Tiger Time

by Dobson, Marissa

  The fire between their bodies was like a hot summer night in Mexico. Their hearts threatened to pound out of their chests; their palms were sweating. Ty's strong hands caressed every inch of her body. She moaned in ecstasy. He was tender as he memorized every curve of her body with his hands and mouth. He took his time tasting each and every inch of her, sending shivers of fire throughout her body.

  Ty gently and lovingly kissed down her stomach and stroked her thighs all the while. With every touch, her body cried out for more. It was like she couldn't get enough of him. His hands sought out the special central core of her body, while the heat and wetness drove her crazy.

  He took his time caressing and kissing her body. She could feel their tigers calling to each other, urging her to hurry, while the human part of her wanted to take this slow and cherish every moment together.

  His fingers delved inside her. As he worked his fingers, her body moved with the motion. He kissed the inside of her thighs. The passion drove the fire through her—fire like she’d never felt before. He made his way to her core. He licked lightly over her sweet spot, flickering over and over, nearly driving her over the edge. She grabbed his hair and moaned with extreme pleasure.

  Tabitha rolled him over, laying him on his back. She placed another deep kiss on his lips while she caressed his chest, taking care to feel every chiseled muscle, licking and kissing as he writhed in pleasure under her.

  She knelt on the bed in front of Ty, wanting to show him the love she felt for him. She caressed his flesh, stroking him and stoking the fire inside him. She licked the length of him and slowly took him into her mouth. Ty threw his head back in pleasure.

  Tabitha enjoyed the feel of his hands running through her hair as her actions excited him.

  “Come here.” He tugged on her hair.

  Moving up the bed, she angled herself to allow him access. As he entered, she cried out with pleasure. The thrusts were deeper and faster, but not too fast. Both of them moved with such precision, as if it were a well-choreographed dance. Their bodies rocked back and forth until they exploded together in unison.

  Breathless, they laid there hot and sweaty, cuddled together, not wanting to move, their legs still entwined.

  Ty lifted his head enough to kiss her. “I love you, Tabby.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Tabitha was in the middle of the custom-made bed that dominated the bedroom, snuggled deep in the warm comforter, still trying to wake up.

  “I didn’t think we would sleep that long. We should get ready for the party.” Ty tossed back the covers before slipping out of bed. He turned around to find she hadn’t moved. “Come on, you can’t be late for your own party.” He smiled down at her.

  With a moan, she scooted to the edge of the bed. The floor was littered with red, black and silver throw pillows they’d tossed off earlier. Grabbing one, she threw it at the back of Ty’s head. “If it’s my party, they can’t start without me.”

  “Love, you don’t know these tigers. They love to party.”

  “Are you sure everything will be fine tonight? Maybe with what happened today, we should postpone it.” She bent to pick up the pillows.

  “Tabby, this is something the clan has been preparing for since I told them you would go through the change and I was going to try to bring you home. We cannot deprive them of something they worked so hard on. This means a lot to them.” As he spoke, he walked around the bed to where she was and took her hands. “Everything will be fine. I promise.”

  “I know. I just worry they won't like me.”

  “How could they not like you? You’re amazing in every way.” Ty tilted her head up with his large hands and before she could respond, he kissed her.

  * * *

  Standing in front of the mirror, Tabitha admired the dress they’d bought in Pennsylvania. She pulled her hair into a French twist, allowing a few curls to escape and hang down. She was adjusting the black and red beaded belt when she heard Ty talking to Raja and the other guards in the living room.

  I never had a reason to dress up before. I feel like a princess…I guess I should feel like a Queen instead. She chuckled to herself as she did one more quick take before stepping out of the bedroom.

  As she came into view, everyone became quiet. She could have sworn she could hear the air sizzle with shifter magic. The men were dressed in black tuxedos and looked as if they could be on the cover of a magazine. No one moved for a moment, then Ty came forward. “My Queen, you look marvelous, absolutely mind-blowing. Let me introduce you to the guards for tonight.”

  They walked over to the men standing in the front entrance. Three of the men where kneeling, while the other two, Raja and Felix, stood a step behind. “These are Thomas, Leo and Korbin. They are our guards for this evening.”

  Our guards? Or did he really mean my guards? I’m leaning towards mine. Quick catch of the tongue there, mate.

  Ty gave her a slight nod, letting her know she was to smell each of their necks. They smelled the same way Felix had when she’d first smelled him, but it wasn't as overwhelming anymore, because the smell was all around her now that she was in Alaska.

  Weird, but now that I think of it, my body isn’t sore, and I have felt fine since arriving. Ty mentioned I would feel better once I was around my own kind, but he didn’t mention it would all just go away.

  “Welcome home, my Queen,” each of the men said as she kissed their necks before they stood. Inside their tailored jackets, she could see the butt of the guns they wore. The shock must have showed on her face, because Raja stepped in front of the other men, took her hand in his and kissed it. “If I may, my Queen, you look stunning.”

  “Thank you, Raja. You look pretty good yourself.”

  “Men, she is to be protected at all cost. If anything goes wrong, get her out of there and somewhere safe. Felix, I’m placing you in charge of keeping her safe. If anything happens to her, I will hold you personally responsible. I don't care if it is so much as a paper cut, your ass is mine.” Ty laid a hand on the small of her back, directing his attention at her. “I want you to listen to them. If they feel the area is unsafe, go with them.”

  Tabitha didn’t fight him. She just nodded. Ty wasn’t doing this to make her appear weak. There was too much at risk, and she had to think of the livelihood of the tiger shifters as a whole. “Shall we get this over with?”

  “It won't be that bad. Come on.” Ty took her hand as they left the quarters, surrounded by their guards.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The dome was normally used for training when the weather outside was nasty, but tonight every inch of it was party central. The clan had constructed a ballroom floor in the middle, complete with a DJ playing tunes. The entryway had a large arch that was covered in black and gold balloons. On the far right wall, it said Welcome Home, Tabitha in big gold sparkly letters. Everything was done in black and gold. The tablecloths were black with white and gold plates; the wine glasses had a gold rim around the top. The lights were low and on every table, candles glowed, giving a romantic flare to the dome.

  There were buffet tables going all the way down the left wall and a large white and gold cake at the end of the buffet. Waiters walked around with glasses of champagne and other drinks.

  “This is amazing.” She stared, trying to take it all in.

  “It's all for you. They’re ecstatic to have you home with us again. Come, let’s get a drink and then mingle with everyone.”

  Ty stopped one of the waiters and took two glasses of champagne from the tray he was carrying. Raising the glass to take a drink, she became aware they were starting to draw a crowd. Raja and the guards tried to surround them to keep the clan back a little, but they were on them before the guards could close the circle.

  A loud growl exploded next to her before she heard Ty yell, “Stop this right now!” Everyone went still around them. “I don't know what has gotten into everyone, but it needs to stop now. I know you’re excited to meet Tabitha. So
here is what we will do. I want everyone to go sit at their tables. Tabitha and I will come around to each table and spend a few minutes with you. Later, after we’re settled, Tabitha will have more time to meet with everyone. However, tonight, we’ll take some time out to meet with everyone, and then we would like to enjoy this wonderful party you have been so generous to throw in her honor.”

  People spread out, moving to find seats at one of the six tables placed around the dome. The guards went to their predetermined spots, except Raja, who stayed with them.

  They started with the table to the left, allowing them to make a complete circle and end up at their table by the dance floor. Each table was eager to talk with her, making her want to stay with them as long as she could. But Ty kept her moving from one member to another, promising they would have more time with her soon, and that Tabitha wasn’t going anywhere.

  “I know you want to meet the needs of each member, but don’t wear yourself out tonight. You have plenty of time,” Ty whispered in her ear as they headed to the next table.

  She nodded. That is easier said than done. How can I rush through everyone when they are so kind and threw this party for me? I wish I could stop time and spend longer with everyone.

  As they went around the room meeting the members, she noticed a number of men with the golden auras. There were two that stuck out to her. One of them was Marcus, Tora's husband, and the other one was Lance.

  Lance was at the first table, and he seemed on alert and ready to take action if something happened. His deep forest green eyes seemed to take everything in while still looking relaxed.

  * * *

  After going from table to table, they were finally able to sit down and enjoy their dinner. Ty had mentioned earlier they had some of the best chefs as part of the clan, and she wasn’t disappointed with the meal. The salmon was delicious.

  “Are you having a good time?” Ty asked as they finished dessert.

  “The best time of my life.” A huge smile plastered itself on her face. She leaned in closely and whispered, “But there are a few people I’d like to talk to you about later.” She had questions about the people with the golden auras around them, but it wasn’t something they could talk about with people within hearing range.

  “You met Lance tonight,” he said, motioning toward the first table. “He is one of my guards. I gave him the night off to spend with his new mate. This allowed him to enjoy the party and for us to have guards that would devote their full attention to any problems that might arise this evening. He is a good guard, but the mating bug is hard on everyone.”

  Tabitha loved how Ty was able to slide in the information she wanted without it seeming out of place or raising questions from anyone who might have overheard.

  A young girl, no older than fourteen months, came running toward them. Her wobbly legs barely held her up; her long hair was the color of rubies bouncing behind her as she ran, until she tripped, falling down hard. Before the first tear fell, Tabitha was on her feet, heading toward her.

  “It’s all right, sweetie.” Wrapping the little girl in her arms, she wiped the child’s tears away.

  The little girl’s knee was bleeding, so Tabitha balanced the child on her hip as she grabbed a napkin from the table to wipe the blood. She realized then that when she’d jumped up to help the little girl, she’d spooked the guards. Felix and Thomas were the first to respond, at her side before the rest realized what the commotion was. Ty watched from the table, a smile on his face.

  “I’m fine,” she told Felix and Thomas before returning her attention to the girl.

  Raja must have also come to her aid, because he was standing behind her. “Here, Tabitha, I can take her.”

  The child was clinging to her neck when Raja tried to take her, and she wouldn't let go.

  “Can you believe that's my niece, and she won't come to me? I'll get her mother.” Raja let out a soft laugh before strolling off into the crowd.

  “That's Tora and Marcus' little girl, Scarlet. I’ve never seen her go to someone she didn't know, and she loves being with Raja. She’s just full of surprises tonight.” Ty sat there with a twinkle in his eye.

  “Is that true? Do you like me, Scarlet?”

  The little girl merely sat in her lap as happy as could be.

  “She must, because she never goes to anyone. We had to have our babysitter in a dozen times before we could leave them alone together, because she would throw a fit something terrible. Tonight the babysitter is sick, so she had to come along with us. I’m sorry if she has been any trouble.” Tabitha looked up to find Marcus standing in front of her.

  “She’s been no trouble at all. She is a darling little girl.”

  Marcus tried to take the girl from her lap, but she held strong to Tabitha’s neck.

  “She’s fine here if you want to leave her for a bit.”

  Marcus looked to Ty, as if not sure what to do. Ty gave Marcus a slight nod. He accepted it and went to rejoin his wife.

  “You’re amazing. Everyone is so taken with you, just like I said they would be.” Ty wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

  “I guess I had nothing to worry about. Everyone is so friendly and so accepting. I can't help wondering what it would be like to grow up with a group of people like this, people to call family.” As they were talking, Scarlet curled up in her lap as though she were going to take a nap.

  * * *

  “May I have this dance?” Ty stood, taking her hand.

  Tabitha nodded, rose, and placed the still sleeping Scarlet on the chair.

  “I’ll watch her. Go dance and mingle,” Raja said when she caught his eye.

  There were only a few people dancing, leaving them with most of the floor to themselves.

  After the song ended, one of the female tigers she’d met earlier stepped up to the microphone. “If I could please have everyone's attention.” She waited for everyone to quiet down. “Ty would like to say a few words.”

  Felix came to stand next to Ty as they went to the microphone. “First, I would just like to thank you for this wonderful party that you put together for Tabitha's homecoming. I’m ecstatic to have such a wonderful woman as my mate. We’re blessed to have her back among us and as our Queen. Thank you, Tabitha, for coming home, and for trusting us. I love you.”

  Before she realized it, she was heading toward Ty, tears clouding her vision. As he stepped to her, she wrapped her arms around him. “I love you too,” she said and kissed him.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Ty and Tabitha were dancing around the room when Raja came up to them. “Excuse me, but may I cut in?”

  Ty nodded and stepped back, allowing Raja to take over dancing with her. Ty moved off the floor toward Felix. While Ty spoke to Felix, Raja leaned into her body and whispered, “Ty is a whole new man with you in his life. I have never seen him in such high spirits. He loves you more than he could ever put into words. Never doubt that.”

  Tabitha felt her cheeks heat with embarrassment. “Everything changed in just a matter of days. Everything feels so overwhelming, except when it comes to Ty. I love him; he has been my rock though all of this. Discovering we’re mates was more than I could have hoped for.”

  When the song ended, Raja stepped back and still holding her hand, he kissed the top of it. “It was a pleasure. Thank you for this dance.”

  “I thought you could use this.” Ty held out two glasses of champagne.

  “Thank you.”

  Ty handed her the glass as they walked off the dance floor. “What bad things did Raja tell you about me?”

  “Wouldn't you be interested in knowing?” She laughed before taking a sip of champagne and gave him a sexy but innocent smile.

  Ty gave her a very serious look, which she returned with another laugh. “Come on, Ty. It was nothing. Would Raja honestly say anything bad about you behind your back? You two seem so close.”

  “We’re close, but I’m sure he would tell you some dark secret if he though
t he could get away with it.”

  Before she could tease Ty for worrying about what Raja had told her, a large tiger limped onto the dance floor. The tiger was covered in blood and obviously in terrible pain.

  Tabitha took a step toward the tiger. “Tabby, stay back. He doesn’t smell familiar. He isn’t of our clan.”

  The guards gathered around Tabitha, keeping her away from the tiger.

  “I can help him. You know I can.”

  “This is against my better judgment.” He reluctantly agreed to her request, stepping aside so she could approach. “Form a protective circle around her, but keep her out of arm’s reach.”