Romance: The Tiger's Hired Mate: BBW Tiger Shifter Romance Standalone (Spicy Shifters Book 2) (6 page)

She found Rebecca in one of the airy breakfast rooms, and the manageress could tell straight away that something wasn’t right.  The breakfast room was not very busy, and they sat down in a corner table so Amanda could unload her burden.

“Things are not working out between me and Joshua,” Amanda said when Rebecca had fixed them both a coffee.  “I want to leave the island, as soon as possible.  Today, even.  Do you think you could arrange that?”

Rebecca nodded slowly, a serious expression on her face.  “It’ll be difficult what with organising the wedding ceremony, but I can do something, I think.”  She gave Amanda a searching look.  “Are you sure you want to go so soon though?  Can’t you two patch things up?”

“It’s not working out,” Amanda said, a catch coming into her voice.  “I don’t know.  I just don’t understand him.”

Rebecca nodded sympathetically.  “Joshua is . . . complicated, to put it mildly, but he has a good heart.  You mean a lot to him, I could tell straight away.”

“Everyone keeps saying that,” Amanda retorted bitterly, wiping away the tear that had trickled down her cheek.  “I just wish he’d show me how much he cares, rather than just messing with my feelings.”

“Give him time,” Rebecca urged.  “You just need to be patient.”

Amanda smiled, and was almost tempted to confide in her but hadn’t the energy to go into all the gory details of how this crazy situation came about.  Besides, if Rebecca found out the truth, she might think Amanda was just some kind of mercenary gold digger and turn on her.  The last thing she wanted was to jeopardise their fledging friendship. 

“You like Joshua a lot don’t you?” she observed.  “He said that he helped out your dad.”

Rebecca nodded.  “He did more than that.  He saved this whole island.”

Amanda gave him a surprised look.  “What?”

“Maho wasn’t always the tranquil paradise it is today,” Rebecca explained.  “Before we became a democracy, we were controlled by a military junta.  A man called Colonel Feta ran this island like a prison camp. 

People lived in fear of being arrested and tortured, and unless they were part of the ruling elite, they lived in utter poverty.  I grew up in the slums, and my father tried to change things.  He was a political activist, and appealed to the West for help, but they would do nothing. 

Maho has a lot of valuable minerals and Feta had done a deal with some pretty powerful mining companies, so neither the US nor the UN would touch him.  The Colonel had my father arrested and he was left to rot in a political prison camp in the interior of the island.  I’d given up all hope of ever seeing him again, until Joshua came along.”

“What did he do?” asked Amanda, completely engrossed by the woman’s story.

“Joshua had met my father when he was in America, and he made such an impression on Joshua that he tried to persuade Mr. Tarran Senior to try and do something.  Joshua’s dad was reluctant to interfere because Feta had strong connections inside Congress, but when he died and Joshua took over the business, he was determined to oust the junta. 

He used his wealth and influence to find and rescue my father, and then engineered a popular uprising amongst the people.  Joshua and a number of pro-democracy groups from the US took joined in the protests and the Colonel feared political reprisals if Joshua or any other American was killed on Maho soil. 

Luckily nobody was hurt, and Joshua negotiated a deal with the junta.  They were allowed to leave the island without being harmed and Joshua ensured they were financially provided for.  When they were gone, democratic elections were held and my father was elected president.  Joshua was hailed as a national hero.”

“Amazing,” said Amanda in awe.  “I never heard about any of this in the news though?”

Rebecca nodded sagely.  “The government kept a lid on it for fear of the potential scandal, and that suited Joshua just fine.  He invested in rebuilding Maho’s infrastructure and making it into a billionaire’s hideaway by constructing the Shere Khan. 

He cleared away the slums and provided everyone with proper housing and high quality education and healthcare.  Most people work here or at the businesses in the nearby towns and everyone has a decent standard of living.  He also created a conservation area for the wildlife.  Things are so much better, and it’s all thanks to Joshua.”                                                

Amanda sat back in her chair, unable to deny her deep respect for the man.  “I had no idea.”

“Stay around, and you’ll find out a lot more,” Rebecca said gently, giving Amanda’s hand a squeeze.  “Just give him time.  You won’t regret it, I promise.”

Amanda decided to stay, but only until the wedding was over.  She owed Joshua that much at least.  Even though Rebecca’s story had touched her greatly, and she now saw Joshua in a fresh light.  This revelation though did not change the current situation. 

She couldn’t be around the guy without him driving her crazy.  His touch, his charm, his looks were a lethal combination, and she was powerless to resist.  If he hadn’t pulled away from her last night, she would have given herself to him without hesitation. 

The power he had over her both frightened and excited her.  He could make her do anything, and he seemed intent to play with her until he got bored.  Then he could discard her like a broken doll.  She thought about sweet, drug addled Ashley, and dreaded what would become of him in Natasha’s clutches.  She refused to suffer the same fate with Joshua.

But she wouldn’t just run away either.  She would speak to Joshua face to face, and explain the situation.  Chances are he would agree completely.  She would ask him if she could be flown home on the jet, and if he refused she would make her own way back to the States.  She’d officially hand in her notice when she spoke to him as well, and then she would go back to her small, ordinary life. 

The likes of Natasha might sneer at her, but that didn’t matter any more.  Amanda couldn’t change what she was, and she didn’t want to.  She was tired of pretending to be something she wasn’t.

When she went back to the suite she found Rashid was waiting to fix her hair and make-up for the wedding.  There was still no sign of Joshua, and she didn’t see him again until the ceremony itself.  It was taking place beneath a huge golden pavilion especially erected in the hotel’s central courtyard.  Natasha was dressed like an empress in a flowing silvery dress laced with jewels. 

Ashley looked slightly less feral and dishevelled than usual, but he still didn’t seem to have a clue what was going on.  Nevertheless, Amanda found the setting romantic.  As they exchanged their vows on the podium at the far end of the pavilion, Joshua watched the proceedings intently. 

He still maintained his charming persona in front of the guests, but he was definitely more distant with her.  He did not mention what had happened last night, and apart from lacing his arm in hers as they assembled for the ceremony, he kept a physical distance from her.  Amanda ignored the aching emotional pain in the pit of her stomach.  This would all be over soon, she told herself, and then she would never see him again.

After the slightly less than happy couple had tied the knot, the partying started in the huge ballroom adjacent to the courtyard.  Joshua made an excuse that he had to talk to someone, and abandoned Amanda in the ocean of wealth and privilege.  She was soon monopolised by Gerald Kondrake, the celebrated art critic Rebecca had promised to introduce her to. 

At first Amanda was terrified that he would see through the cover story Joshua had invented, but she soon realised that Gerald Kondrake was only interested in talking about Gerald Kondrake, and staring down Amanda’s top.  When she spotted Joshua through the throng of dancing guests, she made her escape.  Picking her way through the crowded room, she saw him disappear through a side door.  Amanda went after him.  She was desperate to leave now, and this was as good a time as any to tell him.

The corridor beyond the side door was welcomingly cool and quiet after the heat and din of the ballroom.  She started walking down it, wondering where Joshua had gone.

“It isn’t funny!” she heard him say harshly, his voice coming from round the nearby corner.

Moving as quietly as possible, Amanda edged down the corridor and peeked round the corner.  Joshua and Natasha were standing together, and Amanda’s heart lurched.  A cruel smile crested Natasha’s ice-sculpture face.

“Joshy,” the woman said in a chiding tone, “it was just my little joke.  No-one got hurt and my agent is having multiple orgasms as we speak.  The job offers just keep flooding in.”

“You hurt Amanda,” Joshua said sharply, barely restraining his fury.  “Not everyone is as calculating as you.”

“Amanda,” Natasha scoffed her voice thick with disgust.  “Why are you even pretending you care?  It’s all right, Joshy.  I know she’s your secretary.  Sabrina tipped me off about your little plan to make me jealous.”

Amanda saw Joshua visibly stiffen.  He said nothing though, and regarded Natasha with hooded eyes.

“You know what the funny part is?” Natasha went on, stepping closer to him.  “It worked.  Seeing you with that plain little troll made me seethe, even though I knew it was all an act.”  She ran her hands along the lapels of his tuxedo.  “You’re the only one I want, you know that.  We belong together.”  She inclined her graceful neck and brought her mouth to his lips.

Amanda’s heart stuttered in her chest.  She knew she shouldn’t care, but seeing them together drove an iron spike through her heart.

Just as Natasha was about to kiss him, Joshua stepped back.  The woman faltered and shot him a confused look.  Joshua’s face was dark with anger. 

“You ever speak about Amanda like that again and I’ll throw you out of this hotel here and now, while everyone watches.  That should help raise your profile.”

Natasha stared at him in confusion, and let out a nervous laugh.  “Joshy, I – ”

“I wish you the very best for the future,” Joshua said, cutting her off.  The bestial power in his voice made Amanda tremble.

Leaving Natasha where she was, he promptly turned and headed back to the ballroom.  Amanda retreated from the corner and fled to the side door before him.  As he emerged in the ballroom a few moments later, she met him and boldly took his hand in hers.

“Let’s dance,” she said.

The anger melted from his face and he made to protest.  “Now,” she ordered, her tone brooking no defiance.  He closed his mouth and smiled at her, making her melt like ice-cream, and they strode out onto the dance floor together.

Chapter 6: No Return

The next week was like a pleasant dream for Amanda.  After what she’d learnt from Rebecca and now witnessing him making a stand against Natasha, she saw Joshua in a different light.  She had decided to stay, to honour her agreement with him.  After that, she wasn’t sure what she was going to do.  Her feelings had grown too strong and she was finding it harder to stay professional.  She wanted him more than ever now, and something told her he felt the same.  The night on the terrace was never mentioned, and they both pretended it had never happened.  But the sexual tension lingered between them waiting to be awakened.

The more time they spent pretending to be a couple, the more the tension increased.  His touch made her quiver, and the connection between them grew stronger.  Then, one night, the inevitable happened.

They attended an Arabian Nights themed party on one of the hotel’s terraces looking onto the beach.  Persian rugs and oversized cushions covered the floor, and Moroccan décor and food created just the right ambience.  Guests were dressed appropriately, in brightly coloured costumes and robes and good music, wine and food turned the evening into a tremendous success.

Amanda, dressed in a sexy and very revealing Arabian princess outfit of light blue silk, was in her element.  She was more relaxed now and less self-conscious and danced and socialised with ease.  It seemed to make an impression on Joshua.  Looking good enough to eat in his pantaloons and open silk vest, he couldn’t keep his eyes off her. 

At one point, as they danced together, Amanda ran her fingers along his smooth, sculpted chest and nibbled his ear.  He ran his hands along her exposed midriff and around her hips, setting her nerves on fire.  Judging by the iron rod grinding against her through the fabric of his pantaloons, she was having the same effect on him.

Suddenly, he held her tight and pressed his face into her hair.  “I want you,” he whispered in a hungry voice.

Amanda smiled and squeezed his firm buttocks.  She couldn’t deny what she had wanted for so long, no matter the consequences.  She parted from him and gave a slight nod of consent.   His beautiful blue eyes burned with desire and taking her by the hand, he led her back to the suite.

They were kissing each other before they were barely out of the elevator.  Wild and feral, they clung to each other, their mouths locked together.  The fire in Amanda was all-consuming, and she savoured his taste with desperate abandon.  He hooked his strong hands under her legs and hoisted her up.  She wrapped herself around his firm, toned body, clawing madly at his back beneath the rumpled up vest.

He carried her to her room, and finally breaking free of the barrage of passionate kisses, he gently lowered her onto the bed.  She gazed up at him with undisguised longing.  He looked so beautiful and perfect, a carved Adonis of dark grandeur.  With his eyes fused to her body, he slowly removed the bikini top of the princess outfit.  Her large, ripe breasts hung free, and he stared at them with savage hunger.  Straddling her, he reached out and gently circled her hard nipples with each of his thumbs, teasing the flesh with the very lightest of touches.

Her breathing hitched and she arched her back as he provoked dizzying sensations through her.  “Oh yes,” she gasped.  “Yes!”

He grinned as he gained confidence exciting her body, and bent his head to trail soft kissed along her throat and down along the crevice between her breasts.  Each kiss ignited a bushfire on her heated skin, and she moaned softly, losing herself into the sweet oblivion of his expert attentions.

Reaching her navel, he paused and moved his hot mouth up to her aching breasts, leaving off with thumbs and now licking and kissing her nipples with his tongue.  Amanda bit her lower lip and writhed on the bed.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered, raising his head and gazing up at her.  His gifted fingers danced along her body and started to hitch down her silky bottoms.  Eagerly, she lifted her lower body up so that he could pull them free.  He threw them on the floor, leaving her naked except for her pink panties. 

He shifted his body until he was lying alongside her with his arm wrapped protectively around her
décolletage.  His thick manhood strained against his pantaloons and rubbed against her shapely behind.  As he trailed kisses along her neck, his free hand reached down into the front of her panties.

Amanda gasped as his fingers teased her swollen lips.  He stroked and caressed her with expertise, driving her into agonies of ecstasy.  As his fingers explored deeper and found her throbbing sweet spot, she let out a scream of pleasure.  He held her tightly, rubbing and playing until he found all the right triggers to drive her into a wild frenzy.  As he took her over the edge, she bucked and thrashed desperate for that moment of final, sweet release. 

“Oh God!” she moaned.  “Joshua!  Joshua!”

Her climax erupted with untrammelled force, sending her into oblivion.  Her skin glowed with radiance and her heart pounded madly in her chest.  He nuzzled her with heartbreaking tenderness as she drifted back down to earth.

For uncounted moments he held her, and she bathed in the afterglow of orgasm, his fingers a comforting presence between her legs.  His breathing stroked her neck and his meat was an urgent presence against her buttocks.  He wanted to be inside her, and she now ached for the same thing.

With an unspoken agreement, Joshua eased out of their comfortable position.  As his fingers left her wet heat she moved onto her back, her legs spread apart.  He towered over now, slipping off the rest of his flimsy outfit.  She gazed with hunger at the large, perfect beast between his legs and her fingers played with her moist triangle.  Her eyes screamed at him to take her.

He looked down on her, his face a mirror to her lust.  Savagely he bore down on her, and she widened her legs further.  His meat crushed against her groin before he pushed it inside her tight, moist opening. 

The exquisite pain took her breath away, and she clutched at his back and iron hard buttocks, digging her fingers into his perfect flesh.  Her actions spurred him into a fury.  He crushed his mouth against her willing lips and rammed into her with brutal abandon.  She broke free of the kiss and let out a deep, throaty moan, begging him to go harder. 

He was more than willing to oblige, thrusting with all his might.  The bed groaned under the impact, and he growled like a wild animal.  The bestial lust that ensnared him drove her to the brink again, and she wrapped her legs around his thrusting hips climaxing for a second time. 

The bone-deep shudder than ran through her was enough to send him straight over the edge, and he exploded inside her.  She moaned again, hugging him to her for dear life.  The connection at that moment was overpowering.  She closed her eyes, listening to his ragged breathing, wanting to hold him forever. 

He returned the ferocity of her hug, his possessiveness making her feel safe.  They lay like that for hours, lost in companionable silence, until she slipped into the deep velvet of fathomless sleep.

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