Tiger (New Species, Book Seven)

by Laurann Dohner

  “This is serious. Do you know what would happen if anyone found out New Species can have children?”

  “I have a pretty good idea. I just spent time with insane fanatics who hate them.”

  They stared at each other. “Fine. I won’t say anything. Invoke doctor-patient confidentiality. That way my butt is covered. You need to talk to him about this though.”

  “Trust me. I will.” She just had no idea what to say though.

  Chapter Twenty

  The door opened and the male nurse returned. “They just X-rayed Tiger’s leg and it’s as we thought. He damaged the leg.” He stared at Zandy. “Tiger refused to rest until he knows you are fine. He snarled at me to bring you to him.”

  Dr. Allison shot Zandy a warning look. “That sounds like a man who doesn’t want to break it off. You’re free to go. Put ice on the bruising if it continues to hurt.”

  “Thank you, Dr. Allison.” Zandy slid off the exam table and shook the woman’s hand. “I mean that.” She was grateful the woman was going to keep her secret about what Tiger had done and that he hadn’t told her what could result from them having sex. “I hope your patient recovers.”

  “Me too. I’ve kind of become obsessed with him.”

  Zandy didn’t miss the sadness in the other woman’s stare as she followed the New Species nurse out of the room and down the hall. He stopped in front of a closed door.

  “He’s in there. The break in his leg will be painful until it heals.”

  “Thank you.” She hesitated, taking a deep breath.

  Her heart pounded and she wasn’t sure she wanted to face Tiger. What if he wanted to stop seeing her? The thought of that prospect made her chest hurt. The only way she was going to find out would be to talk to him. Her hand rose and she knocked.

  “Come in,” Tiger called out.

  The room looked more like a hotel room than a hospital room, much nicer than the exam room she’d just left. Tiger was sprawled out on a queen-sized bed with his leg elevated on pillows. Ice bags had been placed over his lower leg. He’d stripped off his shirt, revealing his muscular, tan chest and flat belly. His hair was down and his exotic gaze met hers.

  “Zandy.”

  The way he softly growled her name made her nipples harden. He had a way of affecting her. “Hi, Tiger. How are you?” She closed the door behind her and stepped farther into the room.

  “Come here.” He patted the bed next to him.

  She didn’t hesitate to step to the side of the bed and carefully climb on it. She sat facing him but kept a few feet of space between them. Her gaze left his to glance at his leg before looking.

  “How is your leg feeling?”

  Broad shoulders shrugged. “It aches and I’m stuck in bed for two days until it heals again. The break wasn’t as bad as the original injury.” He studied her eyes. “Stay with me here.”

  Emotions warred inside her. Part of her was happy he wanted to be with her while another part of her worried that he’d toss her out again if he took more of the medication Dr. Allison had told her about. Everyone would know she was sharing a room with him if she stayed too. Their relationship was already acknowledged, no longer a secret.

  “Will they allow it? They warned me you could become unstable on the drugs.”

  “There are officers down the hallway in case I grow aggressive but I won’t hurt you. You already stated clearly that you were willing to risk harm to be with me when you refused to leave my bedside at the hospital. This is a more controlled environment.”

  She wasn’t afraid of Tiger. “This is a really nice room.”

  His blue gaze narrowed and a frown curved his mouth. He watched her. She glanced away again, staring at the blue bedding.

  “Zandy? Look at me.” His deep voice brooked no argument. It was a demand.

  “Are you mad at me?” She held his gaze.

  “For what?”

  “I had to tell everyone we’ve been sleeping together to get to see you. Is that why you really wanted me to leave the hospital? You said not to show anyone the bites on me but I was so worried when I heard what happened to you. I—”

  His hand rose and he cupped her uninjured cheek. “I don’t care who knows about us. You risked your life to reach me. You should have waited for an escort to bring you to me and again when you left the hospital. It’s not safe in the out world.”

  It was cute how he called the world outside the NSO gates that. She knew what he meant. “I kind of freaked out when I heard you’d been in a helicopter crash. I just wanted to make sure you were alive. I had to see you.”

  “I want you to promise me that you will never leave Reservation without officers to protect you. You were taken because you work for the NSO. They know who you are and where you live.”

  She didn’t want to think about her destroyed house. She’d have to call her insurance company but didn’t want to deal with it at that moment. “I have to leave at some point to go home.”

  A soft growl passed his lips. “No, you don’t.”

  She was unsure what that meant.

  He took a deep breath and blew it out, his expression softening. “You can’t go home, Zandy. You will stay with me.”

  A hundred questions sprang into her mind. She tried to decide which one to ask first. Did he mean he wanted her to live with him or that he expected her to stay in the apartment she’d been assigned? Tiger seemed to take her silence as a refusal.

  “You’re not leaving Reservation.” His hold on her face tightened. “I won’t allow it.”

  That stunned her. “What?”

  He growled, clearly angry. “Look what happened to you in the out world. It won’t happen again. I’m going to keep you safe.”

  “What does tha—”

  He pulled her face closer to cover her lips with his, muting her with a hot kiss. His tongue delved inside her mouth, tasting and exploring. His arm hooked around her waist and she fell against his chest when he yanked her to him. The hand on her face slid to the back of her head where he fisted her hair, making sure she couldn’t get away.

  Zandy didn’t want to. She’d missed Tiger and had thought she’d never see him again. Actions spoke louder than words and the passionate kiss he laid on her spoke volumes that their relationship wasn’t over. He pulled her tighter against his chest, almost crushing her to him. The hand at her back fisted her shirt and shoved it up. He released it and gripped her side.

  Pain made her gasp against his tongue and he snarled, breaking the kiss. They were both out of breath as their gazes met. His blue eyes narrowed with concern.

  “I am being too rough. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not that. I have some bruises.”

  Rage tightened his features. “Did they beat you?”

  “No. They had me strapped to a bench with belts and they were tight enough to dig into my skin when they were carrying me around. I’m fine.”

  “Take off your clothes,” he demanded. “I want to see all of you.”

  Her eyebrows rose. “We’re in the Medical Center. Anyone can walk in.”

  “Lock the door.”

  “I’m fine. Just don’t grab me there.” She tried to kiss him again but he pulled back.

  “Take off all of your clothes and show me.”

  He looked pretty determined.

  “It—”

  “Do it.”

  He was being unusually aggressive and demanding. “Did they already give you that drug to help you heal?”

  “Yes. I want to see every inch of you right now.”

  She just hoped he wouldn’t order her to leave and start saying she was his enemy again.

  “There is a lock on the door.” He released her. “Lock it and strip out of your clothes.”

  “I’m really fine.”

  “Do it, or I’ll tear them off.”

  She didn’t doubt him with the determined look he gave her as they stared at each other. “Fine.”

  She rolled away and reached the door.
It might be smarter for her to just leave until he was off the drug but she twisted the lock instead and turned to face the man she loved. Her hands trembled a little as she removed her clothes. Tiger watched her with rapt concentration. He didn’t look aroused—he looked enraged as he got his first look at the bruises.

  “Turn around.”

  She was naked and cold in the room but did as he asked. A growl came from him that caused her to peer at him over her shoulder. “I told you it’s just some bruises.”

  “Go shower. The bathroom is right there. Hurry and return to me.”

  She wanted a shower, probably needed one as well, so nodded. Right then didn’t seem the time to argue with him about anything. She just headed for the bathroom.

  “Zandy?”

  She paused and glanced back at him.

  “Thank you.”

  “You know you’re being pushy, right?”

  “I almost watched you die. I’m behaving extremely well. We are both lucky my leg is broken.”

  “What does that mean?”

  His gaze lowered down her body. “Go shower now. My nose is still messed up from the smoke and gasoline I inhaled. I don’t want to scent something on you when it recovers that might bring out my savage instincts. I’m barely holding on to my control. I know I’m being an asshole but do it.”

  She tried to close the door but he snarled. She paused. He didn’t say anything but she got the message loud and clear. Her fingers released the doorknob and she left it open. The shower was a large one that could accommodate a wheelchair if need be. Soap and hair products were inside on a shelf when she turned on the water.

  * * * * *

  Tiger had to fight the urge to throw away the ice packs on his leg and go to Zandy. He’d crawl if he had to. He took deep breaths, battled his instincts, and ordered his mind to rule his body. He’d nearly lost Zandy and he wasn’t over it by a long shot.

  The memory of the fire and seeing her suspended by ropes on a wooden cross constructed by those crazy humans would be the source of many nightmares in his future. He’d reached her in time but he could have failed. She could have died and him with her. No way would he have stopped trying to reach her even if he’d known with certainty he had no chance.

  She was his mate. His eyes closed as his heart hammered and his fingers curled into fists. He might not have meant to ever take one but he had her. Zandy Gordon had unexpectedly come into his life and blindsided him. He missed her scent. He was hopelessly addicted to it and couldn’t wait for his senses to recover just to breathe her in. His lips still tingled from their kiss and he wished he could taste her. A frustrated growl rumbled from him. Dr. Harris had said to give it an hour before the effects of the burning motor home left his system.

  The drug he’d been injected with didn’t help. His skin felt hot and tight all over his body, his heart rate wouldn’t slow to normal and it brought his emotions closer to the surface with the adrenaline pumping through his body. His eyes opened and he glared at his leg. It was stopping him from being with Zandy at that moment. He’d like nothing better than to shower with her and hold her in his arms.

  The water in the other room turned off and he watched as she dried her body. The bruises on her waist, legs, and across her rib cage drove him into a frenzy to track down the rest of the humans who’d harmed her. Two were dead but there were more of them. The team that had gone to Zandy’s house had scented at least four males. A silent promise was made to himself to track the remaining two humans down and kill them as soon as he was back on his feet.

  She stepped back into the room wearing a towel wrapped around her body and she paused there. “I don’t have any clean clothes.”

  “You don’t need them. Come here.”

  He just wanted her at his side, in his arms. He refused to let her out of his sight now that he had her back. Go slow, he reminded himself. Don’t frighten her away. His fingers uncurled and he patted the bed next to him.

  “I’ll get you wet.”

  “Come here.” He inwardly winced at his rough tone. “Please,” he added.

  She slowly crept closer, an unsure look on her face.

  “I won’t hurt you, Zandy. Never.”

  “I know that. You’re just acting really different.”

  “I’m aware of the drugs in my system and I’m stressed. It’s a bad combination but you are safe.”

  She crawled on the bed and settled down next to him. He reached out and pulled her closer, her wet hair causing water drips to slide down his chest. He didn’t care as he hugged her to his side and rested his chin on the top of her head.

  “Tiger?”

  “Yes?”

  She lifted her chin to stare up at him. “I’m okay. Honestly. I’m more worried about you. Are you in pain? Should I get the doctor?”

  “I just need to hold you.”

  “Okay.” Her hand flattened on his chest and stroked him gently. “How is your head feeling? They said you had a head injury at the hospital.”

  “I’m healing fast. I’ll be on my feet in two days. We’ll stay here until then. They have to keep an eye on me.”

  “To make sure you’re healing okay?”

  “To make sure I don’t go insane on the drugs and try to harm someone.” He forced a smile to assure her when fear dilated her pupils. “You are safe but don’t be surprised if I snarl at the doctors. They annoy me.”

  “That’s good to know. About me being safe, that is. I’m glad I don’t work here.”

  He wasn’t sure how to respond. The feel of her hand rubbing his chest between his nipples made his dick hard. The purr started in his chest and rose to his throat. Zandy smiled.

  “You only make that sound when you’re turned-on.” Her hand paused before her fingertips traced lower to his belly and her gaze lowered. “And I see that you are.”

  They’d removed his pants when he’d reached Medical and offered him loose cotton shorts to wear to get access to his leg. The front of them tented from his stiff shaft trapped inside them.

  “Ignore it. I am trying to. You’ve been through a trauma and I’m severely stressed from nearly losing you.”

  Green eyes lifted to gaze into his and her smile widened. “We’re both okay and I know a great way to make you relax.”

  His eyebrows arched.

  Zandy wiggled out of his hold. She sat back on her heels and he couldn’t stop from growling when her hand rubbed his cock through the very thin material. Desire shot through him so strongly he snarled at her.

  Her fingers curled around his shaft and gave him a gentle squeeze. Fear didn’t show on her face as she watched him but her smile did fade. He realized his mouth was parted enough to flash his fangs at her. He closed his mouth.

  “Easy, baby,” she crooned. “And don’t move.” She glanced at his injured leg. “I missed you.” Their gazes met. “Tell me no and I’ll stop. Otherwise, just enjoy. I know you’re on edge and the drugs are making you prone to violence. You said you wouldn’t hurt me and I believe that. I’ll ignore the scary sounds.”

  Her other hand slid into the waist of his shorts and tugged as she bent forward. The feel of her freeing his dick from the cotton nearly made him lunge at her. He wanted to knock her flat, tear off her towel and fuck her. He sniffed to test if she was aroused enough to take him but the stench of burning wood and gasoline still choked his sense of smell.

  Hot breath fanned his cock as she bent over him, her wet hair falling as her head turned until he couldn’t see her eyes. The feel of her hot little tongue licking at the crown of his dick made him throw back his head and he clawed at the bedding instead of her. Another snarl tore from him, despite trying to hold it back.

  She didn’t stop at the sound but instead her lips surrounded the tip of his cock and she took inches of it inside her wet mouth. He nearly came when she moved slowly on him, sucking, forcing pure pleasure to take hold of him.

  “Zandy,” he snarled.

  She eased up until her lips nearly
left him but she didn’t stop. Her fingers gripped the base of his cock and stroked him as she worked it closer to the back of her throat. Every stroke of her mouth drove him insane with ecstasy. Her hand gripping the shorts tugged and he managed to lift his ass off the bed to help her when she pulled the shorts down until they were tangled on his upper thighs and freed his cock completely.

  The moans she made sent vibrations right to his balls. He bit his lip hard to hold back the sounds he wanted to make but it made breathing difficult as he panted through his nose. She had barely begun and he was already ready to blow.

  “Fuck,” he snarled. “I’m coming.”

  Her mouth eased off him and both hands gripped his cock as she jacked him off, remembering the warning about how strong his semen released from his body. She did something then that really sent him over the edge. Her towel had loosened and she leaned over him more until the crown of his cock rubbed between her breasts, nestled between the soft mounds.

  He roared as his body seized, marking her with his semen, making her breasts slick as she rubbed against him to blow what was left of his mind. He shook from how hard he came.

  She stopped stroking him and he gasped for breath. His eyes were closed, his head tilted back and the bed moved. The feel of a damp cotton towel made him shiver as Zandy gently cleaned his cock. It wasn’t until she curled up against him again and a blanket was pulled up over his lap that he forced his chin to lower. Their gazes met.

  Her lips beckoned to him and he reached for her, cupping her cheek. “I’m going to fuck you.”

  “Your leg—”

  “I don’t care.”

  “You just got off.”

  “I still want you. I always do.”

  She flattened her hand on his chest and pushed him back a little. “Tiger, honey, I would be lying if I said I didn’t want you pretty badly but let’s let your leg heal first, okay?”

  Someone tried to open the door but the lock prevented them from entering. A fist hammered at it. “Is everything okay in there? Tiger?”

  “Go away,” he yelled.