Page 36 of Chasing Stripes

THIRTY-ONE

Artemis coughed, losing her balance in the chaos. Bartek moved without thinking, pulling her against his chest and wrapping himself protectively around her. His body curved over hers, shielding her from the cascading spice.

The chili powder settled, dusting their clothes with crimson, but Bartek didn’t release his hold. Artemis fit perfectly against him as if designed to match the contours of his body. Her heartbeat synchronized with his, their breathing falling into rhythm.

Her scent nearly overwhelmed him now—desire unmistakable and potent, calling to something primal within him. His tiger clawed at the surface, desperate to claim what it already recognized as theirs.

When they finally separated, neither mentioned how long they’d remained locked together, or how right it had felt.

Bartek drew a steadying breath. This was his opportunity—the moment to invite her to dinner, to explore the connection neither could deny.

“Artemis, I’ve been thinking?—”

The bakery bell chimed, cutting him off mid-sentence.

Familiar voices filtered through from the front of the shop. Bartek froze, horror dawning as he recognized the particular cadence of his sister’s laugh, his mother’s commanding tone, and the high-pitched excitement of his nieces.

“No,” he breathed.

Artemis looked at him quizzically. “Friends of yours?”

Before he could warn her, the kitchen door swung open to reveal his worst nightmare—his entire family, wearing expressions of calculated innocence.

His sister Mimi led the charge, her pale hair styled in her characteristic pixie cut, her bright smile promising mischief. Behind her stood their mother, Gloria, elegant and poised with silver threads running through her once-blonde hair. Next came his father, Hudson, broad-shouldered and robust despite his retirement years, amusement dancing in eyes that matched Bartek’s own.

The real catastrophe bounded through last—his seven-year-old twin nieces, Lily and Jade, their energy crackling with tiger-shifter exuberance.

“Uncle Bartek!” they shrieked in unison, racing forward only to skid to a halt when they spotted Artemis.

Their heads tilted identically, taking in her fae features with undisguised fascination.

“Are you Uncle Bartek’s girlfriend?” Lily asked, bouncing on her toes.

“Can you make cookies float?” Jade added before Artemis could respond, her amber eyes wide with excitement.

“Why does Uncle smell different around you?” Lily continued the interrogation, sniffing the air dramatically.

Bartek stepped forward, attempting to intercept the verbal onslaught. “Girls, this is Ms. Blu. She owns the bakery.”

“But does she float cookies?” Jade persisted, tugging at Artemis’s apron.

Gloria glided forward, her amber eyes—so like Bartek’s own—gleaming with satisfaction. She extended a perfectly manicured hand to Artemis.

“So you’re the baker who has my son rearranging furniture to maintain sightlines to your front door,” she said, her voice a melodious purr that did nothing to disguise the mischief lurking beneath.

Bartek’s jaw tightened. “Mother.”

“What? It’s a perfectly innocent observation,” Gloria replied, her expression feigned innocence. “Your father noticed it first.”

Hudson stepped forward, his broad frame still imposing despite the relaxed set of his shoulders. Retirement suited him—the stress lines that had once marked his brow had softened into laugh lines around his eyes.

“Don’t blame your mother,” he rumbled, clapping a hand on Bartek’s shoulder. “You weren’t exactly subtle, son. I counted three security patrols past her apartment window last night alone.”

“Really, Bartek,” Mimi chimed in, grinning wickedly. “If you wanted to meet her properly, you could have just asked me to introduce you. Much less creepy than lurking in shadows.”

“I don’t lurk,” Bartek growled, mortification heating his face as Artemis’s eyes widened.

“You absolutely lurk,” Mimi countered. “It’s the tiger version of mooning about. Very romantic in a predatory, stalkery sort of way.”

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