His Cactus Flower (The May Flowers Series )

by Rebecca Gallo

  “Why? Why do people want you to be the villain? Why do they want me to be the bad girl? That’s not who I am and it’s not who I want to be.”

  He shrugs. “People need someone to hate. It’s easier to hate a person than to sympathize with them.”

  The desert night is pitch black. The only light comes from the bright stars above us and the low lighting along the path.

  “Why don’t you come back to my villa,” Gardener suggests.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I tell him softly.

  His arm slides down my back until he’s lightly grasping my waist. He turns me until I’m staring up at his impossibly handsome face. His dark hair is styled into glossy waves and I can see the hint of a dimple. “I’m not asking you to stay forever, Dixie. I’m only asking you to stay for a moment.”

  “For just a moment, then.”

  Gardener

  Dixie is beautiful, even when she’s slinging glasses at the television behind the bar. We were supposed to meet for drinks and I was on my way to her casita when I overheard two security guards talking about a deranged guest wreaking havoc in the hotel bar. Something told me it was probably Dixie.

  She’s quiet as we walk to my villa. Her brown eyes are a little glassy from tears and alcohol and her chestnut waves are a little wild. But it’s that dress and the way it looks on her body that keeps me staring. It’s black with thin straps and it narrows at her waist, accentuating her curves before it flares out around her thighs.

  “Do you want to tell me what happened,” I ask, breaking our silence.

  She hums thoughtfully. “My cheating ex has come out on top.”

  She goes on to explain how her ex and his new girlfriend are not only getting married but also expecting. “You know you did exactly what everyone expects,” I tell her plainly.

  Dixie sighs and I can see the annoyance on her face. “I know! I know! But I feel like . . .” Her voice trails off as she steps away and looks around. “I feel like one of these damned cacti. Instead of putting up walls to keep people out, I’ve developed sharp spines to keep everyone at arm’s length.”

  Her hair blows in the slight breeze and I reach up to tuck it behind her ear. “I think you’re more like the cactus flower waiting to bloom.”

  “Aren’t you afraid if you get too close you’ll get hurt?”

  I shake my head. “Absolutely not.”

  Dixie says nothing. She grabs my hand and we continue to walk toward my villa. I want to know what she’s thinking, what she’s feeling. Maybe we’ve both grown a set of sharp spines that keep people at a distance.

  We reach my villa and I pull my room key from my pocket. Before I swipe it over the pad, I stop and look at her. “I want you to be yourself with me, Dixie. You don’t have to be the bad girl or the good girl. You just have to be you.”

  She nods and I unlock the door. She steps in ahead of me and I inhale her fresh floral scent. My desire for her grows with every passing minute and I have to remind myself to slow down, to take every moment as it comes.

  As I walk into the villa, I close the door and turn to face Dixie. She’s barely made it past the foyer. Now that we’re alone, I don’t want small talk or idle chit-chat. She’s the only thing that matters right here, right now.

  “This place is really nice,” she says nervously. Fuck nerves, fuck awkwardness.

  In a few steps, I’m in front of her with my hands around her waist and my head bent, ready to take what I want. My mouth crashes down on hers and my lips sear hers with a hot kiss. I feel greedy as I take what I want, devouring her, claiming her. My hands travel down her backside, grabbing at the hem of her dress and lifting it until there’s nothing left but her bare ass.

  I hum against her mouth and break our kiss. “Maybe you’re really a bad girl after all,” I tease.

  Dixie smiles shyly. “A girl can hope, can’t she?”

  Her hands shoot out and grab my leather belt. She starts to work it through the metal clasp, but I place my hand over hers. “I want you to know that this was never my intention and if you want to stop, I’ll stop.”

  “Gardener, my hands are on your belt. I want this,” she assures me.

  “I’m not a one-night stand kind of guy, either. I already know that one taste of you won’t be enough.”

  Dixie’s response is to tug my belt open and flick the button of my shorts free. She licks her lips excitedly as she sneaks one hand down the front of my shorts and brushes it against my hard cock. She smiles devilishly as she says, “I think I want more of this, too.”

  I pull her hand free and shake my head. “I don’t think you understand, Dixie.” My hand slips around her waist and I kiss her softly. “I want to make you bloom again.”

  Dixie

  I can already feel myself opening for him. His words are like magic, bringing me back to life. Tate never said things like this to me, never made me feel so wanted and cherished. I was prepared for a one-night stand with Gardener, but now I want the same thing he does. More. More kissing, more touching, more feeling.

  My fingers tremble slightly as I reach for the hem of my dress and lift it up and over my head. I’m completely bare underneath. Gardener sucks in a sharp breath and hisses, “Fuck.”

  His hands wrap back around my waist and I love how they feel on me. His grip is warm but firm, as if he knows exactly what he wants and isn’t letting go. His eyes graze over my naked body appreciatively and there’s a small smile on his lips. Gardener leans forward to press a kiss at the hollow of my neck. He sucks and nibbles my flesh before trailing kisses down my chest to the top of one breast, which he cups in his hand.

  Gardener kneads and plumps my breast before tasting it and sucking the nipple to a stiff peak. I reach between us to place my hand over his cock. He’s so hard. He lets go of me to shove his shorts and underwear down his thighs. When his cock springs free, huge and steely, my mouth waters and I drop to my knees.

  I reach my hand out and run it up and down his length, letting my fingers dance over the tip before I lean forward to get my first taste. His arousal is salty on my tongue and I lick again for more of his clean, masculine flavor.

  Gardener hisses and digs his fingers into my hair. “Fuck, Dixie. Your mouth is like heaven,” he groans.

  I look up at him through my lashes before continuing to suck his cock deep into my mouth. I want all of him, every inch, and I work at it until the head of his cock hits the back of my throat. My gag reflex is almost instant, and he quickly slides out. I take a moment to catch my breath before I grasp his cock and suck the head sharply into my mouth.

  He places a hand under my chin and tilts it up. “You don’t have to do this,” he says as his cock slips from between my lips.

  “I want to,” I assure him.

  He sighs. “Let me rephrase then. It’s my turn.” He places his hands under my arms and lifts me to my feet before grabbing me by the hand and leading me through the villa to his bedroom. “I’m all for sex in the hallways but that tile has to be hell on your knees.”

  This lightens the mood considerably and I start laughing. “I could have waited.” I shrug.

  “Well, I can’t.” Gardener’s voice is a purr as he stalks his way toward me. I back up until my knees hit the edge of the bed. With the lightest of touches, he pushes me down onto the bed and bends over to kiss me. Our mouths fit together perfectly.

  Gardener’s hands travel the length of my body, down to my thighs and in between us. They trail along the inside of my thighs and to the edge of my core. My belly clenches with desire and the anticipation of his touch.

  The kiss ends but Gardener’s mouth skims its way down my body until it hovers just below my belly button. His breath tickles my skin and I squirm, eagerly waiting for what I know is coming. Gardener’s hands are firm on my thighs as he spreads them wide. His nose skims the edge of my pussy before I feel his hot tongue.

  A satisfied moan escapes my lips.

  He licks again, this time
parting my folds with his tongue as he swipes it along my seam. He groans as he begins to feast, sending vibrations rippling through my body. I arch my back and buck against his mouth, pressing my pussy against it.

  “Oh, God,” I cry out when he nips my clit with his teeth.

  My fingers run through the thick waves of his hair and tug because the way he is so thoroughly devouring me is otherworldly. No man has been so hungry or greedy for me, but Gardener is . . .well, Gardener is something unexpected. My entire body tenses and my toes dig into the bed. Soft moans escape my lips as my climax builds. Gardener presses one finger inside me and then a second. His tongue flicks my clit rapidly as he fucks me with his fingers.

  “I’m going to . . .” My voice is high and breathy. My entire body convulses before I dive straight off the edge and into bliss.

  Gardener’s tongue slows to long, languid licks and his fingers slip out. He chuckles with satisfaction as he presses a kiss to my inner thigh. When he dares to peek up at me from between my legs, his lips shine from my orgasm.

  This whole time, he’s had his shirt on but now he stands and lifts it up and over his head, letting it fall to the floor. He is impressively sculpted which makes me wonder if all golfers look as good as he does without shirts.

  “You taste fucking amazing, Dixie.” His voice is low and seductive as he crawls onto the bed next to me. “But I bet your pussy feels even better wrapped around my cock.”

  Gardener

  When Dixie sinks down onto my cock, I can’t help it. I groan loudly because sweet Jesus, her pussy feels amazing. I grip her hips as she sets her rhythm, slowly grinding back and forth on my cock. My thumbs spread the lips of her pussy so I can watch as my condom-clad dick is devoured.

  “So fucking hot,” I growl.

  Dixie braces herself with her hands on my chest and lifts. I watch as my dick slides out of her pussy before it disappears. The urge to flip Dixie onto her back, take control, and fuck her senseless is strong but I ignore it because I’m enjoying the show she’s giving me. I like the way she’s taking what she wants from me.

  Dixie’s eyes close and she tosses her head back. She works her lower lip back and forth between her teeth as she starts a slow and sensual grind. A soft moan escapes her lips. “Touch me,” she begs breathlessly. She grabs my hands and places them over her perfect tits. This is a request that I’m more than happy to fulfill. I knead them and tug at the dusky pink nipples.

  “Yes,” she hisses as she uses one hand to reach between her legs to stroke her clit.

  My balls tighten, and I know I can’t take much more. She’s driving me fucking insane. I give her nipples a final pull before I tighten my grip on her hips and sit up. Her eyes open and she lets out a breathy “Oh!” as I flip her onto her back.

  “It’s my turn now,” I say as I settle myself between her thighs. Her legs wrap around my waist as I slide slowly in and out of her. No other woman has felt this way before; it’s as if Dixie was made just for me.

  Beneath me, Dixie starts to whimper. For a moment, I am lost in my own thoughts but now, I need to take care of her, to take care of us both. She wraps her legs tighter around my waist as I pop up onto my knees and pull out to just the tip before slamming back inside her. My dick drives so deeply inside her that my balls slap against her ass.

  “More,” she begs as she wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me down for a searing kiss.

  I keep pounding into her, over and over as our breathing becomes heavier and sweat pours from our bodies. I grit my teeth as my balls tighten and my body tenses until at last, I explode. Dixie is a trembling mess under me, and her pussy tightens around my dick until she arches her back as a scream escapes her lips. I lean forward to kiss the column of her throat, the ridge of her shoulder, the tops of her breasts while her own orgasm courses through her body.

  I cradle her gently, holding her against my body as our breathing and heart rates return to normal. With a soft kiss to her forehead, I slip out of her and roll away to dispose of the condom and clean myself up. When I return from the bathroom, Dixie is asleep, curled up in the sheets with a contented smile on her lips. I crawl back into bed and wrap my arms around her.

  Dixie stirs beside me but doesn’t wake. A sigh escapes her lips and she snuggles into my embrace. This isn’t my normal behavior during a tournament. I’m a creature of habit but Dixie has turned my entire world upside down. And it feels perfect. The chemistry between us is off the charts but there’s something else. She feels like a kindred spirit. We’ve walked similar paths in our careers, forced into villainous roles through circumstances beyond our control. I don’t believe in fate and destiny but if I did, I’d say the universe meant for this to happen.

  Dixie

  When I wake up the next morning, the space that Gardener occupied in the bed is empty. There’s a note on hotel stationary that tells me the tournament starts today and he’s in a foursome with an early tee time. I stretch the soreness from my body before I get out of bed.

  Gardener’s bedroom is bathed in bright golden sunlight. It’s much bigger than the bedroom in my casita and when I make my way into the giant master bathroom, I’m instantly jealous. The shower alone could easily fit ten people. Why didn’t Agnes book me a villa? After a soak in the tub and then a quick shower, I wrap myself in a fluffy white robe and make my way to the living room. I’ve never watched a round of golf in my life, but the urge to see Gardener’s face is hard to resist.

  I have to sit through a half hour of the tournament before the coverage switches to Gardener. He looks incredibly handsome in light gray pants and a white golf shirt with matching gray stripes. His shirt stretches against his muscled chest and the light color makes his naturally tan complexion pop.

  “This has been quite the morning for Gardener,” one of the commentators says. “This has been one of the best rounds of his career, despite the shocking news this morning.”

  “I agree, Chip,” the other commentator adds. “Gardener is no stranger to controversy or drama, but the news today doesn’t seem to have affected his game.”

  What the hell are they talking about? What news? What drama? Just as I reach for my phone, it rings, and Agnes’s name pops up.

  “I told you to stay away from him,” she says as soon as I answer. “I told you Gardener Campos was bad news and to stay away but you never listen to me, Dixie! Ever!”

  “Whoa!” I sit up, angry that my agent is yelling at me as if she’s my mother. “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

  “Your little smash party last night in the hotel bar is all over the news, Dixie. As is your tryst with Gardener.”

  “I’m sorry about the bar, Agnes. Really. I’ll pay for the damages.”

  “You’re damn right you’ll pay! And you’re going to stay away from Gardener too. You don’t need to get mixed up in his business.”

  My eyes narrow. “What business is that, Agnes?”

  “Drugs, Dixie! Use your head! He’s an addict, and while you might have had a shitty year, you’re not out of control like Gardener Campos.”

  The last few days flash through my memory and I know deep down that Agnes is wrong. Gardener isn’t bad news; in fact, he might be the first person to understand what I’ve gone through this year.

  “Thanks for the heads up, Agnes. I’ll lay low and won’t cause any more problems. I’m sorry.”

  “And you’ll stay away from Gardener?”

  “Good-bye Agnes,” I say, ending the phone call before she can say another word.

  The tournament is back to covering Gardener’s round. He seems to have done something well because the spectators are all clapping politely, and Gardener lifts his hat and waves it slightly before placing it back on his head. He looks happy and relaxed, as though whatever news is circulating hasn’t affected him the least bit.

  I still have no idea what’s being said about me, or about him. A quick scroll through the news app on my phone gives me the information I ne
ed. Someone in the bar took photographs of me throwing my glass at the television. There’s even video of Gardener coming to my rescue. I have no idea why Agnes is so pissed about Gardener because the articles paint him as a hero. In fact, I can’t find a single unflattering article about him. Maybe I’m the one he should stay away from?

  Then I see it, the article that probably made Agnes angry, the one the commentators mentioned earlier. The pictures are grainy but it’s definitely me and Gardener outside his villa. And then there are pictures inside the villa and they are definitely not safe for work. My hand flies up to cover my mouth. Who in the fuck took these?

  The headline is absolutely ridiculous: Dixie And Gardener in Eden, and the accompanying article is even worse.

  Golf’s Latin bad boy, Gardener Campos, is back at it, hooking up with Hollywood bad girl, Dixie Bell. Campos and Bell have been spotted together at the famed Desert Rose Resort, where Campos is making his much-anticipated return to the PGA tour. Eyewitnesses state that the pair have packed on the PDA throughout the resort. One unnamed source tells us that Campos is a notorious playboy who often uses women as a coping mechanism. “He’s replaced one vice with another,” the source says. “If it’s not pills then it’s booze, and if it’s not booze then it’s women. I’m really worried about his sobriety.”

  After his seven-year marriage to model Bri Harmon ended, Campos was involved in a car wreck that many assumed was career-ending. After months of rehabilitation and three surgeries, Campos returned to the tour only to end up in rehab for six months when it was revealed that he was battling an addiction to prescription painkillers. Campos underwent a fourth surgery just six months ago and the Phoenix Cup is his first tournament in a year.

  Many speculate whether Dixie Bell will force Campos into another downward spiral as she has endured quite the tumultuous year following her split from Tate Allen. Once crowned America’s sweetheart, Bell has fallen from grace and earned herself a new title: Hollywood’s Bad Girl. Bell recently completed a three-month mental health treatment program as a part of her probation for assaulting Ellen Nelson, Tate Allen’s fiancée and baby mama. Our source claims that when Bell learned about Allen and Nelson’s impending bundle of joy, she snapped and destroyed the Desert Rose Resort’s bar. While Campos was present during this event, it is not known whether he participated in Bell’s destructive behavior.