Page 16 of Tempting the Tiger

“What’s not going to work? A man and woman going out on a date?”

He stood in front of her, an easy stance she was sure he’d taken to put her at ease. It wasn’t working though. Prey never felt at ease in the presence of a predator.

“Why? Why do you want to go out with me?”

“You asked me that before.”

“And you didn't give me an answer.”

He cocked his head to one side, studying her. “Strange, I seem to remember giving you a very vivid demonstration of why I want you in my arms.”

Grace felt the heat rise to her cheeks, remembering the kiss they had already shared. She tossed her head, making the long strands of her hair glide over her back. She’d left it down and even taken the time to enhance the soft, natural curls. “That wasn’t an answer.”

“Wasn’t it?” He moved until their bodies were barely touching. He’d known from the first sight of her shapely rear climbing out of the back of that white van that she was going to be trouble. He just hadn’t realized what type of trouble. In his world, whatever he wanted was his. A snap of his fingers and a sultry gaze was usually all it took for a woman to fall willingly in his arms.

But she was different.

Oh, so different.

She was his mate.

He gave a dramatic sigh. Didn't she realize that her darkened eyes gave her away and her body was betraying all the signs of sexual excitement? Her nipples were hard and distended and she gave off an aroma of arousal that was sweeter than any manmade perfume. He felt the bright heat of sexual excitement burning out everything except the anticipation of the pleasure he would find in her arms. His cock grew stiff beneath his pants. “If you insist, I will answer your question again.”

With the quickness granted to him by his cat, he pulled her into his arms, pressing them together. He pushed the heavy fall of her hair away from her ear with his nose. The move had him stifling a groan as her scent greeted him. She smelled delicious. Vanilla and sugar. He couldn’t wait to taste her—all of her. His cat purred in agreement.

“This is why I wish to date you, Grace McKenzie,” he whispered in her ear, his breath soft and warm. “If you can call what I want to do to you, dating.” He held her to him with one steely arm around her waist while the other dropped so he could clench his open hand around the curve of her ass and press her against him. He groaned into her ear as her soft belly engulfed his rigid cock.

“I want to fuck you, Grace. I want to put you beneath me and pound inside you until I release my seed. And then, I want to do it again. And again. Until you are too exhausted to bring up any more silly questions.” He let out a low growl that caused her to jump in his arms.

He moved his head, finding her mouth by instinct alone. He was so aroused he could barely stand. It took all of his monumental control not to drag her to the floor and mount her from behind. His animal was just beneath his skin, a second sentient being that kept reminding him that this woman in his arms was his mate.

Their mate. Both animal and man needed her to survive.

He thrust his tongue between her lips. He plundered the treasure he had claimed, licking and teasing. He sucked her tongue into his mouth before biting at her lips, making them even fuller and plumper.

As Keair’s mouth ate away at hers, Grace attempted to bring her senses under control. She found herself clutching at the luxurious fabric of his shirt, wrinkling the fine material beneath her fingers. It was either that or fall to the floor as her knees gave way.

She felt almost helpless as she stood there, receiving his kisses. Because that’s all she was doing. He gave her no chance to respond—even if she’d known how to respond to them.

Vulnerability rose inside her. She knew this man had the power to make her wish for things she’d long since forgotten. She’d vowed never to let a man affect her the way this one was.

But then, he wasn’t truly a man.

He was a shifter. A being that took what he wanted, when he wanted it. Or, if the stories could be believed, loved deeply and unequivocally.

But she didn't want to feel any of the things she was feeling. The want and desire raging through her body like wildfire. Her pussy was so wet she wondered if she’d have to excuse herself to change her underwear before they left.

As more of her resolve deteriorated, the more she wondered why she was holding back. Opportunities like this didn’t come along very often in life. In fact, sometimes not at all.

But, her instincts for preservation rose once again. “We can’t.”

She pushed lightly at his chest. He eased away but didn't move away completely.

Keair smiled, wondering if she knew her attitude was slowly sealing her fate. If she had been submissive and eager to please—as the women in his past had been—then his desire might have faded. His cat huffed at the thought. Nothing would slate the desire the animal had. But she wasn’t being the least bit submissive. And both man and animal couldn’t wait to tame her.

“Oh, we can and we will. Even your body agrees with me.” His gaze strayed to the pinpoint tips of her nipples.

“But we know nothing about each other.” Grace tried to keep her voice steady as his arms tightened around her and he bent his head, his lips whispering their way over her neck.