Page 84 of Bria and the Tiger

She smiled a little. “Yeah, I know. He was surprisingly sweet that night at the club.”

Jace winced. “I feel like I need to apologize again for that night.”

“You don’t. Really. It was no big deal.”

“I hope I didn’t say anything too embarrassing.”

“You really can’t remember?” She took another small sip of beer.

“No, not really. I don’t actually drink that often so I’m a bit of a lightweight when it comes to alcohol.”

“You don’t like the taste of alcohol?”

“No, it’s just that drinking isn’t great for shifters with de -”

He stopped abruptly, and she gave him a curious look. “Shifters with what?”

“Never mind. Hey, do you want to see something in my basement?”

She raised her eyebrows at him. “In your basement?”

“That came out sounding creepier than I meant. I promise it’s nothing kinky.”

“That’s a shame.”

He laughed and held out his hand. “Come on. You’ll love it, I promise.”

* * *

“This is it?”

“What do you mean, this is it.” Jace gave her an indignant look. “It’s incredible.”

“It’s a pool table.”

He ran his hand lovingly over the edge of it. “It’s not just a pool table. It’s a fully restored 1946 Brunswick Anniversary Pocket Billiard Table. These are really hard to find.”

“So, you like pool, huh?” Bria touched the green cloth that covered the table.

“I love it. I just got this table a month ago.” Jace took a cloth from the cabinet and wiped at the wood on the pool table. “Do you like playing pool?”

“I don’t know how,” Bria admitted.

Jace’s mouth dropped open. “You’re kidding me.”

“Nope. Never learned.”

“That changes right now.”

She laughed as he crossed the room and grabbed two pool cues hanging on the wall. “Are you serious?”

“Dead serious.” He already had the chalk out and was swiping the top of the cues with it. “Here, hold these.”

She held the long wooden sticks as he racked the balls. “I’ll break since you’ve never played before.”

“I don’t even know how to hold the stick properly.”

“I’ll show you.” He took the longer of the cues from her. She watched as he bent over the table and took the shot. Three of the balls went in and she gave him an admiring look.

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