A Hot Mess (13 page)

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 every 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.

She swayed forward and braced her hands next to his head. She held her body away from his, but her breasts brushed his chest as their lower bodies strained against each other. Her eyelids felt heavy, and she wanted to close them, but she resolutely kept her gaze locked on Dylan.

He stared back at her, the irises of his eyes dark with need. Harsh breaths escaped his lips and ruffled the strands of hair near her temples. He let go of her hips and cradled her face between his hands. His thumbs gently caressed her cheeks.

Cait nuzzled against his palm and then pressed a kiss to the base of his thumb. Her gaze returned to Dylan. It was erotic to watch his face as he moved within her. An invisible string tied them together, coiling around them and wrapping them in a tight embrace. She wished this moment could go on forever.

She knew Dylan was close to coming. His breath came faster and faster, his hips lifting in a frenzied motion. She ground down hard on him, keeping him deep within her before lifting her hips and doing it all over again.

“Cait,” Dylan growled in a warning voice.

“Come, Dylan. Come for me.” Cait leaned forward and kissed him, her tongue boldly seeking his.

Dylan moved his hands to grip her hips tight, his hips arching beneath her as he sought his release. When he came, he broke the kiss and gave a harsh cry.

Cait continued rocking her body on top of him, seeking her own release. An orgasm burst upon her, and her head sagged forward as tremors vibrated through her body. Random muscles twitched deep inside her as she fell onto Dylan’s chest and struggled to regain her breath.

Dylan crossed his arms around her back and cradled her to him. His cock was still inside her, half-erect and sending shivers along her sated flesh. With her body satisfied for the moment, Cait’s brain went into overdrive.

What would happen in the morning? When it was no longer Valentine’s Day, would Dylan continue to seduce her? And what about when they went home in a couple of days? What would happen when they were back in Atlanta?

Cait’s brain whirled with possible scenarios. Dylan could decide to chalk their time up to her needing a rebound romance, despite his claims to the contrary. Or he could try for a relationship, which is what he seemed to want.

She hated the thought of the first option but was frightened the second could lead to disaster.

* * * *

A cheery ringtone broke the silence of the dark room.

Dylan came awake with a start, and it took a moment for him to remember where he was. Then it came to him. He was in Vegas with Cait.

The object of his desire lay curled against him, her smooth limbs tangled with his. Her head was tucked beneath his chin.

Dylan gazed at Cait, wishing he could remain where he was, but he recognized the ringtone. It signaled that his childhood friend Paul, Cait’s old high school dance partner and now a high-powered editor for a New York fashion magazine, was calling.

Paul only called for two reasons. One, there was an important shoot he needed Dylan for. Or two, he was in Atlanta and wanted to go out for drinks. Since it would be too late for drinks, it meant Paul was calling for business purposes.

Dylan disengaged himself from Cait and tossed the covers away from his bare legs. He slid off the bed and covered Cait back up. He crossed the room to pick up his pants off the floor and dig in the pockets for his cell phone.

The phone had already stopped ringing by the time he found it, but Dylan unlocked the screen and hit redial.

Paul answered almost immediately. “About time, man. Are you still in L.A.? Fucking an actress I bet.”

“You would lose that bet.” Dylan kept his voice low as he crept toward the bathroom. He didn’t want to wake Cait. “I left L.A. a couple days ago.”

“Thank God. I need you in New York, like as of yesterday.”

Dylan shut the bathroom door behind him and propped on the counter, cradling his smart phone between his head and shoulder. “What’s going on?”

Paul’s sigh came out loud and clear on the phone. “Fucking rival magazine stole our headlining article, and we’re replacing it. The only problem is I need new pics. How soon can you be in New York?”

Dylan’s sigh was just as heavy as Paul’s had been. “Now is not really a good time.”

“No. Don’t tell me that, man! I’ll owe you big time.”

Dylan pressed the bridge of his nose between his thumb and his forefinger. Paul was a friend, and he hated to leave him in a bind. “How soon do you really need me there?”

“Today?”

Dylan groaned. “Today? Are you serious?”

Paul’s tone turned serious. “I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t really need you. You know that.”

“I know you wouldn’t.” Dylan blew a rush of air past his lips. “I’m in Vegas right now, but I’ll see what I can do.”

“Vegas?” Paul gave a sharp whistle. “What are you doing in Sin City?”

“It’s a long story.”

“I’ve got time.” Paul laughed. “Have you been hooking up with the showgirls?”