DirtyBeautiful

by Jodie Becker

  Dylan fisted her hair, upsetting the loose bun. He broke off the kiss and when she tried to capture his delicious mouth, his hand tightened in her hair, holding her at bay. Lust-filled eyes sent liquid mercury through her veins.

  “Damn you,” he rasped. “No one has affected me the way you do. You have me tied up in knots.”

  Erica barely heard him, her attention fixated on his mouth. She flicked out a tongue to rasp it along his upper lip. Dylan covered her mouth with his. He tasted fresh, like rain and all man. Their tongues clashed and reveled in the desire that pulsed between them.

  They shifted and Erica sensed they were moving, but not toward the house. Her brief confusion was smothered by each step that jostled her against his erection. Fresh spirals of pleasure condensed in her womb. Steps. Then the flat face of smooth wood pressed against her back. Erica frowned and broke off the kiss. She stared at a half-finished gazebo. Smooth hexagon decking with a basic roofless frame. When her attention shifted to Dylan she found him studying her intently.

  “What is this?”

  He ran an errant circle below her ear. “I couldn’t get what you said the other day out of my head. So I’ve been building this.”

  Butterflies filled her chest. “Is this what you’ve been doing for the last four days?”

  “Yeah.” He looked around at his handiwork. “It still has a bit to go, but I’ve got almost all of the frame up.”

  Joy took flight in her chest, filling her with light. “That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me.”

  He peered down at her, the heat reentering his gaze. His fingers tightened around her legs, the swipe of his hands making her nerves sing.

  “I think the frame can handle a bit of weight, what do you think?”

  Her pussy tingled in answer and warmth suffused her cheeks. “We’re in public.”

  He leaned down, his breath skittered by her cheek before his tongue flicked at her earlobe. “No one is watching.”

  Before she could voice a protest, he slid his hand down to touch her through her panties. Pleasure thrummed along her sensitized flesh and she gasped. Dylan’s husky chuckle raced over her skin in a hot graze. Wordlessly he shifted aside the flimsy fabric and inserted his fingers. He thrust hard once, enough for her to recognize the power he had over her body. He plied the ball of nerves deep within her and sent sparks of delicious fire through her.

  “Oh God,” she murmured, her head tipped back onto the smooth wood.

  Dylan licked and sucked at her neck, his breath warm against her skin. She rocked into his hand, his thumb circling over her clitoris sent her over the edge far too soon. The climax crashed over her and exploded behind closed eyelids in a flash of reds and blues, like the Fourth of July. Panting, she felt something bigger probe her and welcomed him into her body.

  They slipped and slid against each other as desire rose like quicksilver, making her cry out. Nails dug into the back of his neck and she undulated into him. He was embedded in her so deep she swore the tip of his dick kissed her womb. Exquisite need vibrated in her being. Her breasts felt heavy with desire and she wanted his mouth on them. Dylan’s lips curled back in a silent snarl as he pounded into her. The wet sounds of sex filled the air, the tang of desire and sweat wrapped around them. Her breath left her in little whimpers and groans as she climbed higher toward another release.

  “Yes, peaches, yes,” Dylan muttered, his head bowed forward.

  Heat coiled inside and hummed with the oncoming climax. She writhed, wanting to hold it back. A hand abandoned her ass and his deft fingers found her swollen, aching nub. He strummed it with expert precision and Erica tensed as sweet ecstasy exploded around her. Mini pulses of pleasure tripped over her body as she came down. Dylan thrust hard, his breath uneven. His eyes squeezed shut and he gasped, then suddenly pulled out of her. Wet heat touched the top part of her inner thigh.

  She looked down at the semen on her and cold dread rose up to choke off her happiness. “Dylan!”

  He opened his eyes at her rebuke, the guilt written in the way his lips downturned. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist.”

  Erica made a sound of disgust and pushed him away from her. She found her feet, albeit unsteadily, but at least she wasn’t relying on him. Dylan moved to stabilize her, but she knocked his hands away. He dropped his hand then set himself to rights while Erica wiped the evidence of his desire with the edge of her dress.

  “You won’t get pregnant.”

  She glared at him. “You can’t guarantee that.”

  He glanced away sheepishly. “Well, if anything does happen, we’ll deal with it together.”

  Erica sucked in a hard breath. “It’s not about that, Dylan. You had sex with me without protection. I don’t even know your sexual history to warrant that.”

  A spasm of misery passed over his face and he raked a hand over his hair. “I’ve been tested. I’m clean.”

  All Erica could hear was Greg’s excuses and accusations. She didn’t want to risk it again. “Like I haven’t heard that before.”

  Somewhere in the back of her head she knew Greg didn’t represent all men, but she couldn’t hold back the vitriolic emotions. She couldn’t stand here, otherwise she worried she’d say something she’d regret later. As she moved past him, he snatched at her arm.

  “You know I would never do anything to hurt you, Erica.”

  That’s what Greg said. “I do. I just need to process what happened, Dylan. All right?”

  A muscle leapt in his jaw and he dropped his arm. Erica hurried from the yard and moments later heard a loud clatter of wood as Dylan unleashed his fury.

  * * * * *

  Reclined on the lounge, enjoying the last few pages of her romance, Erica looked up when someone knocked on the door. She glanced at her watch. Five o’clock. She wiped at the brownie crumbs on her shirt then walked to the door and opened it. Dylan stood on the porch, a mismatched bunch of flowers in his grasp. The flowers had wilted, which made her question how long he’d had the bouquet.

  She slid her hand up the door. “What are you doing here?”

  The stiff smile on his lips disappeared and a flicker of pain flashed in his eyes. “I’m sorry. I fucked up.”

  Erica sucked in a slow breath, her heart turning in her chest. She accepted the flowers and waved him in. “It’s okay, Dylan. We both were at fault. We got lost in the moment and I shouldn’t have let old insecurities dictate to me.”

  Dylan stepped inside, hands thrust in his pockets.

  “I’ll just put these in water.”

  Erica moved into the kitchen and placed the bouquet in the very vase she’d taken out earlier in the day. Fingering the petal of a sad gerbera, she looked at Dylan. Propped up against the wall, he appeared casual, but she sensed an underlying intensity that warranted attention.

  “Are you all right?”

  He pushed upright. “No. After you left I thought I’d messed up for good. I’ve been standing in your front lawn for about an hour, thinking about what I could do to make this up to you.”

  Something cinched in her chest at his words. She waved a dismissive hand. “It’s forgotten.”

  “Let me take you out on a date, I want to show you that what we have is more than just sex.”

  “It’s not necessary. Really, Dylan.”

  Dylan stepped forward and dropped his hands on her waist. “Come on, I booked us in a nice restaurant.”

  Erica giggled. “All right. But give me a few minutes to get ready.”

  “Okay.”

  She slipped by him and returned to her bedroom. There she pulled on a maxi-dress, pretty sandals and dabbed on some lipstick. Keeping it simple worked when he waited for her. She snatched up a purse and walked down the stairs. Dylan stood at the base, his appreciative gaze swept over her body.

  “You look beautiful.”

  Erica grinned. “Thank you.”

  She accepted his hand and they both went to his car. Once she sat in the passenger side,
he went around to the driver’s seat. The truck started up with a rumble and he pulled out into the street. As they headed out of town, she wondered what restaurant he’d booked them for. Sometime during the ride, Dylan clasped her hand and brought it to his lips before letting her go. Her heart raced at the gesture and she settled back into a happy rhythm. After a while, his hand settled on her upper thigh, his thumb stroked her leg through the fabric. She dropped her hand over his and they continued along the highway toward their destination.

  Finally he pulled off the highway into Macon. He pulled into a parking lot and threw her a smile. “We’re here.”

  She stepped out of the vehicle as he did, and Dylan hustled around to press a gentle hand on her back and lead her to the Italian restaurant. Inside, she was hit by the smell of napoli sauce and garlic bread filling her senses. Tables were set up in intimate booths and a waiter came up to them. “Reservations?”

  “Yes. Dylan Marsden.”

  The man entered the details in the computer then nodded. “This way if you please.”

  They followed him to a horseshoe booth in the middle of the room, against the wall. Erica slid in and Dylan sat beside her, his thigh pressed against hers. The waiter poured them water and straightened. “Are you ready to order?”

  Erica lifted the menu. “Um, yes. I would like a chicken cabonara if I may.”

  Dylan made his order of meatballs and spaghetti and the waiter left to fill their order. “It’s not as fancy as others, but I thought you might’ve liked something a bit low-key.”

  A tea light in a bowl of water flickered on the table. The ambience was both casual and intimate. “I like it.”

  Dylan turned until his body faced hers. “I didn’t get to take you out to a restaurant when we were in LA. I wanted to take you somewhere, so we can get to know each other more.”

  Erica propped her elbow on the table and rested her cheek on her hand. “My life isn’t very interesting.”

  “Sure it is. What made you get into teaching?”

  She shrugged. “It was the only course I liked that was offered externally.”

  He seemed to process that. “You gave up going to college to stay in Templeton.”

  “My grandmother needed me. I’m sure she would’ve survived fine without me, but I guess my heart remains in Templeton. I don’t think there is another place where everybody knows everyone else. I don’t think I’d be happy in a big city like Los Angeles.”

  He nodded as though he understood her.

  “I have to commend you on chasing after what you want. It takes a lot to leave everything you know on a dream,” she said.

  He stiffened and drew back to reach for his drink. “I wasn’t chasing a dream. I kinda just…fell into it. I really wanted to be in construction, but I guess life sometimes takes you places you least expect.”

  “Yes.”

  They drifted into general topics until their food arrived and Erica ate heartily, enjoying the creamy texture and sipping on wine Dylan insisted she try. Finally they settled on a dessert to share and everything else ceased to exist. In their little booth, Erica leaned close to Dylan, listening to him describe what he wanted to do with his house. The passion in his voice for renovation made her insides flutter. The past issue had become nothing but an aberration.

  “Erica?”

  Erica jerked her head up at the sound of an awfully familiar voice. Greg stood at the end of their table, his brown eyes wide with shock. In her head, she’d imagined he’d let himself go a little, but that wasn’t the case. He looked better than he had before. Dressed in a suit that emphasized his build, he came across as a man who cared a lot about his appearance.

  “Greg? What are you doing here?”

  “I’m here on business. Did you get my flowers?”

  Beside her, Dylan tensed, a question in his stare. Erica wanted to disappear. “Yes I did, and they’re in the garbage. I’ve nothing to say to you.”

  Dark brows shot down, his lips thinned to a small line. She never noticed how small his mouth was until now. “Is this the guy Mom is talking about?”

  His angry gaze flicked from her to settle on Dylan. Shock dropped his mouth open and Erica smirked. Dylan was by far more attractive than Greg. A beta knew when faced with an alpha and she expected him to slink off like the rat he was. Instead his furious gaze shot to her.

  “What the hell are you doing with him? Are you that desperate to get back at me you’d fuck this guy?”

  Erica straightened even as Dylan propelled himself out of the booth. Dylan had Greg by the scruff of his shirt and pushed him from the table. The restaurant fell silent as patrons watched the drama unfold. Erica dropped her napkin and started to slide out of the booth.

  Greg jerked on his jacket. “What are you going to do, Drake?”

  Dylan’s expression turned thunderous, his nostrils flared in anger. “What the fuck did you just call me?”

  “Drake Van Wulf. I fucking know who you are.”

  Erica frowned. Before she could even question the mistake, Dylan spoke. “You better tread carefully. I don’t like what you’re insinuating.”

  “I don’t insinuate anything, you degenerate. Erica doesn’t go for perverts like you.”

  Dylan took another step closer until they were almost nose to nose. “She does now. Whatever you were to her, you’re not anymore. You can’t compete here.”

  “You think a woman like her is blinded by the size of your cock?”

  Dylan chuckled. “All women are and I can tell you, I’ve given her the best fuck of her life. Several times.”

  Erica’s mouth dropped in shock even as Greg’s eyes bulged out and he took a swipe at Dylan. Dylan dodged back and threw a punch of his own. Chaos ensued as both men threw wild fists. Flesh hit flesh and patrons made sounds of distress. Erica screamed at the top of her lungs for them to stop, but to no avail. They continued like wild dogs. Dylan pushed Greg back and threw a haymaker. It slammed into Greg’s exposed jaw and he tumbled sideways into the next table before tumbling to the ground. Shrieks of surprise and glass breaking shattered the air. Waiters came from all sides and Erica pushed at Dylan.

  “What are you doing? Are you mad?”

  Dylan back-stepped with every shove, his attention focused over her shoulder. “I don’t like the way he talked to you.”

  God save her from testosterone-filled preening. “It doesn’t matter, I could’ve handled it.”

  A stout little man approached, his lips disappeared beneath his moustache in displeasure. “I don’t want any trouble here.”

  “Don’t worry, we’re leaving,” Dylan said. “I’ll pay for the damages.”

  The man didn’t object as they paid for their meals and the man took down both Dylan’s driver’s license and credit card information. Dylan held on to her hand and walked her back to the truck, almost dragging her from the restaurant as she struggled to keep up with his pace. Sensing his need for silence, she sat in the passenger seat and watched him pull out into traffic. He held the wheel in a white-knuckled grip, his features forbidding. A storm raged beneath the surface and she wondered when she should broach what happened in the restaurant.

  After fifteen minutes and no change, Erica spoke. “This fight didn’t have anything to do with me.”

  Dylan slanted his head toward her. “Like hell it didn’t. He shouldn’t have said what he did.”

  “Well, you certainly made your point clear. I’ve never been so mortified in my life. You made blatant references to our personal life in a roomful of strangers!”

  Dylan rolled his grip over the wheel and sighed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have. Who is he to you?”

  “An ex-boyfriend. Who is Drake?”

  If possible he tensed even more. A muffled curse slipped past stiff, unmoving lips. But he didn’t answer.

  “Dylan.”

  He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “I…I did a photo shoot for a pornography magazine once.”

  Erica’s jaw dropped. �
��What? You posed naked for a magazine?”

  He shrugged without looking at her. “I needed the money.”

  In her teenage years, she’d been curious enough about the male body she and her then best friend had snuck a magazine from her mother’s stash. Men lay exposed to their curious stares, each with cut abs and a large dick. They blushed and snickered often. A giggle broke past her lips and Dylan glowered at her.

  She waved her hand at him. “I’m not laughing at you. I’m just thinking about the first dirty magazine I saw. I was both mortified and interested.”

  He glanced at her with a cocked brow. “You looked at naked men?”

  Erica bristled at the astonishment in his tone. “Yes. You might be surprised to find that I have a libido.”

  Dylan’s shoulders drooped. “Oh peaches, I’m not surprised about that at all. You have me intrigued. When did your path to deviant behavior start?”

  “How old were you when you posed for this magazine?”

  “Nineteen.”

  “Nineteen?”

  “As I said, I needed the money.”

  “Do you still have the picture?” She shifted her body toward him.

  “You haven’t told me when you opened your first porno mag,” he said with a tiny pout.

  He looked adorable miffed and she didn’t feel the inclination to oblige him. “Aw, are you sulking?”

  He frowned at her. “Men don’t sulk.”

  She snickered and fingered his lower lip. “They do too.” She leaned into him and kissed the edge of his mouth. “It’s adorable on you.”

  He turned his head and kissed her full on the mouth, eyes still on the road. She opened and suckled on his tongue. Dylan groaned and broke off. “Shit, I can’t concentrate on the road when you do that.”

  Erica’s eyes dropped to the erection straining against his jeans. Boldly she stroked him and his hips rocked into her touch. His hiss filled the cab and she tested his girth. “You know, you are right. You do have a big cock.”

  “Oh Jesus.”

  She pulled her hand away and settled back. “I get to see your picture and I tell you how old I was when I saw my first penis.”