Tiger Read online

  His doorbell rang and he quickly strode to his front door. He shouldn’t have come home but he’d needed some time away from everyone. He grabbed his cell phone out to check it, saw he hadn’t missed any calls and jerked open the door, wondering who had come to visit him. It surprised him to find Creek standing there.

  “Hello, Tiger.” She peered at him. “May I come in?”

  He opened the door wider and moved to allow her to pass him. “Is something wrong? I spoke to Vengeance if that’s what you’re here about. He’s sorry for what he did today.”

  She turned to face him as he closed the door. “I had dinner with Zandy and we shared wine.” Creek grinned. “She can’t hold her alcohol. She was swaying on her feet and talked funny after a few glasses. It was very cute.”

  “Is she all right after today?” He inwardly winced, wondering if Zandy was more upset with him or with the male who’d tried to take off with her. He hadn’t beaten on Vengeance after their talk. He’d felt bad for him and had no longer wanted to beat on him. “Is that why you’re here? He won’t go near her again.”

  All trace of humor left Creek’s expression and she stared at him for long seconds. “Vengeance was out of control today but you stopped him from seducing her. I wanted to say thank you. Zandy is my friend. She doesn’t understand about our males or what going into heat does to them.”

  “It was nothing. He was out of line.”

  She took a step closer to him. “I could share sex with you if you are interested. You were a hero by fighting him.”

  Tiger took a step back. “No thank you. I appreciate the offer.”

  She stalked closer and he backed away. Creek’s gaze narrowed and he wondered why she was being so aggressive. It wasn’t common for a male to turn down a female’s offer to share sex. His back hit the closed door and he softly growled at her. “I said no.”

  Creek paused inches from him and stared into his eyes until he felt uncomfortable. “I could call another female to come here if it’s me you’re not interested in.”

  “I would find one on my own if I wanted a female. You should go.”

  Her expression softened as she retreated a few steps. She turned, took a seat on his couch and crossed her arms over her chest as her gaze met his again. “I tucked Zandy into her bed. She was unstable on her feet. Imagine my surprise when I smelled you and sex on her blankets. I know the real reason you are turning away my offer of sex. You don’t want me because she’s the female you do want.”

  Tiger frowned and remained against the door. “She’s your friend and you were testing me to see how I felt about her by offering to share sex with me, weren’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  Anger stirred. “What do you want?”

  “I like her a lot. She is my friend. She’s hurting because you aren’t seeing her anymore.” Her voice deepened into a growl. “I saw pain in her eyes that you’ve caused. She isn’t Species and sex isn’t casual to them. She has feelings for you, Tiger. I wanted to tell you this. You’d be stupid not to see what a good female she is and try to coax her into a mating.”

  Tiger’s anger burned hotter. “I plan to see her again. We just had an argument. I didn’t say it was casual. We are both confused about what is happening between us.”

  “You don’t want a mate and she doesn’t want a third husband.”

  He pushed away from the door. “That’s true.”

  “That’s bullshit.” Creek shook her head slowly. “You appear unhappy and I know she is. You refused to share sex with another female. She has refused to share sex with other males who have offered. That’s already a commitment. We are Species, Tiger. I know you spend a lot of time with human males from the task force but don’t forget what you are. We don’t lie or hide from our nature.”

  He took a seat in the chair. “I don’t know what I want anymore.”

  Creek smiled sadly. “You know. Listen to your instincts. What do they say?”

  “I want Zandy. I’d like nothing better than to go snatch her from her bed and bring her to mine.”

  “You enjoy sleeping with her in your arms?”

  “Yes.” Admitting it was a relief. “I want her there every night.”

  “Males can be so stubborn.” Creek stood and reached into her back pocket. “Here.”

  He stared at the key she held. “What is it?”

  “The spare key to Zandy’s front door. I snagged it from the wall where it hung. I’ll distract the officers while you sneak in. Humans are strange about sharing sex and allowing everyone to know about it. Go to her and fix her pain. She thinks you don’t want her anymore.”

  Tiger rose to his feet and took the key. He stared deeply into Creek’s eyes. “Thank you.”

  “She’s my friend. Stop fighting your instincts and remember she isn’t Species. They seem to enjoy being dominated by a male. It makes me curious about human males since obviously they are a lot softer. Females always want what they don’t have.”

  “Will you come in the morning to give me time to sneak out? I want to stay the night with Zandy.”

  “Piece of cake. I’m off shift tomorrow and will bring the officers breakfast. They will flirt with me.” She smiled. “One of them won’t turn me down if I offer to share sex.”

  He reached out and clasped her shoulder. “Thank you.”

  “I care about Zandy and you are my friend too.” Her smile faded. “Don’t hurt her or I’ll hurt you.”

  Causing Zandy pain was the last thing he wanted. “I owe you one.”

  “I’ll remember that.”

  “Let me grab a change of clothing. Thank you.”

  “Just allow those male instincts of yours to rule and you should be fine. Humans seem to think it’s cute when males get possessive.” She chuckled. “Their males don’t taste them often either. They expect the females to tempt them into sex. No wonder so many of them appreciate our males. I never fully understood why they’d so easily take mates until she shared that information with me.”

  He hoped Zandy would easily accept him as a mate. He’d just have to go slow and talk her into it.

  * * * * *

  The bed moved and it woke Zandy. She gasped and rolled over, expecting to be attacked again by some stranger. Instead she stared at Tiger. He’d turned on the living room light and had left her bedroom door open so she could clearly see him sitting on the edge of her bed.

  “I’m sorry we had bad words.” He hesitated. “I was angry because Vengeance could have put his hands on you. It wasn’t your fault and I shouldn’t have yelled at you. Just the thought of him touching you put me in a rage.”

  It took a stunned moment for her mind to process his words. “What are you doing here?” Her gaze dropped to his bare chest and legs then back up. He had one leg tucked to hide his sex but his bare hip made it clear he wasn’t wearing anything. “You’re naked.”

  “I was hoping you’d allow me to sleep with you. I want to stay the night.”

  He wasn’t with someone else. It was almost sad how relieved she felt after Creek had told her that other women would offer to have sex with him. He’d chosen to come to her instead. She threw back the covers and opened her arms to him.

  His gaze lingered on her clothes. “Will you take them off?”

  She sat up, grabbed the T-shirt and tore it over her head. Tiger softly growled to encourage her as she dropped flat on her back, lifted her hips and grabbed the waistband of the sweats to wiggle out of them. He helped by pulling at the ankles, tugging them down her legs. In seconds she was bare and Tiger shifted positions until he stretched out on his side against her. One hand cupped her face as he peered deeply into her eyes.

  “Do you have any idea how insane you make me? All the things I want to do to you?”

  “No. Tell me.”

  He dipped his head and nuzzled her cheek with his while he inhaled deeply. “You’re in heat. You smell so good I could eat you alive.”

  Her belly clenched in response and she t