Page 42 of Tiger Born

Marsden shook his head and scratched the back of his head. “I don’t know why I am still here. I keep trying to leave and my body won’t do it.”

Dame inhaled deeply and rested his hands on his hips, glaring at Stellan’s tiger. “How do we do this?”

Mars dragged his hand down the dark scruff on his face. “Maybe reach out to the other Cats. See if anyone has ever pulled off of a Rabbit hunt? I don’t know man. You look tired. I’m wide awake. I’ll take the first shift. Sub in at three and I’ll sleep on the couch and make sure the Rabbit is okay.”

“My name is Misty,” she said softly.

“It’s easier not to get attached if I just call you the Rabbit.” Mars clearly still thought she had a very short expiration date. Great. “Go get some rest with your lady,” he said to Dame.

“Fine,” Dame said low. He wrapped his hand around hers and led her to the door of the barn, where Misty paused and pulled him to a stop.

She turned for the tiger, and said, “Stellan, if you are in there, it was nice to meet you.”

The tiger snarled and lashed out with his enormous paw as far through the bars as he could.

Misty pursed her lips and followed Dame out.

She was exhausted, needed a shower, was a little tipsy as those two quick shots were kicking in, and was more confused than ever about how she was going to survive this mess.

“It’s going to be okay,” Dame murmured, pulling her against his ribs as they walked the path that would lead to the house. “I’m going to figure this out.”

Misty nodded, but this hopeless feeling was starting to creep into her heart. “Yeah,” she said, as upbeat as she could muster.

“I promise I will,” he said low, and kissed her temple.

She hoped he was right, for her sake and for his.

Chapter Eleven

Dame would never tire of touching her body.

His three o’clock alarm had gone off, but he’d hit the snooze and was putting off leaving her.

Misty lay soft and warm in his arms, pulled taut against his chest. He had his arms wrapped around her. In her sleep, she nuzzled back against him, and this was it. This was the feeling. This was the important moment when he knew he couldn’t go back to his old life, or his old self, ever again.

He had to care for her. He had to protect her. He had to love her and make sure she knew she was adored.

He hadn’t believed in pairing up before. Choosing a mate was for the weak. Choosing a human mate? That was for the insane.

They weren’t even supposed to be here.

Caring for each other in this way was forbidden.

And yet, he couldn’t find it in him to care. All he cared about was this. Her lying happily beside him, feeling safe enough to let her body slip into the vulnerable state of sleep, knowing she was protected.

He needed more of this feeling, and only she could provide it.

He’d thought his purpose was to be his brother’s keeper, but now things were different.

His purpose was to keep Misty safe and pledge his fealty to her body and soul. And the reward to him would be great.

It was a purpose with weight that could fulfill him instead of drain him.

He could make her happy, and in turn, he could be happy himself.

Dame inhaled deeply and pressed a kiss to the side of her neck, then to her cheek.

“Nooo,” she said in this cute, sleepy voice as he moved to release her from his embrace. She hugged his arms to her bare chest. Fuck, her tits felt so good. “Five more minutes.”