Page 77 of Bria and the Tiger

“You should.”

She stared at Jace’s mouth. “Maybe just once.”

He growled his approval. “That’s my good girl.”

“How are we doing here back here? Need any help or – oh!”

Her tiger growled, and her fangs popped out. She clapped her hand over her mouth before she could bare them at the attendant who was suddenly standing behind them.

Jace stepped back and the attendant took a deep breath before flushing. Bria joined her in turning red. No doubt the wolf shifter could smell Jace’s arousal. Hell, she would smell Bria’s too.

The attendant gave her a look that practically screamed silent judgment. “Have you decided on a dress?”

“Uh, yes. I’ll take this one.”

“Perfect.” She stared pointedly at Jace.

“Bria, I’ll wait for you out there. Okay?”

“Sure, okay.”

He left and the attendant gave her a frosty smile. “Need help with the zipper?”

“Yes, thank you.”

* * *

She half-expected Jace to be gone when she came out of the dressing room, but he was standing by the till. They stood in awkward silence as the woman behind the counter folded the dress and placed in a bag.

“That’ll be $125.73,” the woman said.

Before Bria could grab her wallet from her purse, Jace was handing the woman his card.

“Hey, no, you’re not buying the dress.”

The woman paused and Jace made a go on motion to her. “I am, Bria.”

“I have money,” she said defensively.

“I know you do. But the only reason you’re buying this dress is because of me. I’d really like to pay for it. You’re doing me a favour, remember?”

“No, I’m going as a way to say sorry for scratching the crap out of you during my -”

She shut her mouth with a snap and stared at the sales clerk. She was human, and she was studying her with curiosity. Jace was grinning and Bria scowled at him as he turned back to the sales clerk. “Put it on my card, please.”

She rang it through and he took the bag when she handed it to him. He walked out of the store and Bria followed him. When she tried to take the bag, he pulled it away. “I’ll carry it for you.”

Dammit, why did he have to be such a gentleman? She sighed and walked beside him as they wandered through the mall. “Thank you for buying the dress.”

“You’re welcome,” he said. “Where to next?”

“I’m done.”

“I have to go to the bookstore.” Still holding the bag, he turned left, and she had no choice but to follow him to the bookstore. He went straight to the food section and started browsing through the cookbooks.

“Are you looking for anything in particular?” She asked.

“It’s my mom’s birthday next month. I bought her a spiralizer and now I’m just looking for a cookbook with recipes for a spiralizer.”

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