Page 8 of Tempting the Tiger

Turning on her heel, she headed to her office to change clothes. Just like every other day, she had managed to coat herself in flour and sugar, not to mention the sticky glaze she used on almost every item she baked. She giggled, thinking she could sell herself as a fruit-filled donut. She was certainly round enough.

Then she shivered because that thought led to her dreaming about Keair licking every inch of her body to get every drop of ooey-gooey sweetness from her body. And right now there was a lot of that, she smirked.

At least her body was functioning correctly she thought. She was definitely creaming for her big shifter. Again, she wondered what type of shifter he was. She didn’t think he was a bear shifter. According to the website she’d been pouring over, bears were usually bigger and rougher. Keair exuded an air of sophistication that came oh so naturally to him. She’d bet money he was some type of cat. Maybe a wolf, but she didn’t think so.

She knew the shifter who owned the hotels was a lion so it made sense the man would surround himself with his same kind. Although, according to Mary, her assistant, the lion had taken in many different types of shifters over the years.

Oh, the land of fairy tales, she thought as she slipped off her apron and into a clean pink t-shirt. She managed to brush off her jeans until they looked fairly decent. Going to the bathroom, she washed her hands and face before taking down her hair. She looked at herself in the mirror with the same critical eye she used most mornings. Her face was fair, her complexion smooth and creamy—with the scattering of freckles Keair said he loved.

Her eyes were brown, surrounded by thick lashes that allowed her not to worry about mascara. Her lips were full and dark pink. She was—giving herself the benefit of a doubt—above average in looks. But, when her eyes fell below her neckline, that’s when the frown reappeared on her face. There was nothing average about her curvy body. Oh yeah, men liked the curves on top and on the bottom. But if the waist didn’t indent in the middle…

“Grace, where are you?”

The voice of Mary snapped her out of the depression that was quickly forming. She’d come to terms with how she looked a long time ago. She wouldn’t—couldn’t—allow the thought of Keair to interfere with the healthy, self-positive image she managed to maintain. She didn’t try to hide anything from anyone. If he liked what he saw, he liked it. If he didn’t…well, it was his loss.

“Coming,” she yelled, quickly combing out her hair and tying it back at the nape of her neck. It was time to start another day.

The day went quickly for all intents and purposes. The morning items quickly sold out and the lunchtime rush was equally as profitable. Grace thought that maybe, just maybe, she could actually save some money this week, even after paying for the extra hours Mary was working so she could make the extra deliveries to the shifter’s hotels. Mary was a retired teacher who had become bored staying at home. Her only son was a senior in high school, so she was able to work around Grace’s schedule. So far, the woman had proven herself to be a valuable asset.

Before she had started the extra deliveries to the hotels, she’d made a point to talk with Daniel, afraid Keair had somehow manipulated the other man into increasing the order. He hadn’t.

She was actually humming by the time business slowed down in the afternoon. Mary was in the back checking on the next slate of baked goods to come out of the oven for the evening rush when the front door swung open again.

“Hello,” she said before she turned around to see who had entered.

It was Keair. This time he was accompanied by a brunette who radiated happiness. And who was, if Grace were to guess, at least eight months pregnant. Grace’s heart plummeted to her feet. Everything was made crystal clear in a second. This was why Keair had made a pass at her—his wife was pregnant and he probably wasn’t getting any. Why else would the man want to kiss her?

Tears stung her eyes but she pushed them away. Grace was not about to let any of her emotions show in front of either of them. It certainly wasn’t the woman’s fault she was married to an ass.

“How can I help you?” Her voice cracked just a little.

“Oh, you must be Grace,” the woman smiled as she moved forward. “It’s so good to meet you. I’m Sally.” She held out her hand and Grace hesitated just a second before taking it. She threw a dark look at Keair, damning him with her eyes for putting her in this situation. He frowned and stepped forward, putting a hand on the small of the other woman’s back. It was all Grace could do not to order him to leave.

“Grace, this is my alpha’s mate.”

The woman huffed. “I am more than your alpha’s mate, Keair, and I don’t like it when you introduce me as such. It isn’t necessary at all.”

“Oh, I believe it was in this instance, Sally.” He threw Grace a studied gaze that she couldn’t hold and she could feel the gaze of the woman upon her as well.

“Oh,” Sally said, looking between Keair and Grace. “Oh,” she repeated softly.

A sharp silence filled the room before Grace found the courage to speak up. Or stutter. “Umm, what can I do for you?”

“Sally would like for you to provide the sweets for her baby shower, wouldn’t you?” Keair nudged the woman gently with his shoulder.

“Yes, yes, I would. Bachar and I simply love the pies you bring to the hotel.”

“You want pies for your baby shower?” Grace asked. It was an odd choice of food for such an event.

“Well, no, but I want you to make the desserts we do decide on.” A huge smile wreathed the woman’s face and Grace had to return it.

Grace glanced shyly at Keair as she answered. “I would like that.”

The woman clapped her hands. “Good, good. Then let’s go.”

“Go? Go where?”

“Back to the hotel. We are having a late lunch to discuss the details, of course. I still get a little morning sickness so eating later in the day is better for me.” She rubbed her rounded belly softly.