by Karin Story
He leaned back against the headboard of the bed and crossed his long legs in front of him. "I figured it was up to me to either stew about Trent's little gift all my life, or turn it to my advantage. As I recall, you told me I did remind you of a tiger.
Oh, yes. He most certainly did. She smiled at the vision of his lean body stretched out comfortably, yet with an air of energy about him, like he could spring up and snag his prey at any moment. "And the other part of it?"
"Well, like I said, I could stew about his gift, or turn it to my advantage. I chose to make it my own, in a manner of speaking." Full-blown mischief sparkled to life in his eyes.
Understanding slowly dawned and wide-eyed, she scrambled to her knees. "Oh no. Tell me you did not do this! Turn around!" she ordered.
Setting the cake on the floor, he grinned, then did as he was told.
She slid up behind him and ran her fingertips over the tiger tattoo on his shoulder blade. But it was different now.
The decoration on the cake and the one on his shoulder were one and the same.
Maris didn't know whether to laugh, or to sock him upside the head. So she did both.
"I can't believe you did this," she said through her laughter. She wrapped her arms around him from behind, and kissed him on the ear. "Would you care to explain yourself, Mr. Tiger?"
He pulled her around and settled her onto his lap, her bare backside pressing against his warm flesh. "You know exactly what it means, Wonder Woman." His eyes danced with laughter, and something much, much more intense.
As his mouth met hers, a little thrill of excitement chased up her spine.
The stalking tiger on Tom's back was no longer alone. Next to it, the blue and red comic book image of Wonder Woman now claimed her own territory.
But what brought the smile to Maris's face was the image of the tiger and the Superhero enclosed in a sleek red heart.
Karin Story
Karin Story is a Colorado native. Although she's traveled and lived in many places, she always feels a bit out of sync if she wanders too far from the Rocky Mountains. That's probably why the mountains always seem to work their way into her books. She has a bachelor's degree in English, plus several graduate credit hours in Classics and Archaeology.
Her romantic fiction has received numerous awards, including first place in the Heart of Denver Romance Writers' Molly Contest in its inaugural year with one of her unpublished romantic suspense novels. Where Tigers Prowl won the Top o' the Peak Contest, and her young adult romance, Lonely Heart, garnered high praise from reviewers and was a finalist in the 2002 EPPIE awards. Many of her books, both young adult and adult, have recurring characters, so you never know who might turn up where! Tom and Maris will continue their adventures in Rage, coming in 2004 from Amber Quill Press.
Karin is married to her college sweetheart, has two boys, two dogs, and several dozen voices in her head that will either drive her insane or to her computer so she can tell their stories. You can visit her on the web at www.karinstory.com. She always enjoys hearing from readers!
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