Tiger Born

by Tressie Lockwood

  By late afternoon, Deja had selected a little black cocktail dress. The back was cut low, and the trimmings that surrounded the hole in back extended up over her shoulders to the front were decked in jewels. The bodycon fit of the dress showed off her figure and displayed much of her legs since it stopped just past her ass. She already owned a pair of silver slingbacks, which went perfect with her outfit. After she’d showered with her favorite body wash, a scent that had never failed to leave Heath panting after her, she donned her clothing and put her hair in a loose bun to complete her makeup. Heath liked her hair down, so, she let that be the final touch, her braids fanning around her shoulders.

  Heath arrived at her apartment promptly at seven. Before she answered the door, she scanned the tiny place with a critical eye. Having little furniture because not that much could fit into it, she could at least be glad she’d cleaned it the day before. The couch and armchair—no room for a loveseat—were gently used. Even while she appreciated having them, she couldn’t help recalling she and Heath purchased brand-new furniture for their house, paid for with the money Tate left him when he died. While Heath still hurt to know Tate wasn’t his real father but in fact an operative for Spiderweb that fell in love with his mother, she believed Heath forgave him because Tate took care of him from day one and provided an incredible inheritance for Heath when he died. Heath kept trying to get her to let him help her financially, but while they were apart, she refused. That would give him a toehold back into her life, and she had to get her mind right before deciding whether she wanted it or not.

  She pulled the door open and winced at the squeak in the hinges she hadn’t oiled yet. “Hey.” She smiled and turned with deliberate movements so he could take in the back of the dress. “Let me get my purse and a cover-up just in case it gets chilly later.”

  “You’re playing dirty, Deja.” The rumble in his voice brought goose bumps to her arms.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m wearing a dress like you asked me.” She peered over her shoulder at him and warmed at the raw hunger in his eyes.

  “You’re showing so much skin, and you smell delicious.”

  “I’m guessing you like the dress. Dude, seriously, work on the compliments.” With a matter-of-fact attitude, she gathered up her purse and sweater and started past him. His arm shot out, and he dragged her into his embrace. Deja turned her head when he tried to kiss her. “Aren’t we going to be late for our reservation?”

  Heath stared into her eyes for a full minute and then released her. “Fine. Let’s go.”

  The restaurant in McAllen turned out to be a nice one with seating outside as well as inside. A bar took up one end for casual dining, and romantic seating at the tables lit with candles occupied the rest of the floor space. In a spot near a pair of French doors, someone played a grand piano, and the soft, classical music set the tone of sophistication and elegance.

  “Wow, how did you know about this place?” she asked, breathless.

  “Coreen suggested it. I take it you like?” His eyes sparkled, making her chest constrict. Deja took his arm and leaned into him to offer her lips. Heath didn’t hesitate to cover them with his own, and a tingle of pleasure found its way between her legs. She followed close by his side as the waiter led them to their table.

  Heath pulled out her chair and waited until she sat down before he occupied his own. She watched him unfold the cloth napkin and lay it across his lap then copied him. All day, she’d anticipated him falling prey to her charms, but she was the one who couldn’t take her eyes off him. He’d dressed in dark colors, stylish clothes that complemented his broad shoulders and chest. Even while the collared shirt fit him well, it did not disguise how big his arms were, reminding her of how they felt trapping her between them. His blond hair lay in disordered curls, a deliberate style that brought out his boyish good looks, and the blue eyes caught and held her attention without his saying a thing. She hung on his words, enjoying even the movements of his lips. All she wanted was to jump across the table and sit on his lap to feel him grow hard under her.

  Heath reached over the table and brushed his fingertips against hers. “Are you okay?”

  Electric shocks radiating from the simple touch made her jerk away, her body twining tight in need of a lot more than that. “I’m fine. Sorry, what did you say?”

  “I was saying I’d like to talk about us.”

  She licked her lips and looked down at her hands in her lap.

  “You can’t be happy with how things stand, Deja. Baby, I saw how you’re living—”

  She frowned at him. “I know you’re not about to dis my apartment.”

  “I’m not.” He held up his hands. “At least let me help you financially. You can live anywhere you want.”

  “I’m living where I want, on my own terms, Heath. If you can’t accept that, then we have nothing to discuss.”

  They both fell silent and concentrated on choosing their meal. Deja didn’t have much of an appetite, but she would eat anyway. She hated arguing with him, and why did she have to get an attitude in the first place? He was only being nice, and she recognized that, but Heath had the type of personality where he felt obligated to take care of those in need. She put it down to the trait of the alpha, and her stubborn independence didn’t help matters. The waiter strode up to the table.

  “I’ll have the barbecue chicken, the mac and cheese, and the broccoli,” she told him.

  Heath gave the waiter his order as well. When the man had gone, he folded his hands together and leaned forward on the table. “Sweetheart, let’s take this a little slower. I’m not wrong in thinking you want to be with me, am I?”

  She took a sip of wine Heath had ordered for them. “You’re not wrong.”

  “Good, and I want to be with you too. I think we’re putting the cart before the horse.”

  She frowned at him. “What do you mean?”

  “Marry me.”

  Nothing prepared her to hear those words. She never thought in a million years this was what he’d had in mind when he asked her to dinner. One side of her wanted to scream yes. The other held back. They had issues, ones that wouldn’t get fixed just because he popped the most important question in a woman’s life.

  “I…”

  He took her hands, guaranteeing her reasoning would cloud over, but Deja didn’t have the strength or will to pull away. “You’re wanting a baby, but we haven’t even gotten married yet.”

  She swallowed and dropped her voice lower. “You might be right, but most shifters don’t bother with a piece of paper. The state’s view of a bonded couple means little to them once they’ve found their mate. Even those that choose humans don’t worry with it.”

  He stared at her for several minutes still holding her hand. “Does that mean you don’t want to marry me?”

  A lump rose in her throat, and wetness gathered in the corners of her eyes. “I’d marry you in a heartbeat.”

  He squeezed her fingers. “Then let’s do it. Marry me, Deja. Say yes, and we will tie the knot as soon as we come back from getting Tina’s cousin.”

  Happiness bubbled up inside Deja until she neared bursting. “Yes. Yes, I will!”

  Heath blew out a relieved breath and tugged her closer to kiss her lips. He poured more wine, and they toasted to a long life together. When dinner concluded, he picked up the tab and escorted her out of the restaurant.

  “You want to go down to the lake?” he offered. “I hear it’s a beautiful spot over this way where couples like to stroll in the moonlight. Plus, it’s much bigger than anything we’d find in Siberia.”

  She nuzzled close to his side. “I’d love to.”

  * * * *

  The boardwalk extended all along the lakeside, and a few points stretched over the water into a gazebo. Deja stood in front of Heath to take in the beautiful sight. She loved the way the moon reflected on the water, and even while there were plenty of other people out there, no one walked too nearby, givi
ng her the feeling of being alone with her man.

  Heath placed a hand on either side of her hips and moved in closer. “Happy?” he murmured against her hair, and she moaned in response. His cock hardened against her back.

  “I can tell you are,” she teased.

  “That’s you making those noises.”

  “I’m not making any noises.” She moaned again, and this time, Heath curved a hand over her pussy. She squeaked and tried to push him away. “Stop, Heath, someone will see you.”

  “It’s your fault.” He grabbed for the hem of her dress. She fought to keep it down, but the wetness had already started from his first touch. Horny as hell, she missed his body. Heath managed to work her dress higher, until his fingers brushed the edge of her panties. “No one will see unless they’re shifters, able to see in the dark, and even if they do, so what? Most are doing the same thing.”

  “No, they aren’t. Everybody’s not sex-crazed like you, Mr. Hunter. I’m not doing it out here with you.”

  “Not even this?” he asked and pushed a digit inside her panties to glide into her heat. Deja’s knees threatened to give, and she dropped her chin to her chest. Heath added another finger, and she gripped the railing. “Your pussy is so wet, Deja. I wonder why.”

  She pushed back into his thigh, loving what he did to her but knowing if she didn’t stop him now she’d be riding his fingers in a few minutes. “Heath, you can’t be getting anything out of this.”

  “I will watch as my woman comes. You don’t think that gets me hard? Hearing you moan, seeing you squirm against my fingers?” His arm came around her waist, and he held her tight to his chest while he stroked her mound. She bit her bottom lip to keep from shouting out when he grazed her clit.

  “N-no, Heath.” She turned her face into the crook of his neck. Her heavy lids drooped, and she tried her best to look around to see if someone watched, but she couldn’t focus.

  He thrust two fingers deep until they were buried to the knuckles. “Tell me no again, baby.”

  She couldn’t say the word. Instead, she clung to his arm, doing all she could to stay quiet. He pumped into her sex and pulled back, only to drive in again. His hand brought to mind the feeling of his cock slamming inside her, and she craved it now. Raising a knee, she pulled at his arm and rocked her hips.

  “Mmm, yes, baby, ride my fingers. Take what you need.”

  The low rumble of his voice added to the experience. Her core muscles twined tighter. Her breath grew heavy and noisy. She clenched her teeth together, but it was too late. She came, and the shout ripped from her throat. Heath clapped a hand over her lips while he continued to work between her legs. She rode out the pleasure until it died down, and he stopped moving.

  Deja dragged his hand away from her mouth. “Bastard, now everybody knows.”

  Heath didn’t say anything, and she turned in his arms. Even in the darkness, she saw his need reflected in his eyes. If she didn’t get him out of there now, he would likely toss her up on the railing and take her. While that didn’t sound like a bad idea, she didn’t want to be arrested either, because there was no way she’d keep it down with his cock in her.

  “Come on. Let’s go.” She took his hand and started off. Heath followed, still saying nothing. She got that it took all his effort not to act on his desire. Deja shivered in both anticipation and nerves thinking they might not make it. She stumbled over a rock on the path, and Heath bumped her from behind. His cock seemed to strain against her ass, even through his clothes. She moved faster.

  They made it to the truck, and as she opened the door on her side, Heath grabbed her, reached beneath her dress, and dragged her panties down her legs. She yelped and looked around. The nearest people across the parking lot had their backs turned, so she quickly scrambled out of her panties and tossed them into the truck, then clambered in after them. Beside her, Heath stood gripping the door with one hand and leaning on the roof with the other. His gaze burned bright in the darkness, almost as if they held an internal illumination, but she knew it was just the moonlight reflecting in the cat’s eyes.

  She put a hand up to touch his chest but hesitated with it hovering in the air. “Heath, we should go, at least somewhere where there’s no one around.”

  He said nothing, and she held her legs tight together, knowing he would smell her come. The liquid ran from her pussy since she’d just had an orgasm, and she willed it to stop. The fact of the matter was, she wanted him again too. That one time could not satisfy the lack of satisfaction lately.

  “Heath?”

  He walked around to the other side of the truck and got in. The violent thrust of the key into the ignition told of how hard he worked to keep it together. When he threw the vehicle into gear and tore out of the parking lot, she held on for dear life. They roared down the highway, Heath gunning it. She tried to remember how long it had taken them to get to the restaurant and almost groaned when she realized it had to have been at least half an hour.

  Heath turned off the highway and headed down a back road at top speed. The route being less smooth, he hit a bump, and she bounced in her seat. One knee came up higher than she intended, and Heath swore. The next thing she knew, he’d turned into a narrow dirt lane between two high rows of corn and slammed on the breaks.

  “Come here, Deja,” he snapped, and she caught the sound of his zipper lowering in the dark cab. Deja unbuckled her seat belt and climbed across the middle divider and straddled Heath. He grasped her hips, raised her up, and brought her down on his erection. She scarcely had time to arch so his cock slid into her channel. He tangled fingers in her hair and drove her mouth to his. Hungry kisses numbed her lips in seconds, but she gave into him as he thumped deep inside her heat and invaded her mouth with his tongue. After some time, he raised his head and demanded, “Off,” and started tugging at her dress.

  She arched. “Don’t tear it.”

  “Deja…”

  “I know, baby. I know you need it.” She leaned away from him and worked her dress up her torso. Heath’s eyes locked on her bare breasts when they came into view. She hadn’t worn a bra. Rough hands played with her nipples, pinching them, squeezing her mounds. She closed her eyes and let him have his fill. Her desire climbed with each touch and with each nip from his teeth. On his lap, her pussy clenched around his dick, milking her lover until she wanted to scream in release. Heath raised her up a few inches, only to let her fall hard on his cock. He crushed her to him in the next second to grind hard into her snatch until she thought she would faint. His roughness both turned her on and frightened her. She didn’t want him to stop, and his wild passion incited her lust.

  He pushed the button to make his chair go back as far as possible to give them more room. Deja leaned away from him. He raised her legs higher so they both could see his shaft sliding in and out of her heat. “Yes,” he growled. “I’ve waited too long to have you. You feel so good around me, Deja. Faster! You’re going to make me explode!”

  She arched her back and braced herself on his lap. Their bodies pounded together over and over until an orgasm began to build. She shut her eyes, but Heath wasn’t having that.

  “No, open your eyes, Deja. I want you to look at me while you come.”

  “I can’t,” she panted. “It’s too good.”

  He squeezed one of her breasts, and she whimpered. When he caught the tip between his thumb and forefinger, her pussy gushed. She came screaming his name and never took her eyes off him. Seconds after, he pulled her to his chest and held her in place. Hot come flooded her channel, making her quiver from head to toe.

  After they both calmed down, he allowed her to climb into her seat. He unbuttoned his shirt and held it out to her. “Put this on.”

  She frowned. “My dress is okay. You didn’t tear it.”

  He waved the shirt, and she took it.

  “We could get into trouble if we’re pulled over, you know?”

  He didn’t appear to be worried, but she realized after she�
��d pinched the last button into its hole, the act of her wearing his shirt with nothing on underneath and riding in his truck seemed to turn him on. He tucked his cock away in his pants, but she saw that it had already begun to grow again. Heath would want more sex when they got home, and she didn’t mind a bit.

  Chapter Six

  Deja buttoned her capris and pulled her top down over them. She turned sideways to check out her reflection at the back and decided the outfit looked nice and cool for visiting Heath at the office. She intended to invite him to lunch, and then she’d break down and hit him up for money. Now that they were engaged and working on their relationship, she didn’t feel so determined not to accept his help—well, every once in a while. She had slept at the house last night but then came back to her apartment today. Heath had protested, but she wanted to do things right. She didn’t want to make decisions because they thought they had to, being mated, but because both of them were on the same track. If they were to get to that place, then their decisions had to be theirs and not what was expected as shifters. Even with this argument, the only way she’d gotten him to agree to let her stay in her place was to assure him the cootchie was not off-limits. She laughed remembering his reaction to her use of such a word and then to her promise. The man’s desire seemed to grow by the hour.

  She let herself out of the apartment and locked the door, then jogged down the steps to the street. Her place sat just a few blocks from Siberia’s “city hall,” where Ward kept his offices. The building was more like three large rooms and a kitchen, but recently Ward had been talking about expanding. She understood that he needed more room now that he dragged Heath into working with him, but the man also had to understand Heath craved the outdoors. He lived for the day he could start up another ranch, and she only wished there was land available close enough to Siberia that he could buy.