“That’s it baby. You taste so good, Andy.” Abruptly he stood up and picked her up carrying her as if she weighed nothing to the plush sofa in her living room. He stretched out above her, his hips nestled between her thighs, his hand on her mound as he stroked her hot wanting skin.
He nibbled her lips and then her throat as he touched her. She sighed and arched into him.
“More, Ian. I want more.” Her thighs were wet with her climax and still he caressed her skin. His fingers were firm as they pushed at her entrance, then gently one slipped inside of her. His mouth covered hers and she pushed her breasts into his chest. His hand thrust and dove into her body, then he slipped a second finger inside stretching her around him. She cried out, a sound that was caught in his mouth. He pulled back and watched her face as she moved with him. Her eyes shut, her cheeks and neck flushed with her arousal. He whispered encouragements into her ear.
“That’s it baby. I feel you, clenching around me. Yes, that’s it. Let me feel you come again.” He panted with her now as he pushed her closer to the edge. She arched up off the couch under him, her body fighting the coming release. His finger continued to thrust into her as he licked a hot path over her skin and sucked on her neck.
“Oh!” She gasped and then she came. Her body shuttering and clenching and screaming her release at him. He slipped his finger free and rested his black trouser clad thigh against her hot core as she settled down. Her body pliant under him and her head was tipped back where it had been when she started to come. Her arm hung off the couch and she breathed deep obviously trying to recover. He kissed her swollen lips.
“I’m dead. You killed me.” Andy eyes fluttered open as she smiled.
“You’re so amazing, baby.” She just stared at him searching his face.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she answered immediately, which just told him indeed something was wrong.
“Andy, don’t fear this. Don’t close off what you’re feeling.” He gazed at her. Those big chocolate eyes watched him.
“It’s just happening so fast, Ian.” She bit her lip.
“Stop worrying your lip.” He brushed a finger across it.
“You’re different and I can’t explain how or why. It scares me.” Andy brushed her hand over his hair.
“It’s okay to be scared but I’m not going anywhere. I’ve never felt like this about any female before.” Ian shrugged his shoulders.
“Oh, we’re going to be late to your sister’s! Just give me a minute to get myself together.” She rolled out from under him and smoothed her dress then patted her hair. He followed her into the kitchen where she retrieved her panties, then to the bedroom where she pulled a clean pair out of the dresser and tossed the old ones in a hamper.
He caught her wrist.
“Don’t.” He gently pulled them from her hand. “I like knowing that you aren’t wearing any.” His voice had a huskiness he almost didn’t recognize.
She blushed, but let go of them and headed to the bathroom. Ian wandered around her small bedroom, looking at the pictures of her and her mom on her dresser. He sat on her bed and smoothed a hand over her pillow, catching her scent again and the scent of the sex they had last night.
When she finally emerged from the bathroom, her makeup had been touched up and she wore red lipstick. She still wore no fragrance. He stood up and walked over to her he inhaled her scent. He could still smell her arousal, he smiled at her.
“What?” Andy gazed at him and patted her face. “Is something wrong?”
“Nothing. You just smell really good.” Ian kissed her on the cheek.
“Come on.” Andy tugged him out of the bedroom. “This isn’t the best place for us.”
“Oh, I think it’s the perfect place.” Then he purred against her ear as she tried to retrieve her purse from the counter in the kitchen, with Ian pushed up against her. “But your right we need to get going.” He escorted her out the door and to his car.
The drive was not a long one. And it was pretty silent, with the occasional glance from Andy.
Ian and Andy arrived at the Haven about fifteen minutes later.
Ian opened Andy’s door and escorted her in with a hand on the small of her back.
“This is the community center?” Andy asked as they walked up to the clean cream walls and long glass windows.
“We call it The Haven. It’s a community center. My sister and her husband work and live here.” He guided her down the hall and to the right.
She paused long enough to stare out the left hand window. Her mouth dropped at what she saw outside. A large bangle tiger waded through the water of a shallow pool.
“Whoa, would you look at that!” Andy exclaimed as she pressed her face to the glass.
“Oh, Andy you should…”
“Can I pet it? It is a pet right? I mean this isn’t a sanctioned preserve of something?” Andy continued to stare out the window as Ian squirmed in the hall. He wanted to get her away from the window before whoever that was changed back.
“Uh, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Maybe I can arrange something later.” He pulled her to the door across the hall.
“But, let me look for a minute.” She tugged to get away from his firm grip on her arm.
“No, we really should get to the barbeque.” He coaxed her inside the door.
A large pool area with a grassy lawn was in front of them. There was a very pregnant Ivy setting dishes on a long picnic table.
“There’s my beautiful sister!” Ian quickly grabbed Ivy up in a hug that took her off her feet.
“Ian! Put me down, I’m big as a house!” Ivy smacked him on the shoulder.
Ian laughed and set her back on her feet as he kissed her cheek. She embraced him in an affectionate hug.
“Who’s this?” Her eyes landed on Andy and sized her up.
“This is Andy.” Ian reached a hand out to her. She accepted it and moved closer to Ian. “Andy, this is my twin, Ivy.”
“Nice to meet you, Ivy.” Andy put her hand out.
Ivy hesitated, but took it. Then her delicate nostrils flared. Ivy’s eyes narrowed and snapped to Ian before she smacked him on his arm again. “Come on Romeo, I need help upstairs. Andy this is my husband Edge. Edge come meet Andy, Ian’s new girlfriend!” She hollered across the lawn to where a large hulking figure fiddled with the grill as smoke bellowed up. “Can’t! Cooking!” He jumped back as flames leapt off the grill.
“Can I help with something?” Andy looked around and twisted her hands together in front of her.
“Oh no. We’ve got it. Just stay here. It’s a big place, we wouldn’t want you to get lost.” Ivy had a polite smile and dragged her brother out the door.
***
Andy looked around the expanse. It was hard to imagine that this building held such a beautiful area. It was very park like with its trees, picnic tables and the crystal blue pool. Andy looked to the table and moved closer to see if there was something she could help with. There was a cake in the middle of the table. It was a large sheet cake with baby booties in the corners in pink and blue. “Congratulations Ivy and Edge,” it said in bright pink and blue letters. Shit, Andy thought. This wasn’t a barbeque; it was a baby shower for Ian’s sister. Feeling very uncomfortable Andy eyed the rest of the decorations, pink and blue plates, cups and a bowl of what looked to be punch. Shit, shit, shit. Just as Andy turned there was a commotion at the door to the picnic area and three children burst into the grass running full out for the play structure on the far side of the pool.
“Hi, Edge.” The trio screamed and jostled each other as they ran.
People began pouring through the door all laughing and joking. Some carried presents, some carried children. Panic boiled up loud and hard in Andy’s chest. The people didn’t stop coming.
***
“How could you?” Ivy scolded as they rode the elevator up to her apartment.
“What? What did I do?” Ian fiddled wit
h his shirt buttons, ignoring his sister’s steady gaze.
“You brought a human to our baby shower! Really, Ian.” As the doors opened she waddled out.
“What? I can’t bring a friend over?” He walked slowly behind her as his anger burned inside him. She was unreasonable this pregnant.
She stopped in her tracks and turned on him with a growl.
“A friend? Ian you smell like sex! Don’t think Mom and Dad aren’t going to notice! Or anyone else with an olfactory sense!” She waddled to the kitchen with Ian hot on her heels.
“Ivy, calm down. I didn’t mean to upset you. I kinda’ wanted you to meet her. You know, see what you think of her.” Ian glanced away.
“Ian. Why would you care what I thought of her? It’s never made a difference in who you slept with before.” She pulled dishes from the refrigerator and sat them on the counter.
“Well, it matters now, Iv.” Ian ran a hand through his hair.
Ivy turned wide eyes on him. “You can’t mean…”
“She’s my mate. I really needed to see what the family thinks of her, especially you.” A blush heated up his cheeks. It was like he was a little kid, because he wanted her approval. Them accepting Andy was important to him, Ivy was his best friend, besides the fact that she was his twin.
“Ian, I… Oh my gosh, I never thought, this is so unexpected. She’s human.” Ivy seemed flabbergasted.
“I know, but when I saw her Ivy…something just clicked. It’s like I’ve never seen a woman so beautiful in all my life. I know she’s human, but it’s been done before right. Aunt Alice’s husband was human and look at the kids they had.”
“Aunt Alice was crazy! But you’re right, she was very happy with Donald. Ian, we left her downstairs alone! Every bodies going to show up and she’s all alone. Here takes these.” Ivy shoved the cellophaned bowls into his hands. She picked up the other two and went to the elevator frantically pushing the button with her elbow.
Ian and Ivy rode the elevator than rushed to the picnic area, the door was wide and there was a huge commotion. Cubs were everywhere some in cat form some in human form. The adults were circled around near the picnic table as they entered. Ian put the bowls down then headed for the group.
“What’s going on?” Ivy shoulder her way through the group.
“I dunno’. She just fainted.” One of the teenagers had spoken up.
Ian pushed his way through the group of his brothers and sisters to find Andy lying askew on the ground.
“What happened?” He bundled her into his arms and straightened her dress.
“She gasped really loud, then fainted.” That was Cathy, the oldest.
“What’s a human doing here anyway?” grumbled her husband, Jason.
“She’s here with Ian.” Ivy announced and the family gasped in unison.
“Ian, do you care to explain this?” Dad stepped forward. His mother stood next to him with her hands on her hips.
“Ian thinks that…” Ivy was cut off by her mother.
“Ian can speak for himself, Ivy.” Their mom glared at Ian. Anxiety took root in his chest and squeezed something painful. “I… uh, I wanted you all to meet her.” He crouched there still staring at her passive face. He brushed her hair back with his fingers as he continued. “I haven’t known her very long, but I know she’s the one. I wanted to see what you all thought of her. It’s important to me that you accept her.”
His eyes never left Andy.
“How long have you known her?” His mother stepped closer and dropped her arms.
“A week. And trust me that was as long as it took to know.” Ian looked up to meet his mom’s gaze. “I know she’s the one.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! You can’t just know that!” His mom looked like she was about to pass out.
His dad, Harold, came to his rescue.
“Yes, you can, Millie.” He put his hand on her shoulder.
“What?” She turned to stare at her husband.
“You know, Millie. If Ian says she’s the one then she is.” Murmurs of agreement went up from the males around the crowd.
“How?” Millie stammered.
“Just trust me, darling, we males, we know.” He kissed her fast on the lips.
“She’s coming around.” Someone pointed out as Andy moaned.
“Andy, baby? Are you okay?” Ian hovered over her his throat clogged, because he wasn’t sure what she had seen.
“Oh.” Andy groaned a hand coming to her head. “Ian?” Her eyes fluttered open.
“I’m right here, baby. Are you okay? You passed out.” Ian gently brushed a hand over her cheek.
“I saw, I saw.” Ian could see the cogs in her brain turning, trying to make sense of what she’d seen. He knew what she’d seen. She saw one of the cubs change. Damn. Fear shook his insides and tumbled his resolve over itself. He prayed everything would be okay.
“There was this little girl, she was blond and she had on a pretty blue gingham dress. One minute she was there the next she was a tiger cub and her dress was on the ground.” Someone whispered “Ashley” as she continued to talk. “Then a little boy did the same thing. Am I crazy, Ian?” She finally met his gaze.
“No, baby. You’re not crazy. I didn’t want you to find out like this, I’m so sorry.” He cupped her face as his heart squeezed painfully in his chest.
“The reason I couldn’t pet the tiger…it’s because that’s a person isn’t it?” Her eyes were very clear now and wide.
“Yes, Andy.” He waited for her to shriek.
“Can I get up?” She motioned as if she would move.
“Of course, here let me help you.” Ian pulled her up. His heart thudding wildly in his chest waiting for her to freak out.
She teetered for a minute on her tall fetish shoes, then found her balance with the help of Ian’s arm. With her shoes on she looked him in the eye.
Andy glanced around at all the assembled adults. Their expressions varied from scared to happy. Andy looked at Ian. He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close.
“Everyone, I want you to meet Andy. Andy this is my family.” Ian forced a smile on his face. He introduced the gathered brothers and sisters.
“This is Cathy. She’s the oldest, and her husband Jason.”
“Nice to meet you.” Cathy replied and hugged Andy. Jason grumbled a hello and moved away.
“Angelica’s next.” Ian motioned to his sister with her hair pulled up in a twist.
“This is my husband, Ray, and this is Ashley.” She introduced the shifting blond girl.
“But I don’t understand why?” Ashley complained. “I like being the tiger. It’s fun.”
“Ashley.” Her mother scolded as she pushed her toward the other kids.
“Nice to meet you.” Ray shook her hand.
“This is Chris. She’s not mated yet, unfortunately.” Chris shook hands with Andy and ran an appraising gaze over her.
“Keep it up Ian, one of these days, and mom’s not going to be there to stop me.” She walked around them.
“Christina! Don’t threaten your brother!” Millie snapped and smacked her on the arm.
“This,” Ian said bring attention back to them, “is Jillian and Katie. Who’s a pretty girl?” Ian took the baby from his sister’s hip and kissed her chubby cheeks.
“Hi, Andy.” Jillian’s voice was gentle and she kissed Andy on the cheek. “It’s good to meet you. Carey, my husband, had to work today so you won’t get to meet him.”
“That’s everybody and you’ve already met Dillon, Ivy and Edge.” Ian handed baby Katie back to Jillian.
***
Were-tigers. Holy shit. Andy couldn’t wrap her head around it. People who turned into animals. For real. She was just about ready to go screaming from the building, but everyone acted so nice she couldn’t bring herself to be rude to them. Andy’s head spun with all the names. There was no way she would remember all of them. Why had Ian brought her here to a family function? I
t was very overwhelming; she’d never been around such a big family.
Ian twined their fingers and walked her over to a table, then sat and pulled her into his lap.
“Ian, I don’t think I should be sitting on your lap, what will your family think?” Her voice was hushed, her spine stiff.
Ian nuzzled her ear.
“They won’t think anything.” He traced her ear with his tongue.
“Ian.” A shiver reached into her toes. “Really, I should sit over here.” Andy got up and scooted on the bench seat, fear itched inside of her at his touch and it made her sick to her stomach. She didn’t want to be afraid, not of Ian. Something inside her just wouldn’t allow her to be close to him right now. He was different that’s all, but even though her heart professed that over and over her human head was still having a really hard time wrapping itself around that fact that he could shift into a tiger. She wanted to leave, to put some distance between them, but how would that look her walking out. Her heart ached, everything in her screamed that she had been betrayed and lied to. His soft words of love from just the night before seemed like a distant memory now. How could he profess to love her and not tell her this kind of a secret about himself? He was no different than Rich. Pretending to be one person only to become another. A monster. Andy stared at Ian’s beautiful face and her eyes glossed over with tears as her heart broke in two. The same thing that had happened before, that’s what it was, all over again. Andy struggled to get a breath in her lungs as panic seized her. Pain and anguish put her chest in a vise and ratcheted it down tight until she gasped. “I can’t stay here.” Andy stood up and walked as steadily as she could for the door, a turbulent storm inside her head, battering her brain.
“Andy, don’t go.” Ian was behind her right on her heels and a hush had fallen on the barbeque.
Andy kept moving reluctant to look back and see his family behind her. Through the door she went and out into the air conditioned hallway as Ian caught up and grabbed her shoulder.
“Andy, please.” His voice was full and deep as he tried to turn her, but she resisted, keeping her face toward the hall.
“I can’t. You have to give me some time. This is just too much, Ian.” Andy didn’t dare glance over her shoulder at him. She didn’t know if she could walk away from him if she saw his face, and she needed to leave him right now. This was a world, for the life of her, that she didn’t understand. She wasn’t sure right now if she wanted to either.
The Twin Moon (The Moon Series) Page 15