Kiss Me, Sweetheart

by Codi Gary

  To his surprise, Rylie cupped his cheek, her brown eyes filled with sympathy. “Or their kids.”

  His throat closed and every instinct told him to run, to keep his family’s darkness locked away.

  But she was pouring her heart out to him; it only seemed fair to share.

  “Yeah, that happens too.” He took a deep shaky breath before he laid it all out for her. “When I was really little, he didn’t. He hardly spoke to me until I was eleven or so. I knew he hit my mother though. She was good at hiding the bruises and he became more careful about where he left them, but I saw them. I felt her wince when I’d hug her.”

  She made a sympathetic sound and it should have irritated him, made him pull away and shut up, but it was comforting.

  “The first time he took his belt to me, my mom was gone at some charity thing. He always made sure she was out of the house. I never told her about it, but I found out recently that she knew. It was why she’d always tried to find places for me to go when she had to leave the house. She couldn’t leave him, but she tried to protect me.”

  Rylie’s arms wrapped around his shoulders and she squeezed him tight. “He must have hit you pretty hard to leave those marks.”

  “That and he used the end with the buckle.”

  “Oh my God. Why didn’t you tell your mother?”

  “I don’t know. We never talked about it. But when I was fifteen, I almost beat him to death. I told him that if he ever touched my mother again, I would finish the job.”

  Her lips pressed against the side of his neck and he closed his eyes, leaning into the caress. “He never touched me again after that. Or her, at least, as long as I was there.”

  “I am so sorry.”

  “It happened. He’s gone now, and there’s nothing much I can do about the past.”

  “Why didn’t your mother ever tell anyone?” Rylie asked.

  “He had her sign a prenup that pretty much screwed her over no matter what she did. I believe she tried to protect us. At least she’s free now and the happiest I’ve ever seen her.” His lips found her temple, and against her skin he whispered, “But this was supposed to be about you, not me.”

  “I’m glad you feel like you can tell me things. When it happened, all I could think about was getting to you. That you’d make everything better.”

  Dustin’s chest swelled at her admission. “I feel the same way when I’m with you. The first time I saw you, swishing past my office in a pair of those killer heels, I knew I had to meet you. And when I did, none of my usual game worked.”

  “Only because I thought you were a dog. It was really hard not to like you.”

  “Back at you. In fact, I told myself I was going to stop flirting with you when you moved into the pool house.”

  She snorted. “That lasted what, two seconds?”

  “What can I say? I find you irresistible.”

  “I might believe you if I didn’t know firsthand how hideous I am right now.”

  He slid his hand under her chin and tilted her face up to his. “It’s not about how you look. It’s about the way you make me feel when I’m near you.”

  He couldn’t believe he was saying all this to her, but when she brushed her thumb over his mouth, he didn’t think she hated it.

  “How do I make you feel?”

  “Like I can be the kind of man you deserve.”

  She brushed her lips across his and that contact was more than a sizzle or a shock. It was like standing in a field during a lightning storm. Thrilling and hot.

  “You’re not perfect, but I don’t care. I don’t want anyone else to have me. I’m all yours.”

  * * * *

  Rylie had no idea if what she was saying made any sense, but when Dustin cradled her face and took her mouth with his, she figured she must have said something right.

  His hand grabbed the bottom of her T-shirt, and she held her arms over her head so he could easily remove it. She wasn’t wearing a bra, but she didn’t have time to be shy or embarrassed because Dustin’s lips were wrapped around her nipple and she closed her eyes, moaning at every tug and every suck.

  Canine whimpering broke the mood when Raider started licking her cheek. She busted up, shaking her head. “He thinks you’re killing me.”

  Dustin gripped her thighs and stood. She automatically locked her legs around his waist as he spoke to her dog.

  “Look, Raider. Your mom and I are going to go have some grown-up time while you hang out here, because honestly, I don’t trust you not to bite my butt while I’m making her happy.”

  Rylie was wheezing with laughter as he carried her down the hallway to her room, kicking the door shut before Raider could join them.

  “Hang on, let me give him a treat.”

  Dustin let her down, his mouth moving over her neck. “Do I get a treat?”

  “Yes, you pervert.”

  Once she’d handed the dog biscuit to Raider and closed the door again, she turned around to find Dustin stripping. He unbuttoned his dress shirt, revealing tight, tan muscles, and she didn’t think she would ever get tired of watching him. He dropped his shirt on the floor and she leaned against the door as her legs went a little weak.

  He crooked his finger at her as he kicked off his dress shoes. “Come a little closer, baby.”

  Rylie took one step and then another until she threw herself against him, knocking him back onto the bed. She giggled as she lifted up over him, sitting back on his thighs as her hands went to the belt in his slacks.

  “You know, I’ve fantasized about this a few times,” she said.

  “What? Having sex with me? May I remind you that we’ve already done that, multiple times in one night if memory serves.”

  “But I never got to unwrap you like a Christmas present.”

  Dustin grinned, putting his hands behind his head. “By all means. Unwrap me.”

  Rylie tried to pull his belt out with a flourish, but it turned out, that didn’t work when the guy was lying down. When she finally had it free and on the floor, she slipped the button on his pants out of the loop and slowly lowered the zipper.

  “Can’t you go any faster?” he groaned.

  “I’m savoring it.”

  “Baby, there are better things to savor than me dropping my drawers.”

  She stood up with a laugh and pulled his slacks down his thighs until he was lying on her bed in just blue boxer briefs and black socks.

  “I’m feeling kind of exposed here,” he said.

  “Hmmm, want me to even the score?”

  His gaze dropped to where her hands were playing with the sides of her yoga pants, slipping them down an inch.

  “Seems only fair.”

  She pushed them to the floor and stepped out of them, wearing nothing but a smile as she climbed back onto the bed. Rylie pressed her lips against his stomach, loving the way the muscles jumped under her mouth, and trailed kisses down to the edge of his briefs. She could see the outline of his cock through the thin cotton and couldn’t wait to push the barrier out of the way.

  As she peeled back his boxer briefs until they were halfway down his thighs, she dropped light little nips along his tip and shaft. It jerked away at the contact and she laughed again.

  “Can you not giggle that close to my dick?”

  In response, she wrapped her hand and mouth around it, sucking his head hard. The air whooshed out between his teeth and she let him go with a little pop.

  “I’m so sorry I made you uncomfortable. All better?”

  His deep chuckle turned into a groan when her lips covered him again, bringing her hand up to meet her mouth on him, listening to the noises he made. It had been a long while since she’d gone down on a guy, but it was really like riding a bike. Especially if she enjoyed the ride.

  “Okay, okay, okay, you gotta sto
p,” Dustin said.

  She released him and crawled up his form, her whole body throbbing with need. She placed her hands on his chest and rubbed her wet center over his stiff cock. When the motion hit her clit, she whimpered with need.

  “Do you have a condom?”

  “Not on me.”

  “I thought men were always supposed to be prepared?”

  “I was never a Boy Scout.” He lifted his hips. “Are you on the pill?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I think we’re good. I know I’m clean and I trust you.”

  Rylie shifted her hips until the tip of him slid inside her, smiling. “I trust you, too.”

  The moment he was all the way in, she leaned back on her hands and rocked her hips, closing her eyes as the steady drumming built at her center. Dustin’s hands came up to cup her breasts, playing with her nipples until her motions were no longer smooth and controlled, but jerky, fast, and sloppy.

  Her orgasm hit and she cried out as she kept moving, prolonging the pleasure. When Dustin’s hands gripped her hips and took control, she couldn’t keep quiet as she climbed that mountain again and fell over with him, his deep, growling shout the hottest sound she’d ever heard.

  It wasn’t until she came down that she realized Raider was howling outside the door.

  “Oh, God, is he howling because we were loud or because he’s locked out?”

  “Probably both,” Dustin teased, earning a light slap on his chest.

  She climbed off him slowly and stumbled to the door, her legs like rubber as she walked. When she opened the door, Raider bounded in, jumping around and barking at both of them, as if scolding them for excluding him.

  “I’ll be back,” Rylie said.

  Dustin lay sprawled across her bed with his underwear around his knees and his socks still on. “I’ll be here.”

  Rylie escaped to the bathroom and closed the door before she started laughing. She was still fighting the giggles after she’d finished cleaning up and came back into the bedroom.

  His socks and boxer briefs were now on the floor, and he was under her covers.

  “So, what now? Snuggle? Snack? Or sleep?”

  Rylie climbed into the bed with him and cuddled up against his side. “All of the above.”

  Chapter 25

  Rylie stood by the mirror, watching as Tonya’s mother slid the veil into her daughter’s intricate up-do. It was a bittersweet moment for her, as she knew that when her time to get married came around, she wouldn’t have a mother to help her get ready or her dad to walk her down the aisle.

  She shook herself out of her doldrums, refusing to shroud one second of Tonya’s big day with sadness. Of all the weddings she’d ever been a part of at Something Borrowed, she had a good feeling that this couple had a real chance at the rest of their lives.

  “You look gorgeous,” Tonya’s cousin, Glenda, said. Glenda was kind of a ball buster and had given Rylie a ration of shit for not having alcohol at the slumber party last night. When she’d explained that there would be plenty of drinking going on at the reception and they didn’t need to be hung over for the ceremony, she’d just huffed and pouted until Rylie had brought out the “Man-Candy” movies and “Last Night of Freedom” snack mix. After that, they bonded over abs and sweet and salty popcorn.

  But in this instance, she was right. Tonya was beautiful in her strapless ivory dress that glided down to the floor. Her hair was smoothed back from her face in a thick bun, threaded with silver thread and pearls under her veil.

  “Thank you. You all look wonderful too,” Tonya said.

  Rylie agreed. Tonya’s best friend was short and curvy, while both of her cousins were five foot ten and stacked up top. The off-the-shoulder dresses were flattering and the wine color looked amazing on all of them.

  “What about your mother?”

  Tonya stood up and went over to her mom, kissing her on the cheek. Her mother was an older version of Tonya, only her hair was straightened and hit just below her chin. Her dress was a formal silver dress made out of chiffon with capped sleeves.

  “You’re beautiful, Mama.”

  Rylie’s eyes stung and she desperately tried to blink back the emotion.

  Someone knocked on the door and when they all said come in, Tonya’s father, Governor Richard Rolland, popped his head in. His graying hair did nothing to detract from the imposing figure he cut in his black tux.

  “Are we ready to get this show on the road?” When his gaze landed on his daughter, he stepped all the way into the room and held his hand over his chest. “This can’t be my baby girl.”

  Oh, God, I’m going to lose it. Rylie’s eyes filled with tears as she watched them embrace, so much love in the room it was overwhelming.

  “I’m ready, Daddy.”

  Her father led Tonya and her mother from the room, followed by the maid of honor, her two cousins, and Rylie pulling up the rear. When they stood just outside the double doors of the chapel, Rylie’s heart flipped in her chest as Dustin came through and held his arm out to Tonya’s mother. He looked amazing in his tux, and she didn’t blame Tonya’s mom one bit for giggling.

  “My, you are a handsome devil.”

  “Mom,” Tonya scolded.

  “What, he is. I’m married, not dead. Right, honey?” she teased her husband.

  Her husband shot Dustin a stern look. “You just be sure to keep your hands to yourself, young man.”

  “Of course, sir. Besides, my girl would skin me alive if I didn’t.”

  Rylie’s jaw slid open as he winked right at her and then disappeared behind the doors.

  All eyes swung her way and Tonya tsked. “Someone’s been keeping secrets.”

  Rylie hid her face behind her bouquet, praying they wouldn’t have time to ask her any questions.

  Luckily Blake’s college friends joined them, holding out their arms to Tonya’s cousins and her relationship was forgotten for the moment. Rylie waited impatiently for Dustin to return, her emotions warring between excitement and horror. She hoped that Tonya didn’t tell Kelly they were dating before she got the chance. Technically, there was nothing in the employee contract about dating coworkers, just groomsman, but she still didn’t think Kelly would be thrilled.

  When Dustin came back through whistling his way to her side, she shook her head. “I can’t believe you said that. What if Kelly fires us?”

  The bridal procession lined up and since they were up first, they walked to the front.

  “Kelly won’t fire you because I already quit.”

  Rylie stumbled and was grateful that they hadn’t opened the doors yet for everyone to see her klutzy move. “Why would you do that?”

  “Well, as you pointed out, I don’t need the money. And there was the whole tell-all book I was planning to write.”

  “What?” Rylie cried, earning a roomful of sour looks.

  “Maybe we should talk about this later,” Dustin said. “We’re almost there.”

  “Then you better slow your pace, ’cause I want you to explain that last part to me.”

  But there wasn’t time and as they stood across from each other, Rylie worried her lower lip. Dustin had joined Something Borrowed in order to write a tell-all? Was that why he’d let her stay at his place? Because he wanted more dirt on other clients? Is that why he’d given her the commission? So he wouldn’t be held to their non-disclosure agreement?

  Okay, I need to calm down. He never once asked me any questions about my clients.

  Still, the other questions nagged at her, but after the ceremony and pictures, she lost him. She was searching for him when she bumped into Kelly coming out of the restroom.

  “Hey, where are you going? I wanted to congratulate you. You and Dustin did a phenomenal job.”

  “Thank you. Have you seen Dustin? I need to speak with him.”<
br />
  “I haven’t, but is everything okay?”

  Rylie’s loyalties fought against each other before she finally blurted, “Did you know he was writing a book about Something Borrowed?”

  To her surprise, Kelly wrapped her arm around her shoulders and squeezed her. “Why don’t we pop into this room over here and talk?”

  Rylie allowed Kelly to guide her, and when Kelly closed the door, it hit her like a ton of bricks. “You knew?”

  “Not specifics, but I knew he was up to something.”

  “When did you find out for sure?”

  “When he came to my office on Wednesday and told me. Then he quit.”

  Rylie was still trying to wrap her head around the fact that Dustin had planned to betray Kelly and yet, Kelly didn’t seem pissed at all. She seemed absolutely fine.

  “Why did he tell you?”

  “I guess because he decided not to go through with it.”

  “But why not?”

  “I think you already know the answer,” Kelly said gently.

  Rylie stood there, remembering every time she’d told him she needed her job, how important it was to her.

  “I am sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen and I swear, it never affected my job.”

  “Rylie,” Kelly said, taking her hands. “You’re fine. We’re fine. Sometimes, you can’t help who you fall in love with. You still have a job at Something Borrowed for as long as you want.”

  “Thanks, Kelly. But I want to discuss moving into a different capacity. Maybe baking the wedding cakes, like we talked about?”

  Kelly hugged her hard. “Yes. We’ll get the details straightened out on Monday. Although I will hate to lose you as a bridesmaid, I know this is your true calling.”

  “Thanks. By the way, what did you get out of him?” Rylie asked.

  Kelly grinned devilishly. “What do you mean?”

  “Come on, I’ve known you well enough to know that no one gets away scot-free.”

  “Do you really want to know?” Kelly asked.

  “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.”