Harley: Prince Of Tigers, Book 5

by Kathi S. Barton

  Watching the exchange between Harper and Mark’s wife Lydia had him bouncing back and forth like one would at a tennis match. All he could figure out so far was that they were both passionate about school funding. Why they thought they had to be loud about it was beyond him. Harley, however, knew better than to ask them.

  I don’t think I’ve enjoyed a meal like this one in a very long time. If ever. He winked at his dad. My goodness, they’re very loud. I thought for sure they were going to be intimidated by the way we talk over each other. I have to tell you, son, I think they got us beat.

  I was concerned too that they’d not fit in with us. Or worse yet, be upset about how we are when we get together. When I mentioned that to Micky, she just smiled at me. I understand why now. Dad laughed with him through their link. Rowan and Toddy look good together, don’t they? I mean, he’s a little tense about us being so close to her, but I think she can handle him all right.

  When she came in, I gave her a big hug. You know how I am. Anywho, he just glared at me. You know what she did? She went and kissed me on the cheek, too, like she was tempting him to get mad at me. I thought for sure she was mad at me a bit and was having me get in a brawl with her mate. But she was testing him, she told me. He is gonna have to get used to having men around her. She’s a good cop, I heard. Is it true she’s gonna quit working? Harley told his dad what Micky had been talking to her about. Taking over the station house here? Well, that would keep her close. I like that. And I think my girl Harper is talking little Miss Lydia into coming here to take over the educational department. Would be good for them others to have her get all up in their grill.

  Harley had no idea where his dad got his sayings, but he loved him all the more for saying them. The other day he’d asked him where in blue blazes he’d been. It had taken him an hour to figure out he was using blue blazes as a different form of hell. His dad was a hoot, just as everyone told him he was.

  “What do you think, Harley?” He looked around the table and smiled, telling his brother Sampson that he had drifted off thinking about their parents.

  “Good save. But I was talking about the way things are being run at the clinic now that the county has taken it over. Toddy was turned away when he went there, as I have heard a few other shifters have been. They’re only serving the ones that have money to get ahead in the line, it seems. The people the clinic was built for don’t have the money for insurance, much less greasing palms that shouldn’t need greasing in the first place.”

  “Has anyone looked into what is going on? Not that I don’t believe you, Toddy, but I’d like some more information before we go charging in there. I had drifted off, as I said, so if you have what you need, then we should most definitely go to them and see what is going on.” Harper said they couldn’t, not now that the county had taken over. “So what they’re doing is making money off something we donated to them to use as a free clinic for those in need.”

  “Pretty much.” Harper looked at Micky when she cleared her throat. “You know something we don’t? I’m all ears if it gets us some leverage in shutting them down.”

  “Do you know who did the contract?” They told her. “Good, it’s in house. I’m sure he can tell you faster than I can read over the contract to see if it was put in it that there cannot be any charges or exchange of money or the contract is nullified. I put that in all my donation contracts. I think everyone does that has a good head on their shoulders. As I’m sure each of you do.”

  “I did that. Christ, I never even gave it a second thought. Because as you said, it’s about standard operating procedure. That’s great.” Fisher got up from the table then sat back down. Calling to his faerie, he asked her to go and get the contract for him. “She’ll be quicker than I can be going there and coming back. That was brilliant, Micky. Do you buy and sell a lot of businesses?”

  “It’s sort of a hobby of mine. I take buildings mostly and turn them into viable places of business. Then when I’ve gotten it as far as I can, I sell it. Or donate it to someone. The nursing home I just recently sold was a good money maker. When I bought the old school building, I had ideas of turning it into a studio for different media for artists to work from. However, I noticed that the nursing home in town was going to be closed down due to an infestation. It was easy enough to turn the thirty-room building into apartments for the elderly. And it already had a kitchen, so that helped.” She looked around the table and then at him. “I’m going on too much, aren’t I?”

  “No.” The entire table, both families, told her to go on. Her brother Roone smiled at his little sister. “I don’t think any of us knew what you did exactly. We knew you were working at a nursing home, but to be honest, honey, I had no idea you owned it. What else have you been up to?”

  Harley was interested as well. They’d had very little time to sit down and talk. When they had a bit of time, something would come up. Like deadlines for his work. He had a large show coming up in a couple of weeks, and he wanted Micky to go with him. He’d forgotten to ask her. He’d been so busy helping his brothers.

  “I’ve purchased several buildings I’ve not done anything with. Two in this town. Did you know the police stationhouse had been for sale for nearly two decades? I got it for a song too.” It was Mark who asked her if she had any buildings he could maybe open a practice in. “Yes. While I was doing some research on one of the buildings that caught my attention, I heard about a school building, a high school campus, as a matter of fact, that was going to be demoed because they couldn’t find a buyer.”

  “You bought it.” When she nodded at him, Harley kissed her on the mouth quickly. “Good for you. And this building, is it the one on Harrison Avenue in Zanesville? The one on the hill?”

  “It is. The Harrison Avenue High School. Such a clever name, don’t you think?” They all laughed. “It has nine buildings on the property. Two that will have to be demolished soon, as they were damaged when a large tree fell over the two of them. But the main building is in good repair. It’ll need some updates, windows, furnace and such. However, I think the building that was used to store equipment would be better for you, Mark. It has fifty rooms, all of them with doors. I think it was built in the early nineteenth century. Beautiful craftsmanship throughout the building.” She handed Harley her phone after finding the pictures.

  “I think we helped build this, didn’t we, Dad?” Dad looked at the pictures and said they had. It was older than she thought too.

  “I thought it was built in the eighteen twenties. That would be the main schoolhouse. It’s been renovated a couple of times, but it wouldn’t take anything at all to make all the buildings up to code with the help of the faeries.”

  The phone was passed around, and everyone had a comment about the usage of the larger building. Micky said she’d had no plans when she bought it but thought that sometime in the future, she might.

  “I gave some serious thought about turning the gymnasium into something the city could use. For kids that don’t have anyone at home when they’re finished with school for the day. The floors need to be sanded and varnished, but I think it’s in good shape. Along with the gym, there are two buildings not far from it that were used by the kids as changing rooms. Those would make a great place for a small cafeteria for some snacks and such. Also, the other building could be used for a projects room, I thought. Like arts and crafts. I don’t have all the details worked out right now, but that’s what I keep coming back to.”

  For the rest of the evening, they talked about the buildings. Harley asked Micky at one point if she cared that everyone was making plans for the buildings, and she smiled at him. Every part of his heart belonged to her, and he wanted to shout it to the world.

  Then he remembered the ring. He’d asked Aurora if she could make the emerald she’d given him into a ring for Micky. It only just then occurred to him that what Aurora had told him was true. The color of the brilliant stone
was only surpassed by the color of Micky’s eyes. They were a true green that shone brightly when she was excited about something. And she was very excited about the projects she had going on with the two families.

  It was nearly midnight when everyone left. They had had a good meeting, and Harper suggested that they do this more often. That it was nice having so many ideas to support their project.

  It was Dad that took him aside at the end and hugged him tightly. “You got yourself a smart woman there, Harley. They’re all smart, don’t get me wrong, but she’s a quiet, not getting up in your face smart. She’ll lead you along on her idea for a minute, then she’ll make you think you done come up with it all on your own. Smart girl.” Harley told his dad he might not want to say that in front of her. “No. No, you’re right. She’d get testy about me pointing it out. I’m learning how to be around so many women. Your momma, she’s like them, but I was all right when it was just her and me with you boys. Now I have to be a might careful on saying something that would offend them. They’d forgive me, I know that, but it would hurt my heart to upset any one of them, including your momma. I sure am glad she’s back, Harley. It’s nice to wake up beside someone that makes you smile just to know she loves you. Micky loves you. It’s written all over her face when she looks at you with those beautiful eyes. Hey, didn’t you get an emerald that day with Aurora?”

  He pulled out the ring and showed it to his dad. Dad loved it. He even called back Mom so she could look at it too. Micky came out of the kitchen just then, and Harley thought that now was as good a time as ever. Only Mom and Dad would be witness to his pain if Micky turned him down.

  Getting down on one knee, he smiled when she looked at his parents, then back at him. “What the hell are you doing? You couldn’t have picked a better time for this? Like when we’re alone?” He asked her if she was going to hurt him. If so, he had witnesses to his demise. “You’re an immortal, you dumb ass. Just ask so I can tell you yes.”

  “Will you marry me?” She said she would. “I wasn’t done yet. I had all these romantic things I wanted to say to you.”

  “All right, if you want to do that. I can wait and tell you yes again. But I think you should just call it a day and let me kiss you. However, I’m glad you finally got around to asking me, you big dummy. I love you so much, Harley. With every breath I take, I can feel you surrounding my heart, and I can go on from whatever I was doing.”

  “That was going to be my line.” She laughed, got down on her knees too, and kissed him. “You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever had the pleasure of marrying.” She laughed again. “That didn’t come out the way I wanted it to. But you understand, right?”

  “I do. And I love you too.” She grinned at his parents before turning to him again. “You have this boyish charm about you that makes me think of surfers out west. All great-looking muscled-up men that don’t have a clue in their heads. But then you speak, and it’s like the perfect image of a man for me. You’re smart, funny. You’re not one to take credit for things you’ve done. You also put up with my wildness. Not many people can do that.” He said he loved her. “And I so very dearly love you as well.”

  After kissing her, she started to stand. “Wait, I have a ring for you.” She stood where she was when he slipped it on her finger. As soon as she started to sway, Harley was sure she didn’t like it and stood up to pick her up when Dad caught her. “I’m so sorry.” Micky just looked at him. “You don’t like it. I can understand that it might not have been your choice. We can go and get you something—”

  She put her hand over his mouth. “Let me show you something.” She pulled her phone from her pocket and shuffled through the pictures. When she got to whatever it was she was looking for, she handed him the phone. That was when he noticed his parents had left. “This was given to me by my same grannie that read me the story about the house. It’s a perfect match, Harley. Like you knew I had the necklace and earrings already and needed the ring to go with it.”

  It was a good match. Even the band that held the emerald in a tiffany setting was the same kind of prongs that held the large emerald in the middle of the necklace. The earrings as well. As he studied it, looking at the small diamonds that were surrounding the large gem, he looked at the ring on her finger.

  “I wish I could take credit for the design, but Aurora made it for me.” Micky told him she couldn’t care less who had designed it. He’d given it to her. “I love you so much, Micky. Thank you for finding me as your mate.”

  “You’re very welcome. How about we go up to the big bedroom and fuck each other silly? I’m up for an all-nighter if you are.”

  He was still laughing as he made his way up the stairs. She was never going to be anything that he expected. Harley liked that about her too.

  ~*~

  The faeries had been busy since she’d asked to have the room made sexy. Micky had to smile every time she thought of the look on Bubbles’ face when Pop explained to her what she wanted. Never had anything tickled her more than to make a faerie, older than she was by hundreds of years, blush.

  There were rose petals on the bed. Champagne was chilling in an ice bucket near the bed, too, the glasses sparkling like they were filled with faerie dust. When Harley opened the small fridge in the room, he laughed at what was in there.

  “There are several sandwiches in here, as well as gallons of tea. I can only think that they thought we were going to be working up a hell of a thirst. Also, there is some chocolate ice cream. I wonder how much magic they used for all this to fit in this little fridge.” He turned to her then, and she smiled. “You’re naked.”

  “I’m so happy you noticed. But if you’d rather keep telling me what’s in the fridge, then go right ahead. I can wait.” He shut the little fridge and walked to her—glided, more like it. “You have way too many clothes on, Harley. I was hoping to get to see you in all your glory. Do I have to do everything for you?”

  “That would be nice. But I’m not going to be able to wait for you to get me undressed. I’m about to come now. Christ, you’re beautiful.” She turned for him, and he stopped her when her back was toward him. She asked him what was wrong. “Nothing that won’t keep. I love the way your back seems to slide down to your bottom. The curve of your ass. The way your shoulders seem to be holding you together.”

  “You really are a romantic.” When he ran his finger down the column of her spine, she moaned. “Harley, if you’re half as needy as I am, we’re going to combust when we finally come together. Please, touch me.”

  He turned her around, so she was facing him. The kiss he gave her could have melted a glacier in the coldest climates. His hands were making her body heated, his touch like a firestorm in her belly. When she thought he’d played around enough, Harley picked her up by her ass, and she wrapped her legs around his hips.

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t wait any longer.” His cock filled her. Even as she cried out her first climax, she was ready for the next and the one after that. “Come for me again, love. I need to taste you when you do.”

  Her body responded to his request like it had been on the end of a runway just waiting for the okay to take off. Screaming until her throat was raw, Micky came twice before she was able to think that never in her life had she ever come with such passion, such need as she had this first time with Harley.

  The touch of his tongue to her throat had her leaning back for him to take whatever he wanted. Had he wanted to tear her throat out, Micky believed with all her heart that she would have gladly let him. There was nothing in the world she wouldn’t give to or do for this man. When he snarled, biting down hard at her flesh, Micky felt the world pause. The universe seemed to stop spinning.

  It was then that he came with her. Micky cried out his name and held onto him, feeling as if her body had been taken apart. His throat was given to her in much the same way she’d offered herself to him. Biting down,
feeling the flesh tear, his blood filling her mouth, Micky blacked out for several moments as his blood not only filled her mouth but ran down her chin to her breasts.

  When she opened her eyes, Micky found herself on the bed with a light sheet over her. Harley was sleeping next to her, and bright sunlight was coming through the sheer curtain in their room. Sitting up, thinking of going to the bathroom before Harley woke, he pulled her back into the bed and curled around her. Suddenly he sat up and looked down at her.

  “Are you all right?” She told him she’d never been better. “I’m so sorry, Micky. I had no idea. I’ve never done anything like that before.”

  “Never? Well damn, but you’re better than I thought.” He frowned at her. “Maybe it would be better if you were to tell me what it is you’re sorry for. That way, I can figure out what kind of punishment you deserve for it.”

  “I changed you.” She said that wasn’t possible. “Well, it must be for us. When I got you in bed and covered up, Aurora came to see me. She told me I had changed you into a cat. While she has no idea what sort of cat you might be— Well, I have to tell you I was thinking she meant something like a kitten, but then that wouldn’t work.”

  “Harley.” His mouth snapped closed with an audible snap. “What are you talking about? Kittens? Are you serious right now? Not to mention, when a friend of mine changed his mate, she was down for days. It couldn’t have been more than a few hours. Right?”

  “No, just a few hours.” He looked at the clock across the room. “Six hours twenty-four minutes, and a handful of seconds, I guess. You’re taking this very calmly, Micky. Did you hear what I just said to you? You’re a cat.”