Chapter Fourteen
The movie credits scrolled across the screen, but Tanner didn’t move. He stayed exactly where he was, basking in the perfection of this moment for a bit longer. His daughter was sprawled on the floor, her breathing deep and calm, and the woman he was quickly falling for was asleep on his shoulder. He hated to wake Izzy but he needed to put Hayley to bed.
And Izzy regretfully had to go home. But hopefully she wouldn’t be going home alone.
Tanner shook her gently. “Izzy, wake up.”
She moaned and the sound shot straight to his groin. It had been torture sitting here with Izzy’s sweet perfume filling his senses and her soft body pressed against him for the entire movie. She didn’t wake up, though. She snuggled closer to him. What he wouldn’t give to have this scene every night. To spend time together as a family and then make love with Izzy and fall asleep with her beside him.
Whoa. Where did that thought come from? He’d sworn after Vanessa that he wasn’t getting serious with another woman. Not as long as Hayley was still young. But she seemed to be happy about his dating Izzy. When he’d warned his daughter in advance that Izzy was coming to dinner, the whoops and hollers told him all he needed to know.
And he was sure he interrupted a conversation between the girls when he walked into the room. He wanted Izzy and Hayley to build a relationship outside of dance, as long as it didn’t jeopardize their bond in class.
Hayley had come out of her shell so much in the past few weeks, and Izzy was a big part of that. But no relationship was worth risking his daughter’s happiness.
He nudged Izzy again, and she raised her eyes slowly. Is this how she woke up after a night making love. Maybe he’d have a chance to see that for himself—soon.
She stretched her hands above her head, her T-shirt straining across her breasts and exposing a small patch of skin at her waist. “I guess I missed the movie, huh?”
When she saw where his gaze had landed, she snickered and tugged her T-shirt down. Busted again. He couldn’t help that seeing that tempting creaminess made him want to explore her entire body.
He helped her sit up. “No worries. Just let me put Hayley to bed, and then I’ll take you home.”
“I drove myself. You don’t need to take —”
He put his finger to her lips. “Not up for discussion.” He jumped up and scooped his daughter into his arms. A minute later, Izzy padded behind him. He carried Hayley into her room and stepped over toys and dolls to get to her rumpled bed. As much as he complained about the mess, it was as much as part of Hayley as anything else. He laid his daughter’s head down on her pillow and tucked the covers up to her chin. Her blond curls framed her face, and she looked like an angel. His angel. How’d he get so lucky?
He leaned down and pressed his lips to Hayley’s forehead. “Night, Princess.”
She whispered, “Night night, Daddy,” but didn’t open her eyes.
After one last look at his sleeping daughter, he eased out of the room, his hand wrapped around Izzy’s smaller, softer one. He pulled Hayley’s door closed and then glanced at Mary’s, left slightly open. He’d gotten so lucky when he found her. Not many people would take on a single father with a daughter, but Mary had moved in and given his family the support he was so desperate for.
He led Izzy down the hall and grabbed his keys off the front table.
“You really don’t have to drive me home.”
“Oh, yes, I do. Mary already knows that I’m leaving with you. Hayley doesn’t wake up at night. Besides, you’re tired. I don’t want you falling asleep on the way home.”
“I’m not tired anymore. I had a nap.” She raised her eyebrows, and his cock hardened painfully. They had to get out of here before he took her right here on the couch.
“Enough of that.” He hurried her out the door and down the steps.
“How am I going to get my car?”
“I’ll bring you back in the morning.” Now it was his turn to waggle his eyebrows, and she laughed.
“A bit presumptuous, aren’t we?”
He couldn’t stand it any longer. Those sassy lips had tempted him all night. He yanked her toward him and crashed his mouth down on hers. She came willingly, her body pressed against his as their tongues tangled. She tasted of garlic and butter and something he would forever on associate with Izzy.
When she ground her hips into his, he couldn’t suppress the groan that built deep in his gut.
They were shrouded in darkness, and it was just the two of them. Alone. But they weren’t alone. Someone could drive by. A neighbor could peek out the window. He broke the kiss and set her back from him.
She yanked her keys out of her purse. “How about I drive and you follow me home? Then you don’t have to bring me back in the morning, and Hayley won’t wonder why my car is here.”
She was probably right. Mary was taking Hayley to the aquarium in the morning, but Izzy’s car in the driveway would bring up questions he wasn’t ready to explain to his eight-year-old daughter. As much as he loathed to let Izzy go, even for a few minutes, following her home made sense. “Good idea.”
He took one more kiss before escorting her to the driver’s door. She climbed in, her long legs tempting him as she hung out the opening. They needed privacy. And a bed. Fast.
Thank God she didn’t live far away. He didn’t know how much longer he could last before having her beneath him.
He stayed right on her tail the entire time, the red lights the only illumination on the pitch-black roads. Every once in a while, she would wave to him in the rearview mirror, and he would flash his lights.
Was she as aroused as he was? Was she thinking of how many ways they could make love? If her mind was racing as much as his, it was a wonder either of them could keep their cars on the road.
Izzy’s blinker finally flashed and she turned into the drive that wound to her cottage. He’d have to make sure he left before her mother got up in the morning. That was all he needed, her mother eyeing him from across the yard as he crept out of Izzy’s house.
He climbed out of his car. When he extended his hand, she took it and they walked into her house as though it was a daily occurrence. But her fingers trembled. Just slightly. He squeezed her hand. “Are you okay?”
“Oh, yeah. I just want to…”
She stepped into the house and once he joined her, she pushed the door closed and shoved him against it. Her hands were everywhere, stoking the fire that had been burning for her since the day they met. Her tongue plunged into his mouth, and he stroked it while his hands trailed down her back. When he reached her waist, he slid his hands under her loose T-shirt, his fingers smoothing along the soft skin.
Something brushed against his leg, and he jumped. “What the heck was that?”
She chuckled. “Freddie!” She bent down and picked up a Jack Russel terrier, his tongue licking at Izzy as fast as it could.
Tanner scratched the dog’s head. “You told me about him, but I’d forgotten.”
“Sorry. Freddie comes to greet me every time I walk through the door.” She sat the dog down and motioned toward the kitchen. “Bed.”
Tanner could swear the dog hung his head. Who could blame him? He’d feel the same if Izzy was dismissing him. But Freddie hurried out of the room, anyway.
She laid her hands on Tanner’s chest, the heat of her touch spreading out, consuming him.
He gripped her hips, refocusing after the interruption. “Now, where were we?”
“How about we take this somewhere a little more private?”
Now she was talking. He nodded, words of love stuck in his throat. She led him down a short hallway into her bedroom. As soon as the door was closed, she spun into his arms. He tangled his fingers in her hair, letting the soft strands fall over his hands as he lowered his head. It was just a gentle touch, a brush of lips, but a jolt shot through him, landing straight in his groin.
She pressed her body to his, her hands clawing at his back. But he wouldn’t be rushed. They had all night, and he intended to take full advantage of the time. Izzy deserved to be savored, to be worshiped. Tanner didn’t know what had happened with her ex in New York, but he was an idiot to let her go. He wasn’t complaining. That guy’s loss was Tanner’s gain.
He nipped at her lower lip and soothed the spot with his tongue. She melted into him, and he pulled her against him, walking her backwards toward the bed. The only light in the room was the moon streaming through the window, but that wasn’t good enough for him. He wanted to see every inch of her.
After her knees hit the bed, he laid her back and reached for the lamp.
Her hand covered his. “Leave it off.”
“Nuh-uh. I want to see you.”
He flipped on the lamp, the soft light washing Izzy in warmth. For a minute, he stared at the woman sprawled on the bed. His eyes trailed down her body, over her perfect breasts to the nip of her waist, across the curve of her hips and down her long, sculpted, sexy legs. He couldn’t wait to have those legs wrapped around him as he drove into her.
But first things first. He pulled each of her boots off, dropping them behind him. Her socks came next. Then he pressed a kiss to the ball of her foot. There was so much of Izzy to explore.
She squirmed. “I hate my feet. Too many hours in pointe shoes.”
“Every inch of you is perfect.” He kissed the other one and slid up her body, running his hands along her calves and thighs, brushing over her core briefly before moving to her waist. He’d spend plenty of time there later, but for now, there were other parts of Izzy he was interested in.
He slid her T-shirt up just enough to expose the swath of skin above her jeans. That patch that had been driving him wild for days. He leaned over, and his tongue circled her naval, licking the skin of her belly. Yep, her skin tasted sweet.
She twitched. That’s right—she was ticklish. He nuzzled her belly and rested his hands on her hips. She squirmed and clenched her muscles. As much as he was enjoying watching her, he had more important things to attend to—like her breasts, the perfect globes begging for his touch. He tugged her shirt higher until he exposed the small, lacy triangles of her bra.
“Perfect.” He pressed an open-mouthed kiss to one breast through the fabric and then slid over to the other.
She grabbed her T-shirt, and he helped her pull it over her head. A minute later, his joined hers on the floor and he pulled her back to him. Her skin felt so good against his.
She rubbed her covered breasts against his chest, and his skin prickled. As much as he wanted to savor this feeling, he couldn’t wait a minute longer to feel her breasts. He laid her back and ran his hands to the latch of her bra, and released it. The fabric fell to the sides and her breasts sprang free, nipples taut and begging for attention.
She moved her arms to cover herself, a foreign emotion swirling in her eyes.
He leaned over, her hands trapped between them, and slid his lips over hers. “You have nothing to hide from me. You’re beautiful.”
Her lashes lowered, but she fought the impulse and locked her gaze with his.
He eased her hands off her body and then pressed his chest to hers, her nipples brushing against him, as he lowered his lips. But this time, he trailed a path of kisses down her cheek to her ear, loving how she squirmed beneath him as he licked the smooth skin. He sucked the lobe in between his lips and smiled as she moaned, her anxiety apparently gone.
“God, you’re exquisite.” As he kissed down her neck, his hand slid up her body and cupped her breast, the mound soft and perfect. He thumbed her nipple and felt it harden. She was so responsive, and every touch of her skin on his had arousal building in his gut. But he wasn’t going to rush this. He planned to relish every moment with her.
He slid his lips down and sucked a stiff bud into his mouth. He circled one nipple as he stroked the other into a tight nub and then sucked that nub into his mouth. Damn, he could spend all night feasting on her breasts. But the rest of her beautiful body called to him.
He released her nipple and licked his way down her belly. Her fingers dug into the covers as she thrust her hips. He chuckled and rested his hand on her waist. Heat poured off of her in waves as a sheen of moisture formed on her body. He loved that he had that effect on her.
When he reached her jeans, he popped the button and lowered the zipper. Every inch of exposed skin had his cock thickening, until he spied the pink panties below. He lifted his eyes to watch her. Her eyes were closed and her head was thrown back, her lips parted as she drew in shallow breaths. Her beauty on any given day astounded him, but seeing her giving herself over to him completely overwhelmed him.
He pressed a kiss to the skin he exposed above her panties and then slid his hands into the waist of her jeans. The round globes of her ass tempted him, but he had other plans. A minute later, the denim joined their other clothes on the floor. She now lay sprawled on her bed with only a small scrap of fabric covering her beautiful body. But that was still too much.
As he pulled her panties off, she lifted her head to stare at him, her eyelids heavy and her lips swollen from his kisses. His eyes made a slow trip down her body, over her breasts pinked from his attention, to her flat belly and her rounded hips, past the patch of curls the same shade of honey as her hair.
Her knee bore the scars of her injury and surgery and he soothed his tongue over the faded pink lines. Her injury may have ended her career in New York, but it had also brought her to him.
“Tanner, please.” Her voice had taken on a pleading sound.
“Please what? I need to hear you say it.”
She stretched her arms out to him. “I need you.”
Her words lit a fire in him and his cock grew even harder. He shed his own jeans and boxers, grabbing a condom from his wallet and throwing it beside Izzy. Her eyes widened as his cock stretched out, begging to be inside her. He sucked in a deep breath and gritted his teeth. Not yet.
He climbed back onto the bed and covered her body with his. Skin-to-skin. With nothing between them, they came together, thigh to thigh, hip to hip, and breast to chest. She fit against him perfectly, her soft curves cradling him. “For as long as you’ll have me.”
She stretched up and pressed her lips to his as her hands stroked his back, her fingers digging into his ass. The delicious pain of her nails in his skin had his cock thickening.
It was as though she couldn’t get close enough to him. He knew the feeling all too well.
He thrust his hand between her thatch of curls, her dampness coating him as he slid a single finger inside her. She gasped and pressed into the bed as he circled her core. With each stroke, her breathing grew more ragged and her body tensed.
She reached between them, wrapped her hand around him and squeezed. He couldn’t take much of that. This was about her. She was going to come at least once before he’d even consider being inside her.
He broke the kiss and whispered against her mouth. “Not yet. I’m too sensitive.”
She didn’t let go, but she slowed her strokes as he quickened his. He found her clit and circled it with his thumb while thrusting two fingers into her. Her hand stilled, her body stiffened, and a moan grew deep in her body. She was so close. He pumped his fingers in and out and then pinched her clit. That did it. She cried out and clutched at his back, digging her nails in while she rode out the crest. He kept his gaze locked on her face, her lips open slightly and her eyes squeezed shut. Damn, he’d thought she was beautiful before, but seeing her giving herself to him was like nothing he could imagine.
He continued to stroke until the muscles that clenched his fingers relaxed and she collapsed against the mattress. Only then did he slide his hand up her body.
He stroked her cheek until she opened her eyes and locked her gaze with his. “You’re so sexy when you come.”
Her eyes seemed to shutter, and she withdrew emotionally as she rested her arm over her face. What had he done wrong? He pulled back slightly, but kept his arm around her.
“Izzy, look at me.”
She lowered her hand and turned her head toward him. Pain and embarrassment swirled in her watery, hazel depths.
“Please… tell me.”
“It’s just that I, uh… This is so embarrassing.”
“You have nothing to be self-conscious about.” He threaded his fingers into her hair and pulled her head onto his chest. If she was uncomfortable looking at him, she didn’t have to.
“I’ve never, er, I mean that…”
Tension rolled off her in waves and it finally dawned on him what she was trying to say. “You’ve never had an orgasm before?”
“Not with a man.” She shook her head, her face still buried in his chest.
He pressed her tighter to him. He couldn’t believe it. What kind of assholes did she date in New York? He tucked his finger under her chin and leaned back so he could look her in the eye.
“Izzy, look at me. Please”
Her gaze finally locked on his.
“Did you think you couldn’t?”
“I guess… maybe. I mean, I’ve tried some things myself but… but it was nothing like that. That was… I don’t know… unbelievable.”
He brushed a kiss across her lips, his erection twitching between them. He drew in a deep breath and willed his body to calm down. This conversation was too important to be interrupted. “You have to know. There is nothing wrong with you. I mean nothing. If you’ve never had an orgasm having sex before, that just means the men you were with were all selfish assholes.”
That drew a laugh out of her. Finally, she was relaxing.
“A man should always make sure the woman is satisfied and ready before they make love. I’m sorry that you’ve never felt that kind of pleasure before, but I gotta tell you…”
Her eyes sparkled now. “What?”
“I love that I got to give you your first orgasm.”
Her fingers moved tentatively, circling his nipple. He squeezed his thighs around her. His body was strung tight. It wouldn’t take much to drive him over the edge.
And then she sucked on his nipple.
Oh God. That did it. He couldn’t stand it anymore. “Enough.” He pressed her back to the mattress and sat up. “Wait just one minute.”
He snatched the condom off the bed and ripped the wrapper. Before he could slide it on, she grabbed it out of his hand. “I want to.”
She positioned the condom at his tip and rolled it down. Slow. Very slow. Way too slow. He groaned. One look at her face, though, told him everything he needed to know. She was taking great pleasure in tormenting him. She finally reached the base of his cock and squeezed. God, her touch drove him nearly out of his mind. He closed his eyes as she slid her hand up him and then back down again, applying pressure along the way.
“Damn, that feels good.” He let her stroke him for another minute, until tension built in his gut again. He wrapped his fingers around her wrist and stilled her movements. “I want to be inside you.”
He shifted so his back was against the headboard and then positioned her facing him, her legs straddling his crotch, her body flushed from a recent orgasm and her eyes filled with desire.
He slid his fingers down her belly and stroked her intimately, making sure she was ready. It didn’t take long before her breathing shallowed, and she threw her head back. With his hands on her hips, he lifted her up and then lowered her onto him slowly, giving her a chance to adjust. Her body took him in, one excruciating inch at a time. A moan built deep in her gut and grew until he was fully seated within her.
He pulled her to him. “You feel so good around me. God, Izzy, I’m not going to last long.”
She lifted up on her knees and he slid out of her, almost completely, before she lowered herself again. They quickly found a rhythm, her body taking him in over and over. She clutched his shoulders and threw her head back, her breasts bouncing with each movement. Her muscles grabbed him tighter. She was close.
So was he. The feeling of her surrounding him, being completely together and intimate with her, was driving him over the edge. But he refused to take his own release before she came again. She deserved to know what it felt like to have an orgasm with someone, to feel him inside her as she tumbled over.
He reached between them and stroked her clit. Her gasps filled the air, her arms clinging to him as her thighs squeezed. Their bodies molded together like one. He stroked again and then pinched her. A scream escaped her lips, followed by panting as her inner muscles clenched him. A few more thrusts, keeping pressure on her clit as he finally exploded and came harder than he ever had.
He groaned and pressed their sweaty bodies together as they rode out the last waves of their orgasm.
She collapsed, her arms around his back and head on his shoulder as she caught her breath. He rested his head on hers. He couldn’t look at her yet. If he did, he was sure she’d see what he wasn’t ready for her to know—that he was falling in love with her. It was too fast, and they both had complications to work through, but how could he not love the most intriguing woman he’d ever met.