Billionaire: Billionaire Romance: Billionaire Tiger (A Billionaire New Adult Shifter Contemporary Romance)

by Loretta Devine

“How did--”

  “Shh! Sleep first. Questions later.”

  Jenna drifted off, feeling a brush of his hand against her hair.

  5

  Jenna was cold and shivered in her sleep. Then she was warm. She felt him pressing himself against her back and sighed. “Max...?” she mumbled. “Is that you?”

  “It’s all right, love. You’re safe.”

  She nestled closer, sighing as he pressed soft kisses against her hair and ear, the tickling as if made by the delicate brush of butterfly wings. “Max,” she sighed again. “Is that...your name? You’re the man in portrait?”

  “I am.”

  Now sleep, my angel.”

  “Sleep,” she murmured dreamily, falling into an easy slumber in which she danced in his arms.

  Morning made its rude awakening as bright shards of light burst through tattered drapes. Jenna flung up an arm to ward them off. “Ugh!”

  She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and winced, cruelly reminding herself of the unfinished investigation. “Damn it!’ she said aloud. Jenna made herself rise and stumble downstairs where the bank of video monitors sat humming quietly in the background. She sat down and began rolling through hours of video footage.

  “Find anything?”

  She was so startled she yelped.

  “Sorry.”

  “In answer to your question, the monitors just picked up dust. Now what?”

  “Well, there’s always the dungeon.”

  “The-the dungeon?” she stammered. She didn’t know if she could face that right now. Jenna gulped and checked her watch. “Mr. McKendrick will be here soon.”

  “No, he won’t.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “Look outside.”

  “What now?” Jenna wandered to the window and took a peek. The road where Marcus had made his hasty retreat was completely flooded. “Great! Is the rest flooded too?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “That can’t be,” she muttered.

  “I suppose that was your doing?” Jenna rubbed her eyes, wishing she could get drunk and make it all go away.

  “No.” He sounded insulted. “I think...I need to...sit down,” she said weakly. A chair slid forth and caught her as she fell. “Thank…you.”

  “I must go, but I will return. Wait for me, Jenna”

  The mention of her name sent a thrill through her body. She waited. Time seemed to crawl at a snails’ pace. Jenna busied herself with slogging through hours of video. Marcus really left her holding the bag. Even the EVP’s were muddled. “Shit!” she yelled, turning every monitor off just for spite.

  “I thought ladies weren’t supposed to swear.”

  “And who said I’m a lady?” she flung back carelessly. “I have no evidence to show. No evidence means I’m fired. No job means I’m out on my ass. How long is this rain going to last?”

  “It should clear by tomorrow.”

  Jenna let out a wistful sigh. “So what do we do now?”

  “Come.”

  Ghost hunting was the last thing on her mind as Max led her on a tour of his castle. But Jenna was growing tired of speaking to thin air.

  “What do you look like?” Jenna dared ask.

  “Do you really wish to know?”

  “Of course.”

  “No machines?”

  She hid a smile. “No. Not if you don’t want me to.”

  “Very well.”

  Max led her to upstairs to a part of the castle that lay cold and barren. A door was opened and Jenna gasped. “The blue room!”

  Jenna hesitated. “Mr. McKendrick said to stay out.”

  “He would,” he snorted. “His family caused us nothing but grief.”

  “So, it’s alright?”

  “I say it is.”

  “Okay.”

  Stepping into the room was like stepping into another era. It was decorated in varying shades of blue and its simplistic beauty struck Jenna. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed.

  “This used to be my room.”

  “Oh,” Jenna breathed, anticipation flooding her. “What are we going to do now?” Her excitement at Max’s presence was palatable.

  “Your thoughts…you naughty girl”

  She turned around, flushing with embarrassment. “Max!” she chided. “You promised to stay out of my head!”

  He chuckled and flung open the drapes. “I couldn’t help it. You’re a curious little thing.”

  Jenna thought she saw a dark shape flitting towards her and gasped. “Max!” she cried as her feet left the floor. “What...are you doing?”

  His breath touched her ear. “Hush. Isn’t this what you came for?”

  “I don’t know where to put my arms,” she said, flailing about helplessly. “I can’t see you.”

  “Oh!” he laughed and materialized. Jenna shrieked and nearly tumbled onto the floor. “Sorry about that. I’m not used to company.”

  The man from the portrait now possessed a corporeal body, and a magnificent one if the muscles beneath her hands were any indication. Jenna peered up at him in awe. “You’re here,” she breathed, reaching up to touch his cheek. It was ice-cold but a cheek nonetheless. “You’re cold.”

  Max stopped and lowered his mouth to hers drinking deeply and she gasped at the feel of it, hot and needy. “You’re not,” he rasped, his tongue darting out to tease and incite. “I want you,” he said simply.

  Jenna was too shocked to do much of anything and simply nodded.

  He chuckled and carried her back to his room where he laid her on the bed. Jenna stared wide-eyed as he lay beside her and took her into his arms. Her eyes drifted shut as he pressed light kisses upon her face and mouth. A sigh broke from her lips and he took full possession, sinking his tongue into her mouth and stroking hers.

  “Is this really happening?” she sighed as his lips slid to her throat. Jenna moaned and arched her back as he suckled her breast through her sweatshirt. “Take it off,” Jenna murmured, raising her arms so he could lift it over her head.

  A soft giggle escaped at the look on his face. “What is this contraption?” he demanded, pointing at her bra. “How can you breathe?”

  “It’s better than a corset,” she told him. “See?” Jenna unhooked it and tossed it on the floor. He gasped as her breasts spilled forth. “Am I too big?” she asked fearfully.

  Max reached out in wonder and smiled gently. “No,” he said hoarsely. “You’re perfect.” He reached up and pulled off his shirt, revealing a rippling torso and rock-hard abs. “And how am I?” he asked timidly.

  She slid her arms about his neck and pulled him down to her gasping at the feel of his flesh against hers. “You’re beautiful,” Jenna whispered, sighing as he kissed her again. “Make love to me, Maxim.”

  “I will,” he promised. “I’ve got to get you naked first.”

  “Let me.” Jenna peeled off her jeans and panties and kicked her socks and shoes off. She lay back unashamed at her nakedness, feeling as if it were the most natural thing in the world to be in his bed. Her eyes widened as he kicked off his breeches and his sex sprang free, hard and erect. “You’re so large,” she gushed.

  His eyes glowed with promises of carnal delights as he slid down beside her. They drank greedily from the other, tongues twisting and tasting, licking and biting. A startled cry broke from her lips as he took a nipple into the hot cavern of his mouth. “Oh Max,” she moaned, threading her fingers through his hair and clutching his head to her. “That feels so good.”

  “My sweet Jenna,” he breathed, darting his tongue out to tease the throbbing peak. “You’re so hot for me,” he murmured. To demonstrate, he reached down and slid his hand between her thighs, groaning when he found her swollen and ready. “You’re so wet.”

  “Max!” she whimpered, spreading her thighs for him. His fingers slid over her clit, stroking slowly at first, inflaming and making her insane with desire. Jenna cried out as a finger penetrated, his mouth absorbing he
r soft cries of pleasure. She arched her hips and clung to him as he drove her to the brink. “Harder!” Jenna moaned, panting as his fingers scrubbed furiously. Her head fell back and just as she was nearing the precipice, he stopped. “No!” she cried. “Don’t stop!”

  He laughed and took her mouth again, and Jenna gasped as he slid between her thighs. “What are you doing?” she breathed, digging her nails into his back as he began to stroke the swollen folds with the tip of his cock. Her head fell back, sobs of pleasure mingling with his moans. “Put it in, Maxim,” she begged, arching her hips shamelessly. “Fuck me!”

  Max groaned and bit down on his lip. “You’re so tight, love. Am I hurting you?”

  Jenna gasped and winced. He was too big, the thick shaft stretching her beyond pain. Regret darkened his features as he pressed soothing kisses over her face. “Forgive me.” He peered down at her, easing his movements.

  Moans escaped from her lips. Her body was slowly acclimating to his size.

  “Darling,” he breathed. Max eased out and eased back in again. “Better?”

  “Hmm?” she sighed dreamily. “Yes, you feel very nice.”

  His lips touched her ear and brow. “So do you.” Max held her gently and Jenna allowed herself to relax, letting her fingers trace lovingly down his back. “I want to move,” he whispered.

  Jenna stared up into those jewel-like eyes and nodded. Her soft gasps mingled with his as he began to thrust slowly. She held on to him and wrapped her thighs around his hips, whimpering as his hot flesh moved within her. “Max,” she moaned. “Don’t stop!”

  “Never!” he gasped. “You feel so... good.”

  “So...do you!” Soft mewls of pleasure drifted from her lips as Max rode her hard and fast. The pain became a distant memory and Jenna reveled in his possession, clutching at him and urging him on. “Harder! Deeper!”

  Her moans became shrieks and Jenna was his. Her grip tightened on his shoulders and his thrusts became a desperate race to the finish. “Maxim!” she screamed, her body consumed in a swash of fiery ecstasy.

  Max cried out and clasped her tightly to him. “Jenna,” he whispered into her ear. “My love.”

  6

  The flame flickered slightly in a draft seeping from the window. Jenna sighed and nestled closer to Maxim. He’d made love to her. She couldn’t quite get her head around the fact that she’d just made love to a ghost. But she supposed it was meant to be that way. He stirred in her arms.

  She smiled up at him. “You’re adorable when you sleep.”

  “So are you.” He kissed her nose.

  “I’ve been told I’m very plain,” she said, making a face. He laughed and pulled her to him.

  “You’re beautiful. I like brunettes.”

  “Brunettes with unruly hair and freckles?”

  “Where are these freckles?” he demanded, snatching the sheet from her. “Let me see!”

  “Maxim!” she giggled. “That tickles!”

  “Come here, my little wife.”

  “Wife?” Jenna repeated in wonder. “I wish.”

  His eyes glowed with strange intensity. “Wish it,” he commanded softly.

  Jenna pressed her mouth against his and sighed, “I wish I was your wife.”

  “Then it will be so!” he declared, ravishing her mouth with hot kisses. “I want you again.” Max’s hands caressed the swollen mounds of her breasts. “Are you very sore?”

  “No,” she breathed into his mouth, flicking her tongue over his lips. Jenna spread her thighs for him and gasped when his hand found her clit. “Oh...yes,” Jenna moaned softly. “Like that.”

  His finger teased the hard pebble, lifting and rolling it with his thumb.

  “Like this?” he murmured in her ear. “You’re wet again.”

  Jenna’s hand strayed to his cock where it throbbed and pulsed in her grasp. “You’re hard.” Her fingers stroked gently and he cried out in an agony of longing. “Here,” she said, pulling him towards her entrance.

  “Jenna!” he groaned. Max stilled above her and allowed his hands to caress her body, massaging the soft breasts until the peaks hardened beneath his fingers. Her soft cries emboldened him and he devoured her flesh, his tongue savouring the salty sweetness. A smile emerged as he explored her navel until finally burying his head between her thighs.

  Jenna squealed with delight and clutched his head to her. “Yes, my darling!” She felt hot and cold and could not draw a deeper breath, gasping in shock as his tongue worked her clit, lifting and sucking gently until she was begging him for his cock.

  “Not yet,” he chuckled, slipping his tongue inside to taste her. He’d waited for her for so long and was going to take his time. “I want you to scream, my love. Scream for me.”

  “No,” she whimpered, trying not to come. His hands slid beneath her and finally a scream emerged when his hot, stiff tongue impaled the greedy flesh. “Maxim!”

  He laughed in triumph and spread her wide, closing his eyes as he sank into her tight cunt. Jenna moaned and reached for him, wrapping herself around him and sliding her hands down to cup his hard ass. “Harder!” she panted, laving and biting his ear.

  Max cried out, plunging his tongue into her hot little mouth and ravished her over and over again. He pulled out to the tip and rammed into her hard and deep, making her scream. He liked that. “Louder!” he groaned, urging her up to meet his cock. “No one to hear us, love.”

  Jenna screamed again, unable to contain excruciating pleasure he gave her. “Maxim!” She stared up at him in a passion-filled haze as he rode her, muscles flexing beneath a fine sheen of sweat. “Come here,” she gasped, pulling his head down to hers.

  Their tongues mimicked the movements of their bodies, plunging in and out with such ferocity Jenna thought she might die from the agony of it. Her eyes winced shut and her final scream was taken into his mouth as he gave his own.

  Maxim touched his lips to her hair and brow. “Am I heavy, love?”

  Jenna wiggled beneath him making him gasp. He was still embedded deep within her and she revelled in the fullness. “No.”

  “Liar,” he chuckled, bracing himself on his forearms. Max smiled down at her. “That was nice.”

  “It was,” she murmured, wiggling her hips again and gasping as his shaft swelled thickly within her. “How is that... possible?”

  “It’s been a long time,” he groaned. Max began to stroke, his eyes drifting shut. “You were made for me. For this.”

  “Max,” Jenna sighed, arching her hips into his thrusts. “Don’t ever stop.” She reached up and pressed loving kisses over his face and mouth.

  “Never,” he breathed and kissed her tenderly. “Never.”

  7

  “Happy darling?” he whispered against her hair.

  Jenna nodded sleepily. “I don’t want to leave.”

  “Then don’t.”

  “Mr. McKendrick will be here tomorrow. The rain has stopped.”

  She could feel the tension in his chest. “I know,” he said quietly. “Let me work on it.”

  “Max...”

  “Hush!” he commanded softly. “Sleep now.”

  “Okay.”

  That night, Maxim took her upstairs to the attic where he bathed her in an old cast-iron tub and rifled through the trunks. He took out his old regimental uniform. “How do I look?” he asked, donning the faded scarlet coat and grinning like an idiot.

  She giggled. “Very dashing.” Jenna pulled out an exquisite ivory lace gown. “This is gorgeous!” she breathed, and held it up to her.

  Max grinned. “Put it on. I’m sure Lucia wouldn’t mind.”

  “Lucia?”

  “My sister. She was about your size. Mother had that dress made for her wedding trousseau, but she never got to wear it.” His voice quieted. “Diphtheria.” Max glanced up at her sadly. “She was only sixteen.”

  “Max, I’m so sorry.” Jenna couldn’t bring herself to put the gown on and chose another. It was of pale pink sil
k with a satin sash of a darker hue. “Is that how... you died?”

  He nodded, forcing a smile. “I’ll wait here.”

  Jenna hurried to the dressing screen and gasped as the silk slid over her body. The dress fit her as if made to do so.

  She emerged and a slow grin brightened his features. “You’re beautiful.”

  A blush crept across her cheeks while her hand slid up to the tangled curls. She forgot to bring her comb. “I must look a sight.”

  Max shook his head. “No, love.” He drew her into his arms. “You’re the loveliest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”

  “I can’t dance,” she warned him and he laughed, urging her to stand on his feet.

  “You can like this.”

  She sighed with happiness as he twirled her about and for a moment she could see them in a ballroom dancing amongst various lords and ladies of his time. “Max,” she began. But he shushed her.

  “Don’t say it, Jenna. Let’s just have this. For now.”

  He stopped twirling and Jenna held him tightly to her, afraid he would vanish into thin air. She was hopelessly in love with him and hoped he returned the sentiment. “Max, I love you,” she blurted before he could stop her. “I love you!”

  There was a look of agony on his face as he crushed her to him. “My darling Jenna! I love you so!”

  “Maxim,” she whispered, tears flooding her eyes to slide down her cheeks. “Don’t leave me.”

  “Hush, my sweet,” Max whispered, kissing the tears away.

  Their happiness was short-lived as an unholy pounding erupted downstairs. Maxim swore when he peered out the window. “He’s here!”

  Jenna took off the gown. “Wait here,” she said softly.

  “Jenna,” he said hoarsely, as she opened the door. “Be careful.”

  He was looking at her like he would never see her again. “I will.” Their eyes met and Jenna tore downstairs, sobbing.

  Mr. McKendrick was waiting for her and stomped his muddy boots on the faded carpet. “That was a damn blasted storm if ever I saw one!” He removed his coat and shook it out. “So, you’re alright then. That boy come tearing through the village screaming his bloody head off about a ghost.” He eyed her closely. “But you’re in one piece, so I can’t speak for the lad.”