She picked up the remote and turned her gaze away from him. Two can play that game. “I guess I will stay up then.”
Dylan went to bed without her.
That had been hours ago, and Cait finally joined him in the huge, fluffy bed. She lay there, wracked with indecision. She did not know what had happened to change the easy relationship between them, but something had.
Dylan was not acting like himself. But she didn’t know what to do to fix it. It was hard to repair something when you didn’t know what was wrong with it. Why would he claim to want more and then hold himself away from her?
Cait turned on her side and propped her hand beneath her chin, so she could watch him as he slept. The sheets and blanket were gathered at his waist. His bare chest was uncovered, the tan skin gleaming in the moonlight that streamed through the room’s one window.
They were so different, yet so alike. Their families were complete opposites, but somehow she and Dylan had found each other. Both of them struggled to form their own identity separate from their families’. Dylan had succeeded, where Cait still battled every day to escape the memory of being the poor girl who was surrounded by rich kids.
Dylan had been the only one on their street who had ever taken a chance on her. She and her family had been snubbed by everyone but the Russells, and she owed all of his family’s loyalty to Dylan. Her childhood had been so much better because of him.
Hell, her adult life was so much better because of him.
Cait inched her hand across the mattress, but then hesitated. He didn’t seem to want her touch anymore. She pulled her hand back and let out a soft curse.
She turned on her other side, away from Dylan, and put her hands under her cheek. Everything was wrong. She was supposed to enjoy this trip to New York. Instead it seemed it would be a miserable time. Dylan was mad at her, and she didn’t know why.
Her throat ached with unshed tears. What did she do to deserve all this? Why did every man she picked turn out to be wrong for her?
Her eyes grew wet, but she refused to cry. She didn’t cry for that dickhead Simon, and she certainly wouldn’t cry for Dylan.
She sniffed and swiped her hand over her eyes. A rustle behind her caught her attention. She did her best to remain silent, but another sniffle escaped her.
“Cait, baby, what’s wrong?” Dylan’s voice was husky from sleep.
“Nothing,” she answered, but her voice wobbled. He’d called her baby again. The memory of Vegas came back to her, making her yearn to be in his arms.
Dylan touched her back, and the heat from his palm warmed her spine. He slid his hand across her hip and pulled her toward him. “Are you crying?”
“No.” Cait bit her lip and swallowed to ease the ache in her throat. “Allergies.”
Dylan nuzzled her neck and curled his body around hers. “In February?”
“Yes. Winter allergies,” Cait lied.
“Is there such a thing?”
Cait didn’t know, but she braved her way through it. “Of course there is.”
Dylan mumbled something undistinguishable and continued to hold her. The heat from his body tempted her to snuggle against him, but her emotions were still too raw. So much had happened, and she wasn’t prepared to deal with the emotional roller coaster she’d found herself on.
This was the first time a man had ever lain in bed and just held her. Dylan did not make a move, he simply lay there with his arm wrapped around her. Cait was comforted by his touch. It was a revelation after a lifetime of men trying to get into her pants. Of course, Dylan had already been in them, and perhaps he didn’t want to anymore.
Has he grown tired of me?
“No, I’m not tired of you.”
Cait didn’t realize she’d spoken the words aloud until Dylan answered. She tilted her head and tried to look at him. “Then what’s going on? If you’re through, just say so. You won’t hurt my feelings.”
A debate seemed to wage war on Dylan’s face. He appeared torn. “I’m not through,” he finally said.
Cait rolled onto her back and lifted her hand to rub his stubbled jaw. “I’m not through either.”
“Jesus, Cait.” Dylan groaned and cupped her face. “I’ve tried so hard to resist you, but you make it damn near impossible.”
She cocked her head to one side. “Why would you resist me?”
“Because…” Dylan broke off and shook his head. “I don’t know.”
Cait’s sadness disappeared in an instant. She only had to look at Dylan to know he still wanted her. His beautiful eyes were dark with desire, and his breathing grew harsh.
She touched his lips with her forefinger and caressed the slick skin. “Make love to me, Dylan.”
Dylan’s eyes narrowed. “No. I will fuck you, but I won’t make love to you.”
Cait buried the pain his words gave her beneath a veneer of boldness. “Make love, fuck. It’s the same difference.”
“No, baby. It’s not.” Dylan bent down and put his lips a millimeter from hers. “You can’t begin to imagine how it will be if I make love to you.”
“Then show me.” Cait pressed closer to him. “Show me the difference.”
Dylan shook his head, his bottom lip caressing hers as he did so. “Another time. Tonight I intend to show you something completely different.”
A shaft of heat streaked through her. Cait hooked a leg over his hip and curled against him. “What’s that?”
Dylan moved between her legs, the press of his cock hot and heavy against her wetness, even through their layers of clothing. “Put your arms over your head.”
Cait did as he asked, the command in his voice proving to be her undoing. At that moment, she would do whatever he desired.
Dylan wrapped his long fingers around her wrists and held her in place as he pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “You have to listen to me, Cait, and do whatever I tell you.”
She wanted him with a fierceness, but her natural inclination toward independence asserted itself. “If you think I’m going to call you Master, you’ve got another think coming.”
“No. I don’t want you submissive, Cait. I just want you willing to experiment.”
Cait’s mouth went dry. “Experimentation sounds good.”
She licked her lips and waited for Dylan to make his move. He took his time, drawing out the moment until she wanted to squirm against him and beg him to fuck her. Finally he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her. Tongues and teeth and lips were all involved as they kissed each other.
It was a slow, long kiss, one designed to weaken her resistance. But she didn’t have any resistance. Cait wanted him beyond comprehension, beyond reason.
Dylan’s grip on her wrists tightened as he shifted, tearing his mouth away from hers, and moving his lips down her throat. He nibbled his way to her breast and then took a nipple between his teeth. He bit, and it was hard enough to draw a gasp from Cait. It did not hurt, but the pinch fueled her desire.
He lifted his head. “Tell me what you want, baby.”
Cait melted whenever he called her that. “I want you.”
She struggled to free her arms again, but Dylan held her in place. “No.” He ran the fingers of his free hand up her side and tickled the underside of her breast. “I want you to feel what I do to you. You can’t touch me yet.”
Cait groaned. “But I want to.”
Dylan gave her a cocky grin. “You will soon enough. Now tell me what you want.”
“I want you to touch me.”
Dylan put his hand over her breast. “Where? Here?”
“No.” Cait’s voice changed to a whisper. “Down there.”
“Here?” Dylan slid his hand to her hip and then behind to her ass. “Or here?”
Cait lifted her shoulders from the bed to whisper into his ear. “My pussy.”
“Oh.” Dylan’s hand moved again and crept between her thighs. His fingers tickled her moist heat. “Do you like that?”
Cait’s eyes sl
id closed. “Yes.”
“And this. Do you like this, Cait?” Dylan stuck a finger inside her and moved it in and out.
Her hips lifted to meet his hand. “Yes.”
“Spread your legs,” Dylan instructed as he released her wrists and scooted down the bed. “Wider.”
Cait slid her ankles apart as far as she could, opening herself to him. Her eyes flew open to watch as Dylan removed his finger and then lowered his head to her. She immediately clamped onto the back of his head.
“Dylan!” she cried out as delighted shivers chased across her skin.
He lifted his head. “Do you want me to stop?”
“I want to taste you.”
Dylan got up on his knees and pulled her to hers as well. He kissed her, and she could taste herself on his lips. His hands cupped her buttocks, bringing her flush against his hard cock.
“Do you want to suck my cock, Cait?” He pinched her ass hard. “Say it, baby.”
Cait slipped her hands down to grasp his shaft. “I want to.”
“Such a bad girl,” Dylan groaned. He gave her ass a hard slap. “Get on your hands and knees facing me.”
She did as he asked. His cock was at her eye level as she lifted her head.
Dylan wrapped his hand around his shaft and brought his cock to her lips. The velvety head slipped between her lips, and she sucked it into her mouth. She ran her tongue along the length, delighted as he filled her mouth.
She teased him with her tongue and teeth. Dylan wrapped his hands in her hair to hold her head steady as his hips slowly moved back and forth, forcing his cock deeper. Even though she didn’t think she would like it, the submissive position, being on her hands and knees in front of him, turned her on.
“That’s it, baby. You’re so good.”
Cait would’ve groaned, but she couldn’t make a sound.
Dylan’s hips jerked, and he gripped her head, pulling his cock free from her mouth. “No more. I’m not ready to come yet.”
Cait pouted. She wanted him to come, wanted to know he’d lost control with her.
Dylan put a finger beneath her chin and stroked his thumb across her lip. “Turn around, but stay on your hands and knees.”
Cait swiveled around and heard the rip of a condom packet. Then she felt the prod of his cock. He slipped up and down the wet opening and then slid forward, impaling her in one swift stroke. She was bumped forward, and she caught herself before she hit her forehead on the headboard. She held her body still as Dylan pulled out and then buried himself again.
His fingers gripped her hips, pulling her backwards to meet his thrusts. He fucked her hard, the slap of her ass on his thighs echoing in the room. Dylan moved his hips in a circular motion and ground against her.
Cait had never like doggy style. She was too paranoid about her butt jiggling, plus it had never done it for her. But Dylan managed to make it feel good. He hit every pleasure point inside her. It was miraculous the things he made her experience.
Dylan moved a hand to the small of her back and pressed down, which changed the angle of Cait’s hips. When he filled her again, even more pleasurable sensations rippled through her.
Cait kept her butt angled toward him as he continued to slam in and out of her pussy. Her head dropped forward, and she buried her face in the pillow. Cries of pleasure escaped her lips, but the pillow muffled the sounds.
Dylan moved faster and faster. He gave a loud groan. “Come for me, Cait.”
Cait bit her lip and pushed backward with her hips, seeking her release. Dylan slid his arm beneath her and fingered her clit. Cait gasped at the additional stimulation. Soon, she was bucking against him in reckless abandon.
“Oh, God!” Cait screamed and slumped toward the mattress.
Dylan’s shout echoed within the room as he found his release and fell toward her. They lay in a tangle of limbs and fought to catch their breath. Soon, Dylan moved off her and lay beside her. Cait turned on her side and wrapped her arm around his waist.
She pressed her cheek against his hard pec and smiled in contentment. A thought niggled at the back of her mind. She lifted her head to look at Dylan. His eyes were closed, but he wasn’t asleep yet.
“Why did you say you wanted to resist me?”
Dylan scrunched his eyes closed tighter as he winced. “It was self-preservation, Cait.”
“From what?” Cait traced his nipple with her fingernail.
“From you.” Dylan opened his eyes and watched her. “To keep from making a fool of myself over you.”
“You can’t make a fool of yourself over me. That’s ridiculous. How could you?”
Dylan sat up and crossed his legs, still facing her. Cait felt odd lying down, so she copied his action and sat up as well. She crossed her legs but drew the sheet over herself. She drew the line at sitting so exposed, even though he was intimately acquainted with every inch of her body.
Dylan reached for her hand. He actually appeared nervous. In the dim light coming from the window, she saw his brow furrow in concentration. “Cait, I need to tell you something.”
Dread settled in the pit of Cait’s stomach. This was it. This was the moment Dylan put an end to it all. “What?”
“You’re probably not ready to hear this, but if I don’t say it now, I may never get the chance again.”
Cait grew nervous as well. She tried to give him an encouraging smile, but she was afraid it fell flat.
“You’re a great friend, and I don’t want to hurt you, but…”
Cait closed her eyes and took a steady, bracing breath. “It’s okay. Dylan. I understand what you’re trying to say.”
He gave her an odd look. “Huh?”
“You don’t want to hurt me, but it’s time to go back to just friends. Am I right?”
“No, Cait. You couldn’t be more wrong.” Dylan ran his hand over his shaved head. If he had long hair, she had no doubt he would be pulling it. “I love you, dammit. There, I’ve said it.”
“You…” Cait’s world tilted on its axis. She held up a hand. “Wait a minute. What did you just say?”
Dylan put his hands under her knees and pulled her forward, draping her legs across his hips. “I said I love you.”
“That’s what I thought you said.” Cait braced her hands on his shoulders and stared in his eyes. “But … but why? I’m nothing but trouble for you.”
The end of his mouth tilted into a fond smile. “I like trouble.”
Cait couldn’t believe what he was saying. He could have practically any female he wanted. Why would he want her? “And I’m nothing like your skinny model types.”
Dylan ran a hand down her thigh. “I don’t like skinny model types.”
She gently slapped his hand. She couldn’t think when he touched her, and she needed her mind clear. “I’m messed up, Dylan. You can’t love me.”
“Yes, I can and do.” Dylan leaned forward and gave her a soft kiss. “I know all there is to know about you, Cait. But I want you to know this about me. I do love you. I swore I wasn’t going to push you until you were ready, but there it is. I love you.”
“Dylan, I can’t…” Cait paused in the middle of her sentence. Why couldn’t she? There was no good reason she could think of. “You love me?”
“Yes, silly girl. I do.”
Cait’s thoughts whirled around her head, none taking hold long enough for her to formulate a response. He loved her. Dylan Russell loved her, Caitlyn Myers, the last girl on earth he probably ever thought he would.
There was one thing she did know though, and that was it was too early to encourage him, no matter how much her heart screamed at her to take the risk and jump in headfirst. She owed it to Dylan after all he’d done for her. He was too precious to her to ruin it by making a mistake and leading him on.
“Dylan, I need time. Simon and I just broke up. It’s too early.”
Dylan nodded, but disappointment lit his eyes. “Take all the time you need. I’ve waited years for you. I can
wait a little longer.”
Chapter 11
A couple of days later, they returned to Atlanta.
Dylan left the airport with Cait, filled with regret that he had to take her to her apartment and return to his condo without her. He’d grown used to waking up to her lovely face.
Cait had not responded to his declaration other than asking for time. He could give it to her, but he hoped it didn’t take too long. He wanted her. He needed Cait to be his. He worried if she went home, she would write the memory of their time off to a rebound hook-up. He couldn’t let that happen.
Dylan fetched his truck from the Pay N’ Park garage and rode back to pick Cait up. She’d stayed behind with their bags. He turned to the right, and there she was. A jolt of lust shot through his body, even though she was dressed completely non-sexy.
Cait stood on the curb, beneath a covered area. A bright yellow parka nearly swallowed her whole. They’d flown through a thunderstorm to get home, and Cait’s fear of flying had lifted its ugly head. Dylan tried to comfort her, but she’d pulled away from him as soon as they’d landed. It was still raining, and the cold, miserable weather made him wish for the balmy days they’d left behind in Vegas.
Dylan drove up to the curb and hopped out to toss their bags in the back of the cab. Cait climbed into the truck and reached over to turn up the heat. “It’s freezing.”
“Lovely weather, isn’t it?” Dylan quipped as he shut the door behind her.
He got back in the driver’s seat and began the ten-mile drive to Cait’s apartment. Cait was silent for most of the ride, and Dylan didn’t press her to talk. His concentration was needed to navigate the wet, crowded interstate. Even though it was after five, they managed to miss rush hour traffic and made good time.
He turned off onto an exit and drove about another mile before he turned into the parking lot of Cait’s apartment complex. He stared at the pale brick building before him and silently cursed.
This was it, the end to their idyllic time together unless Cait came to her senses and admitted she loved him too.
“Well, you’re home.” His voice seemed unnaturally loud in the small cab.
“Thank you.” Cait didn’t look at him. “Dylan, I…”
A Hot Mess Page 13
