Page 65 of Bria and the Tiger

Chapter Nine

Bria blinked at the bright afternoon light that was streaming into the bedroom before stretching gingerly. Her entire body was sore and there was a particularly deep ache in her pelvis and thighs.

She lay quietly for a moment. Her heat cycle was over and now that the overpowering need had disappeared, she could feel every ache and pain in her overused body. God, she needed to do more yoga or something. She had never hurt this badly after her heat cycle before.

You never had this much sex before.

That was a good point. The last two days were a bit hazy – all right, really hazy – but she remembered enough to know that she and Jace had more sex than she thought was possible. The need to take him, to claim him, had been so intense. A little shiver ran down her spine – what was happening to her? Her previous heat cycles had never been like this.

It’s just because you aren’t having sex on a regular basis, that’s all. You’re not a freak.

Right – so why did she feel like such a freak?

She glanced behind her. Jace was burrowed under the covers with just the top of his dark hair sticking out. She felt a wave of affection that made her stomach twist with nervousness. She was not starting to feel something for her boss – that was just the lingering effects of her heat cycle. She really should have a shower and go home. Jace had to be tired of her by now.

She eased out of the bed. She wouldn’t run away like she did the last time, she was an adult for God’s sake. She would make him breakfast, it was the least she could do after he helped her for the last two days, and then make a graceful exit.

She stumbled on her first few steps to the bathroom. A ribbon of sheet was wrapped around her calf and she unwrapped it before lifting the quilt and peeking at the sheets. She would have to buy him new ones. These were completely destroyed.

Nearly an hour later, Bria hummed softly as she turned the bacon in the frying pan. She was feeling much better after her hot shower, and the ache in her pelvis and thighs was more bearable now. She’d borrowed one of Jace’s t-shirts and she touched the smooth material before grabbing some eggs from the fridge. She started to sing, her alto voice filling the small kitchen, as she placed the eggs on the counter before turning the bacon again.

She thought of Jace asleep in the bedroom, his naked body cocooned in the warmth of his bed, and a thread of lust went through her. Maybe after eating she could convince him to have a quickie before she returned to her own home.

God, Bria. What is wrong with you? You just had a marathon round of sex with him for the last two days and you want to sleep with him again? Have some self-control, for God’s sake. He’s not going to want you again.

Probably not, she mused as she picked up an egg, but maybe if she pretended she was still in her heat cycle he would let her have her way with him again. Hell, she could actually focus on his pleasure this time – he would like that.

The details of the weekend were hazy, but she knew from past experience, that she wouldn’t have gone down on him or given a moment’s thought to his pleasure. It was all about her during her heat cycle and normally that didn’t bother her. In the past, there had always been the in-between times of her heat cycle to focus on her partner’s pleasure. But if she was only going to be with Jace when she was in heat, well – that didn’t seem entirely fair to her. She really needed to maintain better focus during her heat. She would try during the next one, try to remember that Jace needed pleasure as well.

Who says you’ll be with him during your next heat cycle? He only helped you because you begged him, remember?

Her face flushed with embarrassment. That was true but Jace had made it perfectly clear that he was willing to help her.

Yeah, and you rejected him. Just because he took pity on you this time doesn’t mean he will the next time. Even if he does – is that really what you want? Do you want to be that girl who uses a guy once a month to scratch an itch? You want a relationship, you know you do, and Jace doesn’t. You’re better off concentrating on finding a nice shifter who wants you for more than –

“Well, hello there.”

The sound of the unfamiliar voice made her squeeze the egg in her hand. It cracked and its insides slithering into the sink. She dropped the shell in the sink and whipped around. She stared wide-eyed at the man and woman standing in the kitchen and her tiger made a warning growl.

The man held his hands up. “Easy there, girl.” He sniffed in her direction before glancing at the woman standing beside him. “She’s small for a tiger shifter, huh?”

“Wh- who are you?” Bria stuttered.

“I’m Robert Shepherd and this is my mate, Velma. Who are you and what are you doing in my son’s kitchen?” The man raised his eyebrows at her as Velma made a small, tinkling laugh.

“I think it’s obvious what she’s doing, Bobby.”

“Bria? Is that bacon? I’m starving.” Jace strolled into the kitchen wearing nothing but a pair of pajama bottoms. A small moan escaped Bria’s throat.

His chest was covered in bites, bruises and claw marks, and bile rose in her throat. He looked like he had been through a battle of epic proportions. Her cheeks burned with shame as Jace blinked in surprise at the couple standing in the kitchen.

“Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?”

“Honey, your chest!” Velma said in a horrified voice. “What happened?”

“I think it’s obvious what happened, Velma,” Jace’s father snickered.

Both his parents stared at her and Bria turned bright red.

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