Chapter Fifteen
Izzy woke up with a heavy weight on her chest. Had she overdone it at the studio yesterday? Nope. That delicious weight was attached to a warm body. A warm body that had made love to her over and over last night.
When Tanner had first turned on the light, she’d immediately been reminded of every negative insult to come out of Erik’s mouth, every berating word about how her boobs were too big and her waist too thick. But Tanner banished those feelings with his touch and she finally believed she was as beautiful as he said she was.
She snuggled back into Tanner, and his hand tightened around her waist. His erection thickened against her ass, and she wiggled. Just a little. Sure, she was teasing him, but it was so much fun. She’d never woken up in the arms of a man. Erik had never wanted to snuggle, his need to be dominant in their relationship transferring into their sleeping arrangements.
She stretched and felt a soreness between her legs. Memories of their night together flooded her mind. She had fallen asleep after their first time, only to be awoken by Tanner later with one hand on her breast and the other working its way down her belly. Once he knew she was awake, he slid into her from behind. He thrust slowly, his body surrounding hers as he made love to her while holding her like she was fragile and precious. He’d come with a deep groan and had fallen back to sleep by the time her breathing had returned to normal.
The next time had been all her. She’d wanted to explore his body without any interruption. She’d carefully traced each muscle and ripple, her fingers brushing over the sprinkling of hair that covered his pecs, working her way toward the trail of hair that led down to his groin. She’d been so focused on his chest that she hadn’t seen his erection grow. How she could miss that, she wasn’t sure. She didn’t feel him stir, hadn’t known he was awake, until he flipped her onto her back and was inside her before she could catch her breath. It was hard and fast, and she loved every minute of it. He was no less loving and caring with her than he had been the previous two times.
Remembering last night with Tanner, combined with the feel of his erection on her ass and his hands across her belly, had desire building deep in her gut. She rolled her hips into Tanner, and his hand cupped her breast, his fingers brushing her nipple until it grew almost painful. She clenched the muscles in her core as her arousal built. It had only been one night, and Tanner already knew how to play her like a finely-tuned instrument. His other hand slid down her belly, and—
Freddie started barking on the other side of the door. He never begged her to get up and feed him, and he had his doggie door if he needed to go out. His insistent yipping could only mean one thing.
Someone was here.
She sighed and sank back into the mattress. Tanner sucked the skin at the base of her neck. “What’s wrong.”
“I think one of my siblings is here.”
“Ignore them. Maybe if you don’t say anything, they’ll go away.”
“It doesn’t work like that. They seem to think that—”
“Izzy!” The muffled sound of her name reached her ears. Yep, Justin had walked right into her house. Again. Had he not even noticed the strange car parked outside? Or did he not care? It was probably the latter. No, scratch that. He’d probably rushed inside when he realized she had a guest. “That’s my brother, Justin.”
Tanner groaned and thumped his head on her back. “So much for keeping this between ourselves for a little longer.”
She laughed. “I think we blew that out of the water the minute I had dinner at your house last night.”
“Yeah, probably.”
Izzy lifted his arm and slid out from under him. What she wouldn’t give to stay in the cocoon that surrounded the two of them here in her bed. But if she didn’t come out, she wouldn’t put it past Justin to barge into her bedroom. Geez, it was like growing up, when none of them had any privacy.
She flexed and stretched her knee deliberately. If she stood too fast, she’d find herself on the floor and spending most of the day laid up.
“Izzy!” Damn, her brother was insistent.
“Just a minute, Justin!” She turned back to Tanner. “Sorry about that. I don’t know what’s up with him today. Walking in unannounced is par for the course, but usually he’ll just drink my coffee and eat breakfast out of my refrigerator until I come out.”
“It’s no problem.” He propped up on his elbow, the sheet pooling at his waist and barely covering the erection that she was regretfully leaving unattended. “Is your knee hurting today?”
“Not really. This is normal. It gets stiff while I’m sleeping.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think about that last night.”
“It was nothing you did.” She smirked at him, memories of last night flooding her mind. “If anything, you kept it moving and limber… more than once.”
He waggled his eyebrows. “I aim to please. I’m happy to help you exercise your knee anytime.”
She swatted at his bare chest. “Behave.” Once she had her knee beneath her, she grabbed her silk kimono and pulled it on. What she wouldn’t give to drop the robe and climb back into bed with Tanner. But not with Justin hovering outside her door. But she wouldn’t leave before she had one more kiss. “Feel free to go back to sleep. I don’t know how long it will take me to get rid of Justin.”
She made her way to the door and turned back one last time.
Tanner had tucked his hands behind his head, and an easy smile graced his lips as he stared at her.
“What?”
“Just looking at my beautiful girlfriend in that sexy robe with her ass practically hanging out.”
Izzy grabbed at the hem. Okay, maybe it was a little short. She snatched a pair of leggings out of the dresser and tugged them on just as Justin bellowed again. “Izzy!”
She pulled her bedroom door closed behind her and hurried down the hall into the kitchen. “Hold your horses, I’m here.”
Justin’s backside was poking out of the open refrigerator. “Are you out of cream?”
“Are you kidding me? You’re screaming at me because I don’t have any cream for your coffee?”
He shut the fridge and leaned against it, grinning. “No, I’m yelling down the hall because you’ve got someone over. I am your big brother—it’s my job to scare the crap out of anyone who likes you.”
Izzy smacked him on the shoulder. “I’m not in high school anymore.”
“No, but I’m going to make sure no one hurts you like Erik did.”
Dammit. How could she stay mad at him when he said something like that? She wrapped her arms around him and he rested his head on hers. For all her complaining, she had missed her siblings while she lived in New York, only able to come home for brief visits between shows. She loved being able to see them more often, although she wouldn’t choose early on a Saturday morning after a long night with Tanner.
She poured herself a cup of coffee and perched on one of the barstools in front of her island. The heat of the liquid warmed her face as she inhaled the delicious scent. The first sip exploded on her tongue and immediately set her world right. Her caffeine addiction was a byproduct of sixteen-hour rehearsals, seven days a week.
Justin didn’t say anything while he sipped his own. He knew better than to get between her and a good cup of coffee.
She opened her mouth to ask him about his early morning appearance when footsteps echoed down the hall. Of course Tanner didn’t heed her suggestion. There wasn’t enough coffee in the world to prepare her for this introduction. She barely whispered, “Behave,” before Tanner entered the kitchen. His dark T-shirt hugged every hill and valley of that chest that she’d explored last night. Not an ounce of fat on his body—she could attest to that. And those jeans didn’t leave much to the imagination either, wrapping around his ass and thighs. Just looking at him had her mouth watering, and wanting to drag him back down the hall, to hell with what Justin needed.
But Tanner clearly had other ideas. He strode across the room like it was the most natural thing and held out his hand. “Tanner Ross. You must be Izzy’s brother.”
Justin eyed the offering suspiciously before taking it, holding it much too long as his glare bored into Tanner. “Justin Harper.”
Tanner stared at Justin for a minute longer and then rounded the island. He popped a kiss on her lips and whispered, “I think I’ll be going. Text me later.”
Tension poured off Justin in waves. She got that her brother was protective, but she wasn’t about to contribute to a display of testosterone between her brother and her boyfriend. “Grab a cup of coffee before you head out. I have travel mugs in the cabinet.”
“That’s okay. I’ll pick up a cup at Secrets on the way home.” He leaned in so his mouth hovered over her ear. “I had a great time last night.” He then headed toward the door. “Nice to meet you, Justin.”
Izzy’s face heated and she covered her cheeks. She heard Tanner say something else and then the door close. A minute later, Serena ambled into the kitchen. As if he’d sensed Serena’s arrival, Freddie burst through the doggie door and skittered across the floor to her feet.
“Hey, sweetie.” Serena scratched between Freddie’s ears and then laughed as he circled between her legs. It was like he was thanking her for rescuing him every time she came over. After Serena gave Freddie his love, she poured her own cup of coffee and climbed onto the stool beside Izzy.
Izzy listened for Tanner’s engine to start and his car to pull out of the drive. Then she glared daggers at her brother. “Did you really have to do that?”
She loved her siblings, but moving home did not give them carte blanche to stick their noses into her life.
He barely raised his head from his coffee. “What? I didn’t do anything.”
“You know exactly what you did.”
“Ooh, this is going to be good. I’m glad I stopped by.” Serena rubbed her hands together.
Justin acted like he hadn’t heard Serena. “Well, when I find my sister shacking up with some guy, I’m gonna say something.”
“I think he’s yummy.” Serena drank her coffee as if they were talking about the weather and not the man who had spent the night in Izzy’s bed.
“You’re not helping here, Serena,” Justin said, but his features had softened and his hand had relaxed on his coffee cup.
Izzy took another sip and gave her heart a second to slow down. It wouldn’t have been how she’d chosen to introduce them, but at least now they’d met. Besides, based on how Justin looked right now, harsh words might push him over the edge. “So, what’s going on?”
The easy smile on his face fell, and he dropped his gaze to the cup in his hand. Poor Justin. Things with Maddie didn’t appear to be improving. She couldn’t imagine how stressful it was in their house right now.
“I’m not sure how much longer I can do this, Izzy. She’s become obsessed. Daily tracking, taking her temperature, calling me at work to come home because it has to be right now. God, I don’t even want to make love with my wife anymore. Who says that? Who feels that way? And when do we say enough? We want more kids, but not like this. I miss my wife.” He raked his hand through his hair and huffed out a breath.
Izzy didn’t know what to say to him, the pain and desperation pouring off him in waves. “Have you tried counseling? Maybe that would help.”
“She doesn’t want to talk to anyone. She doesn’t think anything’s wrong. Add to it what’s going on with the revelation about Dad, and I’ve about had it.”
Serena rounded the island and wrapped her arms around their brother. “I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I wish I knew what to say to make you feel better, to make this all go away.”
Izzy had always envied her sister’s empathetic nature and gentle heart. It was probably why Serena was the perfect person to run an animal shelter. She couldn’t stand to see anyone, especially animals, suffering. Izzy had been like that once. But Dad’s constant harping on her success combined with the months and years of Erik’s emotional abuse had left her bitter and jaded.
Not that her heart didn’t break for Justin.
Izzy hadn’t been able to find a way to soothe herself during all of her miserable times so she offered the only thing she had. “Do you think it would help for you to take a breather? You can stay here for a while if you want.”
He shook his head. “I love her. I do. I can’t imagine life without Maddie. That’s why this is so hard. I try everything to make her feel better, but I’m always saying the wrong thing. I’m not ready to throw in the towel yet. There has got to be something else I can do. Maybe I will call a counselor.”
“Tanner has counselors at the teen center he runs. Maybe I can ask him for a referral.”
“I don’t want anyone else to know this shit, Izzy.” The tone of Justin’s voice surprised her and demonstrated exactly why this was a good idea.
“He won’t know why I’m asking. I’ll see what I can find out.” She circled the island and wrapped her arms around both Serena and Justin. They reciprocated until they stood there in a big huddle in her kitchen.
Serena pulled back. “So, tell me about that sexy man who just walked out of your house. I want all the details.”
Justin snatched his keys off the counter. “That’s my cue. No way do I want to hear about my sister’s sex life.”
She threw an innocent look at her brother. “What makes you think we’re talking about sex?”
He raised his eyebrows and motioned toward her robe.
Okay, maybe she could have thrown on a shirt, and maybe Tanner should have stayed in her room until Serena and Justin left, but she was finally happy, and she wasn’t going to hide that.
“Catch you guys later. And thanks. I don’t know what I’d do without the family right now.” He headed toward the door but turned back to mouth Thank You to Izzy before exiting.
She nodded.
The door had barely slammed behind Justin before Serena asked again. “Now spill, sis, I want to hear all the details.”
Her face heated again at the thought of what she and Tanner had done last night. Damn fair skin. Served her well on the stage but betrayed every emotion otherwise.
“Oh man, that good, huh?”
She fanned her face. “Oh yeah, that good. I, um, I just… I don’t know what to say. It was different than it’s ever been before.” In more ways than one. She’d been humiliated to admit to Tanner that she’d never had an orgasm during sex, but he’d said exactly the right thing and then demonstrated over and over that there was nothing wrong with her. “Can I tell you something?”
Serena climbed back on the stool and patted the one beside her. “Sure. What’s going on?”
Izzy opened her mouth and then closed it again. She just wasn’t comfortable discussing these things with other people. But if she couldn’t talk to her sister, then who?
All the while, Serena said nothing. Izzy appreciated the minute to collect her thoughts. “With Erik, I, uh, it’s just that I never, um…”
Serena furrowed her brows for a minute… and then her eyes widened. “You never had an orgasm with Erik. What in the hell was wrong with him?”
Izzy laughed at the bluntness of Serena’s response. She should have expected no less from her sister. “I kinda thought, you know, that I just wasn’t good enough—”
“No way. That was all on the bastard, as it appears that Tanner so aptly demonstrated last night, huh?”
“Yeah, he did. Multiple times.”
“Good for you, sis.” Serena settled into her seat like she wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. It wasn’t like Izzy had anything planned for today, anyway.
“He was unbelievable. He said he was taking care of me first. And he did. I didn’t think I could ever feel that way. But he made it so, I don’t know, easy. It was like I’d known him for a lot longer than a few weeks. I wasn’t nervous about him seeing my body or criticizing that I’d gained weight.”
“Erik said those things to you?”
Izzy nodded.
“I can’t believe the asshole did that. Who does he think he is, Mr. Charming or something? What was wrong with him?”
Izzy laughed. It had taken her a long time to overcome the unhealthy obsession with her weight. It wasn’t uncommon for dancers to have issues with managing their bodies. The pressure to be thin was widely prevalent. She had enough issues on her own, but Erik’s comments had fueled her disorder. He’d said it was for her own good—that she could leap higher and hang longer if she lost a few more pounds. He’d actually praised her when her ribs became prominent. What was wrong with him was right. She’d already come to realize the damage she was doing to her body before her accident, and that fueled Erik’s anger even more. But she’d put those thoughts, as well as Erik, behind her… and she was never going back.
She had a good life here and a new relationship that had her heart racing at the mere thought of seeing Tanner. She had never felt that way with Erik. With him, it was all about the company and what they could do as the principal couple. It had little to do with real feelings. She didn’t understand that at the time, but being away from him, and meeting Tanner, had shown her exactly how dysfunctional that relationship had been.
She wrapped her arm around Serena and pulled her to her side. “Thanks, sis. I knew I could count on you.”
“I aim to please.” Serena finished off her coffee and carried the mug to the sink.
“Is there some reason you came by?”
“Nope. I was out for a run and saw Justin’s car and another strange one in the drive. I figured you might need a referee. Or at least a spectator. I didn’t expect to get a glimpse of the main attraction. I’ll have to find me one of those.”
“Well, keep your hands to yourself. This one’s mine.”