Tiger in Her Bed Revised Kindle (6 page)

Pure pleasure.

Nothing else mattered.

He came a beat after her. Muscles corded on his temples and jugulars. His cock shuddered in her depth. Spasmed. Flooding her with his hot cream.

She would collapse if she wasn’t already laying on the bed.

That was the best sex she ever had. Words couldn’t even begin to describe it.

They didn’t say anything for a long time. Both were riding the afterglow. He withdrew from her, leaving a trail of sticky wetness.

He caught her gaze and smiled.

She wanted to say something but couldn’t find the right words. Maybe there wasn’t much to say. Thousands of emotions stirred inside her heart. He pulled her against him and kissed her deeply.

Maybe they didn’t need any words. He’d conveyed his feeling with his body language. And that was so sweet. For a long time, they only touched and kissed until the sky outside the window became completely dark.

Chapter Three

Quinn woke before dawn, leaving Vanessa asleep under the comforter. He was an early riser. After a quick shower, he put on clothes and went outside only to shed everything again, transforming into his beastly form. He had to sate his animal’s need. His tiger had demands and having spent the night with Vanessa, his beast wanted to be let free. She had practically been in his hands and yet he couldn’t claim her properly. That woman was his true mate. He was sure of it.

His blood called for her.

His tiger
called
for her.

Once he marked her during lovemaking, he’d bind her to him forever.

The problem was, he needed her consent beforehand.

A weretiger couldn’t bind a woman blindly. It was against the code of his clan. In order to do that, first, he needed to come clean about who he really was. Which lead him to problem number two: Vanessa was an ordinary human female who was blissfully unaware supernatural creatures existed. He couldn’t predict her reaction.

If she freaked out, it would be incredibly difficult to win her back. A man in his position must tread lightly with matters like these. A slip and a big scandal would haunt him and his family forever.

He wasn’t the only one who woke up this early. His brothers Trent and John had gone out too. His sense of smell sharpened in his tiger form. His family owned the land surrounding the vacation house, mostly so they could roam free without being spotted by humans. Quinn was a full-blooded shifter. His mother came from the Siberian clan while his father was a Bengal. His mother had abandoned the shifter side of herself since his father passed away. These days only he and his brothers liked to run on the estate.

Quinn leapt on the big wooden log and swished his tail. There was a rustling noise behind the bush. Trent and John trotted out seconds later.

Brother mine
, said Trent in mindspeak.
I hadn’t expected to see you here. I thought you were still busy bedding your woman.

My mate
, Quinn corrected.
Soon to be.

John looked at him with his yellow eyes, grinning as far as a tiger could grin.
Congratulation. Mother would be pleased.

Way to go
, said Trent.
I thought it was a one-sided crush. She wasn’t your
woman
before you brought her to meet us.

Mate
, Quinn corrected again. He was a bit miffed. Vanessa wasn’t just anybody. She was special.
It doesn’t matter, does it? She’s mine now.

Trent made a rumbling noise in his throat which was equal to human laughter.
How did she come up with Coco?
That was hilarious.

Is that what tipped you off?
Quinn asked.

Well, for once, she didn’t completely go googly-eyed lovey-dovey, like your previous girlfriends.

I’m glad you didn’t pick that girl you used to date as a mate,
John joined in.
What was her name? Annabelle? Damn, she was annoying. She kept pestering me to produce her album. She didn’t have talent and her voice gave me a headache.

Yes, she was something,
said Quinn.
Annabelle stalked me for a year. I was tempted to file a restraining order. Thank God I didn’t need to. She finally moved on to her next boyfriend.

A gust of wind alerted them to the presence of another beast. A big white wolf ran across the snow-covered landscape in their direction. Quinn sniffed the air and knew who was coming. It was Jason Bishop, the alpha of the Aspen pack. The town underground scene was ruled by three shifter families: The Bishop pack, the Westeros lion pride, and the Alexander tigers.

As the head of the clan, Quinn replaced his father in the underground council. He worked behind the scenes mostly, helping in finances. The Bishop pack provided the security to keep Aspen shifters in line. But Quinn knew why Jason came to his estate today and it had nothing to do with peacekeeping. Suddenly, he dreaded the werewolf visit.

Both his brothers assumed their alert stance.

In no time, the wolf reached their spot. His yellow eyes were eerily luminous in the morning sun.

Greetings
, said the alpha wolf.
My puppies told me you’re in town, so I had to come see you. I hope you are well. How are things?

Nothing new or exciting, I’m afraid. To what do I owe your unexpected visit, Alpha?
Quinn asked.

The wolf sat, relaxed.
Ah, Bengals. Courteous as always. I came to discuss the proposal. Have you given any thought to it? My sister’s pup has pestered me nonstop about it. She’s really smitten by you. Almost every day she calls me to ask if you have made a decision. I think the arrangement will benefit both of our families. I see this is a good match and my pack has offered full support.

About six month ago, Jason Bishop came to him to ask if Quinn would marry his niece, Ivy Bishop. It happened after he gave Ivy a job at Animatrica. Alpha Bishop was a good friend of his father, and he wanted to help out the pack any way he could.

However, Quinn wasn’t interested in the alpha’s niece. He only had his eyes for Vanessa. He tried to let her down gently but the woman did not get the message. Sometimes, Quinn suspected Ivy had been playing dumb. She ignored his rejection and just kept coming at him. Now that Vanessa was his, it was time to give the alpha a straight answer.

Alpha, I’m flattered by your offer,
said Quinn
. But my heart belongs to someone else. I have already taken a mate.

Have you?
The alpha looked surprise.
Is it by chance the girl in that video?

You saw it?
Quinn was surprised. He didn’t think the old wolf would follow social media.
Yes, she is.

The alpha sighed.
I was afraid of that. My niece didn’t take that lightly when she discovered it. She was extremely upset.

Quinn and John traded glances. Quinn was irritated that the alpha spoiled his niece rotten. Ivy Bishop was the delight of the pack, and in his eyes, she could do no wrong. Her sense of entitlement was the first thing that put him off.  Ivy might be beautiful, but he wouldn’t touch her with a fifty-foot pole.

Quinn lowered his head.
I’m sorry to hear it, but I never promised her anything.

I know, I know, but my niece got the wrong idea. Since you took her in at your company, she thought you might harbor a little interest. I see she’s mistaken.
The alpha sighed again.
Youngsters these days never take my advice seriously. I also blame my sister Josephine for her upbringing. Since her mate died, she’s focused her energy on raising Ivy. Josephine was looking forward to this match. She has her eyes on hosting the grandest wedding in Aspen.

More likely the she-wolf was more interested in Quinn’s fortune. Werewolves didn’t like to mix blood with other shifters. They religiously revered their pure bloodline and were more likely to mate within the pack.

After all, dogs never liked cats that much.

My apologies if I’ve been sending the wrong signals
, Quinn chose his words carefully. The last thing he needed was to offend the alpha. The Bishop pack had more than thirty wolves in the area. It wasn’t wise to stir up temperamental wolves unnecessarily.
Now that I have made my decision, I hope we can solve this misunderstanding amicably. If you like, I can explain this to Ivy directly.

No need
, said the alpha.
I’ll set that girl straight. Congratulations on taking a mate. I suppose we’ll be having a grand wedding soon?

In the near future. The day hasn’t been set, but I’ll make sure you receive an invitation.

The old wolf grinned.
I never pass up the chance to attend a great feast in the merry company of good friends. I’m looking forward to it. Well, I’ll be going then.
He shook his fur, dislodging the snow.
Thank you again for receiving met. Good day, Quinn Alexander. Trent. John.

Good day, Alpha,
said Quinn.

Once the wolf was out of their sight, Trent turned to Quinn. His brother was worried.
Surprisingly, the Alpha took it well, but I don’t think his sister and niece will do the same. I heard Josephine Bishop has told people in Southland that it was only a matter of time before you agreed to the arrangement. I went downtown yesterday and an old friend asked me if the rumor was true.

Where did Josephine Bishop get that idea?
said John.
That woman is delusional.

She’s a renowned gold-digger. Rumor has it she left her mate for a younger, wealthier man. And when that man left her a year later, her mate wouldn’t take her back. Many said she had something to do with her mate’s death. She also had been on the lookout for a cash cow. It’s common knowledge. People in this city know who Josephine Bishop is. And now she’s pushing her daughter on Quinn so she can secure her future,
said Trent.

Quinn pondered.
Would she push her daughter to me if I were penniless? I know for sure Vanessa doesn’t care about my fortune or my social status. Vanessa is different.

We can see she isn’t a money grubbing kind of girl
, said John.
She’d make you a great wife.

Trent retracted his claws in and out, pawing on a patch of snow.
Did you propose to her, yet? Should we be expecting a fantastic wedding in the near future?

Quinn snorted.
Not even close. But she has to marry me if I get her pregnant, am I right?

Sly,
said John.

I’m joking,
said Quinn.
The idea is very tempting, though.

Trent shook his head.
Win her the old fashion way. She seems the only woman who hasn’t fawned over you. I guess, you’ve finally met your match, brother.

Quinn growled.
She’ll be mine. Just you see.

* * *

While Quinn and his brothers were out all morning and afternoon, Vanessa spent time with Savannah. She was busy on her laptop when Quinn’s mom insisted she mustn’t do work while she was relaxing. Savannah suggested they go shopping.

The downtown area featured many high-end boutiques. Luxury designers like Dior, Louis Vuitton and Prada were among them. Vanessa felt as if she was walking down Fifth Avenue instead of through a small town in Colorado.

Savannah also insisted that Vanessa have a mini-makeover—something her own mother and sisters had wanted her to do for years, but she never agreed to. Savannah was so nice; she didn’t have the heart to refuse her. Not with the notion she was going to be her daughter-in-law soon.

Damn, Quinn. Somewhere deep in the recesses of her mind, she imagined Quinn laughing evilly for dragging her into this deception.

Savannah had her hairdresser cut Vanessa’s shoulder-length hair into a feminine bob style and colored it into a deep shade of mahogany that flattered her pale complexion. The makeover extended to a full mani and pedi and ended with a trip to Ralph Lauren boutique to pick up a preppy dress to complement her new look. By the time they walked out of the store, Vanessa felt like she was a totally different person. She hadn’t worn a dress in years, maybe since senior prom in high school.

Quinn’s expression was priceless when he saw her at home.

“What do you think, son?” Savannah beamed. “Doesn’t she look pretty? I know she’s a bit tomboy-ish, but I thought it might be a good thing if she gets in touch with her feminine side once in a while.”

“I commend your mom’s power of persuasion,” said Vanessa. “My mother and sisters have hounded me for years about getting a makeover, but they’d never succeeded.”

Which wasn’t far from the truth. She wanted to cleanup for Quinn. Now that they were going out, she wanted to look attractive.

“You look beautiful.” Quinn kissed her. “I love your new hair.”

“Thank you. I’ve never had my hair this short, but I kind of like it.”

“It suits you.”

Trent gave her a thumbs up and John nodded appreciatively.

They had an early dinner since everybody skipped lunch. John cooked more steaks on the grill. The Alexander’s sure loved their red meat. During dinner, Quinn rarely took his eyes off her, and she was aware of it every second.

Today, her body responded in a different way. She became more acutely aware of her surroundings. More aware of his presence. Quinn. The memory of yesterday replayed, searing her mind.

Vanessa used the opportunity to go to the second floor and slip into the bathroom. Despite the chilly January afternoon, she was burning up.
What the hell is wrong with me?
She pulled off her cardigan and splashed her face with cold water from the faucet. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. A strange face stared back. Flushed skin. Wide-eyed. Red lips. A wanton version of her she almost didn’t recognize. A sex goddess.