“One day,” Abby said once they’d parted and lay on the bed once more. “If I get pregnant, or if something else were to happen to bring us closer together, will we meet your family?”
The question was innocent, but Michael tensed immediately and winced like he’d been hit. Abby frowned.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“Yeah.” Michael frowned. “There’s just something I haven’t told you yet.”
Something he’d hoped never to relive again. But Abby was his mate, and she deserved to know the truth.
It was time she found out why he’d left his clan and come to Cub's Cove.
Michael couldn’t dodge his past any longer.
Chapter Fourteen
“I told you that the white tiger is rare,” Michael said. The sun was starting to rise, and its golden light streamed through the window. The night before, Abby had left the curtains open so the two of them could watch the full moon while they talked. “But I didn’t tell you why.”
Abby let her fingers trail across his chest, trying to soothe him. The tension in Michael’s body had appeared suddenly, and she hated to see him strung up like he was.
“You can tell me anything,” she told him. “I’m not going to judge you for it. Romance writers are very non-judgmental types.”
That made Michael smile, but even his smile was strained. Abby’s fingertips brushed down his side, and after a moment spent collecting himself, he continued.
“White tigers are a genetic variant of normal tigers,” Michael explained. “But the thing is, if a white tiger mates with a normal tiger mate, their cubs won’t be albino. And of course, we’re all fiercely proud of our white coats and how it sets us apart from the rest.”
“Of course.” Abby smiled. So far, she followed along. Michael was taking the time to explain it to her in a way she’d understand, and she appreciated it.
“So, although all of us are receptive to other mates, every white tiger’s first choice is another white tiger.”
“But you left your clan.”
“Right.” Michael looked divided, as though he didn’t want to share with her that part of the story. “The problem is, because white tigers desire to take other white tigers as mates, there is a lot of in-fighting and rivalry, and it’s become dangerous and destructive.”
Abby’s eyes widened, and she sat up to look down at him. Michael flopped onto his back and stared up at the ceiling.
“What are you saying?” she asked.
“My clansmen are killing each other over potential mates,” Michael lamented. “Two of my brothers died while fighting over tigresses. I didn’t want any part in it, and so I left and chased my fortune elsewhere.”
“I can’t believe that.” Abby closed her eyes as she tried to imagine the pain Michael must have gone through. Losing a brother was unfathomable, but two? And to something so petty? “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Don’t be.” Michael’s grip around her tightened, and he drew her close. He smelled like a summer’s day, and faintly like paint and wood and the materials he used in his day-to-day work. It was a scent that Abby had come to associate with comfort. “They made their choices and I made mine. I’m at peace with it. But that’s why I’m not interested in getting back in touch with my family. As much as I love them, they’re dangerous.”
“And I’m just a human,” Abby whispered.
“And I need to keep you safe,” Michael corrected her. “And any cubs that we might have, I need to keep them safe as well. There is a chance that the children we might have one day would take after me and be shifters, and if that does happen, they’ll inherit their albino genes, too. And I don’t want to bring them into that world.”
“I understand,” Abby whispered, and she meant it. “It just means that we’ll have to start a family of our own to make up for the family that you lost.”
The tension eased from Michael’s shoulders and he smiled at her. “How is it that you always know the right things to say?”
Abby smiled back. “I already told you—I’m a romance writer. If I didn’t know what to say, I wouldn’t get very far.”
Michael’s laugh was all the reassurance she needed. The future was going to be fantastic, and they were going to shape it together.
* * *
Meeting Michael’s parents wasn’t going to happen, ever—but the conversation he’d had that morning, snuggled up next to Abby, convinced him that family was important for her. And while he couldn’t let her into his world to see his history, Michael wanted her to know that he was enthusiastic about learning all he could about her, and sharing her past as equally as he shared her present.
He’d suggested Abby invite her parents to meet him.
Six months had passed since the speed-dating event, and summer had turned to winter before their eyes. Abby’s novel was finished, and she’d been keeping busy with meetings and phone calls while Michael officiated the start of the business he now shared equally with Jason.
In a town as small as Cub’s Cove, the best business decision for them was to offer their services in neighboring towns. At times the commute was long, and sometimes Michael was forced to spend a night or two away, but every time he returned, Abby was waiting for him, and they made love like it was the first time all over again.
After even a short absence, the tiger in his soul rose up and became insatiable. Michael was glad that Abby had as healthy a sexual appetite as he did—she never left him disappointed.
Then again, Michael hadn’t expected anything less of his mate. Abby’s soul was designed to fit his, and they were compatible through and through.
It was why he was going to ask her to marry him after her parents arrived and got settled.
Family and human tradition didn’t mean much to Michael. The ways of the tiger were simple and straightforward and lacked pomp, but he appreciated that Abby came from a different background. And as a romance novelist, he was sure she had different expectations about love and eternity.
Michael didn’t want to fail her.
The ring had been in his possession for the last two weeks, and he’d hidden it amongst his belongings to keep it a surprise. Never before had something had so much significance.
For a man who held his shifter heritage in such high esteem, Michael found himself a bundle of nerves at the thought of asking Abby to marry him.
And now the time had come. Abby’s parents had arrived.
Michael heard the pop of snow and gravel as their car climbed the driveway, and when he lifted his head to look out the window from where he sat on the couch, Abby sprang up and ran to the door. The two of them had been watching something on their new television to pass the time.
Cold winter air rolled in through the door as Abby opened it, and she called out and waved to her parents from the doorway before they could even get out of the car. Michael thought it was adorable. He stood, brushed off his pants, and smoothed his shirt. Making a good impression was important.
Moments later, Abby’s parents were at the door. Abby’s mother was a shorter, older version of her daughter, while Abby’s father was a tall, heavy-set man with a receding hairline and a thick mustache.
“Mom, dad!” Abby exclaimed, rushing forward to sweep her mother into a hug, and then her father.
“Jake,” enthused Abby’s playful voice from behind her parents. “Oh my God, Jake, it’s so good to see you again!”
Jealousy threatened to turn into rage as soon as Michael heard the voice of another young man, but when Abby squeaked and pushed past her parents to sweep Jake into her arms, Michael knew there was nothing he could do. The fires cooled as soon as he heard her speak.
“Bro!”
“Hey, little sis,” Jake said with a grin. “Wouldn’t want to miss seeing the old place now that you got it all fixed up.”
“It wasn’t me,” Abby declared. She took a few steps back so she could face all three of them at the same time. Jake closed the door behind them,
“It’s good to meet the man who’s put my daughter in such a stellar mood for the past six months,” Abby’s father said. He took a step forward, and Michael closed the distance between them to shake his hand.
“So handsome,” Abby’s mother cooed. “Honey, this one’s a keeper.”
“Mom,” Abby groused, embarrassed. She scratched at the back of her head and looked away. “I mean, I agree, but do you really have to say that in front of him?”
“Of course I do.” Abby’s mother laughed. “Never let a good man go. If you love him, tell him so.”
“That goes for good women, too,” Michael said, deciding to stake his place in the conversation. “And I assure you, Mr. and Mrs. Collins, that Abby is so much more than a good woman.”
Abby blushed, and her parents exchanged pleased expressions.
“Call me George ,” Abby’s father said. “I have a feeling that we’re all family here.”
* * *
“I have a surprise for all of you,” Abby declared as dinner drew to a close. She’d spent the morning making a hearty stew she let simmer all day in the Crockpot, and it was one of the most delicious meals Michael had ever tasted. Paired with homemade bread to sop up the gravy, he’d eaten more than his fair share.
“You’re not pregnant, are you?” her mother cried out with excitement. She clapped her hands over her mouth, eyes wide. Michael was sure that it was a positive sign. He didn’t detect any hostility in the air.
“Mom!” Abby complained. Jake laughed.
“She’s not even married yet, mom. One step at a time, yeah?”
“Being married doesn’t mean anything,” Abby’s mom replied. She crossed her arms over her chest and lifted her chin high. “Being married isn’t necessary when it comes to baby-making.”
“Are you all serious right now?” Abby asked, looking between them in disbelief. “How about we stop this conversation now before it derails into family-unfriendly territory?”
“Deal,” Jake said with a nod.
Michael snorted, but he couldn’t hide his grin. Now he understood why Abby had wanted to meet his family—hers was delightful. It had never been like that between his brothers and himself. And if his father joked around? Michael probably would have thought that the world was ending.
“This is what I wanted to show you.” Abby leaned over and opened one of the nearby drawers. From it, of all things, she withdrew a book. Michael was dumbfounded; she must have put it there earlier that day without him seeing. “After five years of writing, I did it! I made the New York Times Bestseller list and even the USA Today Bestseller list. Not only did I finish the book I’d been struggling to write when I packed up and left for Cub’s Cove, but, my agent says it is the best I have ever written.”
Michael leaned forward to look, as did the rest of Abby’s family. The cover boasted her victories, but what caught Michael’s eye wasn’t the award listed on it—it was the title.
“‘In A Tiger’s Claws!’” Michael laughed.
“Fitting, isn’t it?” Abby shot him a knowing smile. None of her family knew, but Michael figured it would only be a matter of time. “And it’s all thanks to you, Michael. Without you, I never could have done this.”
“The next book will be just as successful,” Michael encouraged her, knowing that their love for one another had brought out the best in them both. Abby was flourishing because of him, and he was better than ever because of her.
They were each other’s strength.
“And the next one!” Abby exclaimed, her eyes for him and only him. “Because I’m never going to let you go.”
* * *
“Has Michael ever had a Collins’ lasagna before?” Abby’s mother asked. They worked side by side in the kitchen, lining the bottom of a disposable pan with lasagna noodles. The sauce was simmering on the stove, and the assortments of cheeses were prepped and ready to go.
The two of them had spent all day cooking while Michael, Abby’s father, and Jake had been out shoveling and taking care of business around the house.
“No. I’ve been cooking for him, but nothing so involved.” Abby laughed. “Besides, you’re the one who really makes it special. When I make it on my own it’s okay, but it’s not really like home.”
“It’s a mother’s touch.” Her mother winked. “Just like mother’s intuition. I’m sure it won’t be long before you know exactly what I’m talking about. I see the way you two look at each other.”
Embarrassed, Abby moved to take the pot from the stove and lifted the lid. Steam wafted up, and she doled the sauce onto the bed of noodles to avoid addressing the statement.
“Well,” Abby said at last. Her heart was racing. “It’s funny you should mention that, because—”
“Hey, smells great in here,” Jake said as he walked in through the door. Abby clammed up instantly. “Lasagna! Killer.”
“You boys done outside?” Abby’s mother asked. “I’m worried about you getting too cold. You should rest up inside with some hot chocolate for a while.”
“Yeah, we’re done,” Jake said. Michael and Abby’s father entered the kitchen behind him, and the three of them approached the counter where the women were working. “We had a great talk with Michael, and he needed to come inside and have a talk with you.”
“Hmm?” Abby’s mother turned around, but Abby was too busy spooning sauce to pay attention. How was she supposed to tell all of them? Her heart was racing imaging it.
“I need to speak with Abby,” Michael replied. The sound of his voice was deep and handsome, and Abby stopped what she was doing as it crashed into her. Hand trembling, she set the pot down and turned around.
Michael stood before her, flanked by Abby’s father and Jake.
“Abby,” he said heavily. “I know that we haven’t been together long, but in the short while we’ve known each other, I’ve changed. I’ve become a better man because of you.”
The constant thud of Abby’s heart wasn’t because of her secret anymore. She’d written this scene enough times to know what was happening. Tears clouded her eyes, and she lifted a hand to cover her mouth.
“I’m in love with you, and I’ve been in love with you since day one. Nothing is ever going to change that.”
Michael sank to his knee, and from his back pocket he produced a ring box. Abby choked back a sob.
“Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” Abby cried. Jake cheered and her father beamed. At her side, her mother sniffled.
Michael opened the ring box to reveal the diamond ring inside. One large, princess-cut gem sat on display on a golden band, sandwiched between two smaller diamonds. It was simple, but it was gorgeous.
It was everything Abby had ever dreamed of.
Michael slipped the ring onto her finger, and Jake cheered again.
“I like this guy,” Jake said, patting Michael on the back. “Glad I get to call him my brother now.”
Trembling all over, Abby lifted her gaze from Michael and looked at her family. All of them were smiling, delighted for her new love.
“And soon you’re going to have another new member of the family to call on,” Abby announced. “Just this last week, I found out I’m pregnant. Michael and I are going to have a baby.”
Abby’s mother wailed with joy, Abby’s father clapped Michael on the back as Michael beamed, and Jake laughed.
“One instant family, please,” he said.
But for Abby, it was a dream come true. Her grandfather had always called her the Dreamer, and now she was living her wildest fantasy.
Michael kissed her, elated to hear the news, and Abby kissed him back as tears streamed down her cheeks.
A new chapter had just begun for them in a novel Abby never hoped to finish.
The End.
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About the Author:
Lizzie Lynn Lee is a gutter-minded hopeless romantic who doesn’t live in this world most of the time. In her perfect utopia, her heroes never take their women for granted, love at first sight exists and soul mates always find a way to be together. She invites you to visit her world, where she spins her tales because the men are sizzling hot, master the art of sex and they are really into their ladies—be that a slim girl, or curvy, interracial, interspecies, sassy or shy—their adventures redefine erotica. Are you ready to be thrilled?
www.ilizzie.com
Lizzie Lynn Lee Bibliography
Shunga Chronicles: Lady of the Snow
Love in the Elevator
Shunga Chronicles: Prince and the Assassin
Payback
Shunga Chronicles: Flight of the Heron
Wicked Game
Eve Aizawa: Eve of Seduction
Busted
Eve Aizawa: Deus Eve Machina
Sexopalooza
Switched
Cyber Lover
Jumping Bones
The Wolf She Married
Savannah’s Menage
Charly’s Chocolate Factory with Celia Kyle
Original Sin
Lycan Wars 1: Instinct
Claimed
Hot-Blooded
Fierce Heat with Celia Kyle
Orient Fevre
Gilded Cage
Corporate Plaything
Spirit World: Maison Plaisir
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