Page 107 of Bria and the Tiger

“What? I’m being very helpful. Why can I bang my boss, but Bria can’t bang hers? That doesn’t seem fair.”

“It’s more complicated than that,” Kat said. “Bria, I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“I know. Everything’s fine and we,” she glanced at Ronin, “can we talk about this later, Kit Kat?”

“Yes. But we will talk about it later.”

“I know. I’m gonna get dressed. Be right back.”

She hurried into her bedroom. Jace was standing by the bed and she smiled nervously at him before opening her closet. He touched her back and she turned to face him.

“Are you sure you want me to go?”

“Yes,” she said.

He searched her face. “I don’t have to if it makes you uncomfortable.”

“It doesn’t. Really. In fact, you’d be doing me a favour. They’re trying to set me up with a guy, but I’m not really interested. If you’re there…”

His eyes flashed bright green for a second and she could smell his jealousy.

It doesn’t mean anything, she told herself.

“Do you want me to pretend to be your boyfriend?” He asked with a small smile.

Her cheeks turned pink. “Yeah, I guess I do. If you don’t mind?”

He leaned down and kissed her. “I don’t mind at all, little tiger.”

* * *

“I had a lot of fun this afternoon. Thanks for letting me tag along.” Jace pulled into the parking lot of her building and put the car in park.

“I’m glad you came.” Bria fidgeted with her seat belt. She wanted to ask Jace to come upstairs, wanted to ask him to spend the night with her again, but that was crazy. Spending the weekend with him and pretending he was her boyfriend had been amazing. Too amazing. For someone who didn’t want a relationship, he was really good at it.

She’d had so much fun with him while bowling. They’d all gone for dinner together afterwards. Jace was funny and smart and got along well with everyone. He and Ronin in particular had hit it off, and they’d even made plans for Ronin to drop by and play pool. Jace had played the part of her adoring boyfriend to perfection, and she’d soaked in his affection.

“I like your friends.”

“They like you too.” Bria unclicked her seat belt. It was time to go before she started to think this pretend game of boyfriend/girlfriend with Jace was real. “Thanks for the ride home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Bria,” he caught her hand as she opened the car door, “invite me to spend the night.”

“What?” She had to have misheard him.

He rubbed his thumb over the pulse point in her wrist. His eyes glowed in the dim light. “Invite me to spend the night, little tiger.”

“Jace, would you like to spend the night with me?” She whispered.

“Very much.” He shut the car off and they walked silently to her apartment.

The moment she had locked the door behind them, he picked her up and carried her toward the bedroom. She giggled and kissed his throat. “You know, I can walk to the bedroom.”

“This makes me look strong and manly.”

Her giggles turned to laughter. “Oh yes, very manly. I can hardly control my need for you when you carry me around like a sack of potatoes.”

He growled at her and dropped her on the bed before stripping off his shirt. “Be nice or you’ll get a spanking.”

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