A Tiger's Claim by Lia Davis

her to turn her body to face him. He took off her tennis shoes and let them fall with a thud on the floor. She tried to protest as if she guessed what he was up to. He tightened his grip on her ankles and met her gaze. “Just relax. What did you do today?”
    She studied him for several seconds before letting her shoulders drop. He massaged her feet and ankles as she spoke. “I talked to a several potential youth mentors. I got four to agree, and each one had some awesome ideas for programs to keep the kids active and out of trouble.”
    His chest swelled at her excitement. “That’s great. So, are you going to put together a committee or something?”
    “Yep. Already done. Our first meeting is next week. I’m so happy my dad put me in charge of this.”
    “It was your idea.”
    Her eyes sparkled when she looked at him, and he couldn’t stop himself from pulling her into his lap. “Besides, he knew you’d be the perfect person for the job.”
    Before she had time to respond, he captured her mouth with his and shifted her to straddle his lap. A soft moan rose from her throat, encouraging and inviting. He deepened the kiss and dipped his tongue inside her mouth in search of hers. Her peaches-and-cream scent intensified, intoxicating him.
    He glided his hand up her leg, over her ass, and continued along her spine until his fingers released her hair from the bun. The silky waves tumbled down around her shoulders and caressed his arms as she moved against his hard erection.
    Fisting his hand in her hair, he gently tugged, breaking the kiss. She peered at him with eyes that glowed with desire. God help him. He’d never get enough of her.
    “We should move to the bedroom before my mother comes back or Josie wakes.” It came out as a husky demand, but Shay didn’t flinch. She just nodded and scooted off his lap. She started to walk off, but with his inhuman speed, he’d scooped her up in his arms before she’d taken her second step.
    She squealed and kicked her feet. “Put me down.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I said so.” She held his gaze in a defiant, and dominant, manner.
    He held her stare until she looked away. “Let someone care for you this once, Miss Independent.”
    He proceeded to his bedroom at the end of the hall, stopping at Josie’s room to peer inside. His daughter slept soundly and peacefully. The sight eased his worry a little.
    Shay cuddled against him and rubbed her cheek against his. “We’ll figure it out. I’m not going to give up until she’s better.”
    He met her shiny blue gaze. Her words and dedication to Josie’s well-being strengthened the bond that had formed during the last time they’d made love. And, yeah, they’d made love. Despite her heat cycle and the demand he felt to take her, possess her, he couldn’t deny the fact that Shayna Andrews was his true mate.
    He just had to convince her of that.
    ***
    This was one time when Shay wished she were telepathic like her father. She’d kill to know what the sensual wolf carrying her across the threshold of his bedroom was thinking. The heat of his brown gaze told her only that he had naughty things planned for the two of them, but there was something else hidden in there.
    After closing and locking the door, Travis released her legs so they drifted to the floor, but he didn’t let go of her waist as he walked her backward until the backs of her knees touched the bed.
    Normally, she’d protest at any male’s attempt to dominate her, but part of her liked to be overpowered by the wolf.
    Her wolf .
    She smiled, liking the sound of that. Travis was hers. According to him, they were mates. Now that the sexual haze of her heat cycle had cleared, she was starting to feel the connection, the constant need to possess him.
    The corner of his mouth lifted in a sexy smirk, and he raised one brow. “What are you thinking?”
    She felt her cheeks heat. “That I want you.”
    She slid out of his grasp to sit on the bed in front of him.