DirtyBeautiful by Jodie Becker Page A

Well, I’m gonna go home
and see if Bud is talking to me yet. See you later.”
    “Bye.”
    With that he turned away and left the house. Dreamily, Erica
worked on another batch of brownies. Still high from her orgasm, she ignored
the small voice that cautioned her attraction to Dylan. Deeming it of no
importance, she focused on the task at hand, eagerly counting down the hours
until Dylan showed up at her front door.

Chapter Five
     
    Dylan pulled his truck in one of the vacant spots on the
edge of the field. Light shone down from stadium lights rented for the
festival, a Ferris wheel and various rides spotted with little colored lights
lined the oval. Beside him sat a couple of platters of brownies and chocolate
fudge. His cab smelled like a confection shop. He glanced over at Erica in the
darkness. She wore a colorful, pleated garden-print dress with a ruffled hem
that swung becomingly just below her knees. The flower belt cinched at her
waist emphasized her curves and impressive breasts. Desire took root once more
and he shot his attention above her chest. Her eyes glittered and her hair
curled around her heart-shaped face, held back only by an elastic headband. She
looked like an earthy beauty sent to tempt man to sin. And boy did he want to
be tempted.
    He cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. “Ready?”
    She nodded and picked the plate off her lap, unaware of how
close she came to finding herself on the ground and him inside her. Dylan
sucked in a fortifying breath, his focus on the mundane to bring his erection
under control. Confident he had it all in hand, he opened his door and carried the
other trays, shutting the door with his hip. Erica walked around the vehicle
with a shy smile. He leaned down and buzzed a kiss on her lips. She was simply
too gorgeous to resist.
    Wide eyes peered up at him, the shock giving way to delight.
Silently they walked toward the front of the gate. As they drew closer the
music sharpened into specific notes. A country band sang somewhere within the
crowd and shrieks for joy overlaid the circus music that accompanied every
sideshow.
    They stopped beside the entry booth, Bill sitting inside
with a red-and-white striped vest. Dylan chuckled. “Taking it a bit far, aren’t
we, Bill?”
    Bill thumbed back his straw hat. “The kids like it. Why,
good evening, Miss Erica.”
    “Good evening. Two entry fees.”
    “Ten dollars.”
    Erica juggled her brownies and riffled through her handbag.
Dylan slipped one of his platters on the counter and pulled out his wallet. He
found the cash and handed it over. Bill winked at him and grinned. “Have a nice
time, y’all.”
    “I’ll pay you back,” Erica promised as she walked down
toward the stalls.
    “Think nothing of it.”
    They passed a fairy floss machine with kids lined up eager
to get their sweet tooth satisfied. The fellow working the machine waved at
Erica. “Hi, Miss Bracken.”
    “Hello, Rob.”
    Dylan briefly assessed the man and his handlebar moustache.
He didn’t seem like Erica’s type. He quelled the urge to preen like some
misguided rooster and instead followed Erica to a stall filled with baked
sweets like biscuits and cupcakes. The Hispanic lady behind the counter looked
up and put her book aside, her brown eyes filled with relief. “Erica, thank God
you brought your brownies. We’ve already had a few requests.”
    Erica put the platters down on the counter. “Sorry I’m late,
had a cooking disaster.”
    Dylan wanted to kiss the lovely blush on her skin. Instead
he settled for placing his hand on the small of her back.
    The woman looked at him. “You must be Dylan.”
    “I am. My reputation precedes me. I’m sorry I don’t know
your name,” he said turning on all his charm and a high-wattage smile.
    The woman giggled and swatted a hand at his statement.
“Ramona. My goodness, Erica, you didn’t tell me he was such a sweet talker.”
    Dylan stared at Erica, surprised he was a topic of
conversation for