The Tiger's Reluctant Mate: BBW Paranormal Tiger Shifter Romance Standalone (Hunky Shifters Book 2) by Ashley Hunter

breathing. Then she saw his wounds knitting together, the blood still matting his skin but now there were no marks. It was as if he hadn't been bitten by a huge wolf.
    But she didn't feel repulsed. She didn't even feel scared. She was...fascinated.
    "So you're a tiger shifter."
    Ryan opened his eyes and looked at her. He looked pained and it wasn't from his wounds.
    "I'm sorry I never told you."
    "Was your father a tiger?"
    "He was. The King." Ryan looked away. "I took over when he died."
    "I thought shifters lived longer than humans." Her father's research had said shifters couldn't live centuries if they were careful. "How come Jonathan died?"
    "Being a tiger shifter doesn't stop you from having a heart attack." Ryan tried to stand and slumped back again with a grimace. "Help me to the bathroom, will you? I'll shower and get myself sorted."
    Julie took his hand and helped him to stand, slipping an arm round his waist. It was then that she realized he was naked, his cock on full display for her. Even when he wasn't erect, he was still big. She gulped and looked away. Now was not the time to be thinking about sex.
    Their progress was slow but Julie got him to the bathroom.
    "Where are your clothes?"
    "In the car."
    "I'll get them." Julie put the lid of the toilet down and made him sit. "Just stay there."
    Leaving him staring at the wall, Julie hurried out to his car. She found a duffel bag on the passenger seat and snatched it up. Then she went back inside, trying not to look at the body in her lounge.
    She would have to call the authorities about that unless someone had called the cops about a disturbance. She hoped Ryan had an idea how to deal with the body because Julie didn't want to deal with it.
    Ryan was where she had left him when she got back to the bathroom, his face in his hands. His shoulders shook and Julie realized he was crying.
    "Ryan?"
    Julie dropped the bag and knelt in front of him, resting her hands on his knees. Ryan took a shuddering breath and lowered his hands, wiping at his eyes with his wrists.
    "I'm sorry, Julie."
    Julie smiled and took his hands, pressing a kiss to each palm.
    "I forgive you."

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
    Ryan stared at her. He had lied to her and made her do things she didn't want to do for her own safety and she forgave him?
    "You forgive me for not telling you the truth?"
    "You had your reasons." Julie smiled. "I'm not stupid as to hold a grudge when I now know it was for my safety. That's why you had me move into that apartment next to yours, wasn't it?"
    Ryan cupped her cheek in his hand. The adrenaline was beginning to wear off. So was the fear when he saw Ian on top of his mate, preparing to harm her. She was okay. She was safe.
    "I figured if they were after your workplace then they would go after you next. So I took the step to make sure you were protected."
    Julie nuzzled his hand, pressing another kiss to his palm.
    "Thank you."
    Ryan slid off the seat to his knees and gathered her into his arms. Julie hugged him back, her head tucked against his neck. It was then that Ryan let himself completely relax. His tiger felt calmer now he had his mate in his arms.
    "I'd do anything for you, Julie." He nuzzled her hair. "I wasn't going to lose you."
    Julie drew back a little and looked up at him, her green eyes sucking him in.
    "Am I really your mate?" She whispered.
    "My beast says yes." Ryan kissed her nose. "And I say yes."
    Julie grinned. She touched his jaw.
    "You know, I've always been fascinated by big cats." She whispered. "And the tiger was always my favourite animal."
    "Nice to know." Ryan chuckled. "I'm still amazed you didn't ask."
    "I was trying to take in you were a shifter first. I don't think I was yet prepared to know what you were."
    Ryan grinned and kissed her, pulling back when Julie tugged him closer. He laughed at her pout and tapped her nose.
    "That's going to have to wait until I'm not covered in blood. I'm going to have a shower and then we're