A Hot Mess (5 page)

Dylan cupped a hand around his ear. “Do my ears deceive me? Did Caitlyn Rose Myers just admit to owning too many shoes?”

“Oh, hush,” Cait chided. “It’s no worse than you and your collection of baseball hats.”

“True enough.” Dylan crooked his arm at her. “Shall we go?”

She took his arm with a light laugh. “When did you become such a gentleman?”

“I’m no gentleman,” Dylan said with a waggle of his eyebrows.

Cait shook her head at him. “You’re such a player, Dylan.”

“But I’m so good at the game.”

Cait was used to Dylan by now, and she laughed at his comments, but it set her mind to thinking. How good was he? It was something she’d always wondered. He had never dated any of her friends in school, so she couldn’t satisfy her curiosity by asking one of them.

There had been a time way back in college when she’d seriously considered if Dylan could be more than a friend, but she’d convinced herself it wasn’t worth losing his friendship if it turned out badly. So she’d found someone to date and pretended things were the same as they’d always been. But they hadn’t been. Not really.

Sometimes she wondered what would have happened if she had followed through on her impulse and actually made a move on Dylan. Would he have returned her advances? Or would he have turned her away?

Dylan was a flirt, so it was hard to know when he was being serious or not. She’d suspected he crushed on her when they’d been younger, but now he was a successful photographer who hung out with the beautiful people. A hometown girl from Marietta, Georgia, could not possibly hold any interest for him now.

Yet she did. For some reason, Dylan remained a faithful friend to her. He was there when no one else was and knew exactly what to say to make her feel better. He was the perfect person to cheer her up, and there was no one else she’d want to spend today with.

Cait stepped onto the observation deck of the Stratosphere, and a blast of chilly air lifted the tiny hairs on her arms. She rubbed her hands along her forearms to warm them up. She hadn’t realized how windy it would be a thousand feet above Vegas.

“Are you cold?” Dylan asked from behind her.

Cait shook her head. “Nah, I’ll be fine.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t think to buy you a jacket.”

Cait turned and gave Dylan a stern look. “You’ve bought more than enough stuff. I’m fine, Dylan. I’ll warm up in a minute.”

Dylan held up his hands as if in surrender. “Okay, okay. I won’t get you a jacket then.”

They walked to the railing and stood there to overlook the valley. Cait’s gaze soaked it all up. In the daylight, the Strip did not seem as magical, but it was still beautiful. There were mountains in the distance, which she had not expected. She’d thought the desert would be flat as far as the eye could see.

The sun had just risen over the mountains and bathed the valley in a golden glow. She could spot tiny patches where homeowners had planted grass in their yards. Everything was so different from back home in Georgia, where everything was green and covered with trees.

Her eyes cut to the left, which she knew to be the location of the chapel she and Simon had booked online for their wedding. The site had proclaimed it to be the most romantic chapel in Vegas, and the heart theme had caught Cait’s eye. They’d planned a simple ceremony with a ring exchange. No singing Elvises or costumes for the bride and groom, although Cait still thought it sounded fun.

A spurt of anger made her clench her fists against the railing. A year of her life wasted on that scumbag. Whatever love she’d had for Simon had vanished the moment she saw him with Mandy. It was ridiculous how she’d fooled herself into thinking he was the man for her. When would she ever learn?

Dylan propped his elbows on the railing and turned his gaze up to the blue sky. “It’s a beautiful day.”

“It would’ve been a pretty day for a wedding.” Cait pouted.

He dropped his head forward. “Ah hell, Cait. I’m sorry.”

She shook her head. “Don’t bother. I’m over it.”

Dylan lifted his gaze and focused on the mountains in the distance. “You’re better off without him.”

Cait studied Dylan. Stubble darkened his jaw and the strong column of his neck. His hair was dark brown, but shaved close to his head. As a child, he’d had thick curly hair she’d been jealous of, but the shaved look suited him. It made him seem manly, more virile somehow.

Or maybe it was just her hormones speaking. She and Simon had not had sex in weeks.

Whatever it was, she was definitely seeing Dylan in a new light. He wore a short-sleeved black T-shirt which exposed his impressive biceps. His jeans rode low on his hips, and Cait’s eyes followed the movement as he turned toward her and stuffed his hands in his pockets. She realized she was looking at his crotch and jerked her gaze away.

“So what do you want to do next?”

Cait’s cheeks felt hot, but she met Dylan’s gaze with a steady one of her own. “Whatever you want to do. You pick.”

Dylan shook his head at her, and his brown eyes warmed. “No, today is your day, Cait. You can have anything you desire.”

Cait nearly choked on her tongue. What she desired was Dylan’s body, but there was no way she could admit it to him. Why in the hell did her overactive libido pick today of all days to rear its head?

She turned to look back at the Strip and pointed at a building in the far distance. “How about the roller coaster at New York-New York? I’ve always wanted to ride it.”

Dylan gave her an approving look. “That’s my girl. Are you sure you can handle the thrill of the ride?”

Why did it seem like a double entendre? Dylan’s tone hinted at nothing, but the twinkle in his eyes revealed he’d meant it as such.

Instead of shying away from the unspoken attraction, Cait lifted her eyebrow into a perfect arch. “I can handle anything you can.”

Dylan’s mouth parted, and his tongue came out to wet his bottom lip. His front teeth scraped along the damp lip before he spoke. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Cait.”

“I never do,” Cait said with a suggestive wink, which she ruined with a nervous giggle.

Just like that, the tension dissipated. Cait wasn’t sure whether she was disappointed or relieved. She knew she played with fire, and she’d already been burned this trip, but she longed to find out exactly how far Dylan would carry his flirtation.

To be honest, it was not the best time. She’d just been dumped and rebound romances never worked, but this was Dylan. It would never work anyway. They made better friends than lovers.

But Cait’s subconscious screamed at her that she couldn’t know unless she tried.

The ride down the elevator to the lobby of the Stratosphere passed in silence. The dramatic change in elevation made her ears pop. She rubbed them with her fingers until the popping ended.

“Do you want to play the slots?” Dylan asked as the elevator doors opened, and they stepped onto the lower level of the tourist attraction.

Cait shook her head. “Maybe later. There are too many sights to see.”

“Speaking of sights, that reminds me.”

Dylan turned abruptly, and Cait stumbled to a stop. “What is it?”

He held up a hand to her. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”

Cait did as he asked and watched as Dylan walked to a counter along one wall. He spoke to the girl there and was handed a white envelope. After swiping a card and signing his receipt, Dylan headed back to her side.

Cait cocked her head at him. “What did you buy?”

Dylan waved the envelope toward her. “Do you want to see our pic?”

Cait laughed at his excited expression. “You’re such a tourist.”

“I can’t help it. Photographs excite me.” Dylan pulled out a five-by-eight glossy of the two of them, the picture they’d taken in front of a green screen right after purchasing their tickets to go up to the observation deck.

Cait leaned her head in close and eyed the picture in his hand. Dylan looked fantastic as usual, while she looked terrible. “Ugh, I take horrible photos.”

“What are you talking about? You look great.”

“My eyes are all squinty.” Cait pointed with a slim finger. “And I have a weird smile. It’s all crooked.”

“Your smile is not weird. It gives you character.”

Cait smacked his arm. “Stop blowing smoke up my ass.”

Dylan gave her a look so scorching hot, she feared she would burst into flames. Although he didn’t say it, Cait could tell he wanted to say something perverted in response. Her thighs tightened as his lips parted in a wide, sexy grin.

She narrowed her eyes and shook her finger at him. “No. Don’t even say it. I know what you’re thinking.”

His grin widened farther. “Trust me, you don’t.”

“Yes, I do. You’re such a perv.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “It seems I’m not the only one.”

Cait wasn’t sure how much more of his teasing she could take. She was in a delicate state, jolted by a bad break-up and fighting a long-standing attraction for her best friend. She was in Vegas for the first time ever, and her natural proclivity toward adventurousness tempted her to step over the edge and give in to her desire.

She plucked the photo from Dylan’s fingers and stuffed it back into the envelope. She slapped it against his chest. “Come on, Romeo. Let’s go find some trouble to get into.”

“That’s what I am trying to do.” Dylan leaned in close to whisper to her. “You know, find something to get into?”

A shaft of pure desire stabbed her, but she didn’t even blink an eye in reaction. She headed for the exit without waiting to see if he followed.

He did, of course.

It was a short walk to the parking garage. The wind had picked up, but it was not as chilly as it had been on top of the tower. The hem of Cait’s dress fluttered, exposing more of her thighs than she would like, so she held it down with both hands.

Dylan noticed her predicament and, being the male he was, chuckled. “Giving everyone a show, Cait?”

“You picked this short dress out on purpose didn’t you?”

Dylan’s amusement increased. “Of course I did. You have nice legs.”

Cait was flattered, but she was not about to let him off the hook. “It would serve you right if I let it fly up over my head.”

His caramel eyes darkened. “Yes, that would be such a shame.”

Cait’s breath caught in the back of her throat. It had been fun to flirt with him a few minutes ago when they had been surrounded by others. Now, they were in a deserted parking garage. There was no one to stop her from throwing herself at him.

The click of her heels on the pavement echoed off the cement walls as she increased her pace.

It was not Dylan she ran from, but her reaction to him.

* * * *

The coaster at New York-New York roared past the small group waiting their turn to ride.

A blast of wind whipped past him, and Dylan’s gaze automatically moved to Cait, who stood at his side. Her eyes were scrunched closed as the wind blew past her.

He wanted to drape an arm around her shoulder, but he feared he would scare her away if he did so. He’d pushed her this morning. He’d seen the look in her eyes and knew she was close to caving in, but Cait was stubborn. If he pushed too hard, she would walk away.

“Are you sure you still want to do this?”

Cait’s heart-shaped face turned up to him, and her lashes fluttered open. Challenge lit her green eyes. “If you’re scared, just say so.”

“I’m not scared.” Dylan lifted his hand, caught a flyaway strand of her hair, and tucked it behind her ear. His fingers lingered near her face, and he heard Cait’s quick indrawn breath as he caressed her cheek. “Are you scared?”

Cait’s skin was baby soft. He would love to photograph her. With her dark red hair and milky complexion, the shots he captured would be stunning.

“No.” Cait stumbled over the one word.

Her wide green eyes reminded him of a nervous doe as she gazed up at him. Lush eyelashes, darkened by mascara, swept forward to hide her eyes as she looked away. “Have you ever ridden this coaster?”

Dylan hated that the moment had passed. He propped against the railing. “This will be my first time too. I haven’t ridden a coaster in years.”

“Me neither.” Cait’s forehead furrowed. “It seems faster than I thought it would be.”

“Cait, are you sure you want to ride?”

Her pert chin turned up at a haughty angle. “Yes, I’m sure.”

Dylan grinned at her false bravado. His Cait sure was stubborn. “After this, would you like to get some lunch?”

“Sure.” Cait’s hair continued to be tossed about her head by the wind. She brushed strands away from her face, but they floated right back.

He wished he had his camera with him, so he could capture this moment, the blue sky as a backdrop with Cait’s beautiful face as the focus. Why had he not thought to bring it with him?

The coaster came to a stop, and the previous riders climbed out of the cars and headed for the exit.

“Last chance, Cait. Still riding?” Dylan straightened and followed Cait onto the ride as their gate was opened.

“Of course I am.” Cait claimed the front car and strapped herself into the harness.

Dylan sat beside her and strapped in. The car was small, and their bodies were pressed close together. The floral scent of Cait’s shampoo teased his nose.

He glanced down, and his body instantly hardened. Cait’s hem was halfway up her thigh, exposing the pale length of her legs. There was a tiny freckle near her knee that intrigued him. Unlike most redheads, Cait did not have freckles on her face.

The tiny brown dot on her leg should seem out of place on her perfect body, but he adored it. He wondered if she were even aware she had it. Knowing Cait, he suspected she did. Cait was a bundle of contradictions, overlooking the flaws in others, but amplifying her own. She probably hated that freckle.

The coaster lurched forward and began the slow trek up the first hill. Dylan grabbed Cait’s hand and held on. “Are you ready?”

She tossed him a saucy grin. “For anything.”

The coaster topped the hill and hovered at the very top before it plunged down. They spoke no more as the wind rushed past them, and their car rattled down the track and started up the second hill.