Bryant: Prince of Tigers – Paranormal Tiger Shifter Romance

by Kathi S. Barton

  “I’m exhausted. Are we taking the boat out to the island tonight?” Harper yawned hugely and he laughed, telling her that they were staying in a hotel for the night. “Good. I don’t know if you know how to navigate a boat, but I’m not rested enough to try and make it work for us. I’d probably end up with us in China or something.”

  Before Bryant could tell her that he’d been a pirate at one time and knew well how to sail, she was sound asleep. Once they were at the hotel, he had to carry her into the huge place and to the elevator. He couldn’t even get her to wake enough to have her enjoy the outside elevator that showed all of the city.

  Laughing to himself, he stripped her down to her panties and then covered her up with the blankets. After making sure that she was safe and not going to roll out of bed, he sat down at the computer that he’d sent ahead for them and downloaded all the pictures he’d taken with his phone. Sending them to his parents and family, Bryant wrote a little note about each picture before going to bed. It was going to be a long and wonderful next few days, and he hoped that things were set up the way he wanted them to be.

  It was close to dawn when he finished up. Deciding that he wasn’t going to bed—it was much too late for that, as they were scheduled to leave the mainland at nine—he watched the sun coming up and ordered breakfast. When Harper joined him in the dining area, he had everything all ready for her to eat. And another bottle of champagne.

  “I think I’ll forego the bubbly this morning. My head is not well.” He got up and stood behind her, massaging her temples. “Bryant, you’re spoiling me too much. Whatever will I do when I have to go back to the real world?”

  “We can come out here whenever you want to get away. Before I forget to tell you, Mom sent some pictures to the new email account we have together. They’re of the wedding. They’re really good.” She wanted to see them right now, and he got them while she finished eating. “I don’t know why she sent them all—there must be a couple of hundred of them. She said that she’d make us prints of whatever ones we wanted. I hope you don’t mind, but I told her that we’d decide when we got home.”

  “When are we going home?” He felt his heart hurt when she said that. “I don’t want to leave, if that’s what you’re thinking. I just want to know that at some point, sadly, we’re going to have to go back to the real world.”

  “Never, if you’d like.” She said that was wonderful in theory, but not very practical. “I know, but a man can hope. We should be at the dock in a couple of hours. Want to do some shopping? It’s my understanding that there is a nice street fair every day. I thought that if they had some fruits and vegetables, we could get some for our stay.”

  The morning was wonderful, he thought. They had had to make two trips to the dock to drop off things that they’d purchased. The stalls had everything from food stuffs to flowers—even jewelry and animals. By the time they had made other arrangements to go out to the island at noon, they were starving and excited with what they’d gotten done.

  “I’ve only been out here once—just before I made the purchase.” Harper was sitting in the back of the boat, her hair tangling around in the fast moving wind. “When I had to take a photo shoot out here, the man that brought me out, he said that the island was for sale. I thought he was joking, but it turned out that he wasn’t.”

  “How long did you stay here?” She told him she’d only supposed to have been there for a week at the most, but had ended up staying a month. “I’ve never been, of course, but from the pictures that I’ve seen of it, it’s very lovely.”

  “It is. It’s only about a mile wide and two long. Just a long strip in the water that was made by volcanic spillage thousands of years ago.” She grinned at him. “Did you notice it forming from the beginning?”

  The island was everything that he could have hoped for. There were all kinds of fruits, very little of it that he could name. But coconuts were plentiful, as well as birds. He was glad now that she’d decided to bring her cameras along. He could just imagine the photos from this trip hanging in their home.

  Dinner for them was steaks on the grill. They decided to eat out on the deck that was close enough to the water’s edge that they could step out into the water should they want. Bryant had made sure that the house was just as he’d wanted, and after showing Harper around, they went for a swim.

  Being idle was something he’d never done before. Lying on the beach with Harper while she dozed was something he thought that he might get used to. As soon as they were home, he knew that he’d have to find himself something to occupy his mind. Harper had already decided that she was going to travel less and take pictures closer to home. Bryant wasn’t sure how long she could enjoy that, but he did like having her home every night.

  I have a question for you. If this is a bad time, then tell me right now and I’ll get back with you later. Bryant grinned, thinking that being able to talk to his family this way would certainly save on overseas charges on making a physical call. He asked Marcus what he needed. This book that we’re putting together. Do you think Harper would mind if I put both our names on the cover?

  I think she’d be pissed at you if you didn’t put your name on the cover. Why do you ask? He said that he was working on the cover right now. Also, the pictures had been sent to the printer to make a mockup of the book. That’s wonderful, Marcus. You must have put a great deal of time in on this for you to be that far along.

  The most difficult part was finding only sixty pictures to put in the book. I thought about more, I really did, but Christ, what if this project fails? Bryant said that he didn’t think it would. Yes, well, you know me and what I do. I’m not very good at thinking anything will be good enough.

  I do. That’s why I think that it’ll be a great success. Where is the first book of pictures from? Isn’t that the way you two decided to do this? One book per grouping of pictures? He told him that it was Yellowstone Park. Great. I can see this being something that will never end. I’ve seen her dark room, Marcus. Even with the prints that she’s made, there are about ten times that many more that she didn’t print up.

  I know. When I started this project, she gave me this thick binder. It was marked just like the books we’re doing—places and the dates she took them. At the end of each book there are numbers corresponding to the catalog that she has them stored in at her place. Christ, for just this area alone, there are over six thousand pictures—with different dates, of course. Harp told me that she went every season to get the same pictures to show the difference in the landscape. Bryant, I don’t know if you realize this or not, but she’s fucking good at what she does. If you can talk her out of quitting, the world will be forever grateful to you. Bryant watched her sleep as Marcus talked more. Also, you should know that the advertising for hiring people to work at the cable company is generating a great deal of interest. I think at last count there were over seventy-five applicants for each shift. I think having an attorney go over them first was a good idea.

  As much as I’d like to take credit for it, Harper told me that is the only way that Randy hires anyone for them. Staff included. Marcus asked what their plans were for Mark’s home. Sell it. You want it, then it’s yours. It’s a little out from Mom and Pop’s, but you could do worse by getting it. One thing about Mark, he had expensive tastes and kept things up to par when it came to his house.

  I do want it. And the furniture, if that comes with it. I can see myself living there. Mom and I went over there the other day to look to make sure that the locks had been changed, and we took a look around. Bryant asked him if it was as modern as he thought it would be. No, believe it or not, it’s done up in woods and beautiful slate. The kitchen is a dream. The counters are concrete but not cold looking, as you might think. And the staff, they asked if they could stay should the new owners decide to sell. I told him that I’d ask you about it, so I’m asking. Not for the staff, which Randy is looking into now, but the house.

  I’ll talk to Harper when sh
e wakes up. We’ve been taking it easy all afternoon and into the evening. Marcus, you will have to come out here sometime. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. Tonight when we were swimming, we saw whales and dolphins playing in the water. Tomorrow, I’m going to try my hand at fishing. Marcus told him he was happy for the two of them. I have never been this happy before. I’m serious. It’s so calming to have a person in your life that doesn’t annoy the shit out of you every time they open their mouth.

  I should hope not. Harper woke and turned to look at him. Well, I have to get going. Talk to Harp for me and let me know. I don’t want you guys to give it to me. I want it to be mine without thinking that I had to have my big brother and his wife feel sorry for me.

  Never that, Marcus, I promise. I’ll let her know about the cover too.

  After closing the connection, he asked Harper if she was ready for bed. “I guess we could just sleep out here all night, but I don’t know what sort of creatures we’d have to fight for the beach.”

  “Look. But don’t freak out.”

  He turned slowly in his chair and watched as a pair of turtles came out of the water. They were slow moving, but neither he nor Harper moved. Instead, they watched them move along the sand to the tree line and disappear. The buzzing sound from Harper was all the noise they’d made as she took picture after picture of them and the sun setting.

  “I don’t see turtles that often outside of the water. I love them and the way that they move. Not lazily, but with purpose. How about tomorrow we head to the center of the island and have a look around at what we can find?”

  “All right. Maybe we can pack up some sandwiches and make a day of it. Then come back here and let me ravage your body.” She grinned at him and he smiled. “Have I exhausted you, my love?”

  “Let’s see. Since we left the airport, you’ve taken me in the bathroom at the airport, the restaurant where we had dinner. In one of the stalls that was empty when we were out today. Besides, I don’t know if you remember this or not, but I’m only human. I can’t go as much as you can.” She got up and sat on his lap, her back to his chest. “I love you, Bryant. I hope that you never forget that.”

  “I won’t. This is a promise that you can take to the grave.” The two of them sat there until it was dark; the only thing that was light was the stars that shone down on them. “You never get this sort of beauty at home. Too many city lights. This place is just perfect for the two of us.”

  “I agree.”

  After making their way upstairs to their room, she laid down on the bed, naked, and he joined her in the same fashion. Tomorrow was going to be another day of fun, with just the two of them. Bryant asked her about the house and the cover, and she agreed with both. Marcus would have a home, and his name on the cover of a picture book like none other. Bryant went to sleep with a huge smile on his face.

  ~*~

  The child was not happy. Harper had agreed to take the picture of the little girl the day after they returned from their honeymoon. Stretching her neck, Harper thought of all the things she’d rather be doing, like having her arm tatted again. Then in walked Sara.

  Harper had come to love her mother-in-law. She was funny, stern, and sometimes stronger than all the men put together. Not in a physical way, but just strong. And when she spoke to the mother of Clara, the little girl, Harper figured out that she too was a tiger, but an orange one.

  They knew each other. The child, then, would know that tigers weren’t going to hurt her. At least she hoped so. Leaning down to Clara’s level, she took a tissue from the nearly empty box and wiped away the tears as she spoke. If this didn’t work, Harper thought, then she was going to go back into the wild. It was easier to take a photo of a fighting hippo than it was for her to take any of little kids.

  “Clara, would you like to have your picture taken so that the big tiger could sit with you?” She didn’t even look at either woman when the little girl brightened up. “But tigers like Sara don’t come out for crying little girls. She can only be a tiger when she’s not afraid someone is going to shed tears. It makes her heart hurt. Doesn’t it, Sara?”

  “It certainly does. If you just sit there and let Harper take your pictures, I’ll sit with you as my great black tiger, and she’ll take one of you and I so that you can put it up for yourself. All right?” Clara nodded and sat up straighter. Her little bow was askew, so Sara fixed that as well. “When my tiger is with you, you’re not going to be frightened, are you?”

  “Heck no. I love my daddy’s tiger. He’s so soft and warm.” Harper laughed with the rest of them. “I’m ready now, Ms. Harper. I’ll be good now.”

  The photo shoot went so well that Harper found herself excited to want to go to the dark room now and process them. After she’d taken all that she could, having the child put on the other two outfits that the mother had brought, Sara went to the back room and came out as her cat.

  Sara’s cat, like Buck’s, wasn’t as dark as the others. The graying around the mouth—muzzle, she guessed it was called—was a beautiful blend of the dark fur and the graying. After taking several pictures of Sara with the little girl, Harper stood back and let the mother interact with the two of them. Snapping several more pictures, Harper was sad to see them go.

  After Clara and her mom left, Sara shifted back to herself. Even as a human, Sara was beautiful. It took her breath away that someone so small and delicate looking had not only given birth to six sons at once, but she was a big cat too.

  “You did well. A lot better than I thought you would when I got here.” Harper told her what she’d thought earlier, about how she’d rather be in the wild. “Yes, well, I can see that. While they’re a good family, they do push their children a little more than I like. That little boy of theirs, Paul, he’s into every sport known around here, and I don’t think there is a single one that he likes.”

  “Why do they do it then?” Sara said she thought they wanted to complain about how they were always running for their children. “Well, that’s just stupid. Why do it if you’re going to bitch about it? What does Paul like to do? And why didn’t he come to the photo shoot?”

  “Oh, they’ll bring him in soon enough. And the reason that they’re separate is because like all children, I suppose, they fight a great deal. I mean, like screaming at each other fights. But I guess they might have gotten that from their parents. I worry about them.” Harper turned when the door opened and there stood a man and a woman. “Hello, Park. How are you and your lovely wife getting on?”

  Sara knew everyone, it seemed. No one had been surprised, either, when she returned from the dead, so to speak. Buck had taken Sara around, telling anyone that would listen that Sara had been living with the faerie queen. It was all right, she supposed, that it was the way for Sara to be back to life. Whatever. Really, she was just glad to see how happy Sara and Buck seemed to be all the time.

  “I was wondering if I could implore you to take a few pictures for me. It’s sort of out of the ordinary. Not like someone might think are normal pictures.” Her mind ran right to the gutter, and she was all ready to tell them no fucking way when he continued. “You see, my family is coming to stay for the holidays, and I would like to have a family picture made with my wife.”

  Harper looked at the woman, who said her name was Blanche, then back at the man. She was hurt, Harper thought. Park laughed, then told her not this wife, but his first one. The children that were coming, they were hers.

  “I see. Actually, I don’t, but I can do whatever you wish, Mr. Peyton.” Who would name their kid Parker Peyton? But it was none of her business, so Harper smiled at him. “When are your kids coming home?”

  They worked out the details on the dates, then she sat down with him and asked him what sort of photos he wanted her to take. Apparently, the first missus had been gone for more than a decade. His children had taken to the winds after she passed, and this was their first time back together. They visited from time to time, of course, but not a
ll of them at once.

  “Mr. Peyton, I don’t know that that’s a good idea.” Blanche had left with Sara to see the new display at the hardware store. Harper might be overstepping her bounds here, but she was as new to taking pictures of humans as she was being around tigers all the time. “What sort of relationship does Blanche have with your children?”

  “She raised the youngest. Well, raised isn’t quite right. Billy was thirteen when I married Blanche. The others, most anyway, call her Mom. Why do you think this is wrong? I don’t want any of them to think I’m insane.” Harper told him that she didn’t think that was ever going to happen. “Thank you, my dear. But go on, tell me.”

  “Blanche seems like a nice person.” Park said that she was amazing. “Good. How do you think she feels knowing that you’re having your children, children that I’m sure she’s come to love as much as you, taking pictures with your first wife? Plus, having the pictures taken by your first wife’s grave marker at the cemetery is a little—well, creepy.”

  “I did think about that, the creepy part. But Blanche never said a word about this. She’s been encouraging me all along to get— Oh my. You think she meant with her? She wanted pictures with all of us to include her too?” Harper told him that she was pretty sure she had. “Oh my goodness, Harper. What have—? She must think I’m the most horrid person ever.”

  “I doubt that anyone would think that of you, Park. But you really should think on this. Or simply ask her if she’d rather be a part of the photo. Better yet, just tell her that you’ve changed your mind, and you’d be honored to have her there. You’re all family, correct?”

  “Yes, we are.” Park stood up, renewed by his decision, she could tell. “Thank you very much, my dear. I’m sure this will go much better. When I think of all the little hints she gave me about this affair, I want to kick myself in the bottom. To think.... Well, it matters little now. We’ll do it this way for sure.”