HOLLY WAITED ANXIOUSLY FOR IAN’S RESPONSE, shocked at her own boldness. Never, even with Kyle, had she ever suggested moving things to the bedroom. Of course, she’d only ever been with Kyle, but still. The sentiment applied.
Inwardly grimacing, she blanked out all thoughts of her deceased husband. He had absolutely no place in this moment, not when she was in Ian’s arms, asking him to go to bed with her.
Blood boiling anew, she looked up into Ian’s eyes, taking in the surprise there. He obviously hadn’t expected her to be so forward either, and she held her breath as she waited for him to say something, anything, the nerves eating her alive.
But he didn’t say anything. He just gave her a burning look that singed the ends of her hair and took her by the hand, pulling her inside. She could tell he wanted to rush, but he took his time, going slowly in deference to her leg. When they got to the stairs, he hesitated, looking up to the hallway above before giving her leg a considering glance
“Fuck it.” He bent down and swept her into his arms.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on tightly as he climbed the stairs. “Ian, what—”
“No, Holly, I don’t think you’re an invalid, or not able to climb the stairs, or anything less than a strong, capable woman. But I want you more than I think I’ve ever wanted anything, and I’m an impatient man. I can’t wait much longer or I’m going to combust. I need you in my bed. Now.”
“Oh,” she replied softly, just as they crested the stairs, heart racing at his words.
She expected him to put her down, but he didn’t, carrying her down the long hall to his room. Grateful that it was at the end of the hallway, and the only room next to it was Shelby’s empty one since Holly was supposed to be sleeping in there tonight, she didn’t protest as he carried her. She just thanked God that Shelby was staying in a room on the other end of the long hallway. She might not have been able to do to Ian what she wanted if Shelby was near.
Finally sitting her down in front of the door, he twisted the knob and opened it, showing her through. Before she had the chance to look around, Ian stepped in front of her, blocking her view as he backed her up against the door, immediately catching her lips with his again. Her curiosity, her desire to see more of his life, her thoughts, everything, disappeared in a heartbeat, replaced with instant, soul burning desire.
It felt like he was trying to eat her alive, and she was one hundred percent okay with that, as long as she got to return the favor. Their tongues dueled, and she couldn’t stop herself from rubbing her body against his again. Reveling in his groan of desire, she broke the kiss, ignoring his protests. Pulling back, she reached for the hem of his shirt, grasping it and tugging upward.
Reaching down, he grabbed fistfuls of his shirt and pulled it upward and over his head, tossing it to the floor, uncaring of where it landed. Breath catching, she swallowed hard as she ran her eyes over his chest. She’d seen it once before, but never up close like this. Yearning to run her hands down his skin, she sucked a breath in as she realized she could do just that.
A slight tremor shook her hands as she raised them, holding them just above his skin for a moment, a shiver wracking her body as the heat of his skin penetrated hers. Finally easing them down, she smiled inwardly as he sucked a breath in, a shudder shaking his body. Sliding her hands down his silky skin, she basked in the feel of his hard muscles underneath her hands.
She caressed every inch of his skin, starting at his shoulders and running her hands down his arms and back up before sliding them over his pecs. Moving her hands lower, she traced his hard abs, finally running her fingers over the ropes of muscles forming a V on his hips.
He was beautiful. Maybe it wasn’t the right word to use when describing a man, but she didn’t care. That’s what he was, and she couldn’t think of anything that described him better. He was heavily muscled and massive, his skin lightly tanned, soft and smooth to the touch. Even his tattoos enhanced his appeal, and she’d never been a fan of them, never found them attractive. Now she couldn’t imagine him without them, and they were perfect, accenting his physique perfectly.
She started to trail her fingers back up but paused when he grasped her wrists in his hands, her eyes shooting up to meet his.
“No more. I can’t take another second. Besides, I think it’s your turn, don’t you?”
Releasing her hands, he moved to grasp the edge of her blouse. Despite his strained words when he spoke, the hoarseness, the desire he clearly felt, he still paused, glancing into her eyes with a question in his. Heart warming as she realized he was asking permission, she gave a tiny nod of her head.
Exhaling with what she thought was relief, he quickly pulled her shirt over her head and let it drop to the floor. Eyes heated, he paused for a moment, running his eyes over her bared skin, and she fought the urge to cover herself up with her hands. But when he glanced up into her eyes, his silver specked bright blue gaze burning her where she stood, the urge disappeared, and she straightened her spine instead.
Reaching a hand out, he ran a finger down the satiny green strap of her bra, and when he spoke, his voice was reverent. “You’re more beautiful than I’d imagined, Holly. What you do to me…”
Voice trailing off, he took her by the hand and led her to the bed, helping her onto it. Laying back as he climbed over her, her breath caught as he put his fingers at her collarbone, slowly sliding them down the center of her chest, lightly grazing her skin and making her shiver in desire, goosebumps raising on her skin.
Pulling her back up slightly, he unsnapped her bra and pulled it off, dropping it on the bed beside them. His eyes glazed over as he took her in, but he didn’t touch her breasts like she thought he would. Instead, he pressed her back to the bed, following her down and covering her lips with his, kissing her deeply.
Wrapping her arms around him, she kissed him back, loving the feel of his warm, hard chest pressing into her soft one. They were skin to skin, and it was everything.
Eventually, his hand crept up, sliding up her torso from her waist. Shifting to the side, he finally, finally, cupped her breast, squeezing lightly before rubbing his thumb over her nipple. Gasping, she arched her back as his lips left her mouth and trailed to her ear. Moaning as his hot breath hit her ear, sending shivers racing over her skin, she held her breath as he slid his lips and tongue down her throat, stopping to nibble every other kiss.
His hand was still kneading her breast, and he shifted all the way off her as he moved his mouth down. She felt his hot breath wash over her nipple moments before he sucked it into his mouth. Unable to stop her moan from breaking free, her head moved back and forth on the pillow as he suckled, his fingers still plucking her other nipple.
After a few moments of that torture, he switched things up, licking and nibble the other nipple while his fingers played with the first. Liquid heat filled her middle, and she shifted restlessly, trying to move her legs so she could wrap them around him. But he was laying on her skirt and the material was pulled tight, not allowing her movement, and she dug her fingers into his shoulders in frustration.
Easing backward, he looked down to see what the situation was, and with a quirk to his lips, he pressed a quick kiss to her lips before sitting up and reaching for the stretchy waistband of her skirt.
Stiffening, she reached out and grabbed his hands, halting his movements. “Wait.”
Freezing, he searched her gaze, brow furrowed. “What is it? What’s wrong? We can stop if you need to. We don’t have to keep going. You can have as much time as you need.”
Throat tight, she squeezed her eyes shut briefly as she shook her head. “No, it’s not that. It’s just…” Unable to continue, she looked at him helplessly and shrugged.
His frown deepened for a moment before clearing, realization dawning in his eyes. “Holly, is this about your leg? Sweetheart, there is absolutely nothing about you I’ll think is anything less than beautiful. And that includes your leg.”
Unsure, she searched his eyes. “Maybe we could turn out the lights?”
“Baby, no,” he said softly, leaning down to kiss her. “I mean, we can if that’s what you need, but I want to see you. All of you. You’re gorgeous, and I love every part of you, leg included. A few scars aren’t going to change that. I’ll love them just as much as I love every other inch of you.”
Tears pressing against her eyes, she swallowed hard and sought her voice. “It’s more than just a few scars, Ian. It’s a web of scars, from my thigh down, and there are even chunks of muscle and stuff missing in places. Ugly dents and craters. I don’t—I don’t let anyone see my leg.”
“I’m not just anyone, Holly, and I’ll think it’s beautiful, no matter what it looks like, because it’s a part of you. But if you need me to turn the light out, I will. Just say the word. I want what you want, sweetheart.”
Breathing deeply, she dug down deep to find her courage. Keeping her eyes locked with his, she hooked her thumbs into her waistband and pushed her skirt off. Nervous to her soul, she waited for his eyes to dart to her leg, waited to see revulsion fill the bright blue depths.
But once again, he surprised her. Keeping his eyes steady on hers, he leaned in and kissed her deeply for a long moment. Pulling back, he ran his eyes down her body, and she stiffened, but he ignored it. Sliding down to her feet, he took her foot in his hand and placed a soft kiss to her sole. Gasping, she giggled as his facial hair tickled her foot, and then all laughter fled as he started kissing his way up her bad leg.
Tears burned her eyes again, but this time they were good tears, her heart near to bursting. He kissed every scar, every dent in her skin, caressing with his lips and tongue. She felt worshipped, and the fact that she felt like that while he was paying attention to her bad leg, was an amazing feeling she couldn’t describe if she wanted to. But the sweetness of the moment didn’t detract from the desire she felt, from the heat boiling over in her blood and scorching her skin.
His lips reached her hip, and she expected him to make his way up her body. But he shocked her, shouldering his way between her legs and burying his face between her thighs. Gasping in surprise, her legs automatically tried to close, but he held them open, licking a slow path up her wet center. Moaning, she thrust her fingers into the long strands of his hair, clutching tightly as the sensations and pleasure washed over her.
Licking another line, on the next go he pushed his tongue inside, finding her clit and immediately setting to work. Eyes rolling back in her head, she arched her back as his tongue circled her clit, going faster and firmer with every rotation. Blood singing in her veins, she gasped out his name, tugging his hair and undulating her hips, unable to keep still. Following her every move effortlessly, he suddenly sucked her clit in his mouth, and that was all it took.
With a loud cry, Holly came, body convulsing as pleasure shot her high into the sky, higher than she thought she’d ever fly. It felt like it went on and on, the never-ending orgasm. Every time she started to come down, Ian pushed her back up over the edge, and she was soaring all over again.
Finally, too sensitive, she pushed his head away, body shaking and gasping for air. That had been more intense than anything she’d experienced before, and she wasn’t sure how to handle it. How was it possible to feel so much pleasure, pleasure so acute it was on the edge of pain, and still be in one piece? And yet, here she was, still whole, still breathing. And, watching as Ian crawled back over her body, muscles bunching, skin gleaming in the light, still capable of feeling desire.
How could she want him again so quickly after that earth shattering and mind blowing orgasm? And yet, she did. Desperately. She needed to feel him inside her.
Leaning down, he placed a soft kiss on her lips before pulling back to gaze in her eyes. “Was that okay, sweetheart? Are you okay?”
“More than okay,” she whispered breathlessly, unable to find her voice. “That was unbelievably amazing, Ian. And this probably makes me greedy, but I want more. I want to feel you inside me.”
Eyes darkening, he sucked in a breath, leaning down to nip her bottom lip hard. “Your wish is my command, Holly. Always.”
Pulling back, he quickly shucked his jeans, and was back between her thighs before she could catch her breath. She longed to see him, all of him, but he’d been too quick for her to get more than a glimpse. But she could feel him, and what she felt took her breath all over again.
Staring intently into her eyes, he lined himself up at her entrance. In one long thrust, he pushed himself inside her, not stopping until he was buried to the hilt. She fought to keep her eyes open as he held himself still, giving her time to get used to his size, but it was all she could do not to close them at the ecstasy rolling through her.
“Don’t close your eyes,” he murmured, voice gravelly and strained. “I want to see them, want to look into them as I make love to you.”
Giving him a small nod, she forced herself to keep her eyes locked with his as he slowly pulled out and pushed his way back in. The sensations washing over her were almost more than she could take, and she watched as he gritted his teeth, a muscle jumping in his jaw, as he pushed himself back inside. He kept up that slow, torturous pace for what felt like hours, and finally she tightened her thighs around his hips and cupped his cheek.
“I’m not delicate. I won’t break. I know you’re holding back for my sake, but you don’t need to. I don’t want you to. I want everything you can give me. Leg or not, I’m not an invalid, and I don’t want you to treat me like one.”
The sheen of sweat on his forehead gleamed as he shook his head. “I’m not going slow because I think you’re an invalid, or even because of your leg. I’m going slow because it’s what you deserve. The sweetness of life, the joy. I wanted us both to savor it.”
She cleared her throat, trying to find her voice. “I appreciate that. And I am savoring it. Any other time, I’d love going slow. But I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life to be with you like this, and I don’t want slow. I want to feel. So give me more, Ian. Now.”
Ian searched her eyes for a brief moment, and then without warning, pulled out fast and slammed back in. Moaning, she was unable to help rolling her eyes back in her head, but as soon as she was able, she opened them and locked gazes with him again. Wrapping her legs around his hips and ignoring the twinge of protest in her bad leg, she gave him a quick nod of approval.
Not wasting any more time, he repeated the motion, his hips slapping against hers, the sound echoing through the room. Over and over, he slammed into her, and the feel of him moving inside of her was more than she could take. She felt it all, and it was amazing, and overwhelming, and everything.
Reaching a hand under her hips, Ian angled their hips, and the change lit something up inside her she wasn’t aware she had. Stiffening for a moment, she cried out as she came, so hard she almost blacked out. Her body was almost spasming, and she could feel her core tightening around Ian’s hardness inside her.
With a curse, he slammed inside her one last time, holding himself still as he let go. She could feel it all, from the way he rippled inside her, to the feel of his warmth coating her insides. Every action felt amplified, and it was glorious, and amazing, and overwhelming. So overwhelming.
Pressing his forehead against hers, he remained inside her as they both fought for breath, their chests heaving, trying to take in air. They eventually calmed, and he kissed her gently, lovingly, and she imagined she could feel everything he was trying to make her feel. And it was everything she was, and it was, well—everything.
He stayed inside her, kissing her over and over, until he softened inside her. Pulling out, he collapsed on the bed and immediately pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly despite their sweat slicked bodies.
“God, sweetheart, that was… I don’t even have words for it. I never imagined…”
He trailed off again and she caressed his chest, turning her head to press a kiss to it. “You don’t have to say anything else. I understand completely.”
And she truly did. For the first time in her life, she let loose with curses in her head. That had been the fucking best, most amazing experience of her life. And she couldn’t wait to do it again.
IAN REACHED DOWN TO PULL UP THE THROW BLANKET he kept at the foot of the bed, bringing it over his and Holly’s rapidly cooling bodies. He thought maybe they should get up and take a shower or something, because they’d worked up quite a sweat during that mind-blowing lovemaking session, but he honestly couldn’t find the energy. Or the desire to let go of Holly, for even a moment.
That had been—shaking his head, he acknowledged wryly that he still didn’t have the words to describe that experience with Holly, even in his head. It was like nothing he’d experienced before, or ever thought he’d experience. All those mated pairs who told him how amazing sex was with their mates had been telling the truth, one hundred percent. Hell, maybe they hadn’t even told the whole truth about how crazy intense and good it was.
Pressing a kiss to the top of her head where it rested on his chest, he amended that thought. What he and Holly just did wasn’t sex. It was lovemaking, it was a melding of their hearts and souls on a level he hadn’t thought possible.
“How are you doing?” he asked, breaking the silence.
“I’m doing freakin’ amazing,” she said with a satisfied sigh.
Eyebrows raising at the pseudo-curse, he glanced down at the top of her head, lips curling. That was probably the best possible endorsement of the time spent in his bed that he could think of.
“I’m so glad you’re not resisting this anymore,” he said softly, rubbing his hand slowly over her back. “I was prepared to fight to the death, but I’m happy that wasn’t necessary.”
“Yeah, well, you’re pretty irresistible,” she replied, cheek moving against his chest like she was smiling. “It didn’t take me long to figure out that trying to fight this was pointless. It still scares me. Taking the risk, I mean. If I lost you, or Shelby, that’d be it. I know for a fact I couldn’t survive it. And someone trying to kill you ups that risk factor. But you’re worth it. Shelby’s worth it. This is what I want, to be with you and have Shelby in my life.”
Unable to contain his grin, the happiness he felt overflowing and bursting free, he swore he felt his heart flutter like a damn teenage girl at her words. There he was, this big, tough fighter who kicked ass in and out of the ring, and he was feeling things no grown man would admit to.
But maybe that’s what happened when a man fell in love.
Stilling as he realized what he’d just thought, he rolled it over his mind, trying to decide how he felt about it. But his conclusion was inevitable. Of course he was falling in love with her. He started falling the moment he walked into her classroom and she started giving him hell for how he was raising Shelby. Smile curving his lips, he resumed slowly stroking her back, content down to his bones.
Took you long enough to figure it out, his tiger said, contentment dripping from his voice. Ian rolled his eyes. Know it all tiger, that one was, but maybe he was right. He’d resisted her too much in the beginning. If he’d just went with his feelings, he might have had her in his arms sooner.
“I’ll give everything I am to make you happy,” he told her, infusing all the conviction he could in his tone. He wanted her to feel how much he meant what he was telling her. “You’ll never want for anything. I’ll take care of you. And before you tell me you can take care of yourself—I know that. I respect that. But I still want to. I still want to give you everything. Whatever you want, whatever you desire—it’s yours.”
Tilting her head up, she placed a gentle peck on his lips. “What I want is you. You, Shelby, and our life together. That’s all I want.”
Squeezing her tighter as she laid her head back down, he said, “I don’t know what exactly the future holds for us, but I do know it’s going to be amazing. You and me together, with Shelby by our sides. And whoever else might come along. It’ll be incredible.”
Stiffening against him, she went quiet for a moment before glancing up at him, eyes troubled. “Ian… the probability of that happening is slim.”
“What? Being happy?” He frowned.
Giving a quick shake of her head, she replied, “No. I know we can be happy. So happy. I mean, adding to our family. If that’s something you want, something you need, maybe we need to end this now, before either of us gets hurt worse when it happens down the line.”
His tiger let out a pissed off growl. “That’s not happening, Holly. Never in a million years would I give you up.”
“Did you just growl?” she asked, looking distracted, brow furrowed.
Shit. He hadn’t even thought to try to disguise it. He’d been too focused on what she said. “Just a normal reaction when the woman I’m falling in love with tells me we should end what we’re building.”
“You’re falling in love with me?” she asked, eyes surprised, then turning dreamy.
“Holly,” he gritted out, trying to get her to focus.
Eyes dimming, she looked down and hesitated before speaking. “I have something called PCOS, and it causes infertility. I tried for years before I got pregnant, Ian, and then I lost the baby. Babies aren’t in my future. So if that’s something you want badly, something you need, we need to end this now. As much as I’d love to, it’s not something I can give you.”
Understanding dawned, and he frowned thoughtfully. “But you did get pregnant. So it’s not impossible.”
“I did, yes, but you’re forgetting the miscarriage. I couldn’t even carry my baby past the thirteenth week. And I’m not willing to lose baby after baby in my quest to try to have one. That would break me completely.”
“Sweetheart, I know losing your baby was devastating. It’s not something I’ve experienced, but I know it hurt you deeply. I could see it in your eyes and hear it in your voice when you talked about it. And I can imagine how horrible it was. But it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t carry a baby full term. Miscarriages can happen for a variety of reasons. Just because it happens once, doesn’t mean it’ll happen again. But we don’t have to ever try for a baby if you don’t want to.”
She was quiet for a long time, and he worried this was a topic she couldn’t get into, something he should have just let go. He was just opening his mouth to reassure her again when she spoke. “Maybe you’re right. I’ve always felt like it was my failure. All of it. Going so long without conceiving, and then losing the baby when I finally did. I thought it was all on me, but maybe you have valid points with everything you just said. But how do I know? How do I try again, knowing my body could fail me again?”
“It’s like I said when I told you I was going to fight for you. There are no guarantees in this life, Holly. None. Everything is a risk in one way or the other. What you have to decide is whether the reward is worth the risk. And you do what you can to minimize the risk. You can go get checked out. Make sure everything is working the way it should, see if there really is a valid reason you can’t carry a baby to term.” Putting his fingers under her chin, he encouraged her to look at him, waiting until their eyes were locked before speaking. “And you do this for you, sweetheart. Not me. Never me. I’d love to grow a family with you, to add to our little family. But, baby, I am so completely happy with just you and Shelby. You’re both my world, and I can’t ask for more than that. If we never have a baby together, if you’re told you can’t, or you decide it’s not worth the risk—I’m okay with that. I honestly am, and that will never change. You and Shelby are all I need.”
She searched his gaze, her chin trembling and beautiful blue-green eyes filling with tears. Blowing out a breath, she looked away, laughing. Glancing back, she said, “God, you talk so good, Ian. I don’t know how, because these insecurities and beliefs of mine run deep, but I believe you. All this talk of falling in love with me, of being your world—I’m starting to believe it. Keep talking like that and you’ll never be able to shake me.”
“Good,” he replied, staring intently into her eyes. “I never want to shake you. I’d probably be one hundred percent okay with you living in my pocket, if you were that kind of woman. And everything I said is the truth, sweetheart. I’m falling in love with you, and you’ve quickly become my world. You and Shelby, you’re everything to me, and I don’t know what I’d do without you. I know to a hu—you, a woman, it probably seems fast, maybe too fast. But it doesn’t to me. It feels like I’ve been waiting my entire life to find you, and everything feels so natural to me.”
He stared into her eyes, trying to read her thoughts, but they were shadowed. He thought for a moment he’d pushed too much, too fast. But a smile slowly curled her lips, reaching her eyes, and in them he saw awe, along with everything he was feeling.
“It is fast,” she acknowledged. “Crazy fast, and it’s hard for me to comprehend how quickly it all happened, and how fast I changed my beliefs about never doing this again. But it would do me no good to stay in denial about how I feel. I already loved Shelby. I’ve loved her from the first day she showed up in my class, it seems like. And it didn’t take long after meeting you to start falling for you. What you feel, I do, as well. I’m falling in love with you too, and you and Shelby mean more to me than I imagined someone could again.”
Relief washed over him, that he hadn’t pushed too much, and that she felt the same way. And the fact that she loved Shelby meant everything to him. Mate or not, he couldn’t be with someone who didn’t love his daughter. Leaning in, he gave her a kiss that was meant to be chaste but quickly turned heated. It last for several long, glorious moments before Holly pulled back with a laugh.
“If we don’t stop and try to cool off, we’re going to be going at each other again,” she said with a laugh.
Smirking, he replied, “Is that a bad thing?”
“Not necessarily, but maybe I should try to regain my strength first. I’m not a fighter, I don’t train every day. I’m not very physical at all, really, because of my leg. I don’t think I can go all night just yet, but you better believe I’m going to be working on my stamina.”
Throwing his head back with a laugh, he said, “There’s no way I’m going to argue with that. And I’m down for anytime you want to build up your stamina.”
“I’m sure you are,” she replied with a teasing smile that turned into a grimace as she stretched.
“What is it? Is it your leg?” he asked in concern.
“Yeah,” she replied with a long exhale. “It does this sometimes, gets sore and cramps up on me. It’ll work itself out eventually.”
“Would a massage help?” he asked, hating the thought of her in pain. Snapping his fingers, he eased her off his chest and sat up. “I know. I have a huge tub. It’s the whirlpool kind with jets and shit. I’ll draw you a hot bath, and you can sit in it and relax your leg. And when you’re done, I’ll give it a massage. I think that will help.”
Eager to do something, anything, to help her and ease the pain, he hopped out of the bed and strode to the bathroom without waiting on a reply. His tiger was shredding him inside, begging him to fix Holly, make her better, but he couldn’t. This was something that was out of his hands, and he loathed that fact. He wanted to take care of her, take all her worries, pain, insecurities, all of it, away. He wanted her to feel nothing but happiness. A lot of those were things he couldn’t do, but it was in his power to make her happy, and he was going to devote himself to doing just that. By the time he was done, she’d be so happy, all that other stuff was hardly register.
Twisting the faucets, he tested the temperature before looking around, hunting up something he could use as bubble bath. Sometimes Shelby used his tub, and she’d leave her stuff in here. Spotting some bottles on the counter, he gave a mental fist pump when he found some lavender scented bubble bath. Score.
He’d just finished pouring it in the bath water and recapping the bottle when he froze, a thought hitting him with the force of a wrecking ball. Shit, why didn’t he think of this sooner?
There was a way he could help Holly one day, down the road, if she agreed to it. Some shifter species could turn humans, give them animals. And tigers were one. If he claimed her, which he was longing to do already, he’d do it with a bite. And his bite would give her a tiger, make her a shifter.
Shifters had accelerated healing. If they were hurt, they could heal in hours. Even a broken arm would be healed in a day or two, although it needed to be set properly so it healed right. But it worked in reverse, as well. If a human was turned with an existing ailment, it would heal them in the process.
It could even heal Holly’s leg. He knew from when Chase’s mate, Hannah, turned, it might not be pleasant. Hannah had a bad ankle as a human, with screws holding it together. When she turned, her new wolf healed the ankle, but it saw the screws as foreign objects and pushed them out of her body.
Suppressing a shudder at the visual, he reached down and checked to make sure the water was still warm. No, the healing process after being turned wouldn’t be pleasant at all, especially considering the extensive damage Holly had to her leg. But it would work. Hannah’s ankle was good as new now. She was a dancer before she injured it, and she was again now, owning her own dance studio here in town.
And if a new tiger could heal her leg, it would certainly cure the PCOS she had.
Breathing deeply through his tightened chest, he envisioned Holly, belly swollen with his baby, Shelby at her feet while she read a story, and tears stung his eyes. That vision was his every fantasy come true, and he’d love nothing more for it to happen.
But he’d also been telling the truth when he said he’d be ecstatically happy if it were only ever him, Holly, and Shelby. Another kid would be amazing, but it was in no way a make or break kind of deal. He’d be beyond happy with just what he had now.
Being turned, being healed, gave Holly options. For himself, as much as he’d love another child, he didn’t need the option. Just Holly, and Shelby of course, were more than enough for him. But for Holly, it would open up doors she thought were closed. It would give her the chance to make the dream, the yearning he saw in her eyes, a reality. And that, he would do absolutely anything for.
One day soon, when he told her what he was, when he told her she was his mate and what that meant, he’d tell her she could become a shifter. And what turning would mean for her. But whether she agreed or not, he couldn’t be happier or more content than he was right now. He didn’t need her to be a shifter—human or tiger, it didn’t matter to him one bit.
“You put bubbles in it.”
Quickly twisting the faucet off now that the tub was full, he turned to face Holly with a smile. She was standing in the doorway with the throw blanket wrapped around her, makeup virtually gone and hair a mess. And she’d never looked more beautiful to him.
“It’s ready. Why don’t you get in? The sooner you get that leg relaxed, the sooner I can work on it.”
Casting him a shy smile, she limped into the bathroom, hesitated by the tub. “Will you join me?”
Eyebrows high, he asked, “You want me to take a bath with you?”
“Why not? The tub is certainly big enough. And it could be fun,” she replied mischievously.
Smiling, he glanced at the tub and then back to her. “Sure, I’d enjoy that. Why don’t you get in first so I can help you, and then I’ll climb in.”
Still looking shy, she nodded, angling her body slightly away as she dropped the blanket. His eyes roamed her body, unable to help himself, and then his eyebrows shot up as he whistled low. “Damn woman. Warn a man first. I could have had a heart attack.”
“What?” she asked, looking around, giving him the perfect view of his new favorite part of her anatomy.
“Your ass, sweetheart. Damn, you could start wars with an ass like that, and you hide it under those flowy skirts you like to wear. It should be illegal to cover that up.” Pausing, his brow furrowed as he thought. “You know what, never mind. I like being the only one to know what deliciousness is hiding under those skirts. Keep on doing what you’re doing.”
“Oh, you. Just stop,” she replied, cheeks turning a gorgeous pink as she swatted his chest.
Leaning down, he kissed her lips quickly, then held onto her hand as he helped her into the tub. She sat in the middle and beckoned him to join her. Quickly stepping in behind her, he sank down into the hot water, stretching his legs out on either side of her. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her back onto his chest, and sat there just holding her, content down to his soul.
This. This was one of those moments that made every hardship in life worth it. Just a few months before, he’d been going on about how his life was complete, about how he had everything he needed. His daughter, his fighters, a good life—everything he ever needed in life to make him happy.
But he hadn’t met Holly then. Hadn’t realized a woman like her existed. And he couldn’t imagine his life without her now. She enriched it, made everything better. And he would fight to the death to keep her, to keep this. Nothing, and no one, would ever come between them. He’d make sure of it.