Violet woke slowly, her body feeling deliciously sore. She reached down, laying her palms over her stomach and moving them up to breasts and neck. Her skin temperature was normal now, and the pain was gone. The edges of her vision were clear, not blurred out. That constant ache between her legs wasn’t there, either. She heaved a sigh of relief. This was why she took suppressants the first chance she could.

Her mother had prepared her for her first heat, of course, but there was no way she could have expected what it was like. It came when she was seventeen. She had to stay in her room and keep the door and windows sealed so she didn’t attract any non-related males in the area. And she had to relieve the ache by touching herself and using toys constantly. Her first heat had only lasted twelve hours, thank God, but she told her mother she would be taking suppressants and birth control from that moment on until she was ready for cubs. She couldn’t imagine being out in the field and having that inconvenience thrust upon her.

Her tiger let out a happy purr and laid down in a contented manner. Mine.

She glanced over at Nathan’s muscled back. Did the chemical that induced her heat make her lose her mind and ask for him? Maybe. But she supposed she should be grateful he was there. The pain was nearly unbearable, and her fever was getting to dangerous levels. It wasn’t as bad when Nathan was carrying and touching her, so she knew he would be able to help. Besides, what was she supposed to do? Ask for male volunteers in town? She and Nathan were compatible. It seemed like the logical solution. Yes, that was it. It had nothing to do with the fact that she’d been wanting to know how hard those abs of his were. And what his skin tasted like …

“Huh!”

Nathan sat up quickly, and Violet pulled her hand away. She didn’t even realize she’d been stroking his back.

“Sorry,” she said, scooting away to the edge of the bed. “I didn’t mean …”

He turned around, and as soon as he saw her, his wicked mouth spread into a smile. “Good morning, gorgeous.” He crawled over to her and gathered her into his arms, then placed his chin on top her head. “How are you this morning?”

“Better,” she murmured against his chest. Oh, he smelled so good. And felt so good. There was a tingling between her legs again, and it had nothing to do with her estrus cycle. It reminded her they hadn’t yet had sex. He was so thoughtful, but it really was unnecessary. She had given him full consent, but he had been adamant about not having intercourse. They had done everything but, so why stop now? And her heat cycle had passed, so he couldn’t have any more objections.

“Violet?”

“Hmmm?” She was rubbing his thigh, moving her hand up slowly until she came to his cock. Fully erect already. Her previous partners had all been human, but she had heard that male shifters had an excellent refractory period. Nathan was probably even more of an outlier. Not only was he able to recover quickly, but his repeat performances were quite astounding.

“What are you doing?” he asked in a low voice.

Her hand wrapped around him. “What do you think?”

“Are you still in pain?” he asked quickly. “Do you need me to help you?”

“Oh no.” She lay down and pulled him on top of her. “Nathan, my estrus cycle has taken its full course. I’m once again of sound mind and body, but let me remind you I was fully conscious of what was going on last night.”

The press of his body on top of her was delicious, and he groaned as his thick shaft rubbed against her. She herself was fully aroused and could feel the wetness between her legs.

“Baby … you make it so hard …”

“Oh good. That’s the idea.” She pushed her hips toward him, the underside of his cock sliding against her slick lips.

“No, I mean, you make it hard to do the right thing.”

“Nathan, you saved me from a lot of pain … or worse. I want to do this. Please.” She arched her back. “I need you inside me.”

He bit out a curse. “Violet …”

“We’ve had about twenty-hours of foreplay. I think I’ve had enough.”

He grit his teeth and pressed his forehead to hers. “If you’re sure.”

“I am.” She stared up into his depthless green eyes. “Are you?”

“I’ve never been so fucking sure of anything else.”

Violet closed her eyes as he moved a hand between them. She felt the tip of his cock nudge at her and slowly enter. She sucked in a breath as he filled her, pushing in all the way. She'd never felt so full in her life.

“Violet.” Nathan’s callused fingers stroked at her temple. “Baby.” His lips caressed hers, moving against her mouth in a sensual kiss. His tongue licked at her, coaxing her open, and she could only comply.

He began to move his hips, pulling back and pushing in again. Each thrust sent zings of pleasure through her body, all the way down to make her toes curl. She raked her nails down his back and his buttocks, digging her fingers into his taut skin to urge him to go faster.

“Baby,” he whispered. “So good … so tight.”

“Keep going,” she urged. “I’m almost … ah!”

“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” He scooped his hands under her, pushing her up so he could thrust deeper and harder into her. She wrapped her legs around him and clung to his shoulders as he pummeled into her. “God … I—”

“Nathan!” The orgasm rocked her body, coming so quickly she didn’t anticipate it. Surprise made her sink her teeth into his shoulder, which in turn made him growl and thrust harder into her. She felt him spasm and throb inside her as she gripped him harder. His whole body stiffened, and he grunted as he pushed deep into her. He called out her name and then relaxed, laying his body gently down over hers.

Violet thought that maybe she passed out. She had closed her eyes, and her body felt limp as she lost all thought. When she opened them, they were still in the same position. Nathan’s skin was damp on hers, and his breathing slowed to a normal pace.

“Violet,” he whispered. “You’re doing it again.”

“Huh?” The vibrations in her chest were louder. She was purring. “Oh … I’ve never done that before. With anyone else, I mean.”

“So … your tiger….”

“Oh.” When she saw those men yesterday, with their guns, her tiger just ripped out of her. It wasn’t exactly her intention to show herself to Nathan that way. “You’ve never heard of a golden tiger before?”

“No. Is that a breed?”

“It’s a genetic mutation,” she said. “Both my parents apparently had the recessive gene, so I had a higher chance of receiving it.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“Really?” No one had ever said that. She always hated the way her stripes were uneven and how her fur was shaggy and soft. Plus, she was larger than most tiger shifters.

“You really are my beautiful mutant.” His eyes lit up. “And you’re cute when you blush.”

“I do not blush!” she denied, even though she felt the heat on her cheeks.

“You’re doing it now, too.”

When she tried to wiggle away from him, he rolled them over so she was on top. His strong arms clamped around her to keep her in place. “Nathan.”

He groaned as he slipped out her, his cum leaking down her thighs.

“I should—” She tried to push off him, but he held her tighter instead.

“Yes?”

The smile he gave her was so boyish and naughty, she couldn’t help but grin back. She brushed a lock of hair away from his forehead. “Are you okay?”

He laughed. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

“I’m feeling fine,” she said.

“Just fine? Then I did something wrong. We should try again—”

“Nathan!” She playfully swatted him on the shoulder. “I’m more than fine. I told you, the cycle has passed.”

“And the sex?”

“Hmmm, that was something,” she said with a sigh and laid her head on his chest.

“What something?”

She placed her chin on his chest and raised a brow. “Are you fishing for compliments, Mr. Caldwell?”

“Were you thinking of giving them out, Dr. Robichaux?” he asked with a cheeky grin.

“Well—”

A vibrating sound made them both turn their heads. Nathan sighed and reached for his phone. “I haven’t spoken to anyone since yesterday.”

“Go ahead,” she said, rolling off him. “I’ll get cleaned up.”

Violet went into the bathroom to freshen up. When she walked out, Nathan was nodding and talking softly into the phone.

“Good. Thanks for letting me know. Bye.”

“Everything ok—” She gasped, realizing that after she collapsed she had no idea what happened. “Oh no.”

“Baby?” He rushed to her side. “What’s the matter?”

“Joanne. The girl. Georgina! And her son?” She sank down on the bed. “I didn’t even think—”

“Shhh, Violet.” He put an arm around and pulled her to his side. “It’s all right. They’re safe. All of them. I called Melanie as soon as we got to the hospital. Luke brought Joanne and the other girl to the hospital, and they’re fine too. Georgina and her son, Grayson, came with us. They’re safe.” He frowned.

“What’s wrong?”

“That was Jason. He and Christina went back to the lab. It was burned to the ground when they got there.”

She gasped. “Oh no.”

“Yeah. But we’re not going to let them get away with what they did.”

“Good.” She stood up, but Nathan grabbed her hand and pulled her onto his lap. “Nathan, we need to—”

“We don’t have to do anything right now,” he whispered against her neck. “I also told Jason you were still indisposed. That we needed another day or two for you to recover.”

“But what about work? I’m perfectly—oh!” His teeth nipped at her lobe. “Uhm, perhaps I could use some time to rest.”

Nathan pulled her down and laid her flat on her back. “You definitely still look sick,” he said, his lips on her breast.

“Then I should stay in bed to … recover.”