Tiger by the Tail
Shelley Munro
Middlemarch Mates, Book Nine
One plus one equals three.
Tiger shifter Hari Daya takes one look at Ambar Patel’s photo and is smitten. Further research heightens his fascination. An arranged marriage would work, except the lady isn’t buying and tells him to take a hike.
Ambar is already involved with human Jake Quinn. Casual pleasure and lovin’ works best for her since she dreams of traveling the world and delving into new experiences. The frisson of heat and desire she feels for Hari is unacceptable. There will be no tiger mate for her.
Jake Quinn has no idea either his lover or his new friend are shifters, but there sure as hell is something weird going on in his head. As much as he enjoys sex with Ambar, he’s thinking about Hari too. Suddenly there’s kissing and togetherness way past his comfort zone. The slide into sinful pleasure with both Hari and Ambar is easy—it’s the relationship dynamics that give them headaches and make them wonder if they’re making a huge mistake.
An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication
www.ellorascave.com
Tiger by the Tail
ISBN 9781419928161
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Tiger by the Tail Copyright © 2010 Shelley Munro
Edited by Mary Moran
Cover art by Syneca
Electronic book publication July 2010
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This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.
Tiger by the Tail
Shelley Munro
Acknowledgements
I’d like to thank Fedora and Ivy for taking the time to read this story and offer their suggestions. I can’t thank you enough for your help and feedback.
Thanks to Mary, my awesome editor who always makes each book better. I appreciate you more than words can convey.
And finally, thanks to Paul. You’re the best!
Chapter One
Hari Daya’s breath eased out in a soundless whistle when he caught his first glimpse of Ambar Patel. His feline part froze, attention fixed on his prey. No doubt about it—he wanted her. One glance at her striking exotic looks, the nubile curves, and he knew he’d been right to stealthily liberate her file from his cousin and travel halfway around the world to locate her. While she looked attractive in the photo he’d carried with him for the last six months, the flat black-and-white portrait didn’t capture her essence. It didn’t show the teasing sparkle of her eyes or the luster of her long, black hair. It did nothing to showcase her easy manner with the customers who shopped for groceries at the Patel Store or the sensuous way she moved despite her height and robust frame.
His.
A rush of air escaped him, the accompanying rumble sounding like a purr of contentment. After a quick glance in both directions to see if anyone was watching, he lifted his nose and opened his mouth, dragging the breath across his receptors to test the early morning air for scent.
Yeah, she was all tiger.
Satisfaction throbbed in him, even though Hari knew winning her wouldn’t be easy. Marriage brokers arranged matches in the local Indian community in London where he’d spent most of his life. It was a way to ensure wealth stayed in the family, for prestige to remain intact, but one look at Ambar told him everything. He wanted her in his bed and in his life.
And he’d do anything to get her there.
The idea of a stealthy hunt didn’t bother him. Seduction—his feline rather liked the idea. Another purr erupted along with a pleased grin. He had plenty of money and had no need of a dowry to sweeten his bank account. There was no impediment there.
Already he’d put things in motion, applying and receiving the necessary documentation to start a new life in New Zealand. With his computer skills, it wasn’t difficult to obtain work, and he’d covered that angle quickly, signing a contract for freelance design work he could take care of while he set up base in Middlemarch.
City born and bred, his heart was captured by the countryside—the endless green and open spaces. The mountains and the crisp, exhaust-free air. It was easy to see why the Patels had moved from Auckland to the South Island of New Zealand. The sense of freedom sang through him, enticing his feline to run and play. Other cats lived in the area—he could smell them along with the Patels’ distinctive tiger scent. On one level that pleased him, but it made him realize he shouldn’t dally outside on the street, spying on Ambar Patel like a voyeur. Six months had passed, and he had to make sure no one else had claimed her first.
Time to make his move.
Straightening, Hari switched his laptop bag from one hand to the other and strode toward the store, sighing when Ambar moved out of sight. Impatiently, he waited for a mother and daughter to leave. He pushed the door open, setting off a bell. The tinkle faded seconds after the door closed behind him. The faint strains of off-key humming drifted from behind the scenes, making him smile.
He marched up to the counter, unaccountably nervous because this meeting was so important. “Hello?”
Footsteps sounded and Ambar came into sight again. He felt his lips curve in the beginnings of a smile and opened his mouth to speak. Nothing came out. Aghast, he snapped his mouth shut so he didn’t look like the village idiot. That would be a first, and a terrible impression on the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life making happy.
Swallowing, he tried again. “Hi, I’m Hari Daya.” He stuck out his hand and waited for her to take it, desperate to touch even in an innocent way. His breath eased out with a whoosh when she clasped his hand. Soft and feminine, the touch left him with sex on his mind. He couldn’t wait to experience her fingers wandering over his naked body.
“It’s nice to meet you, Hari.” Her welcoming smile faded while he stood there like a fool. “I’d like my hand back now.” She tugged to emphasize her point.
“Sorry.” Damn, this wasn’t going the way he’d intended. He released her hand, his heart beating a fraction faster. Who knew he’d turn into an idiot the minute he stepped into her proximity? He wiped his clammy palms on his jeans-clad thighs. A first, that’s for sure. He continued to stare, imprinting her image in his mind so he could recall it later. Belatedly, he noticed the pucker of her forehead, a cute wrinkle between her golden-brown eyes.
“I’m here to marry you,” he blurted. “I need to speak to your brother.”
For an instant she stared at him, her mouth dropping open. Then her teeth clacked together, her lips pursing in a firm line. Pure fire erupted in her eyes. “Out!” The thrust of her finger indicated the direction.
“Huh?”
Before he could say another word, she was around the counter and shovi
ng on his shoulders, pushing him to the door.
Hari was so surprised and distracted by her touch he didn’t put up a fight. She propelled him outside.
“We’re closed,” she snapped at the elderly man about to enter. Then she slammed the door and shot the bolt, turning the Open sign to show Closed, every line of her body indicating fury.
“What was that about?” the elderly man asked.
“I have no idea,” Hari said, irritation building inside him. Anger at himself. At her. He hadn’t handled that well. It’s true he wasn’t exactly pretty to look at—not like his cousin. The scar he’d received during a childhood squabble zigzagged down the left side of his face. But he had a nice smile. Other women told him that, and he took care of himself. Damn. What the hell should he do now? Surely his scar didn’t bother her? Some women couldn’t get past it, and over the years he’d become used to people staring. It didn’t bother him, not as much as it had during his teen years. “I suppose they’ll open again later?”
The elderly man didn’t seem particularly perturbed. “No doubt young Rohan will come along soon.” He wandered off, leaving Hari wondering what to do next. A glance up the street showed a cafe. The number of vehicles parked outside attested to the fact it was open and the food half-decent. His stomach grumbled and that decided him. A cup of coffee and something to eat would do a lot to settle his nerves while he pondered his next move.
Hari pushed the cafe door open and stepped inside. He ordered a coffee and a cooked breakfast at the counter before checking for a table. All full. That would be right, considering the way his morning had gone already.
The woman behind the counter noticed his dilemma. Feline, he determined after an unobtrusive sniff. “See the guy with brown hair sitting alone at the table in the far corner? That’s Jake. He won’t mind sharing. Just head over and introduce yourself.”
“Thanks.” At least not all the natives were hostile. He navigated past a stroller and an ornately carved walking stick leaning against the corner of a table before stopping where the woman had indicated. “Hi, I’m Hari Daya. The woman at the counter said you wouldn’t mind if I shared your table.”
“Jake Quinn,” the man said, his easy grin putting Hari at ease. Jake registered the scar on Hari’s face, but his behavior didn’t change. “Take a seat.”
“Is the cafe always this busy?” Hari asked, glancing at the full tables.
“Pretty much,” Jake said. “Emily Mitchell owns the place and does the cooking. Most of the employees are family.”
Human, Hari thought. He sensed curious eyes on him and caught the faint scent of feline. At least they didn’t attack first and ask questions later. In some regions, they didn’t welcome strangers, either feline or human. A little research on Middlemarch had reassured him nothing untoward would occur after his arrival unless he invited trouble. Most of the shifters living in the community were black leopard, although he understood there were lions and tigers now that the Patels had moved to the area. All the felines lived in secrecy, participating in community activities without their human neighbors suspecting a thing.
“What brings you to Middlemarch?” Jake asked.
“Some of my friends said it was a great town.” Hari didn’t want to say too much and mention the Patels. Small-town gossip was the last thing he needed. “I’m actually looking for somewhere to stay for a few months while I do some freelance design work.” And try to court Ambar Patel, he added silently.
Jake glanced at Hari’s laptop bag. “Computer design?”
Hari nodded, far more comfortable talking about his work than his reasons for arriving in Middlemarch. “I’m designing websites for a firm in London. Sometimes I do sites for large companies and other times it’s for a small business or someone who is self-employed. Last month I designed a website for an erotic romance author.” He paused to gauge the other man’s interest before he continued. “I like the variety, and the job gives me plenty of time to work on the game I’m designing.”
“A game? Can you tell me more or is it top secret?” Jake’s blue eyes sparkled with enthusiasm and genuine interest. He didn’t avert his gaze from Hari’s scar or show distaste, instead treating him like any other new acquaintance. Jake’s casual manner put Hari at ease.
“It’s a fantasy game about a horse race on a foreign planet. The players have to catch a hell-horse and train it to race. They have to navigate the local customs and the aliens on the planet, face the weird hell-horses and all sorts of dangers before they get to race their horse. It’s a race to the death and the hell-horses eat each other. The first over the finish line or the last one standing is the winner.”
“Sounds gruesome. Gamers will love it. What are you calling the game? Do you need someone to test it for you?”
“I’m calling it House of the Cat because one of the main characters is a feline shifter.” Hari paused to study Jake and saw he was serious. Interest sparked to life in him, one Hari would have catalogued as sexual if Jake had been a member of the opposite sex. Embarrassed by the weird thought, he rushed to speak. “Actually, someone to help me test the game would be great. I have to find somewhere to live, but once I’m set up, I’ll get in touch.” Hari pulled out his wallet and handed Jake one of the business cards he’d designed and printed the previous evening. They displayed his email address and his new cell phone number.
“I can do better than that. I live on a farm. My father and I used to run it together, but he had a mild heart attack and decided to turn it over to me. You can stay with me. I have to admit the money would come in handy and I could use the company.”
“What about women?” Hari asked.
Jake blinked. “What about them?”
“Now that you’re living alone do you have drunken parties and women visiting all nights of the week? I don’t mind a party now and then, and I don’t begrudge a man feminine company, but after flatting with my cousin and his friends and suffering through nonstop parties, I don’t want to try to work with that sort of distraction again.”
“You don’t expect me to live like a monk?”
“Hell no,” Hari said. “A happy medium works for me.”
Jake chuckled. “Works for me too. Why don’t you visit later today and check out the place? Most days I’m working on the farm and you won’t see much of me until the evening.”
A different woman arrived with their breakfasts and set the plates in front of them. “Is that everything?”
“Thanks, Isabella,” Jake said. “This is Hari. He’s moving to Middlemarch. Hari, this is Isabella Mitchell. Unfortunately, she’s married. I keep asking her to run off with me, but she persists in saying no.”
“Pleased to meet you.” He winked at Jake. “Maybe I’ll have more success.”
Isabella snorted. “Please! It took me a long time to catch Leo. I’m not throwing my fish back.”
“I’m not sure Leo would like being compared to a fish.” Jake smirked up at her, and for the second time today Hari felt pleased with his decision to move to Middlemarch. A woman. A new friend who liked gaming. For once things were working out for him.
“We won’t tell Leo,” Hari promised.
“I might tell him.” Isabella shook her head, but it was easy to see the humor lurking just out of sight. “Enjoy your breakfast.” She left to answer the summons of a bell.
“So what do you say?” Jake slathered butter over a slice of whole grain toast. “You’d have your own bedroom and en suite.”
“How much will you charge me?”
Jake frowned. “How about one hundred a week plus you pay a share of the groceries and power? Does that sound reasonable?”
More than reasonable. It sounded on the cheap side to Hari, not that he was about to argue. “Sounds great. When can I come and check it out?”
“Could you come with me after we’re done here?”
“Works for me.” It would give him time to make sure Rohan was at the store for him to speak with in person and maybe A
mbar as well.
Things moved quickly after their breakfast. Hari viewed the room at Jake’s and agreed to his terms. He unpacked his rental car, made himself at home and headed back down the winding gravel road to the township of Middlemarch. It was time to meet Rohan Patel and discuss his marriage to Ambar.
* * * * *
“Rohan. Rohan!” Ambar stomped into the house she shared with her brother and his mate Kiran. The scent of freshly brewed coffee made her turn in the direction of the kitchen. She burst through the doorway and glared at them both before focusing on Rohan.
“I asked you to do one thing. One thing! And did you do it? Oh no.” She threw up her hands in disgust, her scowl intensifying.
Kiran took one look at her face and stood. “Maybe I should go.”
“Sit,” Ambar ordered. “Rohan, you didn’t cancel the marriage broker.”
“I did so.” Rohan met her gaze without a hint of deceit. “I cancelled the contract with the marriage broker and told him his services were no longer required.”
“Then why did a man turn up in the store this morning and tell me he’d come to marry me?”
“What man? Where is he?”
Ambar glowered at both men. “I pushed him out of the store, slammed the door in his face and hightailed it straight here.” She twisted the golden band on her right hand, the ring she’d inherited from her mother and wore to remind herself of her desire to live an independent life. While men were lots of fun, she didn’t need one to survive. She did not need a mate to complete her life.
“Why didn’t you bring him here? Or ask him to wait at the store and call me so we could sort it out?”
“I’m not marrying him, and you can’t make me.” She wrenched on the gold band again, trying not to think about him. Hari.
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