Dirty Talk: A Bad Boy Romance (Bluefield Bad Boys Book 2)

by Tess Oliver

I laughed. “O.K., Ellie May, we’ll get ya all settled in without them thar varmints.”

  Dawson was showered and dressed and out the door before I finished picking up the crap in Kellan’s room.

  Andi peeked her head into the room and smiled. “Hey, you don’t have to go to any trouble, Tommy. As long as the cockroaches are gone, I’m fine. Is it all right if I take a shower?”

  “Yeah. Of course.”

  She paused in the doorway. “One more favor.” She glanced down at the hospital scrubs. “Do you have a big t-shirt I could borrow. I’d go into Dawson’s room and borrow one of his, but I’m afraid of what I might find if I go searching through his drawers. Some things are better left a mystery. Even between twins, if you catch my drift.”

  “I do and I would be honored to share a t-shirt with you. I mean you can wear it alone, of course.”

  She laughed.

  I pointed to the hallway. “I’ll get that shirt for you.”

  Andi had climbed into the shower. She’d left the door slightly ajar. Her scrubs were in a pile on the floor. I could see the faint outline of her naked body behind the shower curtain. My cock reacted the instant I saw her arms reach up and smooth the water through her hair. I could only see the shadows of her body, but it was all I needed.

  “I’ll leave the shirt here,” I said through the steam. It was almost hard to get the words out.

  Her fingers wrapped around the edge of the shower curtain and her wet face, bruised but still beautiful, peeked out. “Thanks, Tommy.” Her long lashes were in wet, spiky clumps as she gazed at me. “And thank you for missing the poker game for me.”

  I nodded. “Spending time with you beats any old poker game, Sulli.” I walked out and shut the door.

  I spent the next ten minutes staring blankly at the television show that was no longer holding my interest. It was impossible to think of anything except Andi, naked and wet, in the shower just fifteen feet away.

  The water turned off. A few minutes later small footsteps plodded down the hallway. I looked up as she stepped into the room. I hadn’t prepared myself for the impact of seeing her dressed only in my t-shirt. A quick reminder to breathe helped me get my voice started again.

  “If you’re still hungry, I think there’s some frozen burritos.”

  She pressed her arm against her stomach, which lifted the already short hem of the t-shirt. A good portion of her long, slick thighs were exposed. In high school, Andi had been the star of the track team, and she’d competed in cross country. Her legs were still lean and muscular like a runner’s. My mind drifted to wondering just how fucking amazing those legs would feel wrapped around me.

  Almost as if she could read my thoughts, she reached down and tugged the shirt lower. As she did, the fabric tightened across her breasts, causing her nipples to press against the cotton fabric. “Thought I’d be swimming in this shirt, but it’s a little shorter than I expected.”

  “Looks perfect to me.” I couldn’t keep the gravelly sound out of my voice. Having her stand in front of me with wet hair slicked back and the moisture on her skin making the t-shirt cling to her body was making me nuts. I was beginning to question my sanity at deciding to stay home alone with her.

  Andi, on the other hand, seemed completely oblivious to the effect she was having on me. She scurried on bare feet to the kitchen. “Burritos sound too big and clunky tonight. I thought I saw some microwave popcorn in a cupboard.” She opened the cupboard and hopped up on tiptoes, in an attempt to reach the popcorn. “Too high up for me. Do you mind, Tommy?”

  My stiff cock made the trek across the room a little harder than expected. “I don’t remember when we bought that popcorn. Could be ancient.” I walked up behind her and reached up to the popcorn. A soapy scent lingered on her hair and skin. Heat radiated off her body. Or that could just have been my imagination. I placed the box on the counter but didn’t move back.

  She spun around and was sandwiched between the counter and my body. I gazed down at her. For the first time, she seemed to understand the effect she was having on me. I expected her to duck to the side, but she didn’t. Her long lashes fluttered a little nervously as she reached up with her hand and pressed it against the side of my face. Her breasts rose and fell with each long breath.

  I knew then that if I leaned down to kiss her, I wouldn’t be able to stop. I’d have her out of that t-shirt so fast she wouldn’t even feel it being lifted off. But this wasn’t just any girl. This was Andi, and yanking her out of a t-shirt was a lot more complicated than with anyone else. There was Dawson to consider. There was our long history and friendship to think about. There was the harsh reality that I wasn’t good for her. I was coal dust and living in shabby surroundings and the south side of Bluefield. Andi was working hard to eventually get out of this town. She’d always dreamt of a future away from Bluefield.

  It took all of my strength to step back. She lingered in the spot between me and the counter for a few long seconds. Disappointment. I told myself that was what I was looking at, but I was sure that was wishful thinking.

  “I’m kind of tired. Maybe too tired to eat. It’s been a long day. I think I’ll go get in bed.”

  I backed up farther, certain that if even an inch of the cotton fabric grazed my hand or skin, I’d lose that willpower and pull her into my arms.

  She sighed softly as she scooted past me and out of the kitchen. I heard the bedroom door shut behind her. I braced my hands against the counter in front of me, working hard to regain my composure and slow down my heart rate.

  I picked up the box of popcorn and crushed it in my fist before hurling it across the kitchen. This had been a mistake. I was acting the fucking saint, staying behind to keep an eye on her when my real motives had been anything but saintly. And if I kept it up, it wouldn’t be long before Andi stopped talking to me and avoided me altogether. That might just be for the best. I sure as hell wouldn’t blame her.

  I walked to the couch and plopped down on it. I picked up the remote and flipped channels for a long time before throwing the remote back onto the coffee table. Down the hall, I heard the door to the bedroom open. Soft footsteps padded along the wood floor.

  I looked up as Andi stepped into the room. Her bottom lip trembled slightly as she gazed down at me. The bruise looked harsh on her pretty face. My fists curled just thinking about someone hurting her. Without one word, she crossed the room to the couch. She climbed onto my lap and curled herself against me. I wrapped my arms around her.

  She lowered her head to my shoulder. “Sometimes you spend your life looking for something and find out it’s been right in front of you the whole damn time.”

  Chapter 25

  Andi

  I’d felt instantly satisfied and luxuriously drowsy tucked into Tommy’s arms. All the bad stuff of the day melted away, and as his arms wrapped tighter around me, a sense of security, a deep feeling of being wanted and needed settled into my soul. He’d been there all the time, my fearless friend who had always been unwavering in his fierce determination to be there for me. Just as I’d always been there for him. Even in those terrible days when his stepdad was turning into a monster and Tommy had no one else to turn to, I made sure he knew how much I cared about him.

  The glow of the television monitor and the clock on the microwave were the only lights in the room. Tommy’s head was leaned back against the couch, and his long, dark lashes cast shadows on his face. But even deep in sleep, he still gripped me tightly against him. We’d said nothing after my confession. We hadn’t needed to. The way he held me and the way I curled into him had said it all. And, while it had been more than apparent that I’d stirred him physically, he hadn’t done more than hold me. He knew this wasn’t the place or time.

  My decision could have been just out of a need to feel safe after a scary day at work, but it was more than that. His face when he’d walked into the hospital room had said it all. His feelings for me had not ever wavered. He cared deeply about me, and seeing him
so distraught with worry had gripped my heart, assuring me that my feelings for him ran just as deep.

  I wriggled to get comfortable. He groaned in his sleep and tightened his arms instinctively. I rested my head against him and was halfway into a dreamy sleep, when the sharp slam of the front door woke me. Tommy startled too, nearly dropping me on the floor.

  Dawson stood glowering down at the two of us still entwined on the couch. “What the fuck is going on?” My brother’s voice was low and cool. He looked as close to spitting fire as I’d ever seen him. Tommy’s body hardened with tension beneath me.

  “Nothing’s going on.” I slid off Tommy’s lap. “We fell asleep.”

  “Fuck, Dawz, why do you have to get so damn nuclear about it?”

  Dawson kicked the coffee table. Empty beer cans rolled off as it fell over.

  The heat of rage rolled off Tommy, and his fists curled as he stood up. “What the hell is your problem?”

  “You really have to fucking ask, buddy? Best friend?” Dawson said with a derisive snort. “You’re sitting here with my sister in your lap.” Dawson waved his arm at me. “Are you wearing his fucking t-shirt?”

  “I had nothing else to wear.” The throbbing in my head was quickly returning as my pulse raced with anger.

  Tommy moved to walk around the table. I grabbed his arm. “No, I swear if the two of you start throwing punches at each other, I will walk out of here and never speak to either of you again.” Tears fell, relieving some of the pressure building in my aching head.

  Dawson’s hands opened and shut. He didn’t have control yet.

  “Dawson, I fucking swear it. I will never talk to you again.”

  Tommy swept past him. I held my breath as they nearly clashed shoulders. He grabbed his keys and slammed the door so hard on his way out, the front window slid open. His truck tires sprayed gravel against the cabin wall as he raced down the driveway.

  “No way, Andi. You and Tommy, no fucking way.”

  “Since when do I need you telling me what I can and can’t do?”

  “Since we were fucking seven years old, and I told you not to jump out of that tree. You didn’t listen and you broke your arm. And while you were at the hospital with Mom, I got my ass scalded with a switch from that same damn tree for letting you jump. This would be way fucking worse than jumping from that tree.”

  I stopped and stared at him through tears. “Dad beat you for that?”

  “Sure as hell did.”

  “I’m sorry, Dawson. You never told me.” I wiped my nose with the back of my hand. “You’re overreacting with this. You love Tommy.”

  He scrubbed his fingers through his hair and stared down at the upturned table. “He’s not right for you, Andi. You need to be free of this place. I can’t—” He shook his head. “There’s no damn way I can accept you two together.”

  I stomped back to the bedroom. I pulled on the scrub pants and my shoes. Dawson was standing blocking the hallway with his massive body. I pushed him hard to move him out of the way.

  “Where are you going?” Dawson asked.

  “Home.”

  “Come on, Andi. It’s late.” I walked out the door. He pounded the porch behind me. “I’ll give you a ride. You’re not walking home in the dark.”

  “You need to stop bossing me around, Dawson. It’s getting pretty fucking old.”

  I was only at the edge of the dirt road that met the gravel drive to the cabin when I heard the rumbling motor of his car behind me. He drove up next to me. I kept walking.

  “Come on, Andi, get in. I’ll give you a ride home.”

  “I’m not getting in the car.”

  “Well, I’m not letting you walk home alone, so I guess I’ll just have to drive along next to you.”

  “Do whatever the hell you want, Dawson. I’m done with the men in my life telling me what I’m doing wrong and how I should behave.” It was dark and cold and the long walk home made my head hurt more. We didn’t exchange another word. His car idled in the driveway as he watched to make sure I got safely inside.

  Dad was sleeping in front of the television. I tiptoed past the family room, walked straight into my room and collapsed on the bed in tears.

  Chapter 26

  Andi

  I’d stayed in bed for nearly two straight days, getting up only to shower and eat cereal before shuffling back to my room. My dad had been relatively calm about the bruise on my face. Instead of a lecture about how I could have avoided it, he’d almost seemed sympathetic. He’d even mentioned that I was brave to take on such a tough job. Praise from the man was rare indeed. It had left me nearly speechless.

  Mom was a little less empathetic. She was still disappointed with the news that I was no longer dating the doctor. Sometimes I wondered if all my dreams of the future had just been planted there subliminally by my mom. I had not talked to Dawson or, for that matter, Tommy since I’d stomped out of the cabin. Thinking about the twisted up knot all this had created was too much for me to deal with. I was supposed to be at home recuperating from stress on the job. That notion made me smile.

  A warm sun showered its glory in through the sheer curtains on my bedroom window. I picked up the half eaten bowl of grapes from my nightstand and searched through to find the ones that hadn’t already started their journey into raisin-hood.

  I caught a glance at myself in the mirror on my closet door and nearly burst out laughing. The bruise on my cheek was probably the highlight of my appearance. I had dark eye circles in what was quickly becoming a vampire-like pallor. My hair was smooshed in so many places, it made my head look cone-shaped. And I’d been too lazy to get up and fish through the bathroom drawer for the lip balm, so my mouth had a permanent red chapped stain around it.

  I placed the bowl of withered grapes on my nightstand and slid back down beneath the covers. My phone rang. I stared at it hoping it would just stop ringing. No luck. I picked it up without even glancing at it.

  “You know how I feel about you, Andi. That’s not going to change with anything Dawson says or does.”

  Just hearing his voice had taken my breath. It took me a moment to answer. “I know, Tommy. I just wish this wasn’t so darn complicated. Why does it always have to be like that? Story of my life. And yours, I guess. Shouldn’t you be on a boxcar riding the rails and seeing the world?”

  “I’m heading out tomorrow. I’m taking the early bus out to the rail yard. It’s easier to find an empty car when they’re still shuffling trains around. How are you feeling?”

  “Now that I’ve built a cocoon of bed sheets and blankets around myself, I feel better. I’m just going to stay here and eventually transform into an entirely new person. One with wings, preferably. Think about me back here in charcoal-town while you’re out breathing fresh air and having fun. And try not to meet any beautiful women who you fall for so hard that I become just a wisp of a memory.”

  “Never going to happen, Sulli. Wish you were going with me.”

  I looked over at the mirror again. “If you saw me right now, you’d see that I would fit in just perfectly with the rail riding subculture. I’m going to miss you though, Huck. Don’t forget to come back.”

  “Bye, Sulli. Don’t transform too much. You know I’ve always liked you just the way you are.”

  I sighed. “You always were a little strange, Thomas Sawyer. Guess that’s why I like being around you. Be safe.”

  Chapter 27

  Tommy

  I sank down on the seat of the bus and wedged my backpack between my feet. There were only a few people on board. It was still dark outside, but there was enough light to see the silhouette of the mountains in the distance. This time of the morning, when shadows were hidden and the noises of the day were still muted, always felt lonely to me.

  I grabbed a granola bar out of my pocket and unwrapped it. The bus rolled forward but stopped again to let in a late comer. I leaned down to find my iPod, figuring I’d have a little music with my breakfast. A pair of worn
hiking boots with red socks and nice legs stopped next to my seat.

  “I left the cocoon because it was boring. And if I had to look at my pathetic self in the closet mirror one more time, I was going to run screaming from the house.” Andi pointed to the red bandana around her neck. “For the train fumes or in case we decide to rob the train instead of just ride it.” She lifted the bandana over her nose to demonstrate her train robber look.

  I dragged my backpack with me as I scooted into the next seat.

  She took her backpack off her shoulders and pointed at it. “I found this in Dawson’s closet.” She sat down next to me. The bruise on her cheek had faded to pale yellow. She reached over and broke off a piece of my granola bar. The bus pulled away from the bus stop.

  “Is it all right if I tag along with you, Tommy? I don’t want to get in the way of your fun.”

  “Are you kidding, Sulli? This trip just got way better.”

  She sat back and nibbled her granola bar. “I told my parents I was going to visit some friends near work. They looked a little oddly at the backpack and sleeping bag, but they don’t ask as many questions anymore. Thank goodness. I used to get the third degree just going out to the mailbox.” She turned her face to me without lifting her head from the bus seat. “I’m almost afraid to ask, but how are things between you and my dork brother?”

  I shook my head. “We haven’t really talked yet.”

  “It’s got nothing to do with you, Tommy. He’s just overprotective.”

  I smiled weakly at her. “Good try, but we both know it’s got everything to do with me.”

  She pulled her eyes away and took a deep breath. “Well, screw it. Screw him. We’re not going to let it ruin this trip. It’s just you and me and the world of adventure.” Her face turned back to me. “We’ll see where it takes us.”

  Chapter 28

  Tommy

  The dawn brought a chalky pink sunrise. It was still cold enough to see our breath as Andi and I tromped across the weedy meadow to the rail yard. We’d taken a ten mile bus ride to get to the yard. Only coal cars came through Bluefield, not ideal for stowing away. Not to mention that the coal trains rarely made stops. It was more or less a straight shot to the coast, so the coal could be loaded on freighters or trucks. We wanted a freight train that would make a few stops along the way.