“Casper?” I called experimentally and the cub just sucked, eyes closed. “Ghost?” I called and the cub’s eyes opened then slowly closed again. “There it is then,” I decided in a quiet voice. “You’re my Ghost.”
Five minutes later, when the bottle was nearly drained dry, I heard hoof beats, my head came up and I belatedly felt that the vibe in the marketplace changed.
I turned my head and knew why.
Lahn was galloping our way on his big bay stallion complete with a glossy black mane and tail and black around all four hooves and partly up his legs.
I took a step back as he galloped toward me and reined the horse in at the last minute, jerking him to the side so Lahn could get close, turn his head and stare down his nose at me.
I looked up at my husband in the broad daylight, a sight I’d never seen.
He had a fabulous chest. It was huge but it was well-defined and I could see my nail marks had scabbed over under his shoulder. Ditto in regards to the huge, well-defined and fabulous parts when it came to his shoulders. The muscles of his thighs could be seen through his hides. Gorgeous brown skin everywhere. Thick, black facial hair with pointy beard at the chin held by a gold band that was strange but it was also cool. Hair pulled back in a thick braid that probably went nearly to his waist but was now dangling over his massive shoulder, also held by a gold band. Strong brow that jutted attractively over his eyes. Heavy, black eyebrows. Fabulous cheekbones. Deep set piercing dark brown eyes. Full, grooved lips surrounded by his beard.
Totally hot.
And the look he was giving me was totally ferocious.
It was clear to see he was not best pleased he’d been interrupted in whatever kings of savage hordes did during the day and called to the marketplace because his new bride had fallen in love with a baby tiger.
I took another step back.
Then I remembered who I was.
In my world, I was Circe Kaye Quinn, the office manager of her father’s moving company, unlucky at love (something I tried, twice, had long term relationships with guys I thought were the ones that ended (twice) so I knew I was unlucky in love) but beloved by family and friends.
Here, I was not an office manager. I was the Golden Warrior Queen and The Tigress and I was wearing a kickass outfit.
So I needed to suck it up and not be so scared of this guy. He could hurt me, he already had, more than once, and I survived.
So… fuck it.
I pulled in a deep breath and lifted my chin at the same time I lifted up the cub an inch.
“This is Ghost,” I introduced her. “She’s our new pet.”
Lahn scowled at me.
“Erm,” Diandra stepped forward then said a bunch of stuff I didn’t understand but my guess was, she was interpreting for me.
His eyes didn’t leave my face and his glower didn’t leave his.
“I’m bringing her home. You’ll need to give this man some… um, coin,” I jerked my head back to indicate the tiger man.
Diandra spoke again and Lahn kept scowling.
“She’s sleeping in bed with us,” I declared, Diandra translated (haltingly this time), the scowl grew dark or, I should say, darker.
I endured his scowl for a long time. Then I sucked in another breath, felt the thick fur and warm body of the cub growing heavier in my arms as she drifted to sleep.
Jeez oh Pete, a white baby tiger was sleeping in my arms and she called me Mama and I heard her.
I stepped closer to Lahn, reached out from under the cub, curled my fingers around his hard thigh and tipped my head way back to look in his fierce eyes.
“Please?” I whispered.
He glared at me and he did this for another long time.
So I squeezed his thigh.