The Tiger's Heart (12 page)

“
You want to make the
people you care about happy. You hate to see sadness or pain in
them. Therefore, you do whatever you can to avoid it. But no,
you’re not easy. You’re an honorable, loving man. I don’t know how
I managed to catch such a man. You’ve been my rock through all of
this.”

He grabbed another throw pillow Tora
insisted he have on the couch and used it to prop her knee higher.
“I’m glad I’m not transparent.” He smiled. “Scoot down. Let me sit
behind you with my arms around you, and you can still have your leg
on the couch. I want to feel your body next to mine.”

She did as he asked, and he slipped
behind her, pulling her close to him, his arm around her as she
rested her head on his shoulder. “Comfortable?”

“
Umm,” she moaned. “Raja,
why haven’t you completed the mating?”

“
You have been through a
lot the last few days, and with your knee you’re in pain. I’m
giving you the time I thought you needed.”

“
I don’t need time—it’s
you I need.”

“
Soon, love, soon.” He
buried his face in her hair, breathing in her scent.

“
They’re coming,” he
growled, pulling back from her. “You sure you want to do
this?”

She nodded as the door opened and in
stepped the woman. Shadow keeping a close eye on Jessica but gave
her the space not to feel crowded.

“
Jessica, what’s so
important that you had to see me tonight?”

“
Ahh…umm…” She eyed
Bethany with pity.

“
Jessica, whatever you
need to say can be said in front of my mate. If you don’t wish to,
then Shadow can escort you back to your room.”

“
It’s…I didn’t expect her
here.”

“
She’s my mate. Now what
did you want?” he rumbled.

“
Mate?” She shook her
head. “I was going through email conversations I’ve had with Pierce
through the years. I found a few things that might be of
importance.”

“
What did you
find?”
She’s working my patience. This is
like pulling teeth.

“
He mentioned a James
Thompson. I don’t know who it is, but I recognized the last
name.”

“
My uncle?” Bethany
whispered.

“
What about him?” Raja’s
thoughts were turning negative quickly.

“
I’m not really sure. I
just remember him saying it all started with James.”

“
Started with him
how?”

“
I’m not sure. After he
was bitten, he said it boiled down to being James’s fault. He
didn’t bite him but somehow he’s tied into it. But in all the years
since, the name never came up.”

“
Okay. We’ll get to the
bottom of how he ties into the situation at hand. Anything else?”
Raja’s fingers played with the edge of Bethany’s pajama
top.

“
There’s also a hunting
cabin in North Dakota our parents owned. I own it now but never use
it. He has a key and goes there when he needs to regroup or hide.
It’s probable he might be there or maybe there’s a clue to where he
might be.”

Bethany gasped at the words North
Dakota, but when Raja squeezed her arm, she said
nothing.

“
If that’s all, Shadow
will escort you to your room. Give her the address and we’ll get a
team to investigate it.”

Chapter Twenty

“
Adam and Leo are an hour
out from James’s location. We’ll need another team for Jessica’s
tip. I wanted them to investigate the cabin and if he’s there, wait
for backup to arrive. We’ll send in two teams, but more will be
sent if he’s there.” Raja stood in Ty’s living room giving him the
update. Bethany was asleep in his quarters with Shadow standing
guard.

Ty nodded. “I’ll get the teams on it.
When James arrives we need to debrief him first. Bring Bethany
here—she can stay with Tabitha and her guards. I don’t want the
women in danger if James is tied in with Pierce. I also want Shadow
with us. She’ll know if we can trust him.”

“
I have a feeling the
women aren’t going to be very happy with either of us when we tell
them they have to sit this one out.”

“
True, but it’s for the
best,” Ty snickered.

“
What’s for the best?”
Tabitha asked, coming out of the bedroom.

“
I’ll let you handle this
one. I have my own to deal with.” Raja turned to make a quick exit
as Ty gave him a dirty look and Tabitha stood with her hands on her
hips. He laughed, closing the door behind him.
Now to tell my mate.

While he strolled through
the main building back toward his quarters, he took a moment to
text Adam.
Be on guard. Pierce’s sister
has a cabin in ND He might be there.
With
his cell phone still out he sent Tora a brief message also.
Your big mouth is going to get us in trouble one
of these days.
He smiled, remembering all
the times he covered for his sister. Her big mouth already landed
them in some tricky situations in the past.

He cell vibrated in his
hand before he clipped it back on his jeans.
She must have taken it well…you’re still alive. You can thank
me later.

“
Thank her? She must have
lost her marbles,” he mumbled, reaching his door.

He found Shadow sitting on the
windowseat hugging her legs. Even in the dark he couldn’t miss her
bright pink leggings and white and pink sweater. The pink stood out
against the darkness of the room.

“
Shadow, when Adam and Leo
arrive with Bethany’s uncle, I’d like you to attend the debriefing
before I allow her to meet him. We want to make sure he has nothing
to do with Pierce before we endanger her.”

“
Do you think it is wise
to leave her alone?”

“
She’ll be with Tabitha
and her guards while we meet James.” He leaned against the back of
the chair closest to her, whispering so not to disturb
Bethany.

“
Very well. If I might
make a suggestion.”

Shadow was still unsure of herself,
especially around the Elders. Her life was hard before joining the
Alaskan Tiger clan, making her leery of people, especially anyone
in the position of power.

“
You’re one of our most
trusted guards. You may always speak freely and give your
suggestions. We might not use them, but we’re always willing to
listen.”

She smiled a smile that didn’t quite
reach her eyes, but it was warm. “She needs her own guards,
especially until Pierce is caught. She’s in as much danger as
Tabitha. He’ll come after her again if he gets a
chance.”

“
Funny you should bring
that up I was just considering the same thing this evening. Are you
applying for the position?”

“
I prefer the field, but I
could be persuaded into it, I’m sure.” Her eyes held a twinkle of
excitement.

“
Think it over and let me
know your requirements. I’d like to have you as the Captain of her
Guards if interested.” He slid his hands into his pockets.
I thought I’d have a hard time convincing her,
and here all along she was interested.

“
I’ll sleep on it and let
you know tomorrow.” She rose, stretching her long body. “Go to your
mate and rest. You both need it. I feel something bad is coming
this way.”

* * *

“
Where were you?” Bethany
whispered as he tried to sneak back into the bedroom. “Why are you
dressed?”

“
I had to meet with Ty.”
He slipped his gun holster and knife off and laid them on the
nightstand.

“
Why didn’t you wake
me?”

“
You were sleeping
soundly. I had Shadow here in case you woke.” He unbuttoned his
shirt with her gaze on him.

“
You should have woken
me.”

“
And what? Dragged you
with me? You needed the sleep. You were safe here with Shadow, and
I was just down the hall.” He tossed his shirt aside, moving his
hands to his belt. “Plus what I spoke with Ty about wasn’t
something you had to be there for. We were discussing sending teams
to locate Jessica’s cabin.”

“
You’re right. Sleep was
better.” She smiled at him. “Now are you coming to bed?”

“
If you want me
to.”

“
Oh yes. I want you to.”
She eagerly moved over, giving him more room to join her on the
bed.
I want all of you. I hunger to feel
your hands on me.

He slipped his jeans off, letting them
fall to the floor. The moonlight reflected off his toned, muscular
body, as he stood before her in only his boxers. His black,
shoulder-length hair cascading around his face, his piercing green
eyes watching her with desire.

“
Come here,” she whispered
with her own need in her voice. She lifted the blanket, inviting
him.

He slipped under the covers with her.
Lying on his side with his arm propped under him, he laid there
watching her.

“
What?”

“
You’re beautiful.” He
played his fingers lightly on her arm.

“
I want you.” She could
feel her cheeks heat with embarrassment with her sudden
outburst.

“
We should wait. Give your
knee time to start the healing process.”

“
I don’t want to wait. My
knee will be fine as long as we’re careful. Don’t make me wait,
Raja. I need to feel your hands on me.” She leaned her head
forward, bringing their lips close. “Please.”

Her lips were met with the
dark taste of coffee, rejuvenating her.
No
wonder he takes like coffee. He drinks as if it is his life’s
nectar.
His tongue teased her lips open,
turning it from passionate into a deep, hungry kiss. His hand ran
through her hair, keeping her close.

“
Are you sure?” he asked,
breaking away from the kiss, his fingers going to her
nightshirt.

“
I’m sure.” She leaned
forward, allowing him to slip the shirt over her head. “I need
you.”

The shirt was tossed carelessly to the
floor as he kissed her neck. He rubbed his head against her neck,
like a cat against a body.

“
What are you doing?” She
laughed as his hair tickled her neck.

“
Marking my mate properly.
I want my scent all over you. You’re mine.”

“
Hum.”

“
There will be no going
back from this. You’ll be mine. If you have reservations, we should
deal with them first.” He rested his head in the hollow of her neck
but no longer rubbed.

Mating.
“I have no doubts when it comes to you. I love
you, Raja.”

“
Good, because you’re my
world. I love you too.” He kissed her. He slid his hand deep under
the covers, gliding smoothly down her torso until he found her
sweet spot. His fingers slipping between her lips, entering her
core, tantalizing her with yearning.

“
These must go.” She
hooked her hand in boxers, pulling them back and letting them
go.

“
All in due time, my love”
He winked at her. “I want to take my time, enjoy every moment, feel
every inch of your body against mine.”

She groaned. “You made me wait this
long, and now you’re going to take your time?”

“
Yes,” he teased with a
wicked grin on his face.

“
If I didn’t have this
damn brace on my leg, I’d roll you over and take control of the
situation.”

“
You could try, but
shifters are stronger than humans. Now lay back and let me enjoy
myself, bring you pleasure, or I could draw this out
longer.”

With no visible choice,
she leaned back against the pillows, watching the moonlight bounce
off his chest. There was enough light coming through the window to
allow her to see him. She had no doubt that he was able to see
better than she could ever have hoped to.
Will he like what he sees? Listen to me, I’m as nervous as a
virgin on her wedding night.

“
You’re beautiful.” He
took her nipple in his mouth, sucking gently, before letting it
slide out again. His cool breath made her nipple harden.

She raked her hands through his hair,
moving it out of his eyes, allowing her to truly see him. She loved
the feel of the silky strands of hair between her fingertips, the
way his hands caressed her body.

Raja tenderly kissed her neck as his
fingers delved inside of her. He slipped two fingers inside,
stroking the fire that was burning in her.

“
You’re wet,” he
whispered, his breath hot against her neck.

“
Please, Raja. I need
you.” She turned her head to him. “Don’t make me wait.”

He lifted his head from her neck and
met her gaze. “Please,” she whispered as their lips touched. She
ran her hands down his chest, feeling his tight abs on her way to
his shaft. She slid her hands inside his boxers, wrapping her
fingers around his hard shaft. Her hand worked his shaft, while
their kisses got deeper.

“
Let me.” He leaned back
and ripped the boxers off. The ripping sound filled the room before
material was tossed to the floor to join her nightshirt. She felt
her eyes get big with surprise. “What? They were in the
way.”