Page 40 of Tempting the Tiger
Actually, that was probably one of my many nannies.
“Oh, the ambassador’s wife is calling. I must take this call, Rajesh.”
I sigh and stare at the little spider again, not remotely surprised that’s her response. “Call me when you’ve booked your flight. I expect to see you and Father next month as planned.” I hang up before my mother can, my chest too tight to bother with a proper goodbye.
I’ve known my whole life that my parents’ priorities don’t include me, but I naively keep hoping they’ll change. That one day they’ll be as excited to see me as Jet’s parents always are when the pack visits. I really should know better by now.
My mother was talking for so long that Bryn has finished the dishes. He dries his hands and crosses the room to sit next to me on the sofa, angling himself to face me.
‘You okay?’ he asks, his eyes showing concern.
I tip my head sideways to look at him properly. ‘Are you close to your parents?’
His hand movements are hesitant. ‘My mum and I were, before. Never with my dad. I haven’t heard from them since my trial.’
I sit up straighter, regretting my question. ‘Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.’
‘It’s fine. Are you, with yours?’
I’m not sure how fine he is so I let it drop, not wanting to push. ‘Not really. My parents are diplomats for the BSG. I was raised by a series of nannies—a new one in every country, which was anywhere from every six to eighteen months. The only good thing my parents really did for me was hire a tutor who taught me the local language each time. It made constantly moving schools a bit easier.’
‘That seems…’ He frowns, his hands dropping.
‘Lonely? It was. I learnt how to be friendly and likeable—Dhiren, basically. But it wasn’t until I met Ethan that I discovered what true friendship is. He was this young, hot-headed alpha, swearing every five seconds, and so upfront about everything. The total opposite of everyone I’d ever known.’
I’m aware I’m confiding in Bryn because he has the same sense of realness about him, the rawness people have when what you see is what you get. He watches me with a patient focus, like he genuinely wants to know everything.
‘I’ve missed them. My pack.’ My chest gets tight just thinking about it, but I keep going. It might help to share this with someone. ‘I usually see them every day. Undercover though, contact is extremely limited. I still wouldn’t have seen them in person since I started work at Far Out Freight if it weren’t for the explosion. And my parents are supposed to be visiting next month for the Festival of Light, but that might not happen, and I’m justreallyglad you’re here.’
My eyes burn so I blink a few times and lower my gaze while I compose myself. There’s sharing, and then there’s oversharing.
He moves his leg so his knee is lightly touching mine, drawing my attention. ‘Tell me about this festival.’
Even through two layers of denim, there’s a warmth coming from him that I crave after having it wrapped around me for thelast few nights. ‘It’s the way tiger shifters celebrate the spring equinox, the coming of the lighter months in the northern hemisphere. In certain countries the festival lasts for days. My pack have always celebrated it with me whenever we’ve not been on active duty, but I thought this would finally be the year when I’d get to spend it with my parents. I want to show them my new home city, have them meet the people who matter in my life. You know, in all these years, Ethan’s the only one of my pack they’ve met?’
I know family doesn’t necessarily mean the people who gave you life, and that I have a strong pack who love me unconditionally. I just can’t help longing for the parental love I’ve never had.
Bryn’s hand movements are gentle. ‘Want a hug?’
I really, really do. At my nod, he lifts his arm so I can snuggle in, my head on his shoulder, arm around his waist. He hugs me to him, his other hand softly stroking up and down my arm.
The feeling of safety and affection I get from his embrace is always the same, no matter whether he’s in his dragon form petting me as a tiger, or we’re lying in bed. It’s the main reason I’ve felt able to open up to him now.
I tip my head to look up at him, his lips achingly close, his eyes searching mine. I know if I kissed him he’d be over the moon, but would it be fair to him when I don’t know if it can go anywhere between us?
Well, there’s one way to solve that. I straighten, pulling away from him.
He drops his arm, tipping his head back with a sharp exhale. Then he schools his expression and lifts his hands. ‘Better?’
‘Why did you assault Lance that day?’ Last time I asked he clearly didn’t want to talk about it, but we’d just met. I’m hoping he gives me an answer this time.
He tenses. ‘What the fuck?’
I don’t take the question back, even when my tiger snarls at me for making Bryn unhappy. ‘It matters.’
His eyes harden. ‘Is this why you’ve been holding back? Don’t want to date an ex-offender?’
I get to my feet, needing space. ‘Give me a break, I’m a member of the task force.’
