Trusting the Tiger: BBW Tiger Shifter Paranormal Romance (6 page)

“O-oh,” Toni gasped. “I think … you’d better make sure there aren’t any more.”

She felt Jack smile against her skin, and then his hands were at the knot that tied her wraparound shirt in place. He took his time untying it, until Toni could have screamed with frustration. Then she felt the cool breeze running over her tops of her breasts as he pulled the fabric aside.

“Toni … God, you’re so gorgeous,” he whispered, as though he was under a spell he didn’t want to break. “I’m the luckiest man in the world.”

Toni squirmed under his gaze and he put one hand on her cheek, turning her head so she was looking straight into his eyes. “I’m not lying, Toni. You are the most exquisite woman I have ever seen. Your eyes, your lips – God, your breasts…” His hands ran over her, setting her skin on fire with lust. “I could just look at you forever.”

“
Don’t
,” she gasped, the berry game forgotten. “Don’t just look. I want you. Jack, I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want you right now…”

He smiled slyly up at her, resting one cheek against her breast. Toni was wet already, wet and ready, desperately ready. A small part of her brain was surprised at herself – shocked even – but she ignored it. She had spent the last few years miserably failing to make any sort of connection with any man. Why shouldn’t she enjoy herself now she had the chance, even if it was just for the weekend?

Then he unhooked her bra and buried his face between her breasts, and all her thoughts flew away.

Jack caressed her breast, kissing his way up to her nipple and then teasing it with long, slow licks. She felt her tender skin stiffen and peak under his tongue and a jolt of arousal sparked between her legs. Shamelessly, she pressed herself against him, finding the hard bulge in his trousers and rubbing herself against it. “I need you,” she moaned, and was rewarded with an inarticulate groan that reverberated against her skin.

He fumbled with her fly and she raised herself against him just as he loosened her pants to pull them down over her ass, and his hand pressed between her legs. She almost came just from the feel of him touching her. Her whole body quivered as he gently pressed his fingers into her folds. He brushed against the nub of her clit and she gasped, quivering against him.

“May I?” he murmured, looking up at her through those dark lashes. His pupils were huge with lust, the irises no more than a thin gold band. Toni almost cried out with frustration.

“Yes – please!” she gasped.

He lowered himself against her, his lips brushing against her round stomach, her hips, the delicate skin at the tops of her legs. Then he buried his face between her legs, his tongue darting out to taste her, to explore every inch of her most intimate place. She moaned as he found her clit again and teased it, circling it with his tongue. One of his hands slid under her ass and squeezed. Her body thrilled at his touch – at his touching her everywhere. But it wasn’t enough. She strained against him. “Please – I need you inside me.”

He moaned something against her and she felt his fingers probe the slick flesh of her pussy. God, she was so wet. Her body was thrumming with desire, she just needed – she needed—

Jack dipped one finger inside her, then another, moving them slowly in and out. Her body reacted instinctively, tightening around him so that she could feel every inch he pressed inside her. His fingers brushed a sensitive spot inside her and she flexed into the touch.
Yes
, she thought desperately.
There, there –
<
there!
>

Toni cried out as her orgasm built and broke inside her, sending shockwaves of pleasure through her body. Her pussy clenched against Jack’s soaking fingers as he rubbed against her g-spot, drawing every last whimper and shudder out of her orgasm.

“Oh, my God,” she murmured as she relaxed back on to the stony bank. “Jack, that was … that was…”

Words failed her. She stopped trying to describe it and simply flung her arms wide, sighing in satisfaction.

Jack traced a pattern on her thigh. Her skin still thrilled under his touch. Even though she had just had the most immense orgasm of her life, she felt her body respond to him.

“Do you want…” she started, still tongue-tied from exhausted satisfaction. Jack sat up and looked down at her with a look of distinct smugness on his face.

“Do I want … lunch?” he asked innocently.

Toni groaned and mock-slapped his arm. He grabbed his hand and planted a kiss on it.

“No – I think I want a swim,” he decided, eyes dancing wickedly.

In one fluid motion he stood up and stripped off his shirt, revealing a tanned, muscled chest and the tempting hint of a treasure-trail leading under his pants. He winked at her, turned around and unfastened his belt. His back was broad, with long, lean muscles moving smoothly under his skin. He pulled off his pants and stood naked in front of Toni, looking back at her over his shoulder.

“Feel free to join me,” he murmured over his shoulder, and slid effortlessly into the water.

Toni raised herself up on her elbows and enjoyed the sight of Jack ducking under the water and surfacing, every inch of him glistening in the sunlight. He was without a doubt the most handsome man she had ever seen. If she didn’t have the evidence of her missing shirt and swooning body to hand, she wouldn’t have believed he would ever be interested in a girl like her.

But interested he was. More than interested. Toni had never had any man treat her like this. Jack looked at her like she was a goddess; she was used to men ignoring her curves, or putting up with them, but Jack had embraced every plump inch of her body as though he couldn’t get enough of her.

And she couldn’t get enough of him. Her orgasm hadn’t left her sated – just the opposite. She was bursting with energy, on fire with longing. She wanted more. She wanted more,
now
.

Toni stood up, leaving her shirt on the ground. Her shorts and panties were already around her ankles; she stepped out of them. Jack was watching her from the pool, eyes dark with lust. She took a few unsteady steps toward the river, Jack’s eyes tracking her every movement.

She put one foot in the water. “Oh – it’s cold!”

“It’s warmer over here,” Jack replied. She looked over at him. The water was very clear – and even taking into account the fact that things under water looked a bit different due to the way the water bent the light, she could tell that he wasn’t having
any
issues with the cold. His cock was thick and long, and ready for her. Just like she was ready for him. She took another step and shivered with anticipation.

Jack swam up to her. The river bed was shallow where she was standing, but quickly fell away, so that while she was only ankle-deep he, only a few feet away, was treading water. “Come on in,” he said invitingly. “I promise I’ll make it worth your while.”

“You already made it
worth my while
on the shore,” Toni countered. Goosebumps were making their way up her legs. Despite the warm weather, the river was almost icy.

“Hmm,” Jack hummed non-commitally. “I think I have something more to offer.”

God, she wanted him so badly. Her desire was like a drum inside her, so loud she could barely hear.

But the water was
so cold
.

Toni stared at the gorgeous man in front of her. She imagined his toned body under hers, his strong hands claiming her body for his own, his hard cock thrusting into her slick centre.

Cold water be damned.

She closed her eyes, held her breath, and dived in. Icy water closed over her head like a knife. Her skin tingled with the shock. Then warm hands were pulling her upwards, pulling her legs to wrap around his waist. Her head broke the surface and she laughed.

“Oh – I think – I think you’re going to have to help warm me up,” she gasped, catching her breath. Her hands slid over Jack’s broad shoulders and down his back as she leaned in to him. The water was cold, yes, bitterly cold – but he was hot under her. She pressed herself against him, luxuriating in the feeling of his skin against hers, his body heating her body.

They were so close that Toni could see every bead of water that clung to Jack’s face, making him look as though his brow and lashes were dripping with diamonds. He lay back in the water so that Toni was on top of him, and she worried briefly before realizing he was keeping them both afloat with slow kicks of his long, powerful legs. She ran her arms down his back, feeling the muscles shift under his skin.

“You’re not going to get distracted and dunk us?” she murmured, trailing kisses along his jaw.

She felt, rather than heard, him moan in response.

Seconds later she felt water rush over her as he twisted sideways. They drifted together in the water until she felt smooth riverstones against her back.

The bank of the swimming hole was so steep that even with her torso and hips resting on the rocks, her legs were still floating free in the water. She stroked Jack’s legs with her own, drawing him closer.

Jack swam up to the bank and slowly raised himself up on top of Toni. She looked into his eyes and even though she was settled on the riverbank it was like she was drowning in those two golden pools. Her own eyes were half-shut, lids heavy with a desire that thrummed through her whole body. She felt her heart hammering in her chest, so hard she thought she might fly apart. “Please,” she whispered, “I need you inside me.”

Jack leant down and kissed her, long and gentle. His tongue brushed over her lips, teasing them open, and she surrendered, letting him enjoy her.

She felt a touch between her thighs and parted her legs, wrapping them around Jack’s waist. The tip of his cock brushed against her entrance, teasingly slow. “Are you ready?” Jack murmured into her mouth.

“Yes!”

She was slick, and willing, and his cock slid inside her like it was meant to be there. Toni moaned and arched her back as he pushed his full length inside her at once, filling her completely. She had never been with someone this big before, and the feeling was almost overwhelming. He pinned her to the bank, pumping in and out of her with exquisite slowness. Lost in sensation, Toni closed her eyes, letting the waves of pleasure build up inside her, higher, higher, until she couldn’t hold them back any more.

Toni’s first orgasm had burst out of her like a flooding dam, but this one was like a tidal wave. It grew inside her, wave after wave, filling her with pleasure. When she finally came it was with a sensation of being utterly grounded, not of falling apart but of finding herself, safely gathered in this man’s arms. She clung to Jack and kissed him deeply, trying to hold on to the sensation for as long as possible as her body shuddered and clenched.

“Oh god – Toni—” Jack gasped, and she felt his cock twitch inside her as he came. He bore down on her, cradling her head in one hand and clutching her waist with the other. Finally they lay still together, cool water lapping over their heated bodies.

“Oh, my darling,” Jack said, his voice muffled by Toni’s hair. “I wish we could stay here forever.”

Toni shifted. He was still inside her, and even the thought of that sent a thrill of excitement down her spine. “Mmm,” she agreed, rolling her hips against his.

In the end they didn’t stay there forever; but it was quite some time before they moved again.

CHAPTER SIX

JACK

Jack was happier than he had ever been in his life. He was almost purring – in fact, he wasn’t sure that he
wasn’t
purring. He wanted to stretch and yawn, extend his claws and settle down in the sun in ear-twitching, tail-flicking pleasure.

No
, he thought firmly.
Human. Human pleasure.

He decided he could still lie down and stretch, but no sooner had he done that than he jumped to his feet again. Toni, who had been lying beside him, eyes shut as she basked in the sun, raised herself up on her elbows and looked at him quizzically.

“You must be starving,” he exclaimed, just as his stomach growled and gave away the more selfish side of his plan.

Toni laughed and lay back down. He quickly gathered together an armful of the scattered containers of food, and the small bottle of champagne.

He held out a flaky
pain au chocolat
under Toni’s nose and she inhaled happily. “Mmm – yes, please,” she said, opening her mouth wide. He paused for a moment – only slightly distracted by the sight of her plump red lips parted for him – and placed the corner of the pastry between them. Toni chewed and sighed appreciatively. “Oh, that is delicious.”

“Can I interest you in another? And a pillow, perhaps?” Jack offered, lying down behind her head. She grinned and shuffled backwards so her head was resting on his chest. He fed her the rest of the chocolatey treat, taking care to ensure lots of crumbs fell on her neck and breast for him to clean away. His hand lingered on her breast, feeling its soft weight, the gentle movement as she breathed.

“Jack,” Toni murmured, her voice muzzy with sleep and happiness. “Jack, this is possibly the best day I have ever had.”

“I was about to say the same thing,” he replied, looking down at her. She looked the very picture of contented peace: eyes closed, breathing slow, a gentle smile curving her lips. He was just wondering whether to give in to the impulse to swoop in and plant a kiss on those lips when Toni’s eyes shot open, sparkling with playfulness. She rolled over, resting her forearms on either side of Jack’s broad chest and smiling down at him.

“So,” she said, a teasing glint in her eye, “I’m pretty sure someone promised me a terrible, embarrassing story about being Jack Silver of Silver Forest, house, and … did you say there was a mine, as well?”

Jack groaned theatrically and let his head fall back with a thump. “Yes. And … it’s a silver mine.”

Toni chortled disbelievingly. “Oh, you have got to be joking. That is just too much to believe.”

Jack spread his arms wide. “What can I say? I’m very suggestible.” He was about to make another joke, but stopped. He could laugh about it all day, entertain Toni with anecdotes and stories, but why not tell her the truth?

After all, he thought, guilt twisting in his stomach, he was going to be telling her enough lies in this relationship.

“Actually,” he began, and had to stop to clear his throat. “Actually, the whole Silver thing isn’t a coincidence. My family used to live here – generations of us, until the mine failed when my father was a kid and they had to sell up to keep bread on the table. As soon as I had the money, buying this place back was the first thing I did.”

“So this isn’t the conservation trust’s land, it’s yours. Your dad must have been so proud, to see you get the family land back,” Toni said warmly.

Jack had to look away from her.

“My parents died when I was in high school.”

“Oh, Jack, I’m so sorry,” Toni gasped, her voice full of concern. She reached out one hand and cradled his cheek. “That was thoughtless of me, I shouldn’t have…”

“You couldn’t have known,” Jack interrupted, putting his arms around her. She was so warm, and soft, the perfect weight against his body. He sighed. If his parents hadn’t died when he was still so young, might they have been able to help him figure out how to deal with his mate being human, not a shifter? His parents had told him a little about shifter abilities, and the mate bond – a child-friendly version of it at least.

But not enough. Jack could only imagine that his parents had meant to tell him more once he was older, but that had never happened. His mother and father had been killed in a car crash when he was fourteen. Jack had been sent to live with his mother’s family, who didn’t want to hear anything about shifters, despite the fact that his mother had been one.

As an adult, he’d met many other shifters, but had been embarrassed to ask questions about knowledge they seemed to take for granted. How a non-shifting family could produce a shifter like his mother. How his tiger was a part of him, but it sometimes felt stronger, more powerful, and other times was quiet.

How the mate bond worked.

How having a mate bond with a
human
worked. If it could work at all.

“I didn’t mean to bring back any bad memories,” Toni was saying, concern in her voice. Jack held her tightly and kissed the top of her head. He could feel her heartbeat against his chest, and her concern for him wasn’t only evident in her voice. He felt her love in that warm glow in his own chest, growing to enfold Jack like an embrace.

Maybe he would never know more about being a shifter. Maybe he would have to hide that side of himself, ignore it, put it away. But if things worked out today, he would have Toni. And that would be worth it.

Wouldn’t it?

He kissed her again. “It was a long time ago. And not really the sort of thing I’d usually bring up on a first, um.”

She raised her eyebrows. “A first
um
? Is that what this is?”

Jack knew Toni was deliberately steering the conversation back to lighter topics, and he was thankful for it. “Er … picnic? Is that the word I’m looking for?”

Toni rolled her eyes and flopped back down on Jack’s chest.

“Today has been … I mean, I normally wouldn’t do anything like this, but it’s been wonderful,” she mumbled into his chest. “Thank you. Seriously, at this point you could probably straight-up tell me that you secretly arranged the whole de Jager creepiness just to get me on this
um picnic
, and I’d be happy. Even without him freaking me out yesterday, the last few months have been … well, not great. It’s nice to have a break.”

Jack stroked her back, and felt her sigh again.

“Really? You’d forgive me for tricking you?” he asked. But even as he said it, he knew he was venturing onto thin ice.

“Well … no, that was more what some people call ‘exaggeration for comic effect,’” Toni teased. “You lying to me would make all the
um
a bit awkward, wouldn’t it?”

“Right,” Jack replied, trying to smile back at her. Inside, he was cursing himself. He knew that any relationship he had with Toni would mean lying to her about his true nature, so why punish himself further by proving how cruel a betrayal that would be?

Lost in his own guilty thoughts, Jack barely noticed Toni roll over. She lay with her head and shoulder on his chest, staring up at the clear blue sky.

“I just…” she began softly, and Jack felt the sharp pang of self-doubt come through his connection to her. “I wish I knew
what
it was about him that got me so freaked out. I’ve been thinking about it, and he didn’t actually do anything that … bad?”

“I saw how much he scared you,” Jack said simply. “That’s bad enough for me.”

“And if you hadn’t been there? How would it have sounded if I’d only told you about it afterward? Oh, there was this guy, and he terrified me more than anyone else has in my life, because he … what, came up and introduced himself? Stood a little too close, like every garden-variety letch?” She threw up her hands. “And just to add the cherry on top of the crazy cake, I could then tell you about how his tablet – thing –
bit
me, only, oh, yeah, there’s no proof of that anymore either.” Toni flexed her unblemished fingers in the sunlight.

“Well, I was there. I saw what he was like. And if saying his tablet bit you is crazy, then I’m crazy too. I saw your fingers after you picked it up. It looked as though you’d tried to pick up a red-hot poker.” Jack caught Toni’s hand and drew it to his lips, gently kissing her fingertips. “I guess you’re a fast healer.”

“Hmm. Maybe. What a way to find it out, though.”

“You didn’t know?”

Toni shrugged, her shoulders rolling enjoyably over the planes of Jack’s chest. “My – my folks have always been, well, fast healers. My plan has always been to just never get injured in the first place.” Her voice was growing drowsy. “I guess … I guess I was scared. I didn’t want to find out that I
couldn’t
heal as fast as Ellie, or Mom and Dad. Didn’t want it to be something else that made me different…”

Her voice trailed off.

Jack’s heart was racing. Fast healing? He might not know much about shifters, but he knew that fast healing was something all shifters shared. Even before he’d first shifted into his tiger form, he’d healed quickly, scrapes and bruises disappearing within a day, if not hours. So if Toni – if her family—

“Toni,” he said quietly, then stopped, tongue-tied. How could he even start to phrase the question?

Then he realized the choice had been taken out of his hands. Toni’s eyes were closed, her chest rising and falling. She had fallen asleep.

Jack shook his head. This was probably for the best. His mind was connecting dots that weren’t there.

With a sigh, he closed his eyes and fell asleep, cradling her in his arms.