guy who made you go all gooey inside. He must be something."
    While I searched around the building for my gorgeous game partner, Mandy took off toward the snack bar. She's forever eating something. I swear if she didn't do gymnastics five hours a day she'd be as big as a house.
    After realizing my search was futile, I joined Mandy at the snack bar. “Whatcha buying?"
    She held up a rock candy sucker and waved it around. Sheesh. That girl has always had a serious sweet tooth. Not that I didn't or anything.
    "Hey!” I nudged her shoulder. “I thought you didn't have any money?"
    "No, I didn't have any quarters . Duh."
    We sat on a bench near the cable car entrance to wait for the tour to begin. My heart still thumped so hard from the strange encounter I thought it would bust straight out of my chest and keep on going right out the door. What if I never saw him again? I'd just die if I didn't.
    Mandy pulled out a pink sucker from her bag and handed it to me.
    "Oh, thanks. I didn't know you bought me one, too.” I