ROMANCE: PARANORMAL ROMANCE: Tiger Tamed (Tiger Shifter BBW Pregnancy Romance) (Contemporary Paranormal Alpha Male Romance) (12 page)

“Wow. Somebody loves to cook.”

“Anthony,” He answered.

To the right was an exercise room. I could see through the open door mirrored walls, equipment I didn’t know existed and an unrolled yoga mat.

“And the yoga?”

“John,” he said.

We walked to the kitchen, where several boxes of pizza were stacked. I opened the first three boxes and they were empty. The second was cheese and the third was pepperoni.  Ian had taken the liberty of getting us plates. “What would you like to drink?” he said.

          “Water is fine.” He poured two glasses from a pitcher.

          The counter had stools so we sat there to eat. He inhaled seven slices while I chewed three. The silence was full of contentment. Then in tandem, he washed the dishes while I dried. Something unspoken linked us. He broke down the empty cardboard pizzas while I refrigerated the remaining box. We boarded the elevator and rode to level 2.

“Aren’t you the boss? I asked.

He nodded.

“Then why aren’t you on like the top floor?”

“Because I am the boss.”

“I don’t understand,” I said.

He nodded, perhaps predicting my confusion.

“If something were to happen or someone tried to storm the fortress, the first floor they’d search is two. My floor. I am the leader and also the first line of defense. I would die for my team, they are my brothers. If it were a choice between them and me, I chose me. I would stand in the way. Therefore, I live on the second floor.”

It made sense and was also admirable. “For someone so good, why do you carry yourself as if you are bad?”

“Because I am. I am not good Chloe and you should remember that.” the bell chimed, again we entered together.

His floor was expansive. It held a mini kitchen to the left, an entertainment center to the right, behind that was a grand piano and right in front, though much farther back, was his bedroom. We walked towards it, through the archways.

 “The bathroom is over there, feel free to use it,” I walked into it, finding an all glass shower, a large old-fashioned bathtub, a closet and a sink.

“It’s beautiful,” I said to myself.

“So are you” he rumbled behind me, scaring me. The gasp gave me away.

He opened the small closet door, “I apologize for frightening you. Here are extra towels, extra soap, and other toiletries. You can use whatever you want.” he spoke softer here. I did not know if it was because he was talking to me or because he was at home. “If you need something, I will be on the couch.” He said before turning to walk out but I grabbed his hand, stopping him.

“I saw your couch, it’s big but not big enough for you. Please sleep with me.” Again, my mouth forgot proper use and I felt the heat of blush on my neck and cheeks. ”I mean, we can sleep together.” Jesus, abort mission. I had to resemble a tomato. “I mean, what I’m trying to say it, don’t sleep on the couch.”

He chuckled at all my mishaps. “OK.” He was gone and I took a moment to collect myself. Why did I never have my shit together? When I stepped out of the bathroom, a wall of sinew was before me. I knew Ian was built, I didn’t know just how built. From his back alone, I knew he must lift serious metal. He could probably bench press three times his weight. He was unzipping his pants and his back flexed to reveal every motion he took. I was mesmerized. Each string in his shoulder blades moved like the strings of a piano, reflecting soundless music to me. He was beautiful and graceful and almost entirely naked.  He turned to me, in his boxers. “I am going to shower. Would you prefer to go first?”

“Sure,” I squeaked, caught staring and caught blushing. How would I sleep soundless next to that?

When Ian returned, in his towel alone, water dripping down the little hair he had on his chest and onto his 8 pack, I knew I made the right decision to shower second. I needed a cold shower. Now.

I rushed past him, hoping he wouldn’t see my blush. I took a quick shower, cocooning myself in the scent of Ian I used his shampoo and conditioner while lathering my body up with his black soap. When I came out, there was a shirt folded neatly on the corner of his bed and I could hear soft strains of music. I assumed the shirt was for me and threw it on after putting my wet hair into a messy blond bun.

*** Ian ***

          The piano engulfed me, taking my pain and calming me. Although the shower cleaned my skin, the music cleansed my soul, made me feel whole again. I found myself feeling broken more and more. The closer I came to my last hibernation, the more I felt my beast consuming me. Soon there would be no more me, only the bear inside of me. I loathed that bear, even though, he’d eventually be my savior. Without him, I’d die. But what’s life, if it’s lived as only an animal? Would I remember my past life? Would I mourn the loss of my brothers? My team? Knowing who my mate was wasn’t enough. We had to actually mate. What would Chloe think of me if she knew the truth? It would only work if she loved me back.

          “Debussy is great” a soft voice spoke behind me. Chloe looked like a vision, my t-shirt tight on her breast and hanging down grazing her thighs.

          “No, don’t stop,” she said walking to sit beside me. “Please?” she asked. Without the glasses, I could see her crystal blue eyes. They looked so clear, like the perfect sky on a sunny day and I knew I couldn’t say no to her. My fingers settled without thought onto the keys. I played Bach and Mozart. As I played, she became more and more relaxed, resting her head on my shoulder. I played my favorite, Flight of the Bumblebee.

“I love that song,” she said and so I played it again. It was well into the early morning, going on 2 or 3, so I stopped with finality.

“Time for bed,” I said, standing and gathering her into my arms. She protested, but I carried her anyway. She didn’t weigh anything to me, though, in comparison to other women, I’m sure she’d be considered heavier. I used one hand to pull back the covers and placed her with the intention to walk away. But she grabbed at my arm, mumbling, “With me. With me. You said.”

So I scooped her up again, putting her further in and slid in behind her. I knew she could feel my weight so I turned on my back, waiting for her to go into a deep sleep with the intention to sleep on the couch. But she didn’t let me escape. She turned, snuggling to my side and wrapped her arm around my chest. I looked down at her sleeping face. She looked like an angel, her long eyelashes fanned out, so light the blond almost faded into her skin. She was pale and in the darkness I could make out the loveliest creature I ever saw. This was new for me, but I knew dwelling on it was counterproductive. This would not happen again so I told myself to go to bed. Sleep came swiftly.

When I woke, Chloe was not in my bed. I could smell her on my sheets. Even though she used my soap, her scent was distinct. I rode to the 9
^th
floor, trusting she wouldn’t have gone snooping. The elevator door opened to serenade my nose with breakfast. There she was, tongue stuck out on the side of her mouth, concentrating on flipping bacon. She was still wearing my shirt, I moved in silence to get a better look. The stereo was playing Britney Spears softly, and she was moving her hips to ‘Oops, I Did It Again’. She turned to place more bacon on the plate and almost dropped the pan.

“Jesus Ian! You have got to make more noise!”

I smiled and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek. What possessed me to do that, I have no idea.

“Breakfast is almost ready. How would you like your eggs? There are pancakes in the oven.”

“However you like yours.” After thought, I said, “I hope you made enough.”

She smiled cracking eggs into a bowl. “I think so. Anthony told me all of you eat like grizzly bears.”

The thought of Anthony seeing her look this delicious bothered me and I frowned. “What? Bad analogy? I was repeating what he said. I made about 50 pancakes, three packs of bacon and I’m scrambling 10 eggs. Should I cook more?” I shook my head no.

“It’s fine,” I said, resting my chin in my hand to watch her.

“Then what’s wrong.”

To be honest or to be realistic, I decided, to be honest. “I don’t like the idea of Anthony seeing you look like that.”

She looked down, observing herself. “I don’t think I look bad. Is it inappropriate? I’m wearing what you gave me to wear.”

I smiled at her worrying. “You look beautiful. It’s just I wanted to keep that view all to myself.” She blushed.

“Oh, well let’s go to my place to get my stuff today.”

I nodded in agreement.

*********

The crew loaded up. Me and Chloe in my Mercedes. John and Anthony in his truck and Hamilton in his hatchback. The ride was delightful. Chloe pulled me from my slumber. We talked, about everything. She asked me how I got into the security and investigation world and I asked her how she found a love for computers. She told me her favorite color and why spiders don’t scare her. I told her I was afraid to be alone but not afraid to die. It was disappointing when we pulled up to her apartment complex. It looked just like the footage she showed me. John and Anthony immediately walked around, securing the ground while I walked Chloe up to the door.

“You can come in,” she said throwing her keys on a battered table. I stayed in the living room, not wanting to invade her personal space. The place looked like what I imagined her home would be like. There were several laptops in the room. Three on a small desk in the corner and one on her couch. I was sure there were several more in her bedroom. She collected her mail and looked through for bills, then grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. My phone rang as she walked back to what I assumed what the bedroom.

“Talk to me,” I said.

“Ground is secure. We’re coming up. Ham is staying by the cars.” John said.

“See you soon.”

Just as I was about to call out a warning about time, Chloe screamed. I rounded the corner in a flash. There was her stalker, holding a knife to her throat.  Then all hell broke loose.

***
Chloe ***

You ever had an out of body experience? It’s something that can happen in extreme shock. That’s what happened to me when Ian turned into a bear, a full grown, absolutely humungous bear. I came into my room thinking I had ten minutes to pack before he complained I was taking too long. I went into my drawer, putting a handful of panties and shirts on my bed before stepping into my closet for pants. My stalker flung himself at me as soon as I opened the door. My automatic response to the shock was to scream, but I didn’t move fast enough and he took advantage of that. Grabbing me roughly and putting a knife to my neck.

“Don’t move,” He growled.

When Ian came around the corner, I knew I was saved. I didn’t know my life was about to change. He lost his shit, turning into a bear and stunning not only me but my captor as well. The bear, formerly known as Ian, swiped me to the left and I landed on my bed bouncing a few times. Then he bit hard into the leg of my stalker. He howled in pain but it didn’t matter. Ian wouldn’t let go even as the stalker stabbed him several times in what I think was his shoulder.

I heard my front door forced open as Anthony and John came around the corner guns raised. One shot in the stomach and arm pushed my captor over the edge and he lost consciousness. Ian let the bleeding leg go but huffed and growled. There was barely room for him to move around but he looked in Anthony and John’s direction and continued to howl and snort.

“We’ll be outside,” Anthony said. Then he left, closing the door with me alone with a bear. My mouth had been hanging open for some time now. Ian, the bear, looked me in my eyes then whined. He seemed so sad. Then he laid down on the floor with his head resting on my bed, inches from my foot. I don’t have common sense because I reached out my hand to touch him. I moved slowly and time stood still, then my hand was on his fur and he was rubbing back against me.

Then he sat back on his haunches and turned back into the man I knew. His face shimmered briefly before fading to human features though his eyes never changed. They were still just as black only instead of fur there were those crinkles. He was completely naked.

“What the fuck was that?” I said, standing to find my biggest sweat pants. “Here,” I said throwing them to him. While he clothed, I found another huge shirt I still had from an ex, it was tight on Ian but at least, he was clothed.

 “So?” I asked, incredulous. I wanted answers now, now was not the time for dark and moody.

“Are you ok?” He said, his primary concern was my safety. He analyzed me from head to toe, looking for blood. Moving my hair, checking my neck and back.

“I’m fine,” I huffed. “Answer me.”

“I am a shape shifter,” he said, sitting quietly on the bed.

“Since when?”

“Since I was born.”

“I’m sorry?” I asked, “When was that?”

“About 60 years ago.”

“I don’t understand. You look great for an old man.”

“I know.” He sighed, looking at my unconscious stalker. ”I will explain when we get home.” He took my hand and put my bag on his shoulder before opening the door.

Anthony and John were standing in the living room, posed like soldiers ready for battle.

“Pick up the trash,” he said to them, nodding his head backward. “Let’s go,” Ian said. Then we left my apartment, single-filed and John propped my door to stay closed despite them forcing it open.

“We’ll send someone to fix that today.” He murmured.

I nodded understanding but lost in my thoughts. Just what in the hell did all this mean? I was too young to be having a midlife crisis.

When we got to the fortress, we all crowded into the elevator though John pressed 4, Anthony pressed 3, and Hamilton pressed 5. Ian and I exited together, him still holding my hand.

“What’s on floor 6 through 8?”

“War room, then files, jewelry, art and other things that need securing, guest floor.” I nodded again.

He set my bag down then laid back on the bed, his feet still on the floor. He looked exhausted. I sat beside him.