Sweet Tooth Read online

  A groan escaped. His heady taste, layered with hers, left her panting. He reached down, pulling her leg up his side as he pushed into her, like he was meant to be a part of her.

  Her breath caught. “Condom?”

  “Already on.”

  Apparently she was too blissed out to notice that act.

  Arianna ran her fingers over his short hair and gripped the back of his head. She took over the kiss as he started a rhythm, driving into her body. One hand dipped the bed under her arm and the other cupped her breast, pinching the nipple between two fingers.

  “Yes, make me come!” she begged.

  He dropped his head for another passionate kiss that sent her over the edge. Isandro thrust into her twice more before stopping, biting his own lip as a growl rumbled from his chest.

  Isandro collapsed to the side. She turned to him, wrapping an arm around his waist. Derrick’s voice hissed in her head, Get off me. You’re a fat heater.

  Arianna tried to roll away, but Isandro banded his arm around her waist and hauled her closer. “Where are you going? I like your silky skin against mine.”

  Her eyes slid shut as a tear fell.

  Brushing the wet track away, he tipped her head back and captured her full attention. “What’s the matter, beautiful?”

  One corner of her mouth tipped up. “You really want to snuggle?”

  He grinned, skating his hand down her side before dragging it up the same path. “Did I give you any doubt about liking every inch of your body?”

  She shook her head.

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  “I’m too big. I’m fat and ug—”

  Covering her mouth, his eyes narrowed, his body tensing. “That dickbag Derrick tell you that?”

  The answer wouldn’t leave her mouth.

  “He’s wrong. You’re sexy, gorgeous, scrumptious. There’s not a damned thing wrong with you, other than you listened to that douche drip for far too long.”

  “Told you, I’m done with him.”

  He trailed his fingers over her forehead. “You let his words stick in here.” Isandro shook his head. “Forget him. You’re better than that prick. I never did understand why you kept taking him back.”

  “He’s the only man who wanted me for more than a night or two.”

  “Bullshit. You were with Trent for a few weeks.”

  She snorted. “Yeah, but we didn’t work.”

  “What about me? You gonna give me a chance? ‘Cause I sure as hell want to stick around.”

  “You do?” she asked softly, her insecurity shining through.

  “Yeah. Give me time and you’ll see.”

  Hope finally drifted in as she leaned in to kiss him again.

  Chapter 2

  Thumping on the door woke Isandro. Arianna snuggled closer and murmured, “Forget whoever it is.”

  Easier said than done. Once he was awake, he couldn’t go back to sleep. “I’ll get rid of them.” He rolled to his feet and pulled his jeans on, not bothering to fasten the buckle as he strode to the door.

  Through the window he saw Derrick with a bag of pastries, two coffees, and a dozen roses.

  Arianna was going to choose Derrick. She always did.

  A crushing pain spread through his chest as he turned back to the bedroom and pulled on the rest of his clothes.

  “Where are you going?” Arianna asked, hurt leaking into her tone.

  Isandro scrubbed a hand over his pounding heart. “Doesn’t look like you’re so over Derrick.”

  “That asshole is history.” She snagged the knee of his pants and attempted to pull him into bed again.

  Anger leaked into the hurt. “Tell me what really happened last night.”

  “You gave me the best night of my life,” she answered with a sleepy smile that did nothing to alleviate the pain.

  “Before that. Why were you so pissed off?”

  She flopped on her back and sighed. “Derrick had been trying to get back into my good graces. He was getting there. Last night I went to his place a couple hours sooner than he expected. He was fucking another woman over the dining room table with the curtains open. That was the final straw.”

  Yup. Revenge fuck. God, I’m a damned idiot.

  He pulled away and finished dressing, then shoved his feet into his shoes and started for the door.

  “Where are you going?” The panic in her voice almost stopped him.

  “He’s out there with breakfast and flowers. I know goddamned well he’s cheated on you before and you took him back. So figure out what you want. I don’t expect you to pick me.”

  He started for the door, and Arianna called after him. “Isandro, I’m done with him.”

  “I wish I believed that.” He pushed outside and shoved past Derrick. Gutted, he ignored the shit rolling from the asshole’s tongue as he hurried down the stairs.

  * * * *

  A tear leaked down Arianna’s face. Isandro had a point, but she really was done with Derrick. And what did he mean it wasn’t the first time Derrick cheated on her?

  The pounding started again. Arianna shot off the bed, yanked on a robe, and hurried to get rid of the jerk. She threw the door open. “Leave. Leave now.”

  Derrick’s head turned back to her as malice drifted through his dark eyes. “Him? He’s your payback? Fucking another lowlife fireman?”

  “Who I make love to is none of your damned business. You were busy fucking someone else last night,” she hissed.

  He pushed his way inside and placed everything on the table by the door before reaching for her.

  Arianna’s hand shot out, stopping his forward momentum. “Oh no. We’re done. You’re not touching me. You can take your bribe and get out of my life.”

  “You say that now, but in a few days, when you’re lonely, you’re going to take me back,” he murmured, walking toward her as he dropped his face to kiss her neck.

  Her thighs hit the table and she realized she’d let him back her into a corner again. Except, that was the last damned time.

  Arianna shoved him back. “You don’t get it. I’m done. You aren’t what I want. Not anymore.”

  An ugly sneer flowed over his face. “You want him? That piece of shit?”

  “He thinks I’m sexy, that I’m worthy, and he loves to eat me out,” she threw back.

  Derrick snorted. “You didn’t smother him with your thick thighs?”

  Every compliment Isandro paid her played through her head and she shoved Derrick. “He made sure I knew how much he loved my body, unlike you. Now get out of my home before I call the police.”

  “You’ve said that before, only to let me back in.”

  “Get out!” She pushed him onto the landing. When he stood there staring, she grabbed one of the coffees and threw it at him.

  He shouted in pain, then batted his drenched shirt. “Hey, why are you being like this?”

  She threw the second drink. “Fucking leave!”

  Turning, he muttered, “Ungrateful cow.”

  “Go to hell.” Snatching the bag of pastries and flowers, she chucked them at his car before storming inside and slamming the door shut, and locking it.

  Arianna glanced at the clock. A groan escaped. Only eight in the morning.

  She hoped like hell it wasn’t too early to call Trent. He would have Isandro’s number. Hurrying to her bedroom, she dialed the only other guy who never made her feel like shit for being herself.

  The phone rang twice before Trent answered. “Hey, is everything okay?” he asked cautiously.

  “No. It was, until Derrick gave us a rude awakening. Bastard showed up here with flowers and coffee. Isandro took off before I could tell Derrick to go fuck himself.”

  “Shit. Start with why you were at the bar last night. I’ll help you figure out how much work you’re going to have to do to gain Isandro’s trust.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked softly, hope deflating.

  “He was already worried about you being
with me.”

  “Why?”

  Trent sighed. “Because we’re friends, and he didn’t want to tread where I’d been. He assumed things would be uncomfortable between us.”

  Arianna blushed. “We were never going to work.”

  “Yeah, well, Isandro is a good guy, and he’s had a thing for you since he laid eyes on you. Hell, he was pissed at me when I first started dating you, but that was before he told me he wasn’t over you. He never mentioned it after you turned him down in high school.”

  “Fucking shit,” she muttered, flopping onto the bed and dropping her head into her free hand. She told Trent everything, and probably too much about how good Isandro made her feel.

  “Look, I don’t blame him. That’s got to look bad when another guy shows up with flowers the morning after. Especially one you have such a long history with. He’s got to be wondering how long before you take him back. It’s been ten plus years of this bullshit. What else would he think?”

  “Do you think that?” Self-disgust threatened to drown her. She knew better than to let Derrick get close, but she was lonely and weak. He seemed different this time. Sweeter, more attentive. Less of an asshole.

  I was so wrong.

  Trent sucked in a slow breath. “Depends. Did one night with Isandro convince you there is someone better out there? Because it sounds like he may have.”

  “He did. Which is why I feel like shit, but I had a text war with Derrick last night, before Isandro ever came over. I told him I was done then. How the hell do I convince that slimeball how over we really are?”

  “Give me some time to think. We’ll figure it out. Isandro would be good for you.”

  One thing rattled around her head. She sucked in a breath. “Hey, can I ask you something?”

  “Of course.”

  “Did you know about Derrick cheating?”

  “No, if I did, you would have known. I wish I had.” He sighed. “I avoided that scumbag. Isandro has always watched you. He paid attention to Derrick.”

  “Who’s that?” Ella’s voice came across the phone.

  Trent chuckled. “Arianna. You saw how she left with Isandro, practically dragging him out the door. Well, her ex may have stalled the start of something good. Maybe you can help us prove she only wants Isandro and no one else.”

  “Ooh, yeah. I have a couple ideas. Tell her I’ll stop by Sweet Tooth later today.”

  Trent directed his attention to Arianna. “She’ll be in later to help. You okay with that?”

  “Of course. Thanks. I don’t want him to give up on me before I get a chance to explain.”

  Trent laughed again. “Look, if it makes you feel better, he probably left before he could say or do something to Derrick that might change your mind. He’s willing to go to great lengths for people he cares about, but if there’s a chance you’ll go back to Derrick, he’s not going to stand in your way. Not after one night that looks like it might have been a revenge fuck.”

  Arianna slammed her hand on the table. “Shit, it wasn’t that at all.” One look at the concern and desire in his eyes washed away any thought of Derrick. She took Isandro home because she wanted him and she was done wasting time on Derrick. “He sat down next to me and all I could think about was climbing him and making him mine. I wanted to feel something, anything. I was pissed and empty from seeing Derrick fucking another woman. Then this gorgeous man wanted me and I leapt. Isandro was the best thing that could have happened last night. And Derrick had to go fuck it up.”

  “We’ll figure this out. But please, do your best to keep Derrick at bay. That asshole may not get it through his thick skull so easily.”

  “Hey, thanks, Trent. Tell Ella the same. I need to leave early. Maybe I can make him a batch of his favorites and bring them to him.”

  “He does have a sweet tooth.”

  Chapter 3

  “What the hell is your problem, Isandro?” Marissa asked as she stormed into his home two minutes after he’d arrived.

  His sister lived next door, so when he came cruising by and threw his truck into park, she probably got the hint he was pissed.

  On his way out of Arianna’s door, Derrick opened his mouth with every derogatory comment he could muster. It took an act of will to keep his hands to himself. He wanted to bust that piece of shit’s teeth in.

  Fucking asshole didn’t deserve her. Arianna was too damned sexy and smart to waste her time on some asshat who couldn’t appreciate her.

  She needed to decide who she wanted. If it was Derrick, which he suspected, he wouldn’t waste his time. He’d seen what happened when people held onto someone who couldn’t love them back. They never gave up holding on. It was a bitter fucking cycle.

  Isandro scrubbed a hand over his face and shot Marissa a glare. “Not in the fucking mood.” He stalked into the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. Unfortunately, he knew better than to expect his big sister to back off.

  “Don’t do that. I saw who you went home with last night. Why the foul mood? Did that dumb broad decide she was too good for you?”

  “She is not a dumb broad. But her on-again/off-again asshole boyfriend showed up this morning with flowers and breakfast. What if she took me home to piss him off, show him what he’s missing? Fuck, I’m a damned chump.”

  Marissa snorted. “She’s not that kind of woman. Sure, she’s stupid where it comes to that giant scrotal sack, but she isn’t cruel, and she wouldn’t play with your emotions. I hear she stayed away from Derrick six months this last time. She wasn’t even letting him stay at her house the last two weeks, when she finally did start seeing him again. And I saw him with Ingrid last night.”

  “Would explain why she said she dumped his ass. But how many times has she taken that fucker back?”

  “Too many to count.” Marissa sighed, dropping into a chair at the table. “Look, don’t write her off before you listen to her side of the story.”

  He paused, shaking his head. “Thought you didn’t like her?”

  Marissa rolled her eyes. “Got to be blind to miss the way you look at her.” She snorted. “I honestly don’t think she’s good enough for you, but that’s not my call.”

  He snarled. “That fucker has her brainwashed into thinking she’s ugly and worthless. Every damned fantasy of mine stars her.”

  “So hear her out. Maybe he only thinks he’s getting back into her bed.”

  “Well, when I’m not tempted to kill that dick-weasel for hurting her, I’ll listen. But I’m not holding my breath until she comes to me. I saw him go inside as I drove away.”

  “He what?” Marissa asked.

  “He entered her condo as I pulled away from her condo. Look, I don’t know if he stayed, or what. She lives upstairs, but he definitely went into her home.”

  “Doesn’t mean she took him back,” Marissa pointed out, though she didn’t look very hopeful.

  “Before I give her a chance, I need to know she’s going to pick me. Right now—shit…right now, I don’t believe she will.”

  “Why?”

  “Because she’s used to the shitty way he treats her. She was surprised I find her sexy as hell. Fuck, she’s gorgeous, but every time I mentioned it she’d stare at me like a deer in headlights.”

  “After a night with you, she’d better realize how much better you are than that shit smear.”

  He snorted. “Gee, thanks, Sis. Of course you think I’m a great guy. What if she doesn’t? I have nothing to offer her.”

  “If she’s worth having, she doesn’t care about the shit you don’t have. You can make her feel better than Derrick ever did.”

  “Maybe.” He glanced at his watch. “Shit, I need to shower before I go to work. Do me a favor. Stay out of this.”

  * * * *

  After a short walk to pick up her car, Arianna kept herself busy making chocolate. The moment she unlocked the door, Marissa stepped inside.

  A nervous smile crept across Arianna’s lips. “I take it you already heard about
this morning?”

  Marissa nodded, a hard look on her face. “If you want Isandro, make sure Derrick is truly out of the picture. If you don’t, don’t lead my brother on. He doesn’t deserve that.”

  Her hands curled into fists before she drew a slow breath. “I didn’t lead him on last night. Okay, the timing was shit. I admit that. But I wasn’t lying when I said I was done with Derrick. I’ve never seen him with another woman when he was supposed to be with me.”

  “Seriously, you never knew he was fucking around behind your back?” Marissa shook her head and looked up at the ceiling, probably holding back on some snide remark.

  Arianna took another slow breath and let it out. “What do you want me to say? No one told me. He hid it from me. And I was stupid enough to believe the asshole.”

  Marissa met her stare, some of the anger melting away. “Can I ask you something?”

  Arianna walked to the counter, dreading whatever was going to come out of her mouth. “Yeah, sure.”

  “What do you feel for Isandro?”

  A blush heated her face. Arianna smiled sadly. “That he’s what I’ve been needing but didn’t realize I could have.”

  “Why?”

  Arianna shrugged. “For the first time in forever, I didn’t feel like I was worthless and ugly. He made me feel good about myself. One night and I know I want more.”

  Marissa nodded and backed toward the door. “Do us both a favor. Remember that, and remember Derrick is the scum of the earth. Don’t let his pretty face sway you back into his bed. Isandro deserves better.”

  “Agreed, a hundred percent.”

  Marissa ducked out, and Ella snuck through the door, waving at Marissa.

  Ella turned back with a raised brow. “Everything all right?”

  Arianna shook her head. “Nope. I need to clean up my mess.”

  “Let’s get to work.”

  * * * *

  Isandro sat in a chair staring at the TV screen, waiting for an emergency or anything so he could stop thinking about how much of a fool he’d been.