Page 27 of Tempting the Tiger

“What’s in the bag?” Mary asked, her eyes bright with curiosity.

“Don’t know,” Grace grinned at her. “Let’s go see.” She walked to her office, leaving the door open so they could see if anyone came in. The bag itself was almost too beautiful to touch—but she did. Folding back the tissue paper that hid its contents, she reached inside. Her fingers touched the edge of a box and she eagerly pulled it out.

It too was fancy and fine. White with a golden bow. Grace’s hands trembled as she lifted the lid. More tissue paper and then—Grace heard Mary’s gasp as she made one of her own. Inside the big box was a beautiful black leather jacket.

“I can’t believe he did this.” Grace’s high mood started to descend. “And why did he do this?” Immediately thoughts of being inadequate started to engulf her. Was she not wearing the right clothing to the hotel? Was he ashamed of the way she dressed? The only thing she’d ever had complete confidence in was her baking—and then only after about the hundredth time making the same dessert and having it come out perfect each and every time.

“Who cares?” Mary answered. “It’s beautiful.”

“Yes, it is.” Grace refolded the jacket, placing it back in the box

“I’ve heard of other shifters showering their mates with expensive gifts.”

Grace frowned at Mary. “Hold those thoughts right there. I’m nobody’s mate.”

The sound of the bell above the bakery door drew Mary’s attention. A customer had entered the store. She patted Grace on the shoulder, smiling at her. “Keep telling yourself that, boss.”

Keair stood between Bachar and Tarek as three, long black limousines pulled up in front of the Lion’s Pride. His body tensed and his animal started pacing inside him. He had a bad feeling about this. The same feeling he’d carried since Bachar had told him the delegation was coming. It had affected him—and more importantly, it had affected his relationship with Grace. Something, some instinct had told him not to get more deeply involved with Grace until this matter had been settled so he had pulled back seeing her every day. And that had not sit well with either the man or the tiger. Especially the tiger. The animal had been trying to battle for control since the day he’d first made love with Grace. He wanted his mate.

As did Keair.

He really didn’t understand why he was hesitating. Except, well, that Grace was human. And, she didn’t yet understand all the ramifications of life with a shifter. At least Sally had experienced some of the ins and outs of living with a shifter since her brother was a wolf.

Tonight, he was going to show Grace his animal and reveal some of his past. He didn’t think his past would make a difference in her feeling for him, but introducing her to his tiger might.

Will not. Loves me, the animal spoke inside his head.

Keair mentally snorted at the animal. How could she love something she’d never seen?

Mate. Mine.

Hearing the animal’s thoughts made Keair’s confidence grow. He knew the fates would not have put the two of them together if they weren’t true mates. He knew his cat would not have been feeling the exact same way if they were not destined to be together.

So, why did he still hesitate about revealing they were true mates to Grace?

He moved his shoulders, trying to ease some of the tension running through him. Was the hesitation he was feeling stemming from the fact that once he claimed her, his playboy ways would be over? Not that there was any chance now that he could actually cheat on Grace. His cock hadn’t gotten hard for a woman since that day he’d seen that luscious ass backing out of the van and smelled her delicious scent as he’d caught her in his arms.

Tonight was the night. He’d sent her a jacket so she’d be warm and cozy when he revealed his animal. Even though it was spring, the evenings still carried a chill. And once that was done, he planned on keeping her there for the remainder of the night, keeping her warm with his body. He’d stocked the gazebo at the back of the hotel with everything they would need tonight. Tonight when he would claim her. Just the thought of sinking his teeth into the creamy white flesh of her shoulder had his mouth watering—and his cock hardening.

“Down boy,” Tarek growled beside him.

“What?” For a moment Keair had forgotten everything except taking Grace to his bed.

“If you are not careful the princess will think those pheromones are for her and not your mate.”

“Shit.” Keair pulled his thoughts back in. The other man was correct and that was the last thing he wanted.

The doormen stepped forward and opened the doors of the limos. From the first stepped a large man well into his sixties. His stature was large, his body covered in muscle despite his age. He was a shifter. A tiger. From the same limo, three more men exited, these much younger. There was no doubt this was the man’s security team.

The second limo contained more security. Three more wolves and a cat. From the last limo, a beautiful woman stepped out. Her hair was the color of an African sunset and her skin a golden brown. She was tall with a figure that would hold the attention of many men.

The delegate stepped forward, the older gentleman bowing to Bachar who had also stepped forward. He could feel Tarek sizing up each of the individuals.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Bachar. I am Jermal and this is my daughter, Jasmine.” He held out a hand and the woman moved to his side.

Bachar shook the man’s hand, but not Jasmine’s. It was considered taboo to shake a female shifter’s hand once mated. “It is a pleasure to meet you as well. I know you are pressed for time, so please come inside.”

Bachar led the way, followed by Jermal and Jasmine, Keair close behind them. Tarek remained outside, keeping an eye on the rest of the party. Even though there was peace between most shifters, some packs and prides sought to expand their territory through violence instead of negotiation. Just as there was supposedly peace between humans and shifters. The latest trouble with The Group had proven not all men could be trusted. Be they humans or shifters.