Page 33 of Tempting the Tiger
Jet: How strong is your sense of smell? I waited so you didn’t get lost but can you find Raj without me?
Me: It’s a lot stronger in my winged form, but yes, I can tell that there are seven separate scents on this staircase including yours, and which direction each is freshest. Raj is that way.
I point to the left as we reach the ground floor, and he nods.
Jet: Him and sky are at the front of the house cows sent Leeds that way too
I’m not quite sure what that last part is supposed to be, but I tense at the mention of Skye’s name and hurry in the direction Raj’s scent goes. My dragon gives a low vibration at the smell of the eagle shifter, and Jet glances at me as he keeps pace with me, a slight frown on his face.
We abruptly arrive in the formal sitting room we used yesterday and, sure enough, there are three people in the room. One is a vampire lounging on one of the sofas, a cup of blood in his hand, but I pay him no attention because there’s a small blonde eagle shifter hugging my treasure.
Crimson scales erupt over my skin, my dragon pushing to takeover and crush the threat. It doesn’t seem to matter to him that there isn’t space in this room for a full-sized dragon; he wants out and isn’t taking no for an answer. I push him down because he needs to wait, but it’s not working the way it normally would. He’s convinced that shifting is the only way he can keep Raj for himself.
Oh,fuck, he’s coming out.
I run at the window and smash through it just in time. My dragon takes control, bursting out in a blaze of fire and wings. I take several heaving breaths on the front lawn, waiting until I stop breathing flames before turning back to the manor.
I lean down and peer into the sitting room, searching for my treasure. The vampire is hovering protectively over the eagle shifter who must be Skye, Jet is staring at me wide-eyed, and Raj strides over to the broken window.
‘Are you okay?’ Raj signs.
I should back up and leave him alone until I get myself under control, but at the same time I really want the reassurance of him being somewhere close where I can see that he’s safe and not being seduced by a tiny blonde.
Ethan, along with a cheetah shifter I haven’t met yet and a sorcerer who can only be Ayo Muroyi, all rush into the room. My dragon panics at so many people close to our treasure, so I reach in and pick Raj up carefully, protecting him from the broken glass as I take him outside. I stride away to a nearby field and place him gently on his feet in the curl of my body and tail.
He smiles at me, a hint of amusement sparkling in his eyes. ‘Feeling possessive again?’ He takes out his phone, types a quick message, then pockets it. ‘You can relax. I’ve asked them to give us space until you calm down.’
He sits down on the muddy grass, which is undoubtedly getting his nice trousers dirty, and leans against my tail as if he has all the time in the world. He strokes the scales nearest him and the soothing touch gradually brings down my heart rate to somethingnear normal. He doesn’t flinch when the rain starts, but he does smile when I lift my wing protectively over him to keep him dry. When I eventually settle down and rest my head close to him, he stands so he can stroke my snout.
My dragon vibrates happily, the fucker.
Is it possible Raj could be my fated mate? It would certainly explain my dragon’s behaviour towards him, but can I rely on those reactions when my dragon isn’t his usual self? My dragon is a possessive arsehole at the best of times, and I’m lucky Raj is so tolerant of it.
I shift back, feeling like a complete prat for my behaviour. ‘I’m sorry for taking you without your consent.’
I can’t believe I was so jealous of Skye that I couldn’t control my shift. That’s a problem teenage dragons have, not full-grown adults.
Raj walks closer, because my biped form reappeared where my dragon’s chest was which put us several feet apart. ‘It’s fine; we knew this could happen, and your dragon side is really quite sweet.’
I give him an incredulous look. ‘Sweet? I just burst through a window before snatching you up!’
He laughs. ‘Yes, but that’s better than destroying walls and ceilings with an indoor shift, and you didn’t hurt anyone. How are you feeling?’
‘Embarrassed as fuck.’ My dragon has a warped idea of mating rituals, that’s for sure.
Raj’s lips tilt into an understanding smile. ‘Don’t be. I’m sure your dragon will settle down soon. Although if you’d like Doc P to check you over again, we can ask him to pay a house call.’
‘That’s not necessary.’ I can deal with this relatively minor issue until my dragon stops being a drama llama. I’ll just sprint outside every time I get jealous. Easy. ‘It would really help to cuddle you again tonight. Just to make sure I don’t shift in the middle of the night.’
He shakes his head, but he’s smiling. ‘You’re incorrigible.’
‘Is that a yes?’ I ask hopefully.
He hesitates before nodding, a slight flush on his cheeks, then closes the distance between us and hugs me. It takes me half a second to get over my surprise, at which point I immediately wrap my arms around him and hug him back. I bury my nose in his neck and inhale, drinking in the apple and cinnamon scent of my treasure.
He steps back far sooner than I want him to. ‘Do you feel up to going inside now?’
‘What was the hug for? Not that I’m complaining.’
