A Hot Mess

by Christy Gissendaner

  He turned back to Rayanne, but he backed up and ran his hand across Cait’s shoulder. “We’re together.”

  “Oh!” A wealth of meaning was conveyed in the single word Rayanne spoke.

  Cait could fill in the blanks. She knew the beautiful model was probably wondering why Dylan was with a nobody like her. Cait hadn’t figured it out herself yet.

  Rayanne tossed her hair again. “Well, I should get back to my friends.” She fluttered her hand at a small group of young model types. She leaned over and hugged Dylan again. “It was really nice seeing you.”

  “You too,” Dylan answered.

  As soon as she was gone, Dylan turned back to Cait and gave her an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, Cait.”

  Cait assumed a nonchalant look. “For what?”

  Concern flared in his eyes. “Rayanne. She can be a handful sometimes.”

  Cait shrugged and then patted the spot on the couch beside her. “Did you photograph her?”

  Dylan nodded. “Yeah, a couple of years ago for a bikini issue.”

  “She’s very pretty.”

  Dylan shrugged. “If you say so.”

  She gave him a look of disbelief. “You don’t think so?”

  “She’s okay I guess. A bit too skinny for my tastes.”

  Cait rolled her eyes. “As if there is such a thing as too skinny.”

  “There is, trust me.” Dylan ran a hand over the curve of her hip.

  “How did she know my name?” Cait wondered if he made a habit of talking about her.

  He glanced away for a millisecond.

  A suspicion brewed in her mind. “Dylan?”

  He still refused to meet her eyes. It wasn’t much of a giveaway, but it was enough for Cait to put two and two together.

  “Did you sleep with her?” Cait wished she could take back the words as soon as they were out of her mouth. It was none of her business. Well technically, it could be, since the old saying was his sexual history was now her shared history.

  Dylan didn’t say anything, and she assumed she had her answer. “You did!”

  “Baby, it was a couple years ago. I barely even remember it.”

  “Oh, don’t baby me,” Cait snapped at him and shoved his hand away from her hip.

  Dylan scrubbed a hand across his face. “Seriously, Cait? Are you going to be mad at me for sleeping with someone two years ago when up until yesterday you were engaged to another man?”

  Cait felt as if he had slapped her. “Are you calling me a whore?”

  “No. Of course I’m not, Cait. Don’t be ridiculous.”

  Cait lifted her hand and pointed her finger at him. She swirled it around in front of his face in warning. “I’ve got news for you, Mister Big Shot Photographer. I don’t care who you sleep with.”

  “Wait … what?” Dylan’s brows drew together in apparent confusion. “What are we fussing about?”

  Cait struggled to remember. Why was she mad? She couldn’t hold it against Dylan for sleeping with Rayanne. They’d been just friends then. Cait’s mind screeched to a halt. It shouldn’t matter even now. They were still just friends. When their vacation in Vegas was over, he would go back to his models and actresses, and Cait would return to Atlanta and an empty apartment.

  “Nothing. I’m just being petty.” She forced a smile, and Dylan visibly relaxed.

  Dylan framed her face with his hands and leaned in close enough for her to see the tiny freckle on the tip of his nose. “I adore you, silly girl.”

  He kissed her, and Cait tried to pretend she didn’t want more.

  Chapter 8

  Dylan could tell something was bothering Cait. He didn’t know if it was the run-in with Rayanne, or if she was thinking about her failed elopement. He hoped it wasn’t regret for being with him. He’d known her as long as he could remember. He knew when her cheery nature was sincere and when it was forced. For the hour they’d been at the bar, it was most certainly forced.

  He finished his second beer and set it aside. He motioned to Cait’s empty glass. It was only her second drink as well. “Do you want another whiskey and coke?”

  She shook her head in a quick motion. Her green eyes seemed dull. Something was definitely bothering Cait.

  “Are you ready to leave?”

  Cait nodded. “If you are.”

  Dylan stood and held out his hand. She took it and rose to her feet. She did the shimmy thing she always did to straighten her dress, and Dylan grew rock hard. Despite all they’d done today, he wanted her again. His desire had not abated one bit. Pleasuring her in the car after dinner had made his cock feel like it would burst. He couldn’t wait to get her back to the hotel, strip that dress from her, and mark her as his.

  She was his, whether she wanted to admit it or not. He had not missed the spark of jealousy in Cait when Rayanne had appeared. His Cait could be a spitfire at times. He had no doubt that if the model had not left when she did, Cait would’ve cussed her out.

  On one hand, he was pleased Cait cared enough to be jealous. But on the other, he never wanted her to feel intimidated by the women in his past. None could compare to Cait. She was the end-all be-all in his eyes.

  They left the lounge and headed back to the car. This time, Dylan did not try to touch her. Cait was sending out a vibe that told him now was not the time. Once they were back at the hotel, he could seduce her into a better mood.

  “Did you have fun today?” His voice seemed overly loud in the compact car.

  Cait’s was the opposite. Dylan could barely hear her when she answered. “Yes, thank you.”

  He reached over and touched her hand. She did not pull away, which was a very good sign. “I’m glad.”

  Cait turned his hand over and traced idle circles in his palm. “Why did you do it?”

  “Do what?” He was distracted by the touch of her.

  Cait lifted her free hand and waved it about in a circle. “All of it—the clothes, dinner, the show, everything.”

  “I wanted to cheer you up.” Dylan bent his fingers upward, so he could give hers a squeeze. “I hated seeing you upset.”

  “To tell the truth, I’ve barely thought of Simon today. Does that make me a bad person? Less than thirty hours ago, I was prepared to marry him. Now he hasn’t even crossed my mind.”

  “I would say it makes you a smart person, not a bad one.”

  Cait chuckled. “You never did like Simon.”

  “Why would I? He had what I wanted.”

  Cait’s eye twinkled as she tossed him a look. “And what was that?”

  “You.”

  Silence fell upon the car. Dylan risked a sideways glance at Cait, and she sat, facing forward, with a blank expression. She stopped tracing circles on his palm, yet continued to hold on to his hand.

  Cait’s voice vibrated with tension. “You shouldn’t say things you don’t mean.”

  “I meant what I said.” Dylan rubbed his thumb along the rubber covering of the steering wheel and forced his thoughts into a coherent pattern. “You know I did, Cait, but it frightens you.”

  Cait would not be Cait if she did not rise to his challenge. She lifted her chin and tossed her hair. “I’m not frightened.”

  “Yes, you are. You’re scared you will lose me. I’m not like those losers you’ve dated, Cait. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Cait let go of his hand and crossed her arms over her chest. “They were not all losers.”

  “Damned close,” Dylan muttered. There had been a couple of guys that were not that bad, but for the most part Cait chose men that were completely wrong for her.

  Of course, he was prejudiced. He knew there was no man as right for her as he was. “We don’t have to talk about this now if you don’t want to.”

  They reached the hotel, and he pulled up to the valet. The lights from the lobby of the hotel spilled across Cait’s face as Dylan put the car in park. He turned toward her, putting his finger beneath her chin and tilting her face to his. Her green eyes glowed i
n the weak light.

  “Just say you’ll give us a chance. I want so much more than this one night.”

  Her lashes swept forward to hide her eyes. “It’s too soon, Dylan. Simon…”

  “Fuck Simon,” Dylan said harshly. “That man is a dick.”

  Cait’s eyes appeared suspiciously moist. “True, but it’s still too early. I don’t want you to be the rebound guy.”

  Dylan’s expression softened. “Do you really think of me as a rebound?”

  Cait shook her head from side to side. “No.”

  “So don’t shut me out. Okay?”

  “Okay.” Cait’s voice was low, but Dylan let out a sigh of relief at the softly spoken word.

  The valet, who’d waited for them to finish their conversation, stood outside the door. He hopped to attention when Dylan opened the driver’s side door. Dylan tossed the keys to the young man and went to open Cait’s door.

  Cait tugged her dress down and accepted the hand Dylan offered to help her out of the car. He led her toward the sliding glass doors of the lobby and draped an arm around her waist.

  Dylan was filled with anticipation. He had one last surprise for Cait. He hoped she liked it, even though it was a sappy move on his part. He wasn’t a hearts and flowers type of guy, but with Cait he found himself doing things he never thought he’d do.

  They rode up the elevator to the eighth floor and walked to their room. Dylan opened the door, and the scent that greeted him reassured him his instructions had been followed by the hotel staff.

  He flipped on the light and stepped back, so Cait could enter the room ahead of him. She walked in, kicked off her heels, and then paused mid-stride. Her hands clapped her cheeks, and she gasped. “Dylan! Did you do this?”

  Dylan cocked his head to one side. He had ordered two dozen white roses, but there was a huge bouquet of red roses as well. A sinking feeling settled in his gut.

  Cait didn’t wait for his answer. She rushed forward and plucked the card from the red roses first. Dylan opened his mouth but couldn’t find the words. He sensed an impending disaster.

  Cait smiled at him, lowered her gaze to the card, and her pretty lips mouthed the words silently. Her smile faded, and she gave Dylan a shocked look. “They’re from Simon. How would he even know I was still here?”

  He probably thought Cait was sitting in the room and pining for him. Damn that conniving bastard. Dylan strode forward and pointed at the white roses. “These are from me.”

  “Oh, Dylan.” Cait’s eyes were filled with worry. “Thank you.”

  Dylan waved aside her thanks. “What does the card say?”

  Cait held it to her chest. Her face paled. “Are you sure you want to know?”

  “Not really, but go ahead.”

  Cait moved the card, so she could read it out loud. “Dearest Cait, I am so sorry for our misunderstanding yesterday. I love you, and I still want to marry you. Say yes, and make me the happiest man on earth.”

  Dylan lifted a brow. “Not quite the apology you would expect, is it? A misunderstanding, my ass.”

  “At least he tried.” Cait shrugged.

  “Tried?” Dylan gaped at her. “The bastard didn’t even take the time to send you your favorite color roses! Don’t tell me you’re going to go to him.”

  “No.” Cait shook her head and tossed aside Simon’s card. “He doesn’t deserve a response.”

  Dylan felt a wave of relief so intense he nearly fell to the floor. He steadied himself and pulled a long-stemmed rose from the vase he’d sent her.

  He stepped toward Cait and held out the flower to trace its petals against her cheek. “You’re beautiful.”

  She made a purring sound. “No, I’m not.”

  He stepped closer. The scent of the rose mixed with the heady aroma of Cait’s arousal. “Yes, you are.”

  He hated that his surprised had been marred, but Cait was here with him. He would make sure she forgot that dick of an ex-fiancé. Dylan wanted to be the only man she thought of.

  He also wanted to hear her scream his name. Cait was still closed to him emotionally, at least as it pertained to romance, but there was one arena where he had her attention and that was the bedroom.

  Dylan traced her lips with the petals and then replaced them with his mouth. “Happy Valentine’s Day, baby.”

  Cait moaned and stood on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around his neck. “Are you through with the surprises now?”

  Dylan smiled against her lips. “There’s just one more.”

  Cait pulled back and gave him a stern look. “What is it now? Fireworks?”

  “Just this,” Dylan whispered as he claimed her lips for another kiss. “The fireworks are just an added bonus.”

  *

  It was almost midnight. The best Valentine’s Day ever was almost over, but she still had a few more hours with Dylan.

  Cait stood in Dylan’s arms and surrendered to one of the sweetest kisses she’d ever known. The scent of roses lingered in the air. She wanted nothing more than to throw out Simon’s bouquet, but she did not want to tear herself away from Dylan long enough to do so.

  They undressed slowly, neither in a hurry to get it over with. Cait unbuttoned Dylan’s shirt and peeled it down his arms. It fell to the floor after he pulled his wrists free. She crept closer to his chest. His tight, toned skin gave off delicious warmth. She felt dainty next to Dylan, especially when he held her like he did now.

  Dylan removed her dress, and Cait was left in nothing but the tiny black thong and bra. Dylan’s hands cupped her bare ass and pulled her against his erection. Tremors wracked her body. She wanted him desperately. He bent to pick up the rose he’d dropped as they’d undressed.

  A brush of velvety petals on the bare skin of her ass made her shiver. Dylan moved the flower lower, caressing the tops of her thighs, and then slid it back up. The soft strokes of the petals made goose bumps break out on her skin. His tongue continued its slow assault on her mouth.

  Cait sensed a difference in this kiss. He seemed determined to seduce her, but in an unhurried way. She wanted more than mere sex with Dylan, if only for a night. She could go away with this sweet memory locked in her mind’s vault.

  Dylan broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers. He moved his hand between their bodies and brushed the rose against the tops of her breast. “Come to bed.”

  He did not have to ask twice. Cait took his hand and led him to the bed after he retrieved a condom. She waited for him to remove his shoes and slacks, and then he gathered her in his arms again. He lowered her to the bed, his hand at the small of her back, guiding her as she encountered the mattress.

  Dylan hovered over her as he pressed tiny kisses along her hairline and nibbled his way across her cheek and down to her ear. His tongue teased her earlobe. He drew it into his mouth, gently nipping with his teeth.

  Cait caressed his strong shoulders and traced her fingernail along the line of his collarbone. Dylan kissed her neck, and his shaved head tickled her cheek. She held him to her, enjoying this moment of togetherness. There were no words, no distractions. Just her, Dylan, and this moment in bed.

  They were so attuned to each other. It was a revelation to lie in bed with someone and not worry that her thighs were too big, or her breasts were too small. Dylan had been her friend through thick and thin, literally and figuratively, and she need not suffer self-consciousness where he was concerned.

  Dylan shifted to the side and lifted the rose again. Cait drew in a breath as he drew a lazy circle around her nipple with the flower. Her nipple puckered at the feather-soft touch. He stroked the petals along her rib cage and down her belly.

  Cait sucked in a breath, the muscles of her lower belly tensing in anticipation. Dylan teased the insides of her thighs and brushed the petals against her swollen flesh. He moved the flower back up to her belly and retraced the path he’d just taken.

  Cait watched his face as he did so. Dylan’s eyes were hooded. His nostrils flared with ev
ery breath he took. The look of his passion made hers flare. Her good intentions flew out the window. She had to have him now. The slow pace of their lovemaking drew forth a mindless need.

  “I want you,” she whispered.

  “I know.” Dylan tickled her neck with the petals and then returned to her breasts, teasing her nipples until they ached with need. “You have me.”

  Cait reached out and plucked the rose from his hand. She tossed it aside, cupped his face with her hands and drew him forward for a deep, open-mouthed kiss. She reared upward and pushed him to the right until he fell onto his back. She quickly straddled him, never once breaking their kiss.

  Her moist flesh brushed his arousal, and she angled her hips so he would slip inside, but Dylan drew his legs up and prevented her from doing so.

  “Not so quick, Cait.” Dylan put his hands on her hips and held her still with gentle pressure.

  “But…” Cait’s hips moved restlessly against him.

  “Shhh. I will give you what you want soon.” Dylan cupped her breasts in his hands and teased her nipples with his thumbs and forefingers.

  Cait cried out, and her head dropped back. She reached behind and balanced her hands on his legs. Dylan lowered one hand, and his fingers tickled between her thighs. One bold finger slipped inside her, and she moaned. Her hips lifted and rode his finger. She wanted more.

  “Dylan, please!”

  “Please what, baby?”

  Cait lowered her head and gave him a hard look. “Fuck me, Dylan.”

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Dylan’s entire demeanor changed in an instant. He fumbled for the condom packet and sheathed himself in mere seconds. Before she could draw a breath, he lowered his legs and angled her for his thrust. His cock easily slipped inside, filling her to the hilt. His hands gripped her waist. He half-lifted her and brought her back down upon his thrust.

  “Jesus,” Cait breathed. She dug her knees into the mattress to regain her balance and rolled her hips forward.

  “That’s it, baby.” Dylan let out a harsh groan. “That feels so fucking good.”

  Cait continued to roll her hips, lifting and sinking onto him with wild abandon. Her rhythm grew frantic. She wanted Dylan to come. She wanted to watch his face as he did so.