Finding More (Tiger Nip Book 3)

by Brandy Walker

  He did all of it while kissing her lips, face, and neck. He licked the soft delicate skin where his mark was, and her body reacted by arching against him. Her pussy gliding over his thick cloth-covered erection. As he sucked on her neck, she threaded her fingers through his hair, keeping him in place. Quakes of desire rolled through her chest and landed low in her belly. Her pussy flooded, and she couldn’t stop her hips from grinding against his erection even more.

  Suddenly, or maybe not so much since they were headed in that direction, he pushed her shorts down. She squirmed to help him out. Pulling the leg hooked over his hip out of the restricting material. She didn’t worry about getting the shorts off completely. She only needed him to have access to her wet slit.

  She shoved down his boxers enough to pull his thick penis free. Hooking her leg back over his hip, she guided him into her. His name broke free of her lips when he was seated fully inside. It didn’t take long for him to start rocking in and out of her. It was a combination of lazy and frenzied thrusting. They kissed and caressed each other. Breasts. Back. Ass. Her moans grew breathy and ragged the higher he pushed her arousal. Nearing her peak, a tingling sensation started in her gums. Her canines descended and she clamped onto his neck, marking him as she convulsed around his dick. As soon as she pulled her mouth away, he marked her. Pumping his hips in short bursts, groaning against her skin as he came.

  Once he pulled away from her neck, he licked her wound, then made his way up her neck until he was feasting on her lips.

  A sound from out in the hallway intruded their afterglow. Devon slipped free from her body, kissing her one last time before rolling off the bed. Carolline pulled up the sheet, which had worked its way down during their morning lovemaking.

  The door to the room swung open and Devon’s youngest toddled in. Carolline scrambled to discretely pull her shorts back on, then pulled up the comforter from the bottom of the bed.

  Sebastian grabbed the TV remote, climbed up on the bed, and planted himself next to Carolline. He smashed the on button and flipped through the channels quickly before finding cartoons. Snuggling into her side, he let out a sigh. Her heart melted as his little body pressed into her. She could hear his heart beat. Smell the sweetness of his baby scent. Granted, he wasn’t a baby, but to her he was still one.

  Wrapping her arm around him, she snuggled down. She was pretty sure this was as close as she would come to having children of her own.

  Devon came out of the bathroom with a washcloth in his hand and came to a screeching halt. He looked at Carolline, then at his son slouched down in bed. They looked like mother and son. The sight tore at him and yet filled him with joy.

  Turning, he tossed the washcloth back into the bathroom, not caring where it landed. He cleared his throat and put a smile on his face. “Hey, buddy. Whatcha doing?” He joined Carolline and Seb on the bed; infinitely glad he’d had the sense to not get undressed like he’d wanted to. Luring Carolline into the shower had been the next item on his list, but something told him it would have to wait.

  “Watching toons,” Sebastian answered without taking his eyes off the show.

  Devon caught Carolline’s gaze. A gentle smile curved her lips; her eyes were soft and full of happiness. He couldn’t help but smile back. “I see this. You haven’t watched cartoons with me in a while.”

  Sebastian shrugged his tiny shoulders. “You work lots.”

  Devon’s heart immediately sank to his feet at hearing his son’s reason. Carolline reached out and stroked a hand over his bare shoulder. The depression trying to set in vanished immediately. “I have been working a lot, haven’t I?”

  “Yep,” Sebastian quipped.

  “So you thought I would be home today and we would watch TV together?” Devon wasn’t all too confident he was the reason Sebastian decided to venture into the room.

  Sebastian looked at him then, a toothy grin on his face. “My turn. ‘Line read to Tabby. Marcus likes her.”

  Devon’s jaw dropped in shock, but he quickly laughed. “What about your good old dad?”

  “You watch too.” With that he turned his attention back to the show.

  Devon scooted closer to Sebastian. They watched two thirty minute shows before his mother called them all down. Seb jumped off the end of the bed like he was a superhero. “Food,” he said before racing out of the room.

  Devon and Carolline got out of bed. A smile lit up her face. “I haven’t watched cartoons in ages. It was fun,” she said as she grabbed her suitcase. While Carolline rooted through it, Devon tossed on a pair of sweat pants he hadn’t seen in ages and pulled on a comfortable T-shirt. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d worn anything but work clothes. Down time was never really down time. He acted as if he were constantly on-call, dressed and ready to go, waiting for the phone to ring to drag him back to work.

  At first, after Sasha died, he’d spent every waking hour with his kids. As time went on, he went back to work. An extra hour turned into two, which later turned into evenings, then weekends. He saw it as working his ass off in order to provide for his family. But Sasha hadn’t worked while they were married, so in the grand scheme of things, nothing had changed. Not financially anyway.

  It was a stunning revelation. Devon plunked back down on the bed. His head swimming with the implications of what happened. His kids had lost their mother in a horrible accident, and eventually lost their father to his work along the way. In an attempt to do everything for his kids, he’d neglected the most vital thing. Time with them.

  He planned to rectify the situation as soon as possible. As soon as they figured out what was going on.

  Carolline stepped into his line of sight. She’d tugged on grey yoga pants and a soft yellow T-shirt. Her feet were bare and pink toenails peeked out from beneath the hem of her pants. “Ready to go downstairs?” she held out her hand in a silent offering.

  He studied her delicate, slim fingers. Saw the way her hand shook minutely. The sweet scent of nervousness drifted toward him. Barely distinguishable from her own natural scent. She appeared that way after a decent night’s sleep, and she was diving into this mating headfirst. Accepting him and the kids, his entire family without batting an eye. Well, apart from her initial objections to being his mate. She’d put herself in harm’s way before knowing they were mates. She suffered alone in her hospital room because he was too stubborn to reach out and take what was in front of him. And yet, here she stood, offering her hand and showing a solidarity he’d yet to achieve.

  Slowly, her hand dropped back to her side. “I guess I’ll see you downstairs,” she said, her voice quiet and filled with confusion.

  Bolting from the bed, he snagged her around the waist as she made her way to the open door. He turned her to face him. Unable to stop himself, he claimed her mouth. He swept his tongue across her bottom lip, licking and teasing before thrusting inside. It tangled with hers. The sweet taste of myrrh pulling a groan from his chest. His tiger prowled, pushing him to take her back to bed, claiming her once more. He broke off the kiss, panting heavily. Once he caught his breath, he looked into her soft, golden eyes. “I’m sorry. I was in my head a bit too much.”

  Her hands fisted on his chest like she was restraining herself from touching him more. Part of him wished she wouldn’t stop from exploring his body. He was fascinated with her touch. The other part knew they needed to talk at some point. “I can understand. This is all new for both of us.”

  “Yes, it is. I didn’t think I would ever feel the mating pull. As far as I was concerned, I had a mate in Sasha. Once she died, I never expected to feel anything ever again.”

  She frowned. Her brow dipping and nose crinkling slightly. It was damn cute on her. “I see. To be honest, I didn’t think I would have a mate—ever.”

  The statement took him by surprise. She was a beautiful woman. Tall, lithe with gently rounded curves. She had a gorgeous, easy smile that lit her face up. He knew she was in the top of her field, and a well-regarded autho
rity on hybrids and development. The fact that she was a hybrid shouldn’t make a difference. “Why do you say that?”

  “My biggest reason was my age. I’m twenty-nine. I’m at the upper limit most experts say a shifter will find a mate.” She sounded so damn logical when she said it, but if that were the case…

  “What about me then? I’m thirty-two. Going off your logic, I shouldn’t feel anything. I can tell you for a fact, I feel far from nothing.”

  Carolline dropped her hands from his chest. She pursed her lips in contemplation. “It isn’t that you shouldn’t feel anything. I think finding a mate after thirty gets overlooked. The statistics for it aren’t there to compare. We’re all raised on the same old theory you must find a mate before a certain age. If you don’t, your life is incomplete and you’ve failed.” She held out a hand to him. He didn’t waste any time threading their fingers together. They left the bedroom and made their way to the kitchen as she talked. “The one thing stressed above all others is that the ability to procreate goes dormant after age thirty. Or so they say. They aren’t clear in the teachings about whether it is the man or woman or both. Of course, all their information is based on purebred shifters. I’ve been talking with a colleague back East about doing a similar study using hybrids. There are so many variables we could use, which is why we haven’t started yet.”

  Devon didn’t hear much after Carolline pointed out the flaw in the shifter-procreation-after-thirty theory, and his realization that she hadn’t even reached the magical age. He glanced down at her flat stomach. If it was based on the woman’s age, then there was a good chance she was already carrying his child.

  The thought brought him up short as they entered the kitchen. He stopped moving, and she came to a halt when he didn’t come with her. Arm stretched out between them, she looked back at him, silent question on her face. He shook his head and plastered on a smile. Murmuring it was nothing as he joined her at the table and sat down with his family.

  What the hell would he do if she were pregnant? He’d thought that part of his life was over. He already had three kids to raise, and never entertained the idea of having more. But then, he didn’t know he had a mate out in the world, so why would it occur to him? There was so much to consider. So much to talk about. For now, though, he was going to enjoy breakfast with his family.

  Chapter 25

  Devon made it through breakfast without letting anyone know about his worries. They were all too caught up in eating and small talk for it to be an issue. The mundane, homey feel of family enjoying a Saturday morning breakfast soon taking over the worries in his mind. He was able to let things go and enjoy the moment that he hoped would become a tradition.

  It wasn’t until the last plate was pushed forward, the kids had run off to get cleaned up, and the adults were sipping coffee, or tea in Carolline’s case, that the inquisition Devon had half expected began. It was his dad who took the lead.

  “So, Carolline,” he trailed off.

  She glanced at his father with a small, knowing smile tilting her lips. “Yes, Russell?”

  “Tell us a little about yourself. The most we know is what we’ve heard from Devon when you were helping Mary Jane.”

  “I’m sure that was flattering,” she smirked.

  Devon coughed lightly into his hand. He felt a flush of heat drift across his face. He hadn’t been too flattering when talking about the woman before. She, in essence, broke up his engagement.

  Carolline chuckled and took a sip from her cup before setting it down. “What would you like to know that doesn’t involve me being an almost home-wrecker and nosy Nancy?”

  Devon’s mom giggled and shot a look at him. He groaned quietly in embarrassment. Carolline was pretty spot on in his descriptions of her. Though he may have used a few more descriptive words once or twice. “Anything, really. Where did you grow up? Do you have brothers or sisters? What are your parents’ like? Will we get to meet them? Honestly, I’m surprised there wasn’t any gossip floating around about them visiting. You know how the nurses like to gab about anyone coming from out of state.”

  He noticed Carolline grow more tense with each question his mom asked. He wanted to slip his hand into hers, but thanks to the way they sat at the table, he couldn’t. Not to mention how Carolline held herself away from everyone, more curled up into herself.

  She glanced down quickly before looking back at his parents. Resolve was written into her tight features. “I grew up in one of the many group homes in State College, Pennsylvania. I guess if you consider the other kids in the home family, then I had a lot of brothers and sisters, but I don’t have any biological ones that I know of. The woman who gave birth to me got pregnant from a one-night stand. As soon as she could, she dropped me off at the nearest hybrid home for unwanted children. I have no idea who my father was. So, there would be no gossip to float around about them. Maybe about the lack of their presence though.” She shrugged before picking her tea up and taking a sip.

  The smile dropped right off his mom’s face as Carolline talked so nonchalantly about her life. Devon had gotten the impression from Ben that Carolline hadn’t had the best life growing up, but he never would have imagined she grew up in a group home. Abandoned by the one person who was supposed to love you unconditionally. Thinking back to their conversation when they’d been at her house, he realized he didn’t connect the dots when she told him how she’d gotten into yoga.

  When he’d snooped into her personnel file, there had been no mention of her childhood. Which, why would there be? It contained her education and work history. Her impressive run through college, finishing her degree two years before the others who started with her. Her stellar work ethic and track record with the program she ran for hybrids. There had been nothing but positive reviews and recommendations.

  His mom shot him a panicked look.

  Devon was saved from having to rescue the situation by the ringing of the doorbell. He sagged in relief. For once, he would be able to thank Dallas for his usually horrible timing. Escaping from the table as quickly as possible without looking like he was running away, he whipped open the door with a bright smile plastered on his face, but was shocked to see it was Ben standing on his front porch and not his brother.

  Ben, who looked to be all business and not the man who’d been egging him on to chase down Carolline and claim her. Ben was in Sheriff mode.

  “Sheriff?”

  “Morning, Devon. Can I assume Carolline is still here?”

  He nodded.

  “And your parents?”

  He nodded again. His brows knitting with worry. His stomach cramped, and a feeling of dread washed over him. “Come in. They’re all in the kitchen at the table.”

  Ben nodded sharply and headed in the right direction. Devon closed and locked the front door, checking it twice before following behind. When he joined everyone at the table, Ben handed a newspaper to Devon. Something he’d apparently missed the law enforcement officer holding.

  The pages were folded over, and he pointed to an article. Devon read it out loud for everyone to hear.

  Kids narrowly escape kidnapping.

  Two weeks ago, the children of Dr. Devon Andersen, of Garden, Wyoming, narrowly escaped a kidnapping attempt. Sources say the children had been playing in the park when their nanny walked off to spend time with her boyfriend. While she was gone, two men, possibly rogue shifters, approached the children and threatened to hurt their father if they didn’t come with them.

  Whether by design or a case of the right place at the right time, Dr. Carolline Greene, a recent transplant to Garden, tackled the two men in a bid to help. The children ran off and brought help. Unfortunately, one of the would-be kidnappers escaped and hasn’t been seen since. According to our source, it isn’t known if Dr. Greene was in on the plot. The other man was taken into custody by the Sheriff’s office. There has been no word on whether or not the man has told law enforcement officials anything.

  Dr. Devon Anderse
n is the widower of local girl and beloved daughter, Sasha Jordan. Sasha died in a car accident two years ago when a drunk driver hit her while she was driving home from Cheyenne to Garden. She is survived by her parents Philip and Tracey Jordan, as well as her husband and three children Marcus, Tabitha, and Sebastian.

  Devon tossed the paper down with a curse. “Who the hell talked to the newspaper?”

  “We aren’t sure. When we called, they gave us the runaround about freedom of press and anonymity. But there weren’t many people who knew Carolline saved the kids. The EMT and hospital staff were put on lock down. The girl who should have been watching the kids has been holed up with her boyfriend. We approached the local paper about not releasing any information and they agreed. It damn sure helped that you and the owner were good friends back in the day.”

  “Doesn’t mean someone didn’t shoot their mouth off,” his dad grunted.

  “Who shot their mouth off about what?” Dallas, Devon’s younger brother asked, strolling into the kitchen like he owned the place. He made his way to the cabinet and pulled down a coffee mug and a glass.

  It didn’t surprise Devon one bit that Dallas used his key; and, yet, not a single one of them managed to hear him coming through the front door. It was a testament to how caught up in the news article they had been.

  After Dallas filled the mug with coffee, Devon shoved the paper in his brother’s direction. “Newspaper article about the attempted kidnapping.”

  Dallas picked it up and handed the glass to Devon. “Orange juice, please. Kacie is feeling a little sick.”

  “Anything you want to share with us, son?” their father asked. His eyebrow was arched high, a stern, uncompromising look on his face.