Dirty (Dive Bar, #1)

by Kylie Scott

“Looks like a wedding dress,” he said quietly.

“Yes, thank you,” I told his reflection in the mirror. “For everything, I mean.” “Sure.” He almost smiled and gave a small shake of the head as if he couldn’t quite believe what was going on. Or maybe it was disbelief that he wasn’t kicking me straight back out the window through whence I’d come.

Seemed my would-have-been-neighbor was a tit man.

You’re staring at them.” His startled gaze jumped to my face. “I wouldn’t mention it, but it’s been a while now and I’m beginning to get a little uncomfortable.” “Shit,” he muttered, as realization hit. He turned his face away. “Don’t get me wrong. Since you’re probably the only one who’ll ever see me in this, it’s kind of nice to see some appreciation.

“You’ve got a killer smile,” he said, still staring.

“Guy was dating you and he didn’t want any?” “Mm-hmm.” “Does he have a dick?” “Yes, Vaughan, he has a dick.” “You sure about that?” I looked to heaven. No help was forthcoming. “It’s kind of you to think that.” He laughed, gaze sliding down to my breasts for a millisecond. “No. Just being reasonable.”

“No straight guy could stay away

from that rack,” he said quietly. “Just saying.” “Not everyone’s a tit man.” “Well, they should be,” he scoffed. “Breast is best.” I snorted, laughing a little despite myself.

“Least you finally made a friend,”

“Here,” said Vaughan, draping a checked button-up shirt over my shoulders. “Put that on.” “I thought your luggage got delayed.” “Yeah. I lied. Didn’t want you covering up.” “Ha.” I smiled. Then I stopped. “I am sorry about all this.”

“Surprised it’s still drinkable. My sister left it here years ago. It was cheap shit then, can’t imagine it’s improved.” “It’s a little rough on the palate.” “And you’re drinking straight from the bottle? Classy.” “I didn’t want to put you out by dirtying a glass.” “Kind of you.” He took a slug and winced, screwing his whole face up. “Christ, Lydia.” I sputtered out a laugh. “It’s not that bad.”

“It’s fucking awful.” “The first few mouthfuls were the hardest, it’s true. But after that, the lining of your throat goes numb. Or it’s burned away,” I hastily amended. “I’m not really sure which.”

As eyebrows went, Nell’s left one was particularly vocal.

Disclaimer: Objectifying people is wrong and stuff.

“And anyway, it’s only happened with you. I’m fine around every other rack. I can discreetly appreciate and move on. Yours are different.”

Tall, lean, and firm in all the right places, Vaughan Hewson was a girl’s wet dream. Luckily I respected him for his mind.

“You’re right, I was an asshat.” “Yeah, you were.” A little nod. “I’m going to kiss you now,” he whispered. “Oh. Okay,” I whispered back to him. I had no idea why we were whispering.

I looked down. Yes, something was definitely hardening in the front of his pants. Huh. We hadn’t even used tongue. And they said romance was dead.

Ninety-nine percent of their faces were colored black and blue. The men all looked at each other … and nothing. Absolutely nothing. They did the manly chin-tip thing then got to work. If the fight had been between women, I’m pretty sure hostilities would have carried on for months. Which just goes to prove my point regarding women being the superior species, and having more commitment to things in general. We stick.

“All good?” asked Vaughan. “All good.” I looked between him and Joe, smirking just a little. “How’s fight club going, boys?” “Can’t talk about it,” mumbled Joe.

Who knew? And, turns out, I didn’t care. Yep, my level of fucks given had definitely dropped. Go, me.

“Vaughan is … he’s awesome. And it’s not just the hot body and his whole tattooed rocker bad-ass vibe. Because let me tell you, most of the time the man is a total pussycat. The sweetest guy I’ve ever met. Loyal and supportive, open-minded, totally trustworthy.

“Something you need to know,” he said. “Before tonight.” “What’s that?” “I put out on the first date,”

“I mean … it would have been so awkward if you expected me to respect you for your mind or something. Yikes, how embarrassing. Between you and me, I’m really only interested in getting into your pants.” The corner of his mouth twitched. “I’m sure you’re a nice guy and all but, priorities, you know?”

My hand somehow

managed to curve over his ass as he turned away. There may have been a subtle squeeze involved. Like a girl could always be held responsible for what her fingers did. Please. “I felt that.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I like you.” He leaned closer, almost bringing our mouths together. “Question is, do you like me?” “You’re my favorite person on the planet,” I told him honestly. “I am?” “Yes.”

Then he went down on one knee, picked up one of my feet and eased off the very sensible black flat I’d been wearing all day. Excellent, my foot odor would knock him dead. Very sexy.

“It’s staying on.” “But atmosphere!” “Babe.” He caught my hand, kissing my knuckles. “It’s staying on.”

His head almost, but not quite, level with my breasts. Lips an unimpressed line, he stared at my stomach. Fair enough. My belly didn’t do much for me either. Not that I’d put a ban on cheesecake and start jogging. Let’s not go crazy.

“Do not make me fuck you against this door, Lydia.” Everything inside me squeezed tight. “God, that sounds good. Let’s do that.” “Shit.”

Sweat slicked our skins and the

sounds of our panting filled the room. In all honesty, we were kind of feral. Animalistic. Definitely dirty.

“You went straight to sleep.” “I know,” I said. “But it’d been a very long day and I’d just come hard enough to cause myself actual neurological damage.” Another grunt.

groaned. “Well, whatever you’re doing, cut it out. I need you at the bar.” “What? No,” I said, voice panicky. “I can’t. I have the black plague.” “Good one,” murmured Vaughan, moving ever closer to where I wanted him. Needed him.

“I didn’t like you trying to hide parts of yourself from me.” Vaughan stared at the wall. “I’m not like that asshole, picking and choosing which bits of you suit him and expecting you to change the rest. I’m into you, Lydia. All of you.”

Crazy obviously came from the head and the loins.

crazy part was shouting “ooh look, it’s Vaughan, he’s so pretty and shiny and makes you feel good” and “jump on the man, for fuck’s sake.” And that part was much, much louder. Crazy was

a bit of a whore, god bless her.

“Is it the penis that makes you all such abhorrent

shitheads? It must be. That bit of anatomy is the one real point of universal commonality between you all, isn’t it?”

“I’m not sure making someone perform oral sex should be used as a method of punishment. The ethics are a bit icky.”

“Babe, licking your pretty pussy is a treat. Not getting a piece of you afterward is the punishment.” I laughed. “Treat. A piece of me. You make me sound like pie.”

But if it’s an awesome book, however, a hot one? Well then … kinky fuckery like you wouldn’t believe, man. The ideas Pumpkin has gotten out of some of those books. Gold. I could never have talked her into trying half of that stuff.” “Huh.” “Trust me, never mock a romance book,” said Mal with all the zest of a manic street preacher. “You have no idea the amount of good they can do for you between the sheets and on the streets. If you love your girl? Buy her books.”