“I know, right? Ronin has won her over completely. You know where he was going this afternoon? To a football game with my father. Even Dad thinks he’s great.”
“I’m really happy for you, Kat.”
“Thanks, honey.”
“Also – ridiculously jealous.”
Kat leaned forward and took her hand. “You’re gonna find the right guy for you. I know it.”
“Maybe.” She stared into her tea. She was terribly afraid she had already found the right guy – he just didn’t want her the way she wanted him.
* * *
“Hi, Bria.”
Ava walked into the office and Bria smiled at her.
“Hi, Ava. How are you?”
“I’m good. Bishop and I have a two o’clock meeting with Jace.”
“Great. Have a seat.” Bria stood and moved around the desk. “Can I get you a cup of coffee or glass of water?”
“Water, please.”
“Sure. Where’s sweet Lila today?”
“She’s with my mom for a few hours,” Ava said.
“Jace is running about ten minutes behind but he is on his way.”
“That’s fine,” Ava said as Rosalie walked into reception. “Bishop texted me and he’s still five minutes away.” She smiled at Rosalie. “Hi there.”
“Rosalie, this is my friend Ava. Ava, this is Jace’s assistant Rosalie.”
“Nice to meet you,” Rosalie said. “Bria, I’m just running out to the post office. Be back in about half an hour.”
Rosalie left, and Bria smiled at Ava. “I’ll grab your water. Be right back.”
When she returned with the water, Ava was standing near the desk and, Bria groaned inwardly, Lincoln was standing next to her. She hurried forward and handed Ava the glass of water.
“It’s nice to meet you, Ava Lewis.” Lincoln’s voice was a husky purr.
“It’s nice to meet you as well,” Ava said.
“So,” Lincoln’s gaze drifted to Ava’s bare left hand before back to her face, “what’s a pretty little human like you doing in our office?”
Ava gave him an amused look. “Buying a house. Isn’t that why people usually come to your office?”
Bria choked down her laughter as Lincoln’s cheeks went red. “I’ve already got the perfect condo in mind for you. Two bedrooms, one bath, in the heart of downtown. Close to the hottest nightclubs and best restaurants in the city.”
The door opened, and Bishop strode into reception. Bria waved at the giant grizzly, but he ignored her. His lip was curling, and he was sniffing the air. No doubt he could smell Lincoln’s arousal just like she could. Deciding the lion shifter could use a lesson in manners, Bria kept her mouth shut as Bishop moved silently behind him.
Lincoln reached out and tugged on a lock of Ava’s red hair. “What do you say? I could set up an appointment for you to look at it. It’s perfect for a single girl looking for a little fun. Maybe we could have dinner afterward and -”
The deep growl made the lion shifter freeze. He sniffed the air before turning. Bishop loomed over him, his face red and his hands in fists. “Touch my mate again, lion shifter, and your head will hang on the wall of my home.”
Lincoln held his hands up and took a step to the right. Bria could practically see the steam rising from Bishop’s ears as he wrapped one beefy arm around Ava’s waist. He drew the curvy redhead into his embrace and glared at Lincoln.
Lincoln cleared his throat. Bria couldn’t smell any fear coming off the lion shifter. She couldn’t decide if Lincoln was incredibly brave or incredibly stupid as he grinned at Bishop. “My apologies. I didn’t know she was your mate.”
“She carries my scent,” Bishop growled at him.
“True. She does have a rather thick scent of grizzly on her.” He lifted his left hand and pointed to his ring finger. “But when a lady hasn’t got a ring, she’s not truly mated, is she?”
Bishop snarled, and his beard thickened. “She belongs to me.”
“Honey, stop.” Ava patted Bishop’s chest. “He’s just trying to get you riled up now.”
Lincoln grinned. “Maybe just a little. It was nice to meet you, Ava.”
He shoved his hands into his pockets, winked at Bishop and walked out of reception. Bishop was still growling under his breath and his shirt was straining against his shoulders. Ava rubbed his chest again.
“You’re mine,” Bishop said to her. “Mine.”
“Yes,” she replied. “I’m yours, honey. Relax, okay?”
“If he touches you again -”
“He won’t.”
Bria watched as Ava smoothed her hand over his chest a third time and smiled at the angry grizzly shifter before pressing a kiss against his mouth. He relaxed and his body returned to its normal size. He gave Bria a sheepish smile. “Uh, hi, Bria. Sorry about that.”
“It’s fine,” she said. “I was just telling Ava that Jace is on his way. I’ll take you to the boardroom, okay?”
“Sure.” Bishop took Ava’s hand, his gaze lingering on her ring finger. As she led them to the board room, Bria had a feeling that it wouldn’t be long before Ava was wearing a wedding ring.
* * *
“How are your mom and dad doing?” Lincoln gave him an uncharacteristically somber look as Jace climbed into the car.
“They’re doing okay. We went to his grave today and then walked along the river. Jonah used to love swimming there.”
“I remember.”
Jace stared out the windshield. “Mom said to say thank you for the flowers. It means a lot to her that you remember what today is.”
“You and I have been best friends since we were kids,” Lincoln said. “I’m not going to forget Jonah’s birthday.”
The lion shifter backed out of Jace’s driveway and drove down the street. “Why don’t we forget about going to the club and just buy some beer and chill at my place tonight. We can watch the game.”
“No, I want to go to the club.”
“It’s not that I’m trying to discourage you from getting your rocks off with a random shifter, but is your brother’s birthday really the night to do it? Besides, isn’t that why you joined Heat Me Up? So you could fuck shifters without having to do the whole pick up random chicks at a bar?”
“I turned my account inactive.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” Lincoln turned left at the lights.
“It’s really busy at the office right now.”
“No busier than usual. Plus, it’s like two days a month. If you’d rather work instead of enjoying two days of non-stop fucking with a hot cat shifter, there is something seriously wrong with you. Are you having issues with the old twig and berries?”
He glanced at Jace’s crotch. “No shame if you are. The number of guys who can’t get their twig to stand up is surprisingly large. I hear, three out of five -”
“I’m going to a club tonight for the sole purpose of getting laid. There’s nothing wrong with my dick.”
“Again, I question whether your brother’s birthday is the night to do it,” Lincoln said. “You’re hurting and you’re vulnerable tonight and -”
“What have you done with my best friend?”
“Nothing. I can be sensitive and understanding. I mean, usually it’s because I’m trying to get into a shifter’s pants, but I can make an exception for you, my little snookums.” Lincoln grinned.
“I want to get drunk and find some random shifter to have sex with. It’s the perfect way to end an awful day.”
“Jace -”
“Enough, Lincoln. You have no idea what this is like. I don’t need your goddamn advice on how to get through the birthday of my dead brother.”
Lincoln didn’t reply and Jace sighed. “Fuck. I’m sorry. That was a really shitty thing for me to say. I didn’t mean it.”
“It’s fine, man. I just don’t want you to do something you’ll regret.”
“I won’t.”
> “All right. Hey, you sure you want to go to Club Delight? We usually go to Trinity,” Lincoln said.
“I’m sure. I’m tired of Trinity.”
He wasn’t, but he sure as hell couldn’t go back to Trinity any time soon. Going to Trinity to pick up a shifter didn’t feel right. Not when the last time he was there, he’d fucked Bria in the bathroom.
Is that the only reason it doesn’t feel right? Are you seriously going to fuck some other random woman when the one you really want is Bria?
He blocked out his inner voice. He couldn’t have Bria and he needed to get used to the idea. What better way than by sleeping with someone else?
I want Bria. Give her to me, his tiger growled.
Fuck, his tiger was going to drive him insane.
* * *
Well, the date with the coyote shifter wasn’t as disastrous as her date with Patrick, but it was not going well. Bria sipped at her drink and checked her watch again. Yeah, he wasn’t coming back. It had been forty minutes since Ron had excused himself to use the bathroom. She’d been ditched.
She finished her drink and watched the humans and shifters dancing for a few minutes before sliding off the stool. The club was busy tonight, and she was getting a bit of a headache from the loud beat of the music. She didn’t even know why Ron had suggested the club for a first date. They could barely even hear each other over the music. Maybe he’d suggested it because it would be easy to sneak away when he found her boring as hell.
She picked her way through the crowd of people and headed toward the exit. At least she wasn’t at Club Trinity. If Ron had suggested that one, she would have given him a hard no. She didn’t think she could ever go back there. Not with the memory of fucking Jace in the bathroom lingering in her head.
She walked out of the bar and took in a deep breath of the night air. It was hot and stuffy in the club and -
“Jace, we are leaving.”
She spun around, staring wide-eyed at Lincoln and Jace. The lion shifter was practically dragging Jace out of the club. Her hands flew to her mouth when Jace punched the lion shifter in the mouth.
“Goddammit, Jace!” Lincoln roared. Blood was trickling from his mouth and he dodged Jace’s second swing at him. The tiger shifter was swaying back and forth, and she could see the way his body was starting to swell.
As the humans and shifters waiting to get into the club watched with a mixture of amusement and trepidation, Lincoln grabbed Jace’s arm again. “Listen to me, you ass. My cousin is at the fucking hospital and I need to go. I don’t have time for your bullshit.”
“So then go,” Jace snarled at him before shaking free. “I don’t need you babysitting me.”
“Like hell you don’t. You’re already shitfaced and in no shape to be alone. Now get your striped ass in my goddamn car.”
“No.”
Lincoln growled with anger. “You think this is what Jonah would want? You think he’d want you getting drunk on his birthday, and then fucking whichever random female finds you pathetic enough to throw a pity fuck your way?”
“Fuck you!” Jace shouted. “Don’t you dare fucking say his name again or I’ll kill you, Lincoln! Do you hear me? I’ll fucking kill you!”
“You can try,” Lincoln snarled as a golden-coloured beard grew on his face.
Without thinking about it, Bria ran forward. Both Jace and Lincoln were on the verge of shifting and she was worried they would try and tear each other apart.
“Jace!” She grabbed Jace’s arm and he swung around. His snarl of anger switched to loud purring. He pulled her into his embrace and rubbed his face against her throat.
“Hi, baby.” He purred into her ear before rubbing his face against her throat again.
“Hi,” she said. Lincoln was staring at them and she patted Jace’s back. “Let me go.”
“Don’t wanna,” he mumbled before threading his hand into her hair. He pulled her head back so he could mark the entire length of her neck before rubbing his face against the curve of her jaw.
“Jesus, Jace,” Lincoln groaned. “Bria, I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine,” she said. “Jace, let me go.”
He let go of her reluctantly. He was still purring and Lincoln rolled his eyes. “You’re gonna be fucking humiliated tomorrow.”
“How drunk is he?” Bria asked.
She was almost knocked over when Jace staggered behind her and rubbed his big body against her. Lincoln grabbed her arm to steady her and Jace snarled at him before yanking Bria out of his grip. He pressed her back against his chest and wrapped his arm around her waist. He rubbed his face repeatedly against her hair before licking her neck.
“Stop,” she said.
He growled like a sulky kitten but stopped licking her. He refused to release her though and she ignored his erection pressing against her ass. “How drunk is he, Lincoln?”
“Very.” Lincoln wiped the blood from his mouth. “Dammit, Jace, stop marking Bria, you idiot.”
Jace growled at him before marking Bria’s throat again. He purred to her and she swallowed down her answering purr as Lincoln’s phone buzzed. The lion shifter glanced at it and muttered a curse.
“What’s wrong?” Bria asked.
“My aunt is texting me. My cousin was in a car accident and is at the hospital. I told my aunt I’d meet her there, but I need to get Jace home first. Except he’s refusing to leave the club.”
Bria rocked forward as Jace gently headbutted the back of her skull before sweeping aside her hair and licking the back of her neck.
“You smell good,” he said before purring to her again. She gasped when he gave her throat a hard nip with his fangs.
“Jace!” Lincoln said. “Quit biting your receptionist!”
Jace licked away the small trickle of blood flowing down her skin as Lincoln said, “He’s not usually like this, I swear. It’s a rough day for him. It’s his brother’s birthday and…”
“I know about his brother,” Bria said.
“Really?” Lincoln gave her a look of surprise. “He doesn’t usually talk about Jonah.”
“He, um, he mentioned it the other night. Listen,” she said as Lincoln’s phone buzzed again, “go to the hospital. I’ll get Jace home.”
Lincoln shook his head. “You’ll never convince him to leave the club. He’s itching for a fight and if he gets in a fight with someone, you could get hurt.”
Jace was still licking his bite on her throat and Bria touched his arm around her waist. “Jace, it’s time to leave. I’m going to drive you home because Lincoln has to go to the hospital. Okay?”
“Sure.” Jace licked the bite again and pressed his dick against her ass.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Lincoln said.
Bria almost giggled at the look of exasperation on Lincoln’s face. “Go, Lincoln. I’ll get him home.”
“I’ll help you get him to the car,” Lincoln said.
“I don’t need help,” Jace said. He took Bria’s hand and staggered toward the parking lot.
She tugged him in the direction of her car and smiled at Lincoln when he followed them. “I hope your cousin is okay.”
“Me too. He’s a cheetah shifter so he should heal fine but he’s my aunt’s only kid and she is freaking out.”
“You’re close to your aunt?”
“Yeah. Listen, are you sure you don’t mind giving Jace a ride home? I can call him a cab or -”
“No cab.” Jace leaned down and nuzzled Bria’s neck. “I’m taking Bria home and fucking her.”
“Oh God,” Lincoln groaned again. “Okay, that’s it. I’m taking you home, you asshole.”
“I’m not fucking you. You’re way too hairy,” Jace said.
Bria burst out laughing and Jace grinned at her. “I’m funny.”
“No, you’re an idiot and you’re going to be so fucking embarrassed tomorrow,” Lincoln said.
“He probably won’t remember.” Bria unlocked her car.
“Ag
ain, I’m really sorry.” Lincoln opened the door. “Jesus, this is weird.”
“What’s weird?”
“Normally I’m the one being inappropriate and Jace is apologizing for me.”
She laughed again as Jace purred and leaned down to lick her throat.
“Are you sure you’re okay with taking him home?” Lincoln asked.
“Fine,” Bria said. “I can handle a drunk tiger shifter.”
Jace licked her throat. “I’ll be a good boy, little tiger. I promise. I’m going to make you feel so good again.”
“Again?” Lincoln arched his eyebrow at her.
She shrugged. “He’s drunk and doesn’t know what he’s saying.”
“Yeah,” Jace said, “I’m horny.”
She laughed. “I said drunk.”
“And horny,” he said.
“C’mon, get in the car.” Lincoln helped Jace into the car and buckled him in before shutting the door.
He patted her on the shoulder. “Thanks, Bria. I owe you.”
“It’s no problem.”
The car door opened and Jace leaned out, held in place by his seatbelt. He bared his fangs at Lincoln. “Don’t touch her! She’s mine!”
“Yeah, yeah, calm down, ya dick,” Lincoln said. “Can you even remember where you live?”
“I remember,” Jace said. “Bria, do you remember?”
She cleared her throat. “I’ll get directions from you. Goodnight, Lincoln.”
“Goodnight, Bria.”
She shut the passenger door and waved to Lincoln. As she climbed into the driver’s seat, she hoped to God that the lion shifter was distracted enough not to think too much about the things Jace said. She started the car and drove in the direction of Jace’s house. He placed his big hand on her thigh and rubbed.
“Hi, baby.”
“Hi, Jace.”
“How come you were at the club?”
“I was on a date.”
He growled and his hand tightened on her leg. “With who?”
“A coyote shifter named Ron.”
“Ron is a stupid name.”
She laughed. “There’s nothing wrong with the name Ron.”
He snorted. “Where is stupid Ron?”
Bria and the Tiger (The Shifters Series Book 5) Page 10