Dirty South (A Blue Collar Bad Boy Romance) (10 page)

Chapter Nineteen

"Jealous?" Virginia asks impishly.

"Confused, more like it," Peter says with a laugh
that's echoed by the other men. "He didn't even go to college."

"Seems like he didn't need to," Virginia replies.
I glance at her, surprised to hear the righteous indignation in her voice.

"Did you know his mother's in prison?"

"Was," I correct him, then blush as everyone looks
at me. "Or so I heard. Not that it matters either way."

"Callie's right," Virginia says. My mouth drops
open. I never thought I'd see the day when Virginia and I end up on the same
side of anything. "Y'all are being classist."

"Classist?" Peter guffaws. "Virginia, you'll
only drink champagne if it's Dom Perignon."

"So? That just means I've got good taste," she
sniffs. "And I like a man who's had to work for what he's got."

My heart swells with pride even as my cheeks burn with
anger. I can't believe these men are maligning Boone because of his upbringing,
and I'm in shock that Virginia is standing up for him so righteously. My lips are
twitching with the desire to speak up too, but I know I can't show my hand.

"That's not fair. I worked my way through law school
just like everyone else."

"That's not the—ugh, forget it. Y'all have got me in a
mood now." She turns on her heel and walks to prow of the boat. Peter
turns back to a few of his buddies, who chime in to agree with him. I glance at
Vernon, who's leaning silently by the helm. I shake my head, and walk over to
the cooler and pull out a beer.

"Thanks," Virginia says, as I head out to the prow
and hand it to her.

"Why don't you come on back?" I suggest.

"You're sweet, but I'm just not in the mood. Give Peter
my regards, would you?" she asks, handing the beer back to me and heading
down the front steps toward the lower deck. I watch as she crosses the gangway
and disappears into the darkness.

On the way home, I sit quietly, studying my hands. We're
almost back to my house when I finally ask Vernon what's been on my mind.

"What do you think of Boone Tillman?" I ask.

"Why?"

I shrug. "Just noticed you were quiet while Virginia
and Peter were arguing."

"Those two are just hotheads."

"I agree with Virginia. What do you think?"

"Why does it matter?" he asks, turning off the
engine as we pull up to my house. I don't answer, putting pressure on him to
fill the silence. He sighs. "I think all Peter was saying is that Boone is
different from us."

"Us?"

"You know, us. The people who grew up a certain way.
Not better or worse, just different, is all."

"Right," I say, pressing my lips together.

"What time should I pick you up for my father's
reelection party tomorrow?"

"Um, you know, I'll meet you there, alright?" I
ask, quickly slipping out of the car before he can respond. "'Night."
I close the door and wave at him from the sidewalk, indicating that he should
be on his way. After a moment, he pulls away from the curb. I ball my hands
into fists as I watch him go. I expected more from him.

I start walking. There's only one person I want to see right
now. Boone. I want him to wash off all that fake, genteel bullshit. That's my
favorite thing about him. Even with all the fancy trappings, he's still real.
He's still himself. And I feel like I can be myself with him, even when I was
still lying about my name.

I walk up the sidewalk opposite his house, so lost in my
thoughts that I almost cross the street before I spot another person headed up
his steps. I freeze, and pull back from the light of a streetlamp. Boone's
front porch light flicks on, and my stomach drops as I recognize Virginia's
pretty profile silhouetted against his door.

It swings open, and I catch a quick glimpse of Boone as he
gestures her inside. I want to yell out to stop this scene from happening, but
my throat closes up. I find myself running back to my house, needing to put as
much space as possible between me and... that. I collapse on a bench just
inside Forsyth Square with a sob.

Hot tears trickle down my cheeks and I angrily wipe them
away. I knew Boone was seeing other women. I knew that. But it's another thing
entirely to actually see a late night tryst happening. And especially with
Virginia, even if I was warming up to her.

No wonder she wanted to leave early. She probably had the
same desire I did: to see Boone.

I've deceived myself into thinking I'm special to Boone, but
clearly I'm not.

Chapter Twenty

I glance around the crowded party, looking for Lynn. The
Keenes have removed most of their furniture for the reelection party, but
guests are still overflowing into the back garden. I finally spot her in front
of the fireplace, posing with the rest of her family for a picture. I frown as
a man I haven't seen before puts his arm around her waist.

I wait until they're done and then hurry over as I see Lynn
make a beeline for the kitchen. "Lynn!" I hiss, trying not to draw
attention.

She stiffens and looks back warily, then relaxes as she sees
it's me. "Thank goodness. Come on," she says, gesturing me to go with
her. I follow her into their kitchen and we dodge around the cater waiters as
Lynn heads for the fridge and grabs two beers.

"Who was that guy? Your cousin or something?" I
guess.

"I wish," she replies, taking a long swig. She
glances around to make sure no one else is listening. "He's one of my dad's
junior staffers. My dad says he was getting a lot of questions about me from
his more conservative constituents, so he said I have to show up with this
guy."

"Oh, Lynn, I'm sorry," I say, studying her pained
expression. It would be a tough lie for anyone, but especially someone as
naturally forthright as Lynn.

"Whatever. I think I'm going to move away soon anyway.
As soon as my parents are done using me as a prop for their political
ambitions."

"No! Don't move. I'd hate it here without you."

"You'd still have Vernon, right?"

"I... I don't know," I stammer. I want to be
honest with her, but she is his sister.

"No one's forcing you to date him," she points
out, her tone a little sharper than usual.

"You're right," I reply evenly. "The truth
is, I wish I liked him in that way. I think he's a good guy, just not for
me."

"You'll tell him, right?" she asks, softening a
little. "I mean, I know he's not the most exciting guy in the world, but
he's still my brother."

"I'll tell him tomorrow. Today might not be the best
timing," I say, indicating the busy environment around us.

"Is it just about Vernon, though?"

"What do you mean?" I ask cagily.

"You just seemed so happy lately, and if it's not
Vernon, then maybe it's someone else..."

I sigh. "I maybe have still been seeing Boone," I
admit. "But Vernon and I weren't exclusive! And we never, you
know..." I trail off.

"Ugh, of course Vernon would be old-fashioned that
way," Lynn replies, rolling her eyes. "Well, I hope you go for
it."

"Go for what?"

"With Boone."

I manage a pained smile. "He spent the night with
Virginia last night, so I don't think that will be happening."

"Does he know you want more, though?"

"It doesn't matter. I mean,
he
doesn't want
more, clearly, and even if we both did, then what? My dad would probably fire
him."

"All I know is, I'd do a lot to be with who I want to
be with," Lynn says. "Sorry I'm being preachy. I just hate having to
pretend with this guy."

"I get it," I assure her.

"I should probably show my face out there," she
says. I follow her out, and almost immediately lock eyes with Vernon.

"I'll see you in a bit," I say to Lynn, and head
over to her brother.

"Hey, Vernon," I say.

"Glad you could make it, Callie," he says.

"Of course. You free for lunch tomorrow?" I ask.

"Sure," he replies brightly. I wince at his
excitement. I hope he's not going to be completely blindsided by my breaking
things off with him.

"Grace! There you are," I hear my father say
behind me. I turn and start as I see him approaching with Boone in tow. "There's
someone who's been wanting to meet you," he adds, gesturing to Boone.
"Boone, this is my daughter."

"Call me Callie," I say to Boone, shaking his hand
with a cool smile, and hoping no one can see the little shiver that runs
through me as we touch. Even though I felt broken-hearted last night, I can't
deny that he looks as handsome as the night he had dinner at our house all
those years ago, even if his suit is far nicer now.

"Nice to meet you, Callie," he says, the light
from a chandelier glinting off his golden eyes.

"And do you know her boyfriend, Vernon Keene?" my
father asks, giving Vernon a jovial slap on the shoulder.

"Actually we're not officially, I mean nothing's—"
I stammer, but thankfully Boone interrupts me.

"Sure, we've met," Boone says, shaking Vernon's
hand.

"I'd love it if you, Boone, and I could all sit down
sometime and talk business," my father says to Vernon. Boone's eyes flash
with annoyance at my father. "Vernon has an MBA from Vanderbilt, you
know," he adds.

"That's wonderful," Boone replies. "I'm just
going to grab a drink. I'll be right back."

I watch him head to the bar set up in the living room, and
can just see tension rise in the back of his neck muscles. Vernon and my father
are already deep in conversation about his father's reelection prospects, so I
head out into the backyard. I look around, waving to one of the girls who was
at the boat party last night, but I don't see any sign of Virginia. She's
probably exhausted from her night with Boone.

A wave of jealousy hits me and almost turns my stomach. I
can't get the image of them in bed together out of my mind. I need to be alone.
I slip around the side of the garden, and then head back into the house. I
glance quickly at the long line for the bathroom, and know that I don't want to
wait. I try my luck on a closed door in the hallway, and slip down into a
darkened, though beautifully finished basement.

I hurry down the steps and curl up into a chair on the wall,
so that if anyone sticks their head down here they won't see me. Just as I wrap
my arms around my legs and take a deep breath, I hear the door open again. The
sounds of happy party guests trickle down and I see a man's feet walking down
the stairs.

"Callie?" Boone steps onto the basement floor.

"What are you doing?" I ask, annoyed. "I came
down here to be alone."

"You didn't tell me that Vernon Keene was your
boyfriend," he says, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Oh, for—" I just manage to bite my tongue.
"You know what? It's none of your business, is it?"

"I don't mess around another man's girlfriend," he
says, strolling toward me.

"Uh-huh. And what'd you do last night?"

"Just hung around the house," he says defensively.
"Needed some time to think."

My eyes snap up to his and I feel anger flush my cheeks.
"Oh, really? Well, I hope that was helpful for you." I get up and
storm around him but feel him grab my arm to stop me. I defiantly shake him
off.

Chapter Twenty-One

"What's the hell's gotten into you?" he exclaims.

"You lied to me! I saw Virginia and you last night."

"You were spying on me?" he asks, looking amused.

"Oh, am I funny to you? I wasn't
spying
, I just
went over to see you, but you were already getting your kicks with someone
else. Stupid me."

"You're the one who wanted to keep things casual!"
Boone snaps, a lock of his unruly hair flopping over onto his forehead.

"No, I didn't! That's just the way it has to be!"
I retort.

"Well, that's not what I wanted!"

"Oh, bull! If you wanted a relationship with me, you wouldn't've
slept with Virginia last night!" I retort, struggling to keep myself from
yelling. How stupid does he think I am?

"I didn't sleep with Virginia! I mean, not last night
at least. And not for a while before that," he says more quietly.

"I saw her go into your house, Boone."

"Yeah, and I guess you didn't stick around after that,
because she left about fifteen minutes later. And I think you know that I like
to take my time."

I ignore his insinuation and push on. "So why was she
there?"

He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "She was
there for the reason you think, but then... I don't know. It just didn't feel
right. It felt like...well, it felt like I was cheating on you."

"Oh."

"But you're with Vernon, so—"

"No. My dad was just getting ahead of himself. I'm
actually planning on breaking things off with him tomorrow." We stand and
stare at each other in the low light of the basement. I feel like we're in some
kind of standoff, and one of us has to break first. I think of Lynn's sadness
at not being able to be with the person she wants, and take a deep breath.
"I hate seeing you with other women."

"Seeing you with Vernon makes me want to rip his head
off," he counters, his eyes flashing.

"I don't want to be with anyone else but you," I
offer in a whisper.

"That night when we went out to Skidaway Island, I
wasn't just feeding you lines. I do think this could be something real."

He takes a step forward and pulls me roughly toward him. Our
mouths connect, hard, and I open my lips wide to his. His cock presses against
my hip, and a mix of giddiness and pleasure runs through me.
Boone Tillman
wants me. Only me.

"What about my father?" I gasp, pulling back.

"We'll deal with him later," he grunts, his hand
winding around my hair and gripping the back of my skull. I feel his need
acutely, and he feels mine. He presses my dress up to my hips, and I feel him
pull my underwear down. I step out of them, and push him back into a chair
behind him.

"Condom?" I ask as he unzips his pants and takes
his member in his hand. He groans and reaches into his wallet and pulls one out
of a pocket.

"This is our last time with one of these," he
says. He slides it on, and then reaches forward and grabs my ass. I walk a
couple steps forward and open my legs wide to stand around the chair, and then
he pulls up my dress and ducks his head forward, taking a long lick against my
clit.

"Oh, Boone," I moan, digging my hands through his
hair. "Will it feel different without one?" I ask.

"Fuck yes," he says, pulling away and wiping my pleasure
from his lips. He takes my hips and guides me down on top of his cock. "I
love how wet you always are for me," he says with a devilish grin as I
slide down him. When I reach his base, I lean forward and kiss him, tasting my
own saltiness on his tongue. He reaches his hand around to my clit, and begins
to circle it with his thumb. My hips begin to buck slightly back and forth, and
then I begin to stand up again, letting his tip move back almost to my opening
before sliding slowly down again.

I rest my cheek against his, breathing hard, and then begin
to move up and down his cock faster and faster. He groans and circles his thumb
around my clit harder, while his other hand moves around my ass and between my
cheeks. I almost stop in surprise as his finger begins to move around back
there, not because I don't like it, but because I do. I keep going, shocked by
the new sense of pleasure he's eliciting from me.

My thighs begin to ache, but I need him deeper and harder. I
press up and down, riding him. I close my eyes, and all my energy is centered
on where he's touching me. My pleasure begins to focus, coming to an aching
point around his cock, until finally it bursts over, sending quakes throughout
my body.

He groans against me, his jaw working as he struggles to
stay quiet. I let myself slide a couple more times up and down, and then allow
my leg muscles to relax. The sound of a glass shattering by the top of the
basement door causes us both to jump.

"I almost forgot where we were," I admit with a
giggle.

"Me, too," he says, brushing my lips with a kiss.
"Come over tonight, please," he says.

I'm shocked to feel tears spring to my eyes, touched by the
sweetness of his tone. "Yes," I reply.