Page 50 of Bria and the Tiger

He shoved his hands into his pockets, winked at Bishop and walked out of reception. Bishop was still growling under his breath and his shirt was straining against his shoulders. Ava rubbed his chest again.

“You’re mine,” Bishop said to her. “Mine.”

“Yes,” she replied. “I’m yours, honey. Relax, okay?”

“If he touches you again -”

“He won’t.”

Bria watched as Ava smoothed her hand over his chest a third time and smiled at the angry grizzly shifter before pressing a kiss against his mouth. He relaxed and his body returned to its normal size. He gave Bria a sheepish smile. “Uh, hi, Bria. Sorry about that.”

“It’s fine,” she said. “I was just telling Ava that Jace is on his way. I’ll take you to the boardroom, okay?”

“Sure.” Bishop took Ava’s hand, his gaze lingering on her ring finger. As she led them to the board room, Bria had a feeling that it wouldn’t be long before Ava was wearing a wedding ring.

* * *

“How are your mom and dad doing?” Lincoln gave him an uncharacteristically somber look as Jace climbed into the car.

“They’re doing okay. We went to his grave today and then walked along the river. Jonah used to love swimming there.”

“I remember.”

Jace stared out the windshield. “Mom said to say thank you for the flowers. It means a lot to her that you remember what today is.”

“You and I have been best friends since we were kids,” Lincoln said. “I’m not going to forget Jonah’s birthday.”

The lion shifter backed out of Jace’s driveway and drove down the street. “Why don’t we forget about going to the club and just buy some beer and chill at my place tonight. We can watch the game.”

“No, I want to go to the club.”

“It’s not that I’m trying to discourage you from getting your rocks off with a random shifter, but is your brother’s birthday really the night to do it? Besides, isn’t that why you joined Heat Me Up? So you could fuck shifters without having to do the whole pick up random chicks at a bar?”

“I turned my account inactive.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” Lincoln turned left at the lights.

“It’s really busy at the office right now.”

“No busier than usual. Plus, it’s like two days a month. If you’d rather work instead of enjoying two days of non-stop fucking with a hot cat shifter, there is something seriously wrong with you. Are you having issues with the old twig and berries?”

He glanced at Jace’s crotch. “No shame if you are. The number of guys who can’t get their twig to stand up is surprisingly large. I hear, three out of five -”

“I’m going to a club tonight for the sole purpose of getting laid. There’s nothing wrong with my dick.”

“Again, I question whether your brother’s birthday is the night to do it,” Lincoln said. “You’re hurting and you’re vulnerable tonight and -”

“What have you done with my best friend?”

“Nothing. I can be sensitive and understanding. I mean, usually it’s because I’m trying to get into a shifter’s pants, but I can make an exception for you, my little snookums.” Lincoln grinned.

“I want to get drunk and find some random shifter to have sex with. It’s the perfect way to end an awful day.”

“Jace -”

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