Page 4 of Tempting the Tiger

“Hello, beautiful.”

The deep voice startled Grace so much that the tray she was holding tilted and the cooling cookies slid dangerously close to the edge before strong hands came out to stop their demise. Everything about him was so damn sexy, even his voice. She knew it was corny, but she thought she could get turned on just hearing him read the back of a cereal box. Of course, he’d be reading it next to her in the morning. A morning that had followed a night of hot sex.

“What, what are you doing here?” She wasn’t at all surprised that her voice sounded like a croaking frog. It was just a little before eight in the morning and she’d barely managed to get the baking done before she opened the store. She was still a little groggy and out of sorts. Thanks to the dreams she’d had last night.

Erotic, disturbing dreams of the man standing in front of her, grinning, holding the tray of chocolate chip cookies.

Why hadn’t she checked her hair before coming out? Why hadn’t she checked to see if she had flour on her face? Or heavens above, blueberries in her teeth. She remembered tasting them this morning when she’d made the muffins. And her clothes. She hadn’t had time to change since she began baking at four this morning. She knew her shirt was covered in flour and probably glops of icing as well. Not to mention the fruit stains from the strawberries and raspberries.

“Where shall I put these?”

“Oh, give those to me.” As she reached for them, he held them higher, out of her reach.

“No, need, I will place them exactly where you want them.”

She shivered, wondering why those innocent words held a slightly dirty overture.

“Here, this is where they go.” She stepped forward, opening the glass door to the display cabinet. He quickly crowded in behind her as he leaned over to place the tray in the only available spot. Some had scooted forward on the waxed paper, but she’d straighten them out later, once her visitor left.

“Thank you. Now, what can I do for you?”

His gaze raked over her. Up and down, then back up again. The look made her toes curl in her sneakers. “We’ll discuss that later.”

He pulled a white sheet of paper from his coat pocket. Today, he was dressed in dark jeans, a dark sweater, and a black overcoat. It would have looked sinister on most men, but on him, it looked sexy as hell. “I have come on behalf of Daniel with an order for the hotels.” As he spoke his smile grew broader.

“Alright.” She frowned. Usually, Daniel faxed them to her. Was this a sign of bad things to come?

Keair saw her face fall and frowned. His tiger gave a small growl. Neither liked seeing that expression on their mate’s face.

“My office is back here.” She turned to walk away and he grabbed her hand, entwining their fingers. Needing to touch her, comfort her somehow.

“What, what are you doing?” She gave him a puzzled look. He gave her hand a squeeze.

“In case you lose me.”

“It’s ten feet away,” she snapped, trying to tug her hand from his. She wasn’t certain she was strong enough to stand the feel of his palm against hers. He didn’t let that happen, and they continued holding hands until they reached her small office. There he was reluctantly forced to let go of her hand as she took a seat behind a small wooden desk, putting a physical barrier between them. He sat down gingerly in the small chair in front of the desk. She suppressed a snicker at the thought of it collapsing. It would serve his arrogant self right if it did, she thought.

“So, what is it that you need?” She pulled a notepad in front of her and picked up a pencil.

Her question threw Keair off for a moment. Now that they were alone and in such close quarters, all he wanted to do was pull her over the desk—or better yet, bend her over the desk—and get a taste of his sweet mate. Her scent in the enclosed space was intoxicating. Sugar and vanilla mixed with her own natural scent that was almost as sweet. His tiger purred when they caught the sharper tinge that indicated she was aroused.

Finally remembering the excuse he’d used to come here, he laid the sheet of paper between them on the desk. He’d made Daniel complete it this morning. It doubled the normal order that the man usually placed for the hotel. He slid it across the desk to her, leaning closer so he could catch even more of her scent. “And he said, the other hotel, the Wolf’s Den, would also be increasing their order.”

She frowned as she took the paper, looking it over before answering. “This is a lot more pies. And some of these other things the hotel has never tried before. Are you sure this is correct?”

“Your cherry pies were delicious. I am very partial to cherry.” He licked his lips as he stared into her eyes. They were the darkest of browns and he could easily see himself getting lost in them. Damn, but he was good and gone he thought with a grin. Everything about her fascinated him. Today, her hair was piled high on top of her head in an almost prissy looking bun. He wondered if she realized she’d left on the hairnet she’d worn while baking. Probably not. No doubt she would be embarrassed if she remembered, but he thought she looked adorable. Several tendrils had escaped its confines and framed her face. She was not conventionally pretty, but classically so. Even though her cheeks were slightly rounded, her cheekbones were high and her chin was firm and determined. Her mouth was full and luscious looking.

And would taste wonderful. She would taste wonderful all over. He just knew it.

He shifted slightly in his seat thinking about kissing both sets of her lips.

“Any questions?” He wanted to get to the business of asking her a question. Like when he could take her out.

She bit her lip and he barely suppressed a moan. He wanted to suck that full lower lip into his mouth, biting it sharply. “These prices aren’t correct. Daniel has listed them higher than they should be.”

She started to mark through them when he stopped her. “They’re correct. He said you weren’t charging enough. Why weren’t you charging more, Grace? You’re a wonderful baker.”

“I, um.” She cleared her throat and folded her hands over the invoice and refused to answer him. “Did you need something else?”