“That was not fair,” she said between kisses.
“I was quiet.” He sealed his lips over hers and took her in an enticingly rough kiss. “Missed you so much.” He kissed and nipped and sucked her lower lip into his mouth.
“Dylan,” she panted out, pressing her body against his hard heat. God, she wanted him. “I’m addicted to you.”
“I thought about you all day.” He pulled up her dress, drawing back when he felt her thong. “These have to go.”
“We’re going to be late.”
His grin turned sinful. With one hard yank he shredded the material, and she nearly came undone. He was so virile, so demanding and giving at the same time, as he sank to his knees and covered her sex with his mouth.
“Ohmylord.” Her mind spun away as he feasted on her.
She rocked against his mouth. His tongue invaded her hard, then soft, then ravenously intense again, taking her up, up, up. Just when the orgasm was in reach, he rose to his feet, undid his pants, and slammed his cock into her. She cried out, consumed with pleasure as his powerful hips pounded against her. He smelled like sex, tasted like her. It was heaven and hell at once, because she wanted to taste him, wanted to feel that long, perfect cock against her tongue. She wanted to feel him lose control by her mouth and hand. But the pleasure of him filling her was too intense to deny. He grabbed her ass, lifting her higher. Using the wall for leverage, he thrust into her harder.
“I’m going to come. Come with me,” she begged.
“Oh, baby, I’m right there with you.” He claimed her in another passionate kiss, and they both spiraled over the edge, clinging together, panting and pleading as their bodies convulsed.
She collapsed against him. “Dylan…”
“I’ve got you.” He kissed her neck, causing an avalanche of aftershocks.
When she lifted her head, her body felt electric and limp at once. She leaned against the wall, her legs still wrapped around Dylan. Dylan, Dylan, Dylan. Her heart was so full of him she could hardly contain it. “What have you done to me?”
His smile made her insides quiver, but it was the intensity in his eyes that had her clutching him tighter. “I’ve fallen for you, Summers.”
Her mouth dropped open, and he kissed her again, slow and tender.
“You don’t have to say it back. I just need you to know how I feel.”
Setting her gently on her feet, he led her toward the master bedroom as if he hadn’t just turned her world upside down.
“Dylan, wait.” She stopped walking, her heart thundering inside her. He turned, and his sweet, sexy smile melted her all over again. “You can’t say something like that and then act like you just told me you like my dress and carry on.”
“I do love your dress.” He pulled her in close and nuzzled her neck.
“Stop,” she said with a laugh. “My insides are going a million miles an hour.”
“We can take care of that in the shower.” His seductive tone told her he wasn’t done with her yet—and that was just fine with her. “We won’t get your hair wet, but we might be a little late for dinner.”
Dinner. Her synapses fired again. She’d been so lost in him and his confession, she’d forgotten.
“Dylan!” She grabbed his biceps, stopping him in his tracks. “Don’t you want to know that I’m scared shitless, but I’m falling for you, too?”
“Summers,” he said in a husky voice. He put both hands on her neck, cradling her jaw between his thumbs. “Yes, I want to know that more than I want to hear anything else in the world. But I don’t want you to feel like you have to say it. I know you’re scared, and I don’t want to put any pressure on you. I’m not going anywhere.” His eyes turned serious. “You’re trembling.”
“I know.” She fanned her face, feeling scared and hot and overwhelmingly happy.
“Are you that scared?”
“I’m that everything.” She leaned into him, and when his strong arms cocooned her, she breathed a little easier. You’ve become my everything.
TIFFANY NEGOTIATED MULTIMILLION-dollar contracts, she schmoozed with corporate sponsors, team owners, and elite athletes, and never once had she been as nervous as she was right that very second, seeing Dylan’s brothers again. Throw Mick Bad into the mix and she was about as nervous as a chicken in a fox den. This was crazy. She tried all her mental tricks as they approached the table, but she couldn’t find a calm place to hide.
Mick rose from the table, his hand on the shoulder of his new bride, Amanda. Tiffany recognized the pretty brunette paralegal from Mick’s office, and it all made sense to her now. She’d seen the way Mick had looked at Amanda, but she’d written it off because he was so adamant about not mixing business with pleasure. But he and Amanda both looked happy, and Mick appeared more relaxed than ever. She glanced at Dylan, and something else made sense to her, too. When they’d met, she couldn’t imagine how people claimed to fall in love so quickly. But now her every breath tasted of Dylan, and her days were measured by how many hours until she saw him again rather than what deals she could close. Now she understood how the heart could overshadow everything else. And the thought of losing control no longer scared the shit out of her.
“Dylan. You finally made it.” Mick pulled him into a manly embrace. “Good to see you.” He turned his attention to Tiffany and drew her into a warm hug, too, which was very unlike him. Like Tiffany, Mick had always been a line drawer. Handshakes and ample personal space were about as far as greetings went. “Tiffany. It’s good to see you again. You know my wife, Amanda.”
Amanda stood and reached a hand out, then went in for an awkward hug. “Hi. It’s nice to see you.”
“Congratulations to you both.” At least she wasn’t alone in her awkwardness. What was proper etiquette for a work relationship turned personal connection? She’d never been a big hugger, but since being with Dylan she’d become so many things, she welcomed the change despite the awkwardness.
Brett and Carson were on their feet, slapping Dylan on the back in a he-man sort of way. Dylan and his brothers had similar appearances—a few inches over six feet, she guessed, with dark hair and eyes, but they also each had their own unique look. Carson had a serious air about him and watchful eyes that seemed to skirt around the room. Mick handled himself like an eldest son in the same way Rocco did, watching over the others as if they were his responsibility. Brett had the type of deep-set eyes that spelled trouble, like he could see right through a person and tried his best to do so. And Dylan—my Dylan—was the perfect mix of sinful and serious.
Brett sidled up to Tiffany with a coy smile.
Dylan grabbed him by the back of his collar. “Stop looking at my girlfriend like she’s naked.”
Tiffany felt her cheeks flame. “Dylan!”
Brett laughed.
“Brett, say hello and behave,” Mick admonished. He definitely had the eldest-brother persona down pat.
“I honestly wasn’t looking at you like you were naked. I was just thinking how beautiful you look clothed.” Brett hugged her appropriately, which she was thankful for. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. My thoughts about you are not X-rated. Dylan would never allow that. Instead, I’m wondering how you put up with the old softie.”
At that remark, her possessive urges plowed forward, and she found her confidence. “Trust me when I tell you there is nothing soft about Dylan.”
Amanda and Mick laughed, and Carson gave her an approving nod.
“Damn, woman,” Brett said. “You’ll fit right in with the Bad boys’ inner circle.”
“That’s my girl.” Dylan kissed her as Carson greeted her.
“It’s nice to meet the woman who’s making our brother so happy.” Carson was clearly the most reserved of the bunch, but when he hugged her, his strength was evident.
“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you, too, and I’m sorry to have crashed your poker game the other night.” She might as well fess up to it and own the debacle instead of being embarrassed by
it.
“No worries,” Carson assured her.
They sat down and made small talk. The waitress took their drink orders, and Tiffany’s nerves settled down. Dylan and Carson talked about getting together to go running Sunday morning, and Mick and Amanda told everyone about their honeymoon at a luxurious resort in the Virgin Islands, which sounded lovely. Dylan’s brothers were all very different, and it was interesting to see Dylan interacting with them. He watched and listened and seemed to know exactly how to handle each of them. By the time the waitress brought their drinks and took their dinner orders, Tiffany was back to her old self. Only better. Thinking about her and Dylan’s earlier confessions of their feelings made her warm all over. Her fears would probably always be there, like an underlying hum beneath a very thick layer of happiness. As annoying as that was, it was a small price to pay for the incredible feelings she experienced with Dylan.
“Sorry about the awkward hug,” Amanda said quietly.
“It’s okay. I have no idea how we’re supposed to greet each other, but I’m good with hugging.”
“And as far as their poker games go, me and my sister, Ally, who’s married to Heath Wild—”
“The physician?”
Amanda nodded. “How many Heath Wilds can there be?”
“He’s taken care of a number of my clients. I didn’t realize he got married.”
“We had a double wedding.” Amanda leaned closer and lowered her voice. “It was so amazing I’m still not over it. Anyway, Ally and I, and Heath’s brothers’ wives, Laney and Cici, get together and have girls’ nights when the guys are busy. You should join us next time.”
Feeling guilty, she said, “I’m sorry for crashing your wedding. I had no idea when I barged into the Kiss that there was a wedding going on.” She glanced at Dylan, who gave her an I-can’t-wait-to-fuck-you look, and her pulse quickened. Turning her attention to Amanda before she got embarrassingly flustered, she lowered her voice and said, “But I’m really glad I did.”
Amanda laughed.
“I haven’t had a real girls’ night since college.” Tiffany realized that she hadn’t had girlfriends since college either. She had colleagues, and she and Miranda were pretty close, but not nearly as close as true girlfriends were. She’d lost faith in so many things after catching her ex and her best friend together, she’d closed herself off even further than she’d realized. Maybe it was time to rectify that.
“I figured as much. Mick said you were all work and no play, but we’ll break you of that habit.” Amanda looked over Tiffany’s shoulder. “If Dylan hasn’t already.”
“You know him pretty well, huh? He’s definitely bringing me over to the dark side.”
Dylan tugged her against him. “You haven’t begun to experience the dark side yet, Summers.”
She rolled her eyes, and Amanda laughed. It felt good to be out with a group of new friends instead of at meetings. She put her hand on Dylan’s thigh and he laced their fingers together.
“You said the Wilds and their wives, but Logan’s not married,” Dylan said to Amanda.
“Oh, he is now,” Amanda said. “He and Stormy eloped two days ago. They’re on their honeymoon in the Caribbean.”
That started a bevy of cheers. As the men caught up on all things Wild, Tiffany turned her attention back to Amanda.
“How did you and Mick end up together?”
Mick must have heard the question because he glanced over and put his arm possessively around Amanda’s shoulder. “It happened at a masquerade bar crawl. Amanda took off my mask, and the rest is history.” He leaned down and kissed her. “I’ve never been happier. How about you? I have to admit, I never would have imagined you and Dylan together.”
Her answer came easily. “Dylan helped me take off my mask, too.” He’d opened her eyes to so many things she’d never imagined enjoying, like their almost nightly motorcycle rides. Sometimes they only went out for a twenty-minute ride, but it was twenty minutes she now scheduled into her day because she loved the time with Dylan, and the ride itself.
“You two met for the first time the night of our wedding, right?” Amanda asked.
“Yes,” she answered. “It was an unforgettable evening for all of us.”
DYLAN AND HIS brothers had planning the annual fundraiser down to a science. Once they chose a date and picked the overall theme, they divvied up the responsibilities, and the event usually came together pretty easily. They’d never had a difficult time picking a theme, but tonight they’d tossed around ideas throughout dinner, and they still hadn’t come together on a plan.
“Have you done a Western theme yet?” Tiffany asked. “That could be cute with guys in cowboy hats and girls in little denim skirts and boots.”
“I like how you think.” Brett winked at her.
Dylan bit back a scowl. He knew Brett was just being Brett, and not hitting on Tiffany. “We did a country theme four years ago,” he reminded him. He’d been thinking about what Tiffany had said last week, about celebrating his relationship with Lorelei, and he couldn’t get past the idea of doing just that. He knew what he was about to suggest would rattle the others, but he wanted to do the right thing, and as he’d learned from Mick standing up to his father all those years ago, sometimes that meant doing the hardest thing.
He set his napkin on the table as the waitress arrived and took their plates away. Then he took Tiffany’s hand in his and kissed the back of it. A silent thank you for giving him the nudge that she probably had no idea she’d provided.
“I’ve been thinking,” he said to the group. “We started this event as a way to help children, and the reason was because we lost our sister. Because we lost Lorelei.” He hadn’t said his sister’s name aloud around his brothers in so many years, his throat clogged with emotions. Tiffany wrapped her free hand around his arm, keeping their hands intertwined. He was thankful for the support.
Mick reached for Amanda’s hand, and Brett looked away. Only Carson held Dylan’s gaze with a serious expression.
“I think this year we should celebrate Lorelei’s life,” he said calmly, as if a tornado wasn’t wreaking havoc with his gut.
Mick nodded, his brows knit tightly together.
Brett let out a loud breath and pushed his hands beneath the table. Dylan knew they were fisted by the jumping of his biceps.
“I know it’s hard for us to talk about her, but I want to. And I think we all need to. She was our sister, and we all loved her and miss her. And yes, she took a piece of each of us with her when she died, but goddamn it, do you think she would want you, Brett, to be afraid of the emotions that come with saying her name?” He realized a restaurant probably wasn’t the best place to have this discussion, but the doors had blown open and there was no way he was stopping this gale-force wind. He did his best to lower his voice. “She calmed you, Brett. She was the yin to your crazy-ass yang. And, Mick—”
Mick held up his hand. “I’m with you, Dylan. I agree.”
“Great.” Dylan sighed with relief. “Carson?”
Carson nodded. “It’s hard. It’s been a long time, but I’m in. But don’t you think we should consider the other elephant in the room?” He shifted his eyes to Mick.
Mick’s jaw tightened. “Dad.”
There was a bout of silence. Amanda leaned closer to Mick, running her hand along the length of his arm, and whispered something that made his expression soften.
“This isn’t Dad’s decision,” Dylan finally said. “He doesn’t show up at the fundraisers anyway. He sends money.” He paused, giving his brothers a chance to weigh in, and when they didn’t, he said, “And as far as talking about our sister goes, we can pussyfoot around Dad forever if that’s what it takes. I obviously don’t want to be the one to try to get him to change his ways. Sharks don’t change.” He squeezed Tiffany’s hand, finding strength in her beautiful and unwavering supportive expression. “But she was our sister, and I, for one, want to celebrate that.”
“Oka
y, then,” Carson said evenly. “What are you proposing?”
Breathing another sigh of relief, Dylan pushed away thoughts of his father and said, “I’m thinking that we begin to truly honor her. With a poster-sized picture at the event, and that for once in our lives we stand up and be men about it.” He looked at Brett. “You know better than any of us what Lorelei’s dream was.”
Brett ground his teeth together. “Yeah.”
Dylan waved a hand, giving Brett the floor.
Brett shifted uncomfortably in his chair, cleared his throat, and then he finished his drink on one gulp. “She wanted to be famous and go to Tahiti. But y’all know that.” While Dylan had been Lorelei’s baking buddy and Mick had been her guardian, she’d used her cuteness to coerce Brett into role-playing with her. She used to pretend she was a famous model or actress and Brett was her bodyguard. Her favorite game was pretending she was so wealthy she could go anywhere, and she’d seen a television show about the rich and famous featuring their glamorous homes in Tahiti.
“We do,” Carson said. “But we’ve done a really good job of burying it.”
The pinched look on Carson’s face made Dylan wonder if he was thinking about how Lorelei used to pump him for information on things she couldn’t possibly understand. She was good at connecting with people. Funny how losing her had stolen that ability from each of them in various ways.
“So…” Tiffany said. “Does that mean we’re looking at an island night?”
“That sounds like it could be fun,” Amanda said. “Mick, you said Treat owns resorts all around the world. Maybe he’d be willing to donate a weekend at one in or near Tahiti.”
“Good idea. I’ll ask him,” Mick said solemnly.
“Treat Braden is a family friend of the Wilds, and he officiated Mick and Amanda’s wedding,” Dylan explained to Tiffany. “Six degrees of friendship.”
Carson tapped the table to get Brett’s attention. “Tatiana Grace’s family owns Island Cruise Lines. I bet I can get her to donate a trip, too.”
Bad Boys After Dark: Dylan (Bad Billionaires After Dark Book 2) Page 21