Dylan (Wild Men)

by Melissa Belle

  “Jasalie?”

  I turn my head and come face to face with a pretty redhead. Her striking green eyes assess me.

  “Are you okay?”

  I tamp down my distress and give her the biggest fake smile in my repertoire. “Of course. What can I do for you?”

  She extends her hand. “I wanted to introduce myself. I sort of met you once before, but not formally. I’m—”

  And then I realize who she is. She’s the woman I tried to serve a drink to at the Super Bowl after party, the one who was sitting with Colton and Dylan.

  “Sky. Skylar Wild.” She giggles. “That still sounds weird to say. Colton and I literally just got married.”

  I shake her hand and smile, a real smile this time. “Congratulations. Your husband is so nice.”

  “He’s the best,” she says. “He told me how you and Dylan are…”

  I fill the awkward pause. “We’re engaging in a business exchange, yes. I’m helping him out with his charity.”

  We study each other for a moment until Sky bursts out laughing. “Well, that’s romantic as hell, isn’t it? Dylan really knows how to win over the woman he can’t stop thinking about.”

  My own laugh catches in my throat. “He hasn’t known me long enough to say something like that.”

  She narrows her eyes in a knowing look. “Love and lust can’t be quantified, can they?”

  I guess not. Dylan hasn’t left my radar since I first laid eyes on him.

  “I saw you chatting with a few of the ladies inside, some of the players’ significant others.” She sighs. “Don’t listen to them, Jasalie. If you do, you’d run so fast and so far Dylan would never be able to find you.”

  I may do that, anyway, but I give her my attention. “So you and Colton…”

  “May be new at this marriage thing, but I can assure you that I would not be with Colton if I couldn’t trust him. With my heart and with my life. And Dylan is as honest a guy you’ll ever find.”

  I fidget with the hem of my dress. “He and I are from two different worlds.” I glance through the window at Dylan animatedly talking with his agent, most likely turning down the public kiss idea.

  “You don’t care about Dylan’s glamorous life,” Sky says confidently.

  “No. I hate it, actually. Well, hate is a strong word, but I certainly don’t get off on it.”

  She nearly squeals as she squeezes my arm affectionately. “Dylan needs someone like that. Someone who just likes him for who he is. You’d make a great couple, Jasalie. Don’t dismiss the idea, okay?”

  I don’t know that she’s right, but her eyes are so intense and kind.

  “Okay,” I say.

  Dylan

  “Why are you avoiding her?” Colton says as he walks up to the bar.

  I turn to glare at him. “None of your business, Wild.”

  “She seems to be avoiding you, too. Not that she’d have much of a choice anyway with the way you’re making sure to never be alone with her.”

  Yes, I’ve been trying to give Jasalie space tonight because after what happened in my room, I don’t know how to navigate what’s happening between us. When she broke apart on my hand, I was so damn hard it took me forever to calm down afterward. Any other woman, and I would have just jerked off. But not this time. I refused to give in, no matter how miserable I was all afternoon. Because taking care of myself would feel like I’d given up on being with her already. And I haven’t. I want Jasalie so badly I’m having a hell of a time keeping my dick relaxed. I crave to be inside of her. I don’t know that she’ll ever want me that way, but today gave me hope.

  Except she tore out of my room like what we had just done was a huge mistake. Although that was no doubt my fault—I gave her no hint that I wanted her to stay. I was too busy reeling from the emotions rushing through my chest. It was the look in her eyes when she came—I’d be a fool to think what’s between us can stay casual. It’s so far from casual that I’m rethinking everything. And that’s dangerous.

  “I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing,” I mutter to Colton.

  “So figure it out,” he says to me as he turns to leave. “Because if you’re thinking about it, then it’s worth fixing.”

  Jasalie Gordon walks into a room like the strongest person in existence, like she can defend and protect better than any lineman in football. But underneath all that strength, she’s hiding this vulnerability. She’s like a rare butterfly, beautiful and fragile as if the slightest breeze could break her spirit. And I don’t ever want to hurt her.

  I follow her with my eyes as she disappears out of the hotel. Something in her body language changed just now. Jasalie got…tense. I ignore Dante as he flirts with yet another waitress just trying to do her job and crane my neck so I can see out the window. Jasalie must have gone around the corner because she’s nowhere to be found.

  “Dude, what are you staring at?”

  Dante’s hand appears in front of my face, forcing me to turn away from the window.

  “Nothing.” I shake my head.

  “Bullshit. You’re looking for that Jasalie chick aren’t you? I saw her hanging with Harlow.”

  So did I. That’s what worries me. Harlow’s not the kind of woman Jasalie would enjoy spending more than two seconds with.

  “I’m not,” I lie. “Lay off, Dante.”

  “I don’t like this,” he says to me. “You lovesick over some girl you just met. You know how many women come on to rich athletes? How do you know what her intentions are?”

  I don’t. I don’t know anything about Jasalie, really. But she didn’t come on to me. I’ve been chasing her since we met. And I trust her. Yet I feel helpless because this can’t go anywhere permanent. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, though, because I sure as hell can’t seem to stop wanting her.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Jasalie

  Bill tells me to walk around the room offering up drinks on a serving tray.

  “Why?” I ask him. “How many times do I have to prove to you that I’m a terrible server? Plus, the bar’s right there!”

  “Because I asked you to. Hal said he would appreciate some extra service tonight. So let’s give it to him.”

  “Do we have to give the owner everything he wants?”

  Bill glowers. “I’m not thrilled about the hand-holding, either,” he admits. “But we need this account. Elgin had me in a meeting this afternoon for nearly an hour—he says he wants this one more than he’s ever wanted anything.”

  I exhale. “He really said that?”

  “He really did. So go.” Bill shoos me away. “And hold the tray higher, Ms. Gordon!”

  I lift the tray nearly to chin level and march forward.

  “You’re Jasalie right?” I turn to see Dante Robinson.

  I nod at him, wondering if he noticed his girlfriend talking to me. He comes closer and takes a drink off my tray.

  “Cheers.” He holds his glass up to me and swallows about half of it in one swig.

  When he takes it away from his mouth, he looks at me closely. His blue eyes are cloudier than I’d anticipated, almost like he’s on something. “You putting our boy on?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I’m just saying, you better not be hitting Dylan up for nothing. Seriously, that’s my boy over there. He’s a great person—he deserves the same.”

  I glare back at him. “I’m a great girl—I deserve the best, too.”

  “You can’t do better than Dylan Wild.” He takes a step closer to me. “So if you like him, what are you messing with his head for?”

  “I’m not messing with his head. Don’t butt in where you don’t understand.”

  I turn to leave.

  “I think I do understand,” Dante persists, following along next to me as I walk away. “I think I understand perfectly. You planned for this to just be a weekend thing, a good time for a couple of days with a world-famous athlete.”

  I don’t trust Dante, and I’m assumi
ng he knows nothing about Dylan’s charity issue or our business deal, so I keep walking.

  But Dante keeps following me all the way to the bar. “You just don’t get it, do you?” he says. “He really cares about you. I’ve never seen him like this. Are you like some ice queen or something that you just can’t be bothered with feelings?”

  I turn to him, and I come this close to slapping him across the face. My fear stops me. “Excuse me, Mr. Robinson,” I say instead, and I disappear into the kitchen.

  I put the tray of drinks on the nearest countertop and lean back against the wall. My breaths come in short gasps, and I clasp my shaking hands together.

  Lilla walks in and sees me. “What’s happened, honey?”

  I take a deep breath to try to slow my racing pulse. “Do you know Dante Robinson?”

  “Ugh.” She makes a face. “That jerk. Why, did he just say something to you? Because he came after me earlier and told me to leave Marcus alone, says he wants nothing to do with me. He seems to be skipping the part where Marcus wants to have his cake and eat it, too, because every time I pass him he grabs my ass when his girlfriend isn’t looking.”

  I pat her arm. “That’s pathetic. You can do so much better than that, Lilla.”

  “Yeah, well.” She shrugs. “So, what’d Dante say to you?”

  “He told me not to put Dylan on, not to mess with him. Called me an ice queen.”

  “Who does he think he is?” Lilla asks. “Don’t listen to him.”

  “Think I should sculpt myself and then squash it?”

  “No, I think you should sculpt Dante and throw it out of your fifteenth story window. Hurt, don’t be hurt. Besides, this evening is basically over. I heard a bunch of the guys talking about late dinner plans. I’m getting out of here.”

  I follow her out to the bar area. And before I can think too hard about what I’m doing, I turn left and keep walking toward the bar stools.

  “You staying here for a while?” I touch Dylan lightly on the back.

  He turns on his stool, his face expressionless. “If you are.”

  I fist my hands at my sides. “I’m sorry we haven’t talked more tonight. I’ve been working like a dog.”

  “I’ve noticed. I notice everything about you, Jasalie. But you have nothing to apologize for—” He sucks in a breath. “I do, though.”

  “Dylan, let’s not rehash. We got carried away upstairs, and it’s not a big deal…”

  His hand goes around my waist and he pulls me close. I let out a gasp, and his eyes come alive. Especially the gold flecks. His hand tightens on my hip, and his fingers brush over my bare back.

  “It is a big deal,” he murmurs. “And I fucked up not letting you know that.”

  My eyes half-close as I sway into him.

  He pulls me closer until I’m standing in between his legs.

  “Let me take you to dinner so we can have some privacy. I don’t know how much more of this bar stool my ass can take.”

  I want to tell him his ass seems to be taking it quite well, but I restrain myself.

  We run into Bill in the lobby. “You’re leaving already, Ms. Gordon?”

  Before I can speak, Dylan jumps in. “I asked Jasalie if she would take me out and show me Tucson’s nightlife. I hope that’s okay.”

  Bill bows—he freaking bows—in Dylan’s direction.

  “Absolutely, Mr. Wild. Whatever we can do to be of service. Ms. Gordon, you are excused for the rest of the evening.”

  Dylan nods at him, and we head toward the parking lot. Security is tight tonight, and I don’t see any cameras or annoying reporters hanging out on the premises.

  “Thanks for the save,” I say to him as we start down the front steps. “Bill usually jabbers at me for twenty minutes about everything I’m doing wrong. But he wants your owner to give him the account so badly. Pretty much whatever your team wants, he vows to get.”

  “I’m glad he’s sufficiently intimidated that I can prevent him from harassing you.”

  A car drives through the hotel lot, and we stop to let it pass.

  “He was practically incapable of speaking around you,” I say. “It doesn’t hurt that you’re famous, of course. Bill puts all celebrities on a pedestal.”

  “Fame doesn’t seem to intimidate you in the least,” Dylan says. “I love that. It’s really rare.”

  “You bastard!”

  I jump as Dylan turns in the direction of the scream.

  But I don’t even need to look. “That’s Lilla. I’d recognize that shriek anywhere.” I glance at Dylan. “Does Marcus’s girlfriend know about his on-the-road habit?”

  Dylan furrows his brow. “I don’t really want to get in the middle of this one. Except that yes, his girlfriend is aware of Marcus’s…” He trails off. “And from what I’ve heard, Lilla knew about his girlfriend before she slept with him.”

  “Do you guys get a new girl every time you go on a trip? The entrée and the side dish?”

  “Jasalie.” His fingers circle my wrist so I can’t walk away. “I don’t date the way Marcus does, but he doesn’t lie to anybody—his girlfriend and he have an open relationship. Both ways.”

  I let out a breath. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t judge.” And I normally wouldn’t, if I weren’t feeling so vulnerable.

  Lilla storms past us in tears.

  “Lilla!” I reach out and take her arm. “Are you all right?”

  “Marcus White is a bastard!” she shouts.

  “I think the whole parking lot already heard that,” I say. “Come on, let’s go inside and talk about it.”

  She glances at Dylan as if she just noticed he was there.

  “Oh, my God,” she says. “I’m sorry. Let me just go inside and pull myself together. You guys go have fun.”

  “Are you sure you’re all right?” Dylan asks her. “Do you want to come out for dinner with us?”

  “I’m fine.” She manages a smile. “I’ve been through worse. Honestly, I’d rather be alone right now.”

  I give her a hug and then watch her walk into the lobby alone. My heart feels like it’s breaking for her even though she knew what she was getting into when she started things with Marcus. I still hate seeing her hurting.

  Dylan frowns as he looks at my expression. “Maybe dinner isn’t such a good idea after all.”

  I swallow. “Maybe not. We can take a raincheck.”

  “Okay.”

  We stare at each other before I tell him goodbye and turn back for the hotel.

  I’ve taken about twenty steps when Dylan catches my elbow from behind, forcing me to stop.

  I whip around. “Dylan, let me go.”

  “I can’t.” His eyes are filled with confusion, almost like he doesn’t understand the pull between us any more than I do. “I just…can’t.”

  I put my hands on his chest. My fingers close over the fabric of his shirt, and I hold on for dear life.

  “Are we that scared of this?” he asks me softly. “Is it easier for us to imagine being from two different worlds than to actually take the risk and get to know each other?”

  Yes.

  No one has ever seen into this side of me before. No one has ever pinned me down and challenged me to do better, to be better. I stare at Dylan as if I’m daring him to take it back. But he stands his ground.

  I don’t want to admit that I’ve already fallen for him, that he scares the living daylights out of me, and that I feel like he could break my heart with one wrong move. And I don’t know how to bring up what happened earlier in his hotel room when he made me feel more vulnerable than I’ve ever allowed myself to get with anyone else. So I grasp wildly for something to say, and what comes out is—

  “Dante and his girlfriend both think they know everything about me.” I widen my eyes at what just came out of my mouth. “Shit. I’m sorry. I have to go.”

  I break away and run into the lobby. I have one foot in the elevator when Dylan catches up with me.

  “What di
d they say to you?” His eyes are feral as they lock onto mine.

  I step fully into the elevator and push fifteen, but Dylan jumps in before the doors close on him. “Jasalie. What did they say to you?”

  Trying to think of how to respond, I watch each number light up when we pass the floor. Two, three, four, five, six…it’s quite a good system, really. Lets you know exactly where you stand.

  “Are you going to tell me, or do I have to get more and more annoying?” Dylan moves so that he’s standing in between me and the elevator panel.

  Now I can’t see where I am.

  “Dylan. I just…”

  The elevator stops and the doors open. I go to hop out, but Dylan stops me.

  “We’re not getting out until you tell me what they said to you.”

  I look at his determined expression. God, he must be a force on the football field.

  I sigh and sit down on the floor. “If we must do this like this, let’s do it then. Might as well take a seat.”

  The elevator doors close, and Dylan presses stop so that we won’t move.

  “Ever been stuck in an elevator before?” he asks me.

  “Not until this moment.”

  “Me neither. I heard it can be pretty freaky. Can feel rather claustrophobic.”

  “Kind of like you have no control?” I ask.

  “I imagine kind of like that.” He watches me carefully as he sits down across from me.

  And I open up and tell him about meeting Maura, Chrissy, and Harlow. And how Dante surprised me.

  “Did you meet Sky?” he asks me.

  “Yes. She introduced herself to me. She’s super nice. And she really cares about you, too.”

  His eyes warm like this fact matters to him. I get the sense he doesn’t have many people he trusts in L.A.

  “Sky and Colton are in love for real, unlike Harlow and Dante, or Chrissy and Taylor. I didn’t realize they’d be so quick to dissuade you from me.”

  “I don’t think it was really about you,” I say. “Harlow’s just kind of…”

  “They’re jealous,” he says. “Of us. Because we’re happy. Dante’s always kind of an ass.”