Free A Hot Mess by Christy Gissendaner Page B

hand around her wrist. She pouted and tried to work her hand free. She gave up after about ten seconds of struggle. “Okay, fine, Mr. Bossy. What do we need to do?”
    “How does Paris sound to you?”

Chapter 6
    It was late afternoon when they reached the replica of the Eiffel Tower. Couples strolled hand in hand, and the tourist attraction was filled with flower vendors.
    Valentine’s Day in Paris, what could be more romantic unless he actually flew Cait to Europe? It was something Dylan would love to do one day. He knew she would love touring the historic sites and museums.
    Dylan glanced at Cait, who stood with her head tilted back to view the tower. Her red hair spilled across her shoulders, and the afternoon sunshine gilded it with gold highlights.
    He loved her hair. Hell, he loved her . He’d never guessed she would be so responsive in bed. He’d known she would be good, but he’d been surprised by just how good she was. His cock ached with unfulfilled desire, but he’d made her come. That was what was important. His pleasure would come later.
    Dylan sought to get her attention. “Do you want to go up?”
    Cait considered the idea. Her lips pursed, and her eyes scrunched up at the corners. Finally she shook her head. “Nah, we don’t have to. I think I’ve had enough heights today. I would prefer to stay here, and listen to the music.”
    A quartet of musicians was setting up not far from where they stood. An idea came to him.
    Dylan held up his finger. “I’ll be right back.”
    While Cait was absorbed in soaking in the sights, Dylan strode to an older lady who was selling single wrapped roses from a large basket she carried. Dylan ordered a white rose and paid, thanking the woman, before going back to Cait’s side.
    He held the rose behind his back, knowing what he did was cliché, but it seemed like the perfect thing to do.
    He snuck up behind Cait and tapped her on the shoulder. She spun around, and he held out the rose. The look on her face was priceless. Her green eyes sparkled, and her mouth formed a rounded o of surprise.
    Cait accepted the rose and gave him a brilliant smile. “You remembered my favorite color!”
    “I remember everything.” Dylan smiled to let her know he was teasing, but it was true. He knew almost everything about Cait, yet he wanted more of her.
    Cait sniffed the rose and hummed with apparent pleasure. “Thank you, Dylan. It was sweet of you.”
    There was that word again. Sweet .
    He feared she still saw him as her childhood buddy, despite everything they’d done in her hotel room. He could tell her intention was to sleep with him and then go back to how it was. Dylan knew it wouldn’t be possible. Now that he’d had a taste of her, he would never be able to go back to just friends. Not that it had ever been just friends to him anyway.
    The musicians struck up the beginning chords of a waltz. A memory came to him, and he smiled. Cait’s eyes met his, and she smiled as if she remembered as well.
    “Miss Kate’s dance class!” they said in unison.
    They’d been freshman in high school, and one of their overzealous history teachers had taught the students the Viennese waltz. It had been fifteen years since the class, but Dylan thought he remembered the steps.
    He held his hand out to Cait. “May I have this dance?”
    Cait took his hand, and her fingers trembled within his grasp. “I was never very good at this dance.”
    “That’s just because you had Paul for a partner.”
    Dylan had been consumed by jealousy watching Cait spend an entire week in the quarterback’s arms, even though Paul had been one of his good friends. Now all these years later he would finally get the chance to dance with her as he’d wanted to back then.
    He came forward and put his hand on her waist. Cait placed her hand on his shoulder. They waited for the count and then swept forward into the dance. They twirled and swayed in time to the music.
    Cait’s face was lit with happiness.