How had Izzy come to read him so well? “She wants to ask you something tomorrow and I wanted to give you a heads-up. She says all the other girls’ moms take them shopping and for manicures, and she wanted to ask if you’d go with her.”
Izzy grew quiet on the other end of the line. He thought he heard a sniffle. He should have had this conversation in person, when he could see her face. Izzy might think she held her emotions all bottled up, but her eyes revealed everything she was afraid to say. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“You didn’t upset me. Well, kinda, but in a good way. I can’t believe she asked you that. Of course I’ll take her shopping and for a manicure. That is, if it’s okay with you. Some bonding time for the two of us outside the dance studio is a great idea.”
He did, too, and just wished he’d thought of it himself. “It’s absolutely okay. Her fears about Vanessa aside, the fact that she’s warmed up to you is a big deal. And since you’re going to be a part of my life moving forward, the two of you spending time together is important.”
“Am I? Going to be a part of your life?”
Had he moved too fast again? When had dating become so difficult? “I want you to be.”
He could hear her sigh through the phone. “Good. I want that, too. I know we agreed to take it slow, but we blew that out of the water pretty quickly.”
She could say that again. They’d gone straight from casual to serious, do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars.
“I know you were worried about damaging my relationship with Hayley as her teacher, but I think her questions show she’s ready for more. And I am, too.”
If only he had Izzy snuggled up against him, both of them laughing as they tried to stay quiet while they made love.
Her breathing hitched. “I wish I was there. Then I could show you exactly how happy this makes me.”
“Me, too.” He listened to the silence between them for a minute. “What are you wearing?”
“My dance capris and a fitted shirt. I went for a run after dinner.”
Just picturing her, her hair plastered to her face, sweat dripping between her breasts, had a twinge growing in his gut. “Sounds sexy. And what else?”
She scoffed. “Are you serious?”
“Well, since you aren’t here beside me…”
He heard a shuffling sound through the phone and then a muffled curse before Izzy spoke again. “I just climbed on the bed. It’s so hot in here.”
Her breaths shallowed, the sound reminding him of when she was about to come. That was enough to have him hard as nails. He rubbed himself, wishing it was Izzy’s hand on him. He still couldn’t believe how she took him in the shower. It was all he could do to hold off as long as he had. He sighed and stroked again. “Take your shirt off.”
A few more muffled sounds and then she came back. “That’s so much better. What are you doing now?”
“Imagining you lying on your bed, your perfect nipples getting hard as I pinch them.” Damn, just the thought of her naked beneath him had his breath hitching. What he wouldn’t give to have the real thing in front of him right now.
She gasped and a soft moan echoed through the phone. “Tell me what you’re doing to me.”
“I’m sliding down your body, rubbing my chest on your belly, on my way to taste you. I pull your pants down slowly, kissing each inch I expose until I reach the edge of your panties.” He rubbed himself harder while he imagined his words coming to life, Izzy bare and exposed in front of him.
“I like it when you do that. I’m helping you strip my panties off now.”
“You’re helping? A bit anxious, are we?” Izzy wasn’t afraid to ask for what she wanted, in bed and in life. “Are you naked yet?”
“Are you?”
“No.” He chuckled. “Did you want me to be?”
“It’s more fun being naked with someone than being naked alone, don’t you think?”
“Absolutely. Hold on a sec.” He set the phone aside while he stripped his shirt off and yanked his boxers down. He made sure the door was locked and then laid back on the bed, his cock stretching up his gut. “Are you still there?”
“Yes.” Her voice had grown deep and husky. “I’m naked, too.”
“If I close my eyes, I can see you on your bed, your hair spread on your pillow, your arms and legs welcoming me home.”
“I’m ready for you.”
His cock twitched and bounced, asking for something he couldn’t have right now. “Are you? Are you wet?”
“Yes.” She moaned. “So wet for you.”
He stroked his cock, tightening his grip and twisting, remembering Izzy’s hand on him in the shower. “I’m rubbing my cock along you, teasing your opening but not going any further.”
Her breathing grew ragged. “I need you. Please.”
“I like you begging for me. I’m thrusting my fingers inside you and you grabbed hold. Your hands are on my back, your nails digging in. I can feel you getting close.” He stroked harder and his balls clenched.
“I’m close.” Small gasps echoed in his ear as Izzy climbed toward her orgasm. “So close.”
“I’m inside you now. God, you feel so good around me. So tight.” He thrust his cock harder into his hand as he squeezed and stroked. He wasn’t far behind her. If only he could plunge into her wet heat, her warmth gripping and surrounding him as he drove into her over and over. His hips moved faster and his hand gripped hard. “I need you to come now,” he gritted out.
She cried out, her breaths only a gasp. He could picture her eyes closed and her head thrown back in pleasure as she squeezed his release out of him. With a few more strokes, he joined her with his own, moaning into the phone so she could hear what she did to him.
He finally came down from his orgasm. “God, that was unbelievable. You’re unbelievable.”
“You’re not so bad yourself, cowboy.”
He laughed while he caught his breath and then grabbed his discarded T-shirt to clean himself up. “No one’s called me cowboy since I was a kid.”
“Oh, yeah, a former girlfriend?”
Thankfully, Izzy’s voice was teasing. “Maybe. What about you? Any old boyfriends who might come out of the woodwork now that you’re back home for good?”
“I didn’t have time for boyfriends growing up. Dance took up every minute I wasn’t in school. I even got my GED early so I could spend more hours in the studio.”
And this was her dream? “That doesn’t sound like fun.”
“It wasn’t always. But I loved… love… dancing, and I was going to do whatever I had to do to be the best.”
“I’ve seen a little piece of how that training paid off. You’re amazing.”
“Thanks. So, was there anything else we needed to talk about before dinner tomorrow?”
“That was hardly talking, and not at all why I called.”
“Are you complaining?”
The sexiness in her voice had his cock springing back to life again. He spent much of his time these days in a state of arousal, and it was all due to Izzy. “Absolutely not. But it’s getting late. I probably should let you go.” He yawned and his eyes grew heavy.
“I’m not so tired now, but I can hear how sleepy you are. I seem to remember you barely kept your eyes open after sex the other night at my house.”
She definitely had that right. But this was nothing a power nap couldn’t solve. If he had her soft, naked body curled up against him, he’d be ready to go again in no time. But tonight, all he had was his cold bed to keep himself company. “That’s because you wore me out, woman. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Good night, Tanner.”
“Good night, Izzy. Sweet dreams.”
“I’ll be dreaming of you. They will be.”
Tanner clicked off with a smile on his face. He grabbed his boxers and slid them on before turning off the light. But by the time he laid down, he couldn’t shut his mind off. Hayley’s desire to have a de
eper relationship with Izzy had surprised him, but not in a bad way. It was more than he had ever hoped for between his daughter and the woman he loved.
Chapter Twenty
“Mom, you made way too much food. We aren’t going to eat all of this.” Izzy carried what felt like the tenth dish to the table and scooted the mashed potatoes and green beans over so she could slide the bowl of creamed corn beside them.
“You know I miss cooking for people since I live alone now. I guess I went a little overboard.” Mom threw a glance at the front door.
Maybe she was as nervous about Tanner and Hayley coming over as Izzy was. But Izzy hadn’t seen a spread this big since the family Thanksgiving dinners they used to have growing up. Before Dad’s drinking got really bad.
The buzzer on the stove sounded.
“Would you grab the rolls?” Mom stirred the pot of gravy on the front burner and stepped out of the way. Izzy shoved her hands into pot holders and pulled the tray out.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Izzy glanced at her watch as she dropped the sheet of rolls onto the back of the stove. “Tanner’s early. It’s only twelve forty-five.” She ripped the oven mitts off her hands and patted down her hair as she rushed to the front door. She snatched it open and the smile fell from her face.
“Justin. What are you doing here?” She tried to contain her discomfort considering Maddie was right behind her brother, looking about as excited to be here as Izzy was to see them. At least her nephew was excited, if his squirming beside his mom was any indication.
Justin stepped through the door and only then did Izzy notice a casserole dish in Maddie’s arms. She thrust it at Justin on her way in the door. “Good to see you again, Izzy. Take that to your mom, Justin.”
Izzy ignored the glare Justin cast his wife as Aiden threw his arms around her waist and squeezed.
Izzy closed her eyes and relaxed. Nephew hugs always had a way of calming her. Much like Hayley’s hugs did. Okay, maybe it was kids in general that made her happy. “Hey, buddy. How’s school?”
“It’s awesome. My friend David and I are on a soccer team together.” He finally let go of her and bounced from foot to foot. Always full of energy, that one. Justin and Maddie definitely had their hands full. As much as she loved her nephew, and it had been too long since she’d seen him, this was not a good time for them to be dropping by Mom’s.
Aiden ran toward the kitchen, leaving Izzy with Maddie. Her sister-in-law perched on the edge of the couch, her hands tucked between her knees, and her gaze down. She looked as though she’d lost weight, and the shadows under her eyes betrayed any attempts at hiding the exhaustion. Izzy knew Justin and Maddie were struggling, but Justin hadn’t said how bad his wife was.
Izzy should have reached out sooner. She dropped onto the couch and rested her hand on Maddie’s knee. “I’m sorry I haven’t stopped by. Opening the studio has taken up all of my time.” Well, not all of her time, but Maddie wouldn’t want to hear about Izzy’s new boyfriend and his daughter who were due here any minute.
Maddie’s lips pursed and her back stiffened. The muscle in her jaw twitched, and when Izzy looked closer, it was clear that Maddie was barely holding it together. Izzy’s heart broke for her… and for Justin. “I wish I could say something to make it better. I’ve been thinking about you and want you to know that you can call me anytime.”
“Thanks.” Maddie’s voice betrayed the fragileness that she tried hard to hide. It was no wonder Justin was unhappy.
Izzy patted Maddie’s knee again and headed back to the kitchen. Maybe she could convince Justin that today was not a good day. When she stepped through the door, Justin and Mom were laughing about something, both of them sliding plates onto the table. Too many plates.
“What’s going—” The doorbell interrupted the question she wasn’t sure she wanted the answer to. This time when she threw open the door, her smile was rewarded with one from Tanner. “Hi.”
His gaze darkened. Was he was thinking about last night? She’d never done that before, but she was quickly finding that Tanner brought out a side of her she didn’t expect. “Hey yourself.”
“Hi, Izzy.” Hayley approached Izzy tentatively, and while she had a smile on her face, the wariness was hiding just below the surface.
“Hey, honey. Come on in. Turns out my brother is here, too, with his wife and my five-year-old nephew Aiden. How about I introduce you?” Izzy motioned for Hayley to come in. She had barely stepped into Mom’s house when another voice rang out behind Tanner.
“Sorry we’re late.” Serena and Alexis rushed up the stairs. That was it. This was an ambush—pure and simple. Mom had outflanked Izzy and sprung the entire family on Tanner and Hayley. That explained all the food and Mom’s evasiveness. Izzy wanted to ease Tanner and Hayley into this. He’d already had to endure her siblings barging in on their morning after. He could certainly hold his own, but Hayley wasn’t an adult, and she was anxious around new people.
Serena and Alexis acted like there was no one else on the porch, pushing past Izzy and Tanner and into the house before she could catch her breath.
Izzy mouthed her apology to Tanner. “I’m sorry.”
He nodded and curled his arm around her waist. “I missed you.”
“I talked to you last night.” Her face heated at the memories.
“Yes, and I’d like a little more of that, in person next time.” He waggled his eyebrows and then stepped into the living room.
Izzy hurried behind him, seeking out Hayley. But she hadn’t needed to worry. Hayley was sprawled on the floor with Aiden, heads together over the book he had brought with him. Serena and Alexis were chatting with Maddie. Mom had lowered herself to the floor with Hayley and Aiden, laughing at something Hayley said. She didn’t seem to be nervous around all of these strangers. That dampened Izzy’s frustration with her mother… a little. She’d still gone behind Izzy’s back.
Izzy turned to Tanner. “I was worried when Mom sprang all these people on us. She didn’t tell me she was inviting the family. I would have told her not to, or at least warned you in advance.”
His gaze remained locked on his daughter. Izzy couldn’t imagine what he’d been through, raising Hayley alone. To watch her among Izzy’s family, you’d never know she had anxiety around new people. She had blended in and made herself at home.
And Izzy liked it. She liked seeing Tanner and Hayley here, in the house where she grew up, with the people who were most important to her.
Justin finally made his appearance and crossed the room toward them. “Hey, Tanner. I didn’t hear you come in.” He extended his hand and Tanner shook it.
Izzy glared at the glass of scotch in her brother’s hand and then at him. She didn’t have a problem with Justin drinking, especially knowing what he was going through with Maddie, but they all tried to avoid alcohol in front of Mom. They didn’t want to remind her of Dad and certainly didn’t want her worrying that they would end up like him.
Justin avoided her gaze and sipped from the glass of amber liquid.
Mom hopped up from the rug and crossed the floor to them. “Hi, Tanner. I’m Barbara Harper. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Tanner shot Izzy a look. “It’s so nice to meet you. Thanks so much for inviting us to dinner.”
“You’re very welcome. I’m sorry this has turned into a bit of a circus. When the girls heard that you were coming over, they insisted on joining us. At that point, I figured the more the merrier and asked Justin and his family.”
“It’s not a problem. I see that Hayley has already made a friend.”
Izzy watched Hayley reading out of Aiden’s book, none of her earlier wariness apparent. She was all smiles and waving her hands in the air as she spoke.
Mom cleared her throat to get everyone’s attention. “I’m so happy that everyone’s here. It’s been so long since I’ve had my entire family together. And Izzy has brought some guests today. Hopefully you all met Hayley…” Mom ge
stured to the floor. “…and Tanner.”
Serena grinned and threw a glance at Izzy. “Yep, we’ve met.”
Izzy glared at her sister. Talk about embarrassing, remembering Justin and Serena barging in on them the morning after they’d made love.
“Thank you, Maddie, for bringing your famous cinnamon apples. I think we can all go eat now.”
Tanner grabbed Hayley’s hand and squeezed Izzy’s with his other before following her mom to the dining room. He seemed completely relaxed now, especially since Hayley had broken free and rushed ahead to sit next to Aiden. Izzy pulled up short when Justin took the spot at the head of the table, the one Dad had occupied for all of those years. Someone had to, but she couldn’t help the image of her angry, drunken father superimposed over her sullen, frustrated brother. Something definitely had to change with Justin.
She shook her head. Dad had been gone three years. They had all moved on. That didn’t make seeing Justin sitting there any easier.
Tanner motioned to a chair in front of them. “Is this all right?”
“That’s fine.”
Tanner held the chair for her and sat to her right. Mom took her place at the end closest to the kitchen. Finally, the rest of them settled into chairs. She glanced at her brother and sisters, her sister-in-law and nephew, her mother, and finally Tanner and Hayley. A year ago, if you’d asked her where’d she’d be a year from now, this would never have been her answer. And for all of the times she missed her professional career, sometimes so deep that it ate at her soul, she couldn’t argue that this turn in her life was for the better.
Food was passed… and passed… and passed. An endless parade of high carb, high calorie foods that Izzy had always avoided. Growing up, she’d had to spend extra hours working out or in the studio to make up for all the fat and calories she’d consumed at one of Mom’s Sunday dinners. But she didn’t want to offend her mother, so she made sure she sampled all of her favorites.
After everyone had been served, Serena turned to Hayley. “How’s Blue doing?”
“He’s great. He chases after a ball when I throw it, but he doesn’t always bring it back. He thinks is more fun to chew on it. He likes to chew. A lot.”
Chasing Dreams_A Small Town Single Dad Romance Page 18
