The Twin Moon (The Moon Series) (21 page)

Andy woke to the smell of sizzling bacon and rich strong coffee.
The strong robust flavor was a brisk aroma in her nose and made her sit up in bed.
She was covered with a soft pink comforter, she remembered falling asleep in Ian’s arms.
And what a nice place to fall asleep.
Andy smiled at the memory of his strong warm chest and his heart thudding a steady rhythm under her ear.
Andy sighed as she stretch
ed
lazily then turned and allowed her feet to drop to the floor, then realized she was naked.
She never slept in the nude.
Andy quickly pulled a tank top and shorts out of her dresser and dressed.
Then she headed out into the kitchen.

Ian stood at the stove his back to her.
His t-shirt was tight across his shoulders and as he shifted his muscles moved under the shirt.
Andy just stood there
devouring him with her eyes
as he cooked eggs in her skillet.

“Are you just going to stand there and stare at me or come over here and kiss me good morning?”
Ian’s voice startled Andy and she jumped.

Joy shimmered to life inside Andy like the rays of the sun had filled her at having Ian in her home.
It was Saturday morning and she was so excited just to have him there.
She stepped up behind him, pushing her breasts into his back and sliding her arms around his waist.
Had it only been a week since she met him?
It definitely
seemed like longer than that.
He turned his head to the side and tipped it.

“Mmm, good morning.
Would you like some breakfast?”
Ian’s voice was a deep rasp and Andy was sure if she were to slide her hands further down his body she would be easily able to bring him to attention.
Instead she stepped back.

“Sure, let me get the plates.”
Andy stepped over to the cabinet, but Ian stopped her.

“No need.
I’m don
e.”
He shut off the burner then
turned and handed her a plate.
“Would you like some coffee?”
Ian grabbed a mug from the cabinet before Andy could answer and pressed it to the coffee maker.

“Yeah.
This smells delicious.
Where did you learn how to cook?”
Andy took her plate to the table.

“I come from a big family.
My mom always believed in having us help out in the kitchen, plus she didn’t want us boys not being able to take care of ourselves.
Thus I learned to cook.”
Ian sat down at the
t
able with his plate and her coffee mug.
“My sister and I lived on our own for a long time too.
You have to learn to cook or eat out all the time.
What about you
? D
o you cook?”

“Have you seen this figure?” Andy scowled at Ian disbelieving that he’d asked her that as she threw her hand out to the side.
“Yes
,
I can cook and I eat way too much.
It’s a vice of mine if you hadn’t noticed.”
Andy reached for her coffee
but
Ian’s hand stopped her.

“Andy.
There’s nothing wrong with your figure.
You’re gorgeous.”

Ian
’s
chocolate eye
s
seemed
to penetrate to her soul and she turned her head chewing her lip.

“Can we not talk about this?”
Andy tried to pull her hand away from his, but he tightened
h
is grip.

“No, we need to talk about this.
I know what you think and you’re dead wrong.”
Ian’s voice was soft and
he gently stroked
her cheek.

There was this stupid burning sensation behind her eyes all
of
the sudden and she took a deep breath through her nose because sh
e didn’t want to cry in front him
.
Rich had told her she was fat for a long time.
And she had believed him, especially when she had to buy bigger clothes last year.
Rosie had just kept telling her it was because they were becoming more womanly, their bodies, changing even more than when they had graduated
college
.
Rich had said it was because she ate like a pig.
Over and over and over.
Until it had eaten right into her brain and she believed him.
Andy allowed Ian to turn her head and she stared into his beautiful honest eyes.
He would never tell her she was fat.

“It’s hard for me to believe that I’m beautiful.
When I hear you say it, I hear this little voice in the back of my head snort.”
Andy searched his eyes begging him silently to understand and hoping her pain didn’t show.
Deep in
side her the
old wound Rich had caused was open and gushing filling up her gut with fresh
,
rich blood.

“But it’s true.
You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
You’re perf
ect.
God knew what
was up
when he made you.
I couldn’t have created you better myself.
What am I going to have to do to prove that to you?”
Ian reached over and brushed her hair away from her face.
“You’re so damn sexy I go hard every time I see you.
You make my blood pound in my ears and I turn into this crazy ani…person who wants nothing but to be with you every second of every day, just to he
a
r the tinkle of your laughter or see the brightness of your smile.”
Ian leaned over the table and caressed her lips with his.
Soft at first and gentle.
Then he slid his tongue over her mouth and pushed against her lips.

Andy opened her mouth and allowed him inside.
Her tongue m
et
his
as
he deepened the kiss exploring her mouth and demanding more out of the kiss.
His hand slid around her head to cup the back of her neck.
Andy threaded her fingers into his blonde hair.
He tasted like the rich coffee that he’d been drinking, sweet and creamy and oh so delicious.

Ian broke the kiss and Andy was breathless.
She panted for a second staring at him.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to get carried away.”
Color loomed in his cheeks as he sat back in his chair and adjusted himself under the table.

“It’s okay.
I liked it.”
Andy licked her lips, still tasting Ian there.
“Don’t be embarrassed. Y
ou’re so cute when you blush.”

“Enjoy it.
Blushing’s not something I do often.
That’s just what I me
an though, Andy. You make me lo
se control.
I kiss you and my brain just takes a vacation.”
Ian shook his head as he picked up his mug and took a swig of coffee.
“Eat, baby. Y
our breakfast is getting cold.”

Andy picked up her fork and took a bit
e
of the soft fluffy eggs.
They were rich and buttery, with ju
st enough salt and pepper.
The
boy really did know how to cook.
Andy chewed and glanced up at Ian who stared at her as if entranced.
He watched her fork as she sifted it through her eggs again and brought it to her mouth then slowly put the fork between her lips, before pulling it out.
His gaze stayed fixed on her lips as she chewed.
God
,
this was so embarrassing.
W
hy
is
he staring at
me
?
Heat rose up her face
heating
her cheeks.
Finally she put the fork down.

“Ian.”
Her voice was like gravel in her throat.
It hurt that he would watch her like this after claiming that she was beautiful.
What was he a chubby chaser?
Anger shot through her body and she clenched her hands into fists on the table.

“I’m sorry
,
what?” Ian shook his head and finally looked in her eyes, but she turned her head to
o
angry to look at him.

“You’re staring at me.”

“I can’t help it.
You’re eating food I cooked for you.
That means a lot to me.”
Ian’s voice was soft almost boyish and Andy dared a glance at him.

“Ian, what in the world are you talking about?”
Andy just searched his face trying to figure out what had just happened inside him.

“I was raised to believe that when a female eats food that a male has brought her it is a sign she is accepting him.
You’re eating food I made for you.
It means we’re bonding, getting closer.”
His eyes were gentle as he
stared at her and he had a goofy grin on his face.

Andy couldn’t believe her ears.
She had never heard of such a thing.
She had heard the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach.
Maybe this was a variation on that.
Okay going along those lines. T
hat made sense.
Roar me man I provide for you.
She could see that in a caveman kind of way.
At the same time it sounded very romantic and it tugged at her heart, that and the grin on his face.

“I guess it does mean that.
Well, the eggs are wonderful.
You’re a good cook.”
Andy took another bite and chewed.
Then
she
asked, “Is the food thing something your family taught you?”

“Yes.
We learned from an early age when we find a female we are interested in to treasure her and treat her with respect.”
Ian finally picked up his fork and started eating.

“That must be an amazing family you have.”

“What are you doing tomorrow?”
Ian glanced at her as he took a sip of coffee again.

“Nothing. W
hy?”
Andy put her fork down finally finished with her breakfast.

“Would you like to go with me to my sister’s for a barbeque?”
Ian clasped his hand over hers.

She just looked at him.
He was serious.
He wanted to spend time with her?
She bit at her lip unsure
what to say.
She opened her mouth to speak, but he put his fingers over her lips.

“Just say yes, please.”

How could she say no?
She would love to meet his sister.

“Yes.”

He took his hand away and leaned across the table when a horrible banging started at the door.
Andy closed her eyes.
Not now. P
lease, not now.
She tried to wish away the noise, but then the voice came.

“Andy?
Who
s
e
car is this?
Andy?
Open up.”
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.

“What the hell?”
Ian got up from the table, but Andy grabbed his arm, pulling him back.

“Don’t. J
ust ignore it.”
Fear blanketed her soul in a
n
icy cold chill.
Please don’t let Ian get angry.
“Please just ignore it, he’ll go away.”

“Andy, is this the guy that’s been bothering you?”
Ian stepped over to her side of the table and knelt in front of her.

“I know you’re in there.
Do you have another man in there?
You stupid bitch.
I’ll kill you.”
Rich was in rare form today and Andy winced at the name screamed loud enough for half the neighborhood to hear.

“It’s okay.
He’ll go away if he thinks I’m not here.”
Andy whispered as Ian cupped her face in his hands and tried to meet her gaze.

“It’s not okay.
He can’t do this to you.
Look at me, baby.”
He raised he face until their eyes met.
“I’m here now.
H
e’s not going to hurt you anymore
.”
Ian pressed a gently kiss to her mouth and Andy’s eyes watered.

Ian stood up and strode to the door and unbolted it before wrenching it open.

“Don’t open the security gate!”
Andy cried and stood as Ian did just that then stepped out onto the porch.
Panic tightened in Andy’s chest as she feared what Rich would do to Ian.
She ran to the door afraid to see what was about to happen, grabbing the cordless phone on her way by.

“Who the fuck are you?
This your new fuck buddy
,
Andy?
What
?
Y
ou’re a whore now?”
Rich bowed out his shoulders.
Andy guessed it was in an attempt to make himself look bigger.

“I’m calling the police, Rich. Y
ou are violating your restraining order.”
Andy punched 911 into the phone and listened to it ring, breathing through her nose and out through her mouth trying to calm her raging heart.
Ian was bigger than Rich by a few inches, but what Rich lacked in muscles he made up for in insanity.

“911. What is your emergency?”

“Watch your mouth around
,
Andy.
Now get out of here before I have to hit you in front of her.”
Ian stood like a sentinel in front of the door, shoulders tight and solid feet braced apart, hands balled into fists.

“Fuck you.”
Rich spit at Ian’s face then tried to punch him in the jaw.

Ian moved so fast the spit sailed past and his hand launched at the same time hitting Rich in the stomach.
Rich grunted and doubled over.

“911.
Hello?”
The voice snapped in Andy’s ear.

“Yes, my ex is breaking his restraining order.
I need a police officer at my residence.”
Andy recited he
r information to the dispatcher
.

Rich moved as if he would hit Ian, then lurched backward and fell on his ass.

“The police are on their way.
Are you safe ma’am?”
The dispatcher’s voice was full of concern.

“Yes, my boyfriend is here with me.”
Andy waited on the li
ne with the dispatcher for the o
fficers to arrive.

Rich struggled to get up and finally rose to his feet.

“Stay away from Andy and her house.
This is the only warning I’m going to give you.”
Ian’s voice was so deep it
sounded like a growl in his throat.

Rich stared at Ian then his eyes widened and he took off down the road like a
blot
of lightening.

Ian stepped back in the house and shook his head, shutting the security gate behind him as siren’s pierced the morn
ing’s quiet outside.
A cop car
pulled up on the curb and Ian pulled Andy into his arms.

“Are you okay?
You’re shaking like a leaf.”
He hugged her close for a minute and Andy sighed against him relief flooding through her body a wave of sudden calm at the fact that Ian had really put Rich in his place.
Maybe he had scared him off and the harassment would stop.

A sharp rap drew her attention to the door.

Andy spoke with the officers while Ian retreated to the kitchen.

When Andy was finished she found Ian at the kitchen table, the kitchen spotlessly cleaned up and a mug of coffee in his hand.

“You okay?”
He sat his cup down and reached out.
He pulled her hand until she sat down in his lap.
It was so easy to be with him, to just fall into his arms and allow him to wrap his around her.
Her heart went tight at the realization that she could get used to being treated like he treasured her.

“Yeah, I was so worried about you.
I hate to put you in that situation.”
Andy stared at her hands instead of gazing at Ian.

“It’s okay.
I don’t mind protecting you.
That’s what any male should do for you.
That man has no right to treat you like that and as long as I’m around I’ll make sure you’re safe.”
Ian grasped her hand tangling his fingers with hers and kissing her on the cheek.

Andy closed her eyes and leaned her head into the kiss, allowing the warmth of Ian’s lips to send little shock wave
s
of pleasure through her body.
Andy turned her he
ad and kissed his lips, a gentle
slid
e
of hers as she rubbed them back and forth over his.
They opened their mouths at the same time tongues meeting in a sensual duel of need, seeking inside first her mouth then his and back again.
As his hands came up to cup her breast Andy moaned a
gainst Ian.
Then Ian broke the
kiss, leaving Andy panting for air.

“Tonight’s the full moon.”
Ian whispered as he kissed her jaw and up to her ear.
“I want to make love to you tonight.”

Andy’s heart skipped a beat at the proposition.
More than anything she wanted Ian.
They had been days of teasing since they had met their whirl wind romance nothing but one tense sexual encounter after another.

“Yes.”
Andy didn’t need to think about it.
Didn’t even hesitate.
There was just something about him that called to her.
Last night at the club when other women had looked at him something inside her had growled “MINE!”
Andy had never been possessive, but with Ian she found she couldn’t get enough.

“Where would you like to go today?”
Ian’s lips brushed over the shell of her ears sending shivers down her spine.

“How about we go to the Natural History Museum?
I haven’t been
there
in a while.”
Andy tried to concentrate
,
but Ian continued to brush her neck with his lips.

“That sounds good.
I’ve always wanted to go there.”
Ian arms had snaked around her waist and were holding her tight.

“Ian
,
if you don’t stop we aren’t going anywhere.”
Andy sig
hed as she shifted in his lap
and the evidence of his own excitement pressed into her leg.
My, he was a big boy.
Andy’s mouth watered at the thought of him.
She could just imagine what he’d taste like on her lips.
Andy jumped out of his lap.
“I’m going to go take a shower.”

“I need to run home and change.
How about I meet you back here at noon?” Ian stood up and walked to the sink to rinse his mug.

“Yeah, that’s fine.”
Andy walked Ian to the door.
He kissed her on the forehead on the way out the door.
Andy smiled filled with sense of happiness at the new relationship with Ian.
It was incredibly tempting to just let go and fall face first in love with him.
She
could love him so easily. H
e was all she had ever dreamed of in a man.
Honest, sexy, sincere, strong, protective.
She admired all those qualities in him.
Andy sighed as she reached for the dog food bag and hauled it to the back door.
The way he had stood up to Rich had made him a hero in her book.
He wasn’t a bit afraid and Andy was glad.
She opened the back door expecting to see Dallas, instead there was no sign of
him.
The back yard was quiet.
Too quiet.
She poked her head out
side.
Andy dropped the dog food bag and stepped outside.

“Dallas, here boy.”
Andy whistled and walked out into the back yard she heard a whimper from her right.
Dallas lay on his side not moving, in a pool of vomit.
“Oh my god, Dallas.
What’s wrong baby?”
Andy approached cautiously but Dallas just whined again.
It was obvious he couldn’t move.
Her heart raced with panic as she tried to decide what to do, she couldn’t leave him like that, the poor thing.
Andy got the hose and washed the vomit away from his face and body.
She touched him and he howled just a little as if he was in pain.
Blood seeped from his nose.
“I’ll be right back.
It’s okay boy.”

Andy ran into the house her heart constricting in pain.
The poor dog she couldn’t imagine what was wrong with him.
Andy dialed Rosie’s number on the cordless then went back outside to kneel next to Dallas and stroke his fur.
“Rosie, it’s Andy.
Something’s wrong with Dallas.
I think we need to take him to the vet.”
Andy quickly explained the way she had found him and Rosie said she was on her way.
Andy sat next to Dallas the whole time, petting his face and head.
He would whimper and tr
y to lick her hand occasionally, other
wise he didn’t move.
Andy eyes burned with tears as she watched him.
The knock on the door was the only thing that made her leave his side.
Andy rushed to the door and opened it for
Rosie.
Manuel
was with her.

“Oh, my poor baby.”
Rosie was on her knees in the wet mud next to Dall
as the second she saw him.
Manuel
picked him up and he yipped.

“Let me pull on some jeans and I’ll go with you.”
Andy walked
behind them as they went to Manuel
’s truck.

“Hurry, Andy.”
Manuel
laid Dallas down on the bench seat and Rosie slid in next to him.

Andy grabbed her cell phone and pulled on a pair of jeans.
She grabbed her purse and slid her feet into a pair of sandals on the way out the door.
She had to call Ian and cancel their date.

Andy followed Manuel
to the vet and once they had Dallas settled in the vet’s care she called Ian.

“Ian, it’s Andy.
I’m at the vet with Rosie.
Something happened to Dallas.”
Andy ran a hand through her messy hair.
She hadn’t even had time to brush it.

“What happened?”
Ian’s voice was the usual smooth caress over her stiff nerves and Andy sighed a little as she relaxed into the sound.

“I don’t know.
I went out to feed him and he was in
a pool of
vomit.
The vet says he might have been poisoned.
The poor pup.
Who would do such a thing?”
Rosie
paced inside
the veterinary clini
c.
Then she went to her brother leaning
against Manuel
’s shoulder
and
crying.
Dallas was her baby.
Rosie loved that dog, like a kid.
Andy’s heart clenched for her best friend.