Page 49 of Tiger Bitten

“Mars, I don’t like her,” she gritted out, turning for him. She rested back against the counter. “We aren’t on good terms.” She gestured to her eyes that always stayed that damn gold color. “Clearly.”

“We could Change together.”

Just the mention of it dredged a wave of nausea straight through her stomach. “Mars, stop.”

“It’ll be okay. Whatever she is, she will be good with my tiger. We could just go to the woods and spend as much time as you want. Our animals could get to know each other.”

Ren spun and doubled over the sink, certain she would be sick. “Mars, you have to stop.”

“What’s wrong?” he was right there behind her, his hands gentle on her shoulders, but his touch burned her skin, and inside of her, it felt like a volcano had opened up.

“I need a minute,” she gasped, and ran to the bathroom, then shut and locked the door behind her.

Her body didn’t feel right, but this wasn’t the first time it had happened. It wasn’t even the fiftieth time. This…this right here…the yearning was the worst part of her whole life. The yearning was what she hated more than anything.

A wave of anger took her at the unfairness, and she tried to let the Almost-Change settle down. Mars didn’t understand. Even if she explained it, he couldn’t. No one could understand how messed up she was.

She doubled over and groaned in pain.

“Are you okay?” Mars asked at the door.

“I’ll be right out,” she said in as light a voice as she could muster.

Think about anything else. Ren closed her eyes and sank down against the door, imagining the way it had felt to be in his arms earlier. She blew out a steadying breath and imagined the way his hands felt on her breasts, how his lips had felt against her neck.

Already, the sickness was fading.

She took three deep breaths, doing the breathing technique she’d taught herself long ago.

Five minutes later, she felt better, and steady once more. Gingerly, she stood up and hesitated before she opened the door. She was embarrassed, and it was hard to face him now.

Be brave. It’s not his fault.

She pushed the door open and looked around the room. Mars wasn’t in here, and the s’mores ingredients were missing from the counter. She clenched her shaking hands and pulled his oversized hoodie off the chair, then pulled it over her cute sleep set. She wanted to be hidden right now, and nope, that was not something she could explain or even understand.

She always felt dirty after an Almost-Change. She didn’t know why.

She pushed open the back door. It was cracked open, as if he’d been listening for her to make sure she was okay. Outside, the small porch and firepit faced the RV Stellan was staying in. The lights were off though, and he didn’t seem to be there.

Mars was sitting with his back to her, with a marshmallow hovering over the flames he’d turned on. He turned just enough to take her in and sat up straighter. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” she asked, sitting down gingerly in the seat beside him.

“You aren’t ready to talk about your Cat, and I’m pushing you. Just because me and my brothers handle our Cats like we do, it doesn’t mean you have to. I can wait. It’s too fast. You’re right.”

She offered him a tired smile and reached for his hand, then pulled it to her cheek wordlessly. She nuzzled him in a silent thank you. “I’ll be ready to talk about it someday. I just want to enjoy this week with you.”

He nodded and reached over, pulled her chair toward him until it touched the arm of his own chair. The marshmallow was on fire, just like she liked it, and he blew the flame out, then stacked it with a piece of chocolate bar, sandwiched between two graham crackers, and then he handed it to her.

With a relieved grin, she took it and snuggled back in the chair, drawing her knees up.

“You should always wear my clothes at night,” he murmured.

“Oh, you like the oversized hoodie look?”

“I like you in my things. I like my scent on you.”

“Possessive.”