FILTHY (Reckless #2)

by HJ Bellus

  Dad and a few of his hired men begin picking up the chairs in the field and tearing down the archway. He’s owned a landscaping business since before I was born. I love my dad, but work, think, and act opposite of him in every sense of the word. I could only hope to be half the man he is one day, owning my own successful business with branches of different companies.

  Charlie nuzzles into my chest, looking for a nipple that she’ll never find. It wasn’t easy grabbing her from Darby, but I did. I rock her a bit faster and pat her bottom putting her back to sleep. Darby and Mom don’t help matters by causing a racket in the kitchen cleaning everything up.

  I haven’t had a chance to talk to her since the toast. We’ve been in the middle of chaos celebrating our best friends’ wedding and it should be that way. It’s their day, yet I made about me and what I wanted. I roll my phone over in my palm wanting to text Darby, just needing to know what her thoughts are, but everything that comes to me sounds so self-absorbed. I don’t want it to be about that person right now.

  “Give me.” Mom takes Charlie out of my arms without warning.

  The slamming of the door echoes around in the house before I realize it’s just the two of us left alone. I can hear Darby moving things around in the kitchen and just remain in Grandpa’s recliner, stroking my fingers over his blue blanket, and I let my mind wander. I can’t undo any of this and, even worse, I wouldn’t want to even if I could.

  I could come up with a mile long list of reasons why we won’t work, but none of it seems to matter. With Darby at my side, I feel like a fucking superhero. She fills all of my insecurities with her joy and brushes away my worries with a simple smile directed towards me. I stand with little to no confidence, feeling like I’m about to walk into a burning, blessed inferno.

  When I round the corner, Darby is bent over the counter with her face buried in her palms. She still has her dress on with her ass cheeks barely peeking out. Her mess of light brown curls masks her face.

  “Darby,” I whisper, not wanting to spook her.

  She doesn’t respond to me, but I know she heard me. I close the distance between us and can’t help but plant both of my hands on each of her hips. I tug her back as far as she’ll go, which isn’t far. Her elbows remain cemented on the counter and her face still hidden in her palms.

  “Talk to me, baby.”

  I run one of my hands up the length of her back, then back down. I repeat the motion over and over until I feel her relax into me. She finally stands up, relaxing back into my chest. I let both of my hands wind around to her front until I have pressed her all the way up to me.

  I use my chin to nudge her hair out of the way until my lips are on her skin.

  “Talk to me, Darby.” I kiss her gently. “Fucking hell, please talk to me.”

  I pull her back into me, this time rougher with panic rising up in the back of my throat. She’s running. She’s fucking scared to even try, and I can’t even be mad because I’ve done it so many times since Gia. If anyone understands this feeling, it’s me.

  “I’m scared, Rhett. I’m just fucking scared.”

  I feel a tear of hers drop on my forearm. She doesn’t give me time to ask why before spilling it all.

  “We are both hot messes, to say the least. You’re a fucking stripper and I know you’ve been taking over Zane’s old business. I’m not stupid.”

  I’ve hurt her.

  “You’re right. I did pick up Zane’s clients, but it only lasted a couple of weeks before I realized I wanted you more. I still strip at the club, but that’s it.”

  “Rhett Westburn doesn’t do relationships. I know this from hanging out around town and at the club.”

  “He didn’t until you.” I try to turn her around in my arms, but she plants her feet.

  “You know each week when I come watch your show?”

  I know it’s a question, but not one intended for me to answer, so I remain silent and let her talk.

  “I actually love watching you up there on stage. You’re so powerful and fucking sexy. You stare me down out of everyone in that fucking club, but yet you entertain all the ladies like your eyes are on them, when they’re not, they are on me. You make me feel everything, Rhett, like no one has before.”

  Another long pause and I steady myself for the fucking blow that’s about to land.

  “It’s like you only truly let me have you at night and when day hits, you’re everybody else’s. I know it’s your personality, and I have grown accustomed to it, but do you know how hard it is to hear that fucking bleach blonde club whore talk about you fucking her each night before the show?”

  And I’ve never felt like more of a piece of shit in my life.

  5

  Darby

  This time it’s his silence coating the area of the kitchen. I’m thankful I can’t look into his fucking gorgeous eyes or I’d be a goner concealing all these fears in. But I meant what I said in the toast. I want him, I want the chance, and mostly the happily ever after with Rhett¸ but I have to be honest with myself first. He’s a player, the town bad boy who's going to break my heart. I’ve never given it to a man before and that scares me.

  The only problem is, I didn’t give it to Rhett either…he stole it. I’m no angel and have had my fair share of one night stands and am willing to own up to them.

  “Darby. She’s nothing.”

  His words make bile rise up in the back of my throat. It’s not an easy job, but I tear from his grip and finally face him. I’m no longer afraid of showing him my tears and fears.

  “Listen, fucker.” I push back on his chest. “I go there for you. I’d think you would’ve figured that out by now. We’ve been together every single night for a while now, but I get to listen to that cunt brag about your cock deep in her? And now you want a relationship?”

  He tries to step towards me, but I hold a hand up.

  “Yes, I’ve fucked her several times. All the guys have, but I haven’t touched her for fucking ever.”

  I just shake my head, letting a sardonic laugh escape. “That may work on others but not me, Rhett. I meant what I said in the toast, but shit has to change.”

  He runs his hands through his long hair, all remains of his man bun long gone. “Here, fucking call the other guys. Call her. She’s a lying bitch trying to make you jealous.” He tosses his phone on the counter. “Go through every single contact, Darby, I’ve fucking been nothing but an open book for you to read.”

  I cower back watching Rhett slam his fist through the drywall several times. My words are caught in my throat as I sink down from the countertops until I’m on the floor with my knees in my chest. The tears never stop as I let everything out. He’s right.

  Rhett’s been there for me since I killed a man. K-I-L-L-E-D a man in cold fucking blood. He’s been there through my nightmares and everything in between. I know he bears the burden every single second along my side. I can’t even count how many times he’s whispered into my hair when he thought I was sleeping, “I’d take it all away, baby, only if it would’ve been me that killed that fucker. I’d take all your demons away if I could.”

  A girl can only get her heart broken so many times before she second-guesses everything in her life. My dad made sure to shatter mine a long time ago. It was so severe my heart has never had a chance of healing, until Rhett. And now when he’s here opening up to me, I’m questioning him. I’m judging him on past mistakes and way of life. I hate people who do that to me, but here I am doing that to him.

  “It just hurts my feelings when she brags about you, knowing I can hear her.” My own voice startles me. My shocked body has gone into survival mode.

  “She a fucking jealous whore, Darby. I don’t know what else to tell you. I haven’t been with her in damn near a year.” He kneels down by me, placing his drywall dusted knuckles on the top my kneecaps. “I’d hope you’d know I’m here for you, and only you.”

  I finally look up to the man who’s showed me the world without even
asking. “I’m scared, Rhett. I’ve never given my heart , and I keep thinking this is just a game to you. It’s my ghosts haunting me.”

  “Baby, all nine inches of me is yours.”

  I laugh. “You mean eight inches.”

  “Depends how wound up you get me.”

  I playfully punch him in the chest, but he doesn’t move. “See you’re always funny, turning shit into a big joke.”

  “I’m sorry. It’s the only way I know how, Darby. I’d planned to never fall in love again. Ever. But you see this stubborn, sexy as fuck girl, waltzed into my life and fucked up my master plan of new pussy for eternity.”

  “Rhett.”

  “Darby, I fucking love you. You can look through my phone and I’ll confront the blonde whore, but I’m telling the truth. I’ll take whatever you give me, even if it’s just sex to you.”

  “But it’s not, Rhett, it’s more for me.”

  He growls and finally collapses back onto the island behind him. “You have no idea how much more it is for me.”

  “Then we need to talk about this shit instead of just jumping into it head first.”

  “It’s the only way I know, Darby.”

  “I’m scared.” I nudge the tip of my flat sandal out until it meets the tip of his Cons.

  “Why do you think I fuck so rough every single time?”

  Silence floats between us for what seems like eternity.

  “I’ll answer it for you. It’s because I’m scared as fuck. I think any day I’ll lose you, so I make it worth it every single time.”

  His phone goes off on the countertop and it’s like a showdown ensues. He doesn’t move to answer it, stares me down, daring me to go for it.

  “Answer it, Darby. Answer it every single fucking time it rings and you’ll see I’m telling you nothing but the fucking truth.”

  I stand and straighten out my dress. “Mom” flashes across the screen.

  “It’s your mom.”

  Without thinking, I answer it, knowing we are staying with them to help out with Charlie until Zane and Ava return.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey, sweetie, how close are you two to being done over there? Dad just put ribs on.”

  “Um, almost.”

  “Okay, be here in the next forty-five minutes.”

  “We will.”

  “Darby, you looked gorgeous today.”

  “Thank you.”

  She rambles on how beautiful the ceremony was. I feel Rhett’s hands snake around my leg, but fight to ignore him. It’s not a sexual move, but resembles more of a gesture of holding on to something. He’s fighting for me and I’m being fucking stubborn.

  “Yes, I agree it was a perfect ceremony for them.”

  “Oh, and I could feel Zane’s Grandpa’s spirit everywhere today,” she replies.

  Rhett tugs down on my upper thigh and I fall into him. I fall in more ways than one. I let my whole body go without thinking, knowing he’ll be there to catch me. He takes the phone from my hand.

  “Mom, we will be there in a few.”

  I can’t hear what she’s saying.

  “Yeah, love you, too, bye.”

  The sound of his phone dropping to the floor is deafening with the silence floating between us. I do the only thing I’ve wanted to do for a long time…I melt into Rhett.

  “I’m in,” I whisper into his chest.

  His large palm runs over the top of my head while he places light kisses on me.

  I shrug a shoulder. “I’m just possessive and need all of you, not just pieces when others aren’t taking from you. I believe what you told me.”

  “Darby, I…”

  I have a feeling what’s coming next and I take the coward's way out, not knowing if I have enough courage to reply, so I swivel in his lap, wrapping my legs around his middle. An audible moan escapes me with just the comfort the man provides me.

  “I trust you, Rhett, you’re just going to have to put up with my skeptical mind.”

  “We have to be open with each other, baby.” He sweeps a lock of my hair to the side.

  “I love it when you call me baby.” I lace my arms around his neck and drop my forehead to his.

  “Don’t ever shut me out.”

  “I’ll try. Rhett, I’ve never given my heart to a man, so be careful with it.”

  He tugs me in closer until our fronts are pressed together letting no air in. “Well, I’ll kiss that heart daily, lick it, fuck it, make love to it and everything in between.”

  His devilish smile spreads across his face as he quirks one eyebrow up, and I can’t help but laugh. His cocky and arrogant personality flares right back up, and if I’m being truthful, it soothes me.

  “Is that your limit on being serious, Rhett? A whole fifteen minutes,” I say with a smile.

  “What can I say? I am known as the panty melter around these parts.” He drags a hand down to my center, cupping it through the thin material of my panties.

  “Really?” I tilt my head. “Maybe you should show me.”

  “Wait.” He sits straight up, moving his hand back to my waist. “Let me re-phrase that. I’m known as the Delicious Darby Dazzling Panty Melter.”

  An out of control laugh escapes me. I laugh until it hurts and it doesn’t help that Rhett finally relaxes back, laying his head on the side of the island, and smiles back at me.

  When I finally get control of myself, I find my voice. “I knew what you meant, Rhett. I trust you now that I know what you want, but I’ll be kicking the shit out of that bleach blonde whore.”

  “Oh fuck, baby, that turns me on.” His hand goes right back down to my center, but this time he moves my panties to the side and begins rubbing circles.

  “Rhett.”

  “Darby.” He presses his lips against mine.

  “Uh, oh…” I can’t get out what I want to say because he’s sunk two fingers inside me while keeping eye contact.

  “What, baby?”

  My fingers dig into the back of his neck, searching for something to steady myself. I’ve never in my life wanted something so fucking bad, and I think that’s why I’m scared to give him all of me.

  “I think I’m falling in love with you.” Each of the words slice my tongue because once they’re said you can’t take them back, and it’s all a lie. I know that I love him.

  “Good, baby, because I know I love you and will fight for this, even through our scars.”

  He picks up the speed with his fingers, while keeping eye contact, and softly kissing my lips. It’s the first time Rhett has taken his time with me, and not demanded a harsh and grueling fuck. I see all of him in this light; the Rhett I already know, but also the soft and sensitive side that dares to love with no boundaries.

  He has me captured as his and it’s the sweetest moment we’ve ever shared together. Rhett rolls us over to the floor until he has my back pressed against the hardwood floor and his body covering mine. Most of his weight is dispersed on his elbows.

  “I’m going to make love to you, Darby.” He kisses the top of my nose. “I’m not good at this part though.”

  He gestures to the kitchen floor with a sheepish look. Rhett could make love to me anywhere he wanted.

  My hand brushes the stubble lining his jaw line. “Rhett, you’re a god in my eyes. I’m sure you’re perfect at it.”

  The door to the house bursts open. “Rhett. Darby.”

  His mom’s voice echoes around the house.

  “Fuck,” he whispers and bounces up on his knees.

  “Dinner is ready? Where is Darby?” Her voice grows near and when I look up, she’s at the end of the island staring down at me spread eagle below her son.

  Rhett remains on his knees in an upright position, running his hands through his hair. Son of a bitch, that man is sexy. The twinge of embarrassment playing out on his cheeks is adorable.

  “Oh, dear,” his mom exclaims.

  “Darby lost an earring. Just helping her, Mom.”

  I
watch as his mom examines both of my ears, admiring the diamond studs, and that’s when the flood of embarrassment nails me.

  “Okay, well hustle up. You know how Dad gets about cold ribs.”

  “On it, Mom.” He stands up to his feet and extends a hand down to me.

  She doesn’t leave, but waits by the door for us.

  “Let’s go,” Rhett says with a chuckle.

  “I am so embarrassed,” I whisper to him.

  He clutches my hand in his and leads us over to the doorway. Once she sees us following her, she takes off down the lane.

  “I’ll give you a ride, but just know I’m dying to make love to you later, baby.” Rhett cups my cheek and kisses my lips hard.

  We both giggle when we hear his mom clear her throat a good ten feet away.

  “Jump on,” he offers, turning his back to me.

  “I’m in a dress.”

  “Good, that sweet pussy of yours will be pressed up against my back.”

  “You’re a dirty, dirty boy, Rhett Westburn.” I place my hands on the top of his shoulders and jump up.

  He grabs my ankles, guiding them around his middle until they’re locked, and then begins walking the short distance to his house.

  “We’ve been caught before and I didn’t even care, Rhett. God, I’m so embarrassed right now.”

  “You should be. My poor mom seeing you take the innocence of her baby.” He turns his head and kisses my cheek.

  I laugh like a lunatic, bathing in my own freedom and the next step in my life.

  “I’ll happily take the innocence of her baby.” I kiss his cheek, then let my tongue run lazy circles around the sensitive part of his neck.

  6

  Rhett

  My appetite has never been a problem, whether it be for food or sex. I’m known to be ravenous, finishing off people’s plates and sinking balls deep into pussy. But right now, I can’t even finish my plate of ribs and salad. My gaze keeps darting over to Darby still in that fucking amazing dress.