Page 55 of Tiger's Voyage
Ren let his gaze trail lazily down my body and grunted in appreciation. “Those pajamas are very nice, but I like the robe better.”
“You should have seen the original robe in Shangri-la. I’m not surprised you like the pajamas. You gave them to me, you know.”
“I did? When?”
“Before we went to the cave to get the prophecy.”
“Hmm. I obviously had designs on you already at that point.”
“You told me you started having feelings for me even back at the circus.” I walked to the bed, pulled back the covers, and turned around. Ren was right behind me.
“Aren’t you feeling sick?”
“Mildly. But being close to you, especially when you’re wrapped in silk, is worth it.”
I grinned lopsidedly, and he opened his arms. After a brief hesitation, I stepped into his embrace and pressed my cheek against his shirt. He hugged me tightly as he ran his hands up and down my back.
“This is nice,” he said.
“It is. It’s just way too brief.”
“Come on. I’ll tuck you in.”
As I slid between the sheets, he pulled the comforter lower and covered me with my quilt instead. “How did you know that’s the way I like to sleep?” I asked.
“I pay attention. You love this old quilt.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Goodnight,iadala.”
“Goodnight, Ren.”
He turned off the light and settled himself somewhere in the room. I had a hard time falling asleep because of the movement of the ship and being in a new environment. I couldn’t consciously feel it move. It wasn’t like being on a jet boat, but it still threw off my equilibrium. Half an hour later, I leaned over the side of my bed and stretched out my hand.
“Ren? Where are you?”
A nose pressed against my palm.
“I can’t sleep. The boat’s moving too much.”
He moved away. I listened for him, but he moved too quietly over the thick carpet. Suddenly, the bed dipped heavily behind me as Ren’s furry tiger form settled on it. I rolled over to face him and sighed happily. He started to purr.
“Thanks.”
Scooting closer I buried my face in his soft neck fur. I stroked his side until I fell asleep with my arm draped over his chest.
When I woke the next morning, my head was resting on Ren’s white shirt, and my arm was draped over his stomach. His arm was wrapped around me, and he was playing with my hair. I tried to move away, but he pulled me back.
“It’s okay. I’ve been a man for only a minute. The pain isn’t bad yet. I haven’t touched your skin.”
“Oh. Hey, the boat’s not moving.”
“We docked several hours ago.”
“What time is it?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe 6:30. It’s dawn. Look.”
