Wicked As He Comes: BBW Tiger Shifter Paranormal Romance (Tiger In Her Bed Book 3) (3 page)

Harry was the baby in their little family. He hung close to Jane while George was more independent. George was the brainier one, and he was quite verbose. Unlike her, George loved classic literature, just like their mother. He wanted to be a famous writer, just like his favorite author Jane Austen, when he grew up.

“Okay, cut it out you two, we have a guest.” Jane gave John an embarrassed look as he stepped inside.

“Is this the guy you’re talking about?” Harry asked urgently, pointing up at John, “is he gonna be our new big brother?”

“Y-yes, sort of. And it’s not polite to point at somebody, Harry.” Jane pushed Harry’s hand down. “John, these are my brothers, George and Harry.”

“Hey there, kiddos,” John said amicably, smiling at both of them and crouching down to Harry’s level, reaching out to ruffle his hair. “So you two are the ones lucky enough to have Jane as a big sister?”

Harry blinked at John, then peered up at Jane again. More perceptive than he looked, he seemed to pick up on Jane’s general uneasiness, and she could tell he was looking straight through the forced smile on her face. He turned back to John with a slightly more suspicious look in his eyes, hugging Jane a little tighter rather than responding.

“I apologize for my brother’s lack of manners. Harry can be somewhat overprotective of our older sibling,” George spoke up. For an eight-year-old kid, he was extremely articulate. “She has been the only one looking out for us all this time, you must understand.”

John watched him with a smile. “Jane told me you’re a smart cookie. Do you always speak in such big words, George? I’m impressed.”

“I was told I’m wise beyond my years. I could have skipped ahead to tenth grade, but then who would watch after Harry if we’re in different classes?”

“A-ha. So you’re a child prodigy? I know someone who is also a genius. She makes video games.”

“Video games?” George sniffed haughtily.  “I wish the government would ban video games. They make children dumb.”

“Oh? How so?”

George gestured to his twin. “Ladies and gentlemen, I present Exhibit A. That stupid little game enslaves him day in and day out. Harry doesn’t want to do anything but kill zombie plants. I can already tell he’s a lost cause.”

Harry stuck out his tongue. “I don’t need to be a genius because I’m gonna be a construction worker. Construction workers make big money. I’m gonna make big money, too, so Janey doesn’t have to work.”

“Now, now,” said John. “You don’t have to worry about that, Harry. From now on, I’ll be taking care all of you.”

“For how long?” George pressed.

“Forever.”

“Is that so? This isn’t what Jane told us.” George glanced up to her with questioning eyes. “What’s the catch?”

“There’s no catch. Jane is going to be my wife. It’s only proper that, as the man of the house, I take care of my family. That includes you two.”

George remained pessimistic.

“I guess trust doesn’t come easily for you, huh?” John noticed.

“Adults lie. Except Jane. She never lies to us.”

“Well then, I’ll just have to start to earn your trust.” John got up and pulled a chair over to where George sat. “I heard from Jane the two of you have more than a few reasons to be cautious these days.”

“I’d say more than cautious,” George said, setting his book aside and hopping down from the bed. “Despite my well-known peanut allergy, I’ve found my school lunches had been laced with peanuts on more than one occasion. Last week, I was careless and had an allergic reaction. Luckily, I always carry my Epi Pen with me, and the school nurse is well-trained. But that was a close call. And Harry has had a few run-ins of his own.”

“Someone tried to push me down into a pit while I was walking home from school!” Harry piped up. “I remember ‘cause it was at a construction site, and I was looking up at the huge crane! One of the workers caught me! She was super strong, and I wanna be just like her when I grow up!”

George gave his brother a somewhat condescending smile, but raised his eyes back to John. “In any case, while we’re quite aware of the circumstances, it’s a pleasure to meet you nevertheless. I apologize for those compromising photographs I had to take of you.”

“So you’re the brave little investigative journalist?” John laughed, and George gave a knowing smile. “Well, regardless, I’m very happy to meet you both, and if you don’t mind,” he took the box containing the pair of rings from his pocket, holding it out to the twins, “we have a wedding to attend, and I’d be honored for you both to be a part of it.”

*  *  *

The wedding was short and sweet. The little musty room everyone crammed into was hardly what Jane had imagined for her special day, but it suited their purposes just fine.

The twins served in their roles as ring-bearers wonderfully. Harry might have been more enthusiastic, but Jane realized that he’d picked up on her awkwardness around John, and he must have thought it meant she was not happy with him.

In truth, she didn’t know what to feel about all this. She was in too deep, far too deep—that much was as plain as day. However, it hadn’t exactly been a terrible arrangement thus far, and she looked better than she’d felt in months in the gown he’d bought for her.

And she had to admit, she thought as she looked at the tall, dark man standing opposite her in front of the ordained minister, looking like an exotic god in his casual yet cutting-edge suit, there were some aspects of the wedding she couldn’t complain about.

“Do you, Jane Sinclair, take John Alexander as your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I do,” Jane said, allowing herself to enjoy the moment, temporarily at least.

“And do you, John Alexander, take Jane Sinclair to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“Absolutely,” he said in a low, husky voice that seemed to hit Jane in the gut with soothing warmth. She was embarrassed to feel her cheeks flushing, to John’s apparent delight.

“Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

Jane felt like she was gliding through a dream as John stepped forward without hesitation, wrapping a hand around her hips and pulling her forward into him. She yielded to him totally as she saw him bringing those perfect lips of his down towards hers, and for a brief instant, she forgot that this was an arrangement, that she was blackmailing him, and her lips parted to make way for him as their mouths pressed together.

Warmth shot through her body with alarming energy, and she wrapped her arms around him as the scattered crowd, mostly strangers, clapped for the two of them.

But as soon as it had come, the moment disappeared as John pulled away, smiling at her. There was something animalistic to that look, a glimmer of hunger in his eyes.

Through the clapping, John leaned in to whisper into Jane’s ear…

“Now if we want to make this really official, there’s one more thing to do,” he said as he gave her hand a meaningful squeeze.

Jane’s face flushed. “Wh- what? I mean, um, I—”

“You’re my wife, Jane,” said John, and even though Jane was fighting to maintain her distance mentally, the words spilling out of that stupidly handsome mouth of his made her heart beat all the faster. “And I’m going to give you everything a loving husband ought to give his bride, and more.”

She gave her head a light shake, as if trying to wake herself up. “N-no, not yet. I don’t know if I…” She bit her lip. “I’m sorry.”

Nevertheless, he gave a kind smile. “No? And here I was thinking you wanted a marriage with all the perks. But like I said,” he added, his fingers playing at her hips, increasingly inappropriate, given that they were the center of attention right now. “Now that you’re my wife, I’m all yours. Every part of me.”

Jane swallowed, trying to ignore the rising feeling in her chest. “Well... now that this is done, I wanted to tell you... this is mostly a formality. I... I won’t make you keep this up forever. Just until the twins turn eighteen. Just until I know they’re safe.”

“What? Oh no, darling,” said John, turning to walk with her down the aisle with his arm wrapped around her waist, “I’m afraid I don’t do formalities.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, Mrs. Jane Alexander,” he said with emphasis and a playful smile, “when an Alexander marries, it’s for life.”

Two

“I hope it isn’t a bad sign that she isn’t meeting us at the airport,” Jane said as the four of them rolled their meager luggage out the airport doors. “I know these aren’t the ideal circumstances to meet her under, but I’d hate to make a bad impression…”

John smiled as he raised a hand to hail a cab, after checking to make sure the twins were close by their side. “No, you don’t have to worry about that. Trust me, if mother doesn’t like you, she’ll let you know.”

That didn’t seem to comfort Jane very much, and she gave a half-smile as a cab pulled over, and the driver got out to help them load everything into the trunk. As they did, she gave her new husband a once-over, head to toe. “And I suppose just about everyone in your family is as... nice as you? I think I saw Quinn in the newspaper on one or two occasions. He looks formidable.”

Despite traveling across the country on a plane, John managed to look so effortlessly hot. His hair was tied back in a messy ponytail, springs of it breaking free here and there, and stubble scattered across his chin. He’d rolled up his sleeves and put away his blazer for the trip, but despite the messy look, he never seemed to be lacking in energy, acting as bright and affable as he had when they were having breakfast.

“You could say that,” John said. There was that fierce glint in his emerald eyes again. He couldn’t possibly know that she knew his secret, but that didn’t stop him from holding back his predatory instincts. “You’ll see for yourself, don’t worry.”

“That’s exactly what I’m worried about,” Jane said with a deep breath.

One taxi ride later, Jane could hardly believe her eyes when the car came to a stop at a ritzy apartment building on 5th Avenue. “You’re kidding me,” she breathed as the group clambered out of the car.

“This is my mom’s place. I crash here when I’m in New York. We’ll be staying here for a while,” said John.

“You don’t have your own place in here?” She started to panic. Living with the in-law after she blackmailed her son seemed… wrong. Damn it. It was fucking wrong. What if his mom saw through her little scheme? What if his mom tossed her and the twins to the curb? It wouldn’t be the first time she had been evicted, but Jane wanted to spare her brothers from that unpleasant experience. George and Harry were only kids, and they had already been through a lot for children their age.

“I’m afraid not. Should we shop for a house? My family is very close, you see. I could tell you a little more about it, but really, I think you should see for yourself.”

“Maybe we should just go back to our place,” she suggested. “It’s small but at least it’s… private.”

“Ah. Your studio apartment in Chinatown? You told me about that. And where am I going to sleep? We’re married, remember? We need our privacy.” John nodded at George and Harry. “Come on kids, grandma can’t wait to meet you two.”

Grandma?

Jesus H. Christ!

This thing had spiraled out of control.

The marriage was supposed to be farce. They were supposed to go their separate ways after a quickie wedding.

A doorman greeted John with a friendly smile as the group made its way in, and moments later, the elevator was ascending to the top floor. Jane privately took it as a good sign that the apartment staff regarded John so well. Having been put through the ringer of working-class service jobs, she knew how rare that was, especially among the rich.

When the four of them approached the door to the apartment, Jane could hear someone on the other side of the door already bustling towards them, as if the occupant knew they were coming. An auspicious voice boomed from inside the apartment.

“I didn’t expect you so soon—come, come!” A moment later, the door was thrown open to reveal Savannah Alexander standing there, her face positively glowing. “Show me my new grandchildren!”

Savannah bore a distinct resemblance to her son. She was a woman in her fifties with pale skin and silvery hair, but her eyes were every bit as jade and sharp as John’s. She was a beautiful woman, no doubt, and she wore a Chanel suit that matched her hair with a violet scarf thrown loosely around her neck.

“Mother,” John greeted, and she swept forward with arms wide to snatch both John and Jane into a tight hug, kissing them both on the cheek.

“My darling!” she cooed. “It’s always so dull when you’re not in town. And you, look at you!” She stepped back and gave Jane an appraising look. There was immense approval in her expression, and Jane had never felt so relieved in her entire life. “Aren’t you just an angel? I couldn’t believe my ears when John called me last night and told me he was getting married. I almost fell off my chair. It’s a miracle. I wish his father were here to see this happening. I told Quinn and Trent and they couldn’t believe it either. But now that I see you, I can see why John wanted to rush.”

Now Jane felt even guiltier.
Shit.
Things weren’t supposed to go this way…

“Mom, what did you tell Quinn and Trent?” John seemed worry.

“Oh, don’t be nervous. Your brothers are thrilled. So are Vanessa and Arielle. They can’t wait to meet you and your new bride. We should have a party. A nice dinner party.”

“It can wait, Mom. Let Jane and the kids settle in first.”

“Of course, of course. You have to forgive me, I’m easily excited.” Savannah peered at the twins who hid behind Jane. The older woman’s glittering eyes fell on George and Harry. “Look at these two!” In an instant, she descended upon them and had them hoisted in her arms in a tight hug.

Jane was impressed, she had to admit—the boys were small, but they were hardly lightweights. Savannah was stronger than she looked.
So she’s like her son, no doubt
, Jane thought. The tiger’s blood ran through her side of the family as well.

“This is George, and Harry, Mrs. Alexander, my twin brothers,” Jane said, a little blown away by how fast this was all happening. Harry wasted no time in hugging Savannah right back. He’d always been easy prey for doting older relatives, and Jane had never been more thankful for that trait. George was more reserved, but endured the affection stoically.

“Oh please, you’re family now! Call me Savannah. Or Mom, would be even better. Come on in, the cook has set the table! You must be hungry, yes? I will give you all a proper welcome!”

With that, Savannah disappeared into the apartment with both of the twins in her arms. George gave Jane a rather alarmed look as she absconded with them.

“How much did you tell her about our . . . uhm, relationship?” asked Jane.

“That it was love at first sight. Once I set my eyes on you, I couldn’t let you get away,” John said back with a grin. “And she can hear you, by the way.”

Jane blushed and hastily followed after John into the living room.

The apartment was clearly decorated by a high-end interior designer, filled with antiques and luxury items. It reminded her of her mom’s style, when she was still alive. She liked decorating and antique-hunting with her mom when they lived in Hampton, in the Benedict main estate. The twins didn’t remember that once, they lived a good life. It broke her heart that now the twins lived in a rundown apartment and exclusively wore hand-me-downs. They occasionally went hungry when her meager wage wasn’t enough to stretch to the end of the month. She had been too proud to apply for food stamps.
A
Benedict doesn’t ask for handouts
. Many times, Jane felt like a failure as their big sister.

“Don’t worry, I’ve already been planning some ideas for your wedding—your
proper
wedding, none of this Las Vegas nonsense!” Savannah called over her shoulder on her way into another room ahead of them. “I’ve got a guest list a mile long, so you just let me know who’ll be attending from your side of the family, and I’ll make sure nobody’s sitting next to each other who will start a family feud in the middle of the ceremony. Oh, and I can get Chef Murphy to handle the catering, and…” Savannah’s voice trailed off as she made her way into the kitchen, and John closed the door behind them.

The next couple of hours passed surprisingly well, Jane thought. Harry took to Savannah immediately, but George was somewhat more distant, focused on his notebook whenever possible, but even he couldn’t deny that the food she served them all was wonderful. It was clear that Savannah wasn’t interested in prying for the details on how they met—she was very much a woman of the present, and the wedding discussion dominated the dinner conversation that night.

“Anyway, you two get settled in John’s room,” said Savannah eventually, breaking from her wedding planning frenzy. “I’ll keep these two busy putting some meat on their bones—I’ve got a special dessert in mind just for them.”

Harry looked positively euphoric. He had a chronic sweet tooth.

“She means that,” John said. “Come on, honey. I’ll show you where our room is.”

John’s room was exactly what Jane had expected. Some memorabilia was showcased on one wall. A wide curio cabinet held his many awards.  The window panes took up most of the far wall, giving them a gorgeous view of the city. She looked around, taking it all in. It still felt surreal.

Is this really happening?

They started putting away their belongings. Jane wondered how long they’d be staying here. “John,” she said as she finished folding the few clothes she’d brought with her into a drawer. John had just tossed most of his into the closet after slipping his shoes off. He wasn’t terribly domestic.

He raised an eyebrow at her.

“John, I... if your mom’s anything to go by, your family seems really very nice. And welcoming—I’d never have thought a Vegas wedding could be so well-received by an in-law.”

“Mom takes care of us,” John said with a smile as he unbuttoned his shirt. Jane tried not to stare at the rippling abs that were revealed beneath. Despite his job not being particularly intensive, John’s body was impeccable. Every one of those muscles she’d felt underneath his clothes was even more impressive in person. “Like I said, we’re a close-knit family, and you’re part of that now.”

“That’s the thing,” Jane said, biting her lip a moment. “I love how she gets along with the twins, and this place is absolutely wonderful, but…” Jane couldn’t help but feel utterly wretched over what she’d done. Her plan had seemed so necessary, so bulletproof when she devised it, but now that everyone was playing along with it so well, that John’s family was being so welcoming, she felt like the worst person in the world.

All that and more was written on her face, and Jane knew John could read it as plain as day, but she couldn’t bring herself to form the words.

“I just want you to know that this doesn’t need to be permanent. I mean, look at me,” she gestured to herself, “At the end of the day, I’m just an ordinary waitress, and you’re…” she gestured to John’s godlike body as he crossed his arms, his unbuttoned shirt hanging loosely off his bulging muscles and dark skin. “You’re John Alexander,” she half-laughed-half-breathed. “And you’re a good person. I can tell. You don’t deserve this. And I know I don’t deserve you,” she added, then lowered her eyes, as she was sitting on the bed. “John... you can end this. The wedding might be enough of a public display to keep my uncle at bay. Afterwards, you can say I cheated on you on the honeymoon. Drop me and the twins off somewhere and you’ll never hear from us again. It could be a quiet, uncontested divorce, and—”

John raised her chin to meet his face as he pressed his lips into her, silencing her. She inhaled sharply at the interruption, but her hand met his side as he flattened himself into her, pushing her gently down onto the bed behind them.

Jane was totally caught off-guard, but her body had been screaming for this from the moment they’d been pressed together in the cramped taxi. God, did she want this. But she also felt so guilty for going through with it. John’s tongue dove into her mouth and explored her, and she couldn’t help but allow it, greedily.

There was a hardness between his legs that Jane felt pressing against her. All of this felt so wrong. So why did she want it so badly? Her mother had tried so hard to impress upon her those Bronte novels, full of chaste romances and confessions of affection. She’d always loathed them, but they held fast in her conscience, and to have this man she’d blackmailed pinning her to the bed, his animalistic desires rumbling in his chest, just barely held back by the stunning man that he was... it was too much.

“Jane,” he whispered in a husky voice, “I meant it when I said that when I marry, I marry for life. Maybe you don’t believe me, but I want to prove that to you,” he said as his hand trailed down to her pants, his strong finger stroking dangerously close to her pussy. “But am I right in thinking you want to believe me?” He moved his mouth to Jane’s ear and growled softly, “I can make that happen. Right here. Right now.”

He could smell her arousal, Jane knew. He was a shifter. A tiger. Thanks to her time working underground, living out of the public eye, she knew all about the world of men who could become beasts. They had heightened senses, even in their human forms. He knew Jane’s body wanted this.

But body and mind are totally different things. He was just waiting, waiting for those words she so desperately wanted to let spill out of her mouth. Fuck, her hips were already unconsciously pushing up against that huge, hard bulge she felt in his pants.