The Tigers Shared Mate Read online

  Adam smiled as he drifted off to sleep. Yes, that was it. Torture the girl to make Carter pay for what he’d done. Carter might love that woman, but it didn’t matter. They’d faked a marriage to save the life of a human. It didn’t matter to Adam that they’d obviously fallen in love with each other in the process, and Gavin wouldn’t care either.

  His door opened a short while later and a large orderly stood beside the car with a wheelchair ready. Adam sat up to wave the man off when a wave of nausea overcame him. He decided to accept the help instead.

  “Sir, here’s your wallet.”

  Winston stretched across the seat and handed the leather wallet to Adam. Adam all but ripped it out of his hand. He didn’t even bother with a thank you. It was the man’s job to serve him. Adam wasn’t about to thank him for doing what he was paid to do. His paycheck was more than enough, thanks to what he did.

  “You’d better be ready when I’m done, Winston,” he sneered at the driver.

  The man nodded but didn’t say a word.

  Adam gave the driver a long, hard look before he left. Maybe when he returned home, he would hire a new driver. This one wasn’t worth the money Adam was paying him. Adam smiled. Wouldn’t it be amusing for Winston to show up to work Monday morning and find he’d been replaced?

  Adam smiled to himself, amused with his plan. That was exactly what he was going to do, leave the man scrambling for a job without warning. Winston wouldn’t know what hit him. That would teach the man to be a sub par employee, at best.

  The orderly pushed the wheelchair, the rough and bumpy ride causing Adam more pain than he was already in.

  “Could you possibly be any more careful?”

  “Probably.”

  The orderly made no move to change their pace and Adam made a mental note to have the man fired.

  He was wheeled into a room, which was basically a bed encircled by a hanging sheet.

  “What is this?”

  “This is your room. The doctor will see you shortly.”

  “This is unacceptable,” Adam countered as the orderly applied the wheelchair lock and walked away. “I’m talking to you, you idiot!”

  The orderly's steps didn’t falter and he didn’t respond. He turned the corner and was out of sight.

  “What the hell is this world coming to?”

  “Hey, buddy. Could you keep it down? Some of us are sick here.”

  “Screw you!” Adam called back through the curtain.

  When he took over, the first thing he was going to do was make sure that he was never stuck dealing with common people again. He was Adam Carver and never again would he be subjected to such nonsense.

  ***

  It was more than an hour later when Adam was stitched up and finally ready to leave the hospital. The pain medicine they’d injected into his wounds was still working its magic. He felt like a million bucks, and the perky blonde doctor had said she didn’t think it would scar beyond a thin line that would give him a dangerous vibe without being too much.

  Adam considered getting the woman’s number but decided against it. He didn’t have time for pursuits of the flesh right now. He had bigger mountains to climb, though her supple breasts pulling against her top were more than a little tempting.

  He pulled out his phone as he walked down the hall, cursing under his breath when he saw that Gavin still hadn’t responded. Adam took a moment to text his driver that he was ready while he waited for the elevator to the lobby.

  The elevator opened and Adam stood in the hallway, staring at the occupants without moving. A sickly man stood in his hospital gown, frail hand wrapped around an IV cart, eyes yellow and drooping.

  “There’s room for you,” the man croaked out, his lips cracking as he attempted a welcoming smile.

  “No, thanks. There’s no way I’m getting whatever shit you have.”

  Adam stepped back and waited for the door to close and the elevator to make its way towards the lobby. The second elevator opened up and Adam stepped on, relieved to be alone. He couldn’t wait to get to his quiet house to sleep in his own bed. The sun was already brightening the horizon. By the time he slept off the previous night, it would be mid-afternoon.

  He checked his phone again as he stepped off the elevator. Neither his driver nor Gavin had responded. He doubted Gavin would check his email. Adam resigned himself to the fact that his news would have to wait until Monday morning business hours. It wasn’t ideal, but it wasn’t like it would change anything.

  The elevator emptied out into the busy lobby, right next to the information booth that Adam had passed on his way in an hour before. An old man in a charcoal security guard’s uniform looked up at him as he passed by.

  “Are you Adam, sir?”

  “Yes.”

  Adam stopped, irritation clearly displayed on his face. Could this day get any worse?

  “This was left here for you, sir.”

  The man handed Adam a piece of folded paper. Adam opened it, a knot forming in his stomach. The hand-writing was neat and small, the message crystal clear.

  Adam,

  You’re an insufferable ass and there’s not enough money in the world to make spending one more moment in your employ endurable. Consider this my notice and good luck getting a ride home, jackass.

  P.S. My name isn’t Winston, you idiot. My name is David. Have a great day.

  Adam crumpled the paper in his fist, his body trembling with anger. He threw it violently across the room, but the air caught it and it floated to the floor several feet from the wall. It was wholly unsatisfying, to say the least. Adam gave the wrinkled paper a look of distaste before turning back to the man.

  “Is there a car service I can hire from here?”

  “No, sir. I reckon you could call a cab, but that’s going to cost you a pretty penny from here.”

  The security guard drew the words out slowly, and Adam wondered if the man was toying with him. No one talked like that anymore, did they?

  Adam sighed, pulling out his phone and scrolling through his contacts. Each name was that of a high-powered individual that Adam befriended solely for the purpose of getting ahead in life. There wasn’t a single friend in his contacts, let alone someone who would venture so far from where they lived to pick Adam up.

  It looked like getting to his bed anytime soon wasn’t going to happen. With shoulders sagging in defeat, he used his phone to hire an Uber driver and went to sit on the bench by the front entrance. Luckily, David had made sure to hand Adam his wallet as he left the car.

  Adam kick a chunk of loose concrete from the sidewalk and scowled at the people as the passed by. This day had started off badly, and Adam didn’t see it getting better in the near future.

  A dented black minivan pulled in front of him. The window rolled down and a skinny man with bright purple hair leaned over and addressed him.

  “Hey. You Adam?”

  “Yes,” Adam said.

  “I’m your Uber driver.”

  “Swell,” Adam drew out.

  When the man didn’t move to open the door for Adam, he pulled himself up off the bench and winced. The pain medication was wearing off. He pulled on the handle to the front passenger seat, but the door was locked.

  “Sorry. Guests ride in the back. Company policy.”

  Adam was in too much pain to argue, opening the sliding rear door and seating himself gingerly into the captain’s chair in the middle. He closed the door and the driver took off as soon as Adam’s seat belt clicked into place.

  “Do you need to get your prescriptions before you go home, dude?”

  Dude? Was he serious?

  “No. I’m having them delivered.”

  “Oh. Right on.”

  Adam pulled his sunglasses on and hunkered down in the chair.

  “I have a headache. So if you could shut up and just take me home, that would be great.”

  “No problem, dude.”

  The man was oblivious to Adam’s disdain for him, or
he was playing dumb. Adam wasn’t sure which.

  The van hit the highway and headed for Adam’s humble home just outside the city. Adam was starting to nod off when his cell phone buzzed.

  It was Gavin.

  Maybe this day was going to turn out well after all.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Carter lay in bed beside Lydia, watching her face in the morning sunlight as she slept. She’d tossed and turned for several hours, calling out in her sleep. Carter had paced the halls, trying to wear himself out so he could fall to sleep, but he was too stressed. This time tomorrow, Lydia would be gone, with no guarantee of her return.

  When Lydia called his name, he couldn’t ignore her any longer. She might want her space, but in her dreams, she wanted him.

  Quietly, he’d let himself into her room and slipped into bed. Within moments of pulling her into his arms, she’d quieted. Every now and again, she would furrow her brow, or reach out to make sure he was still there, but she never woke up.

  Now that the sun was rising, it was time for the three of them to start making decisions. The wedding guests would be rousing soon, making their way to their vehicles and driving home after a long weekend of partying. The ground would be empty again, and they would be alone.

  Carter’s heart caught. He didn’t want to let her go. After a good night’s sleep, maybe she would be more reasonable. He chuckled softly to himself. Yeah right. And maybe pigs would fly.

  He looked at Lydia again, surprised to see her blue eyes staring back at him.

  “How long have you been here?”

  Her voice was husky and heavy with sleep.

  “A few hours. You called my name. By the time I realized you were calling out to me in your sleep, I was already in here.”

  That was a bit of hyperbole, but Carter wasn’t about to admit that he’d taken advantage of her being asleep to spend some time with her.

  “Oh. I was dreaming I guess. Thank you. For coming to me when I called, I mean.”

  “I’ll always come when you call.”

  Lydia’s smile was dreamy.

  “I know you will. I know you both will.”

  “Still bent on leaving?”

  “I am. I know it’s really hard to understand, but I need to make sure that we’re doing the right thing. What if, a year from now, we decide we don’t want each other?”

  Carter laughed softly.

  “Lydia. There will never be a time when I don’t want you, and I know Jareth feels the same.”

  He pulled her into his arms and kissed her on the mouth, ignoring her initial protest. She pushed against him before giving over to her needs. Whether she wanted to admit it or not, she was hoping Carter would kiss her, and she was glad he had.

  The kiss ended too quickly, and Lydia found herself wanting more. But there was something else on her mind that she had to get out.

  “And what about Jareth? It’s not like I can stay married to you both indefinitely. Eventually, I’ll have to choose one of you.”

  “Why? There’s nothing that says you have to choose one man.”

  “There isn’t?”

  “Not at all.”

  “I didn’t know that. But what if I wanted to pick?”

  “Then you can pick, as long as you choose me.”

  Lydia gasped softly and looked at him. She was surprised to see the mischievous grin on Carter’s face.

  “I guess Jareth isn’t the only joker in the family.”

  “That’s right,” Carter said. “There’s a lot about me that you don’t know.”

  Lydia’s stomach tightened and she felt heat pour out of her in an instant. Was he talking about sex, or? It didn’t matter. Something in his voice suggested that he was talking about more than what it seemed. And Lydia’s body had responded accordingly.

  “Are you mad that I slept with Jareth and not you?”

  “No. I mean, unless saying I’m mad means that you’ll sleep with me now. In that case, I’m all sorts of fired up mad.”

  Lydia playfully punched his arm, laughing at his joke.

  “You’re pretty funny. You should try it more often. It suits you.”

  “If I start being funny, what will Jareth have left to offer?”

  “Very funny. Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For not being mad. I would hate to come between you.”

  “Would you, now?”

  That time, there was no mistaking Carter’s meaning. He arched an eyebrow at her, his eyes locked on her lips as he did. Lydia’s stomach was in knots, the heat between her legs building. She admonished herself for being so shameless. It wasn’t like he was making a pass at her, just jumping on the chance to work a little double entendre into the conversation.

  Or was he?

  “Carter, can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.”

  “Are you sorry we didn’t sleep together? I mean, before I leave and all.”

  Lydia instantly wished she could take it back. What a stupid question.

  “Are you leaving right now?”

  “No?” It was a question. She wasn’t sure where he was going with his line of thought.

  “Well, if you’re not leaving for an hour or two, then we have plenty of time.”

  His voice was light, but his eyes were all fire. Lydia searched them, wondering if he was toying with her. The heat between them had been building for a while, but somehow, neither of them had acted on it.

  He touched her face with his finger, smiling gently as he traced the curve of her cheek and over her ear. Her hair was a mess, a mass of curls and crimped braids from the night before. She looked wild and well-loved. Carter couldn’t tear his eyes away.

  The sunlight played across her face as she lay there, silently holding his gaze with hers. Volumes of unspoken words passed between them. Lydia’s lips parted and her eyes softened. Carter didn’t need her to spell it out for him.

  “You looked beautiful this weekend.”

  “Thank you. I felt like a princess. It was almost like magic.”

  “I was sorry it had to end.”

  “Me, too. A big part of me wanted it to be real.”

  “It can still be real, Lydia.”

  She opened her mouth to protest, but Carter stopped her, covering her mouth with his and drawing her breath away. He pushed her hair away from her face, plunging his hands into the soft tendrils and holding on.

  When he released her, Lydia lay beside him, desperately trying to catch her breath. Her heart pounded in her ears and the heat rushed through her veins. She could leave any time today. Right now, all she wanted was Carter.

  She looked at him, licking her lips unconsciously before biting down. Her hands trailed down his chest and over his chiseled abs. Delicate fingers stopped just above the waistband of his plaid pajama pants, teasing circles around his navel.

  “Are you sure?” he said through clenched teeth, trying to control his body as she continued to run her fingers over him.

  “I am.”

  “What if you never come back?”

  “What if I do?”

  Carter nodded, pulling her into his arms and rolling onto his back so she was on top of him.

  Lydia giggled and balanced herself atop him. Her thin shirt clung to her bare chest, her nipples pushing against the fabric. Carter tugged on the hem of her shirt, which barely skimmed the top of her silk pants. The fabric pulled taut against her, teasing her nipples into hard little nubs before his eyes.

  “You’re so beautiful,” Carter whispered, awe in his voice.

  Lydia moved his hands from her shirt and lifted the thin garment up and over her head. Carter sucked in a deep breath and his hands went to her waist. He pulled her towards him. She yielded, leaning down until her bare breasts were crushed against him. Carter kissed her now swollen lips, moaning when her tongue darted inside his mouth.

  He coaxed her mouth wide, deepening the kiss and holding her tightly against him. Lydia pulled away, eyes flas
hing with need, gasping for air.

  She rolled off of him, a wicked twinkle in her eye. Holding her hand out to him, she smiled.

  “Come with me. I’ve wanted to do something since I got here.”

  Her eyes darted to the crotch of his flannel pants, where an obvious erection pushed against its trappings.

  “I promise, I’m not going to make you wait. I just want to do something a little more adventurous than sex in the bed.”

  Carter growled and rolled out of the bed. He grabbed her outstretched hand and let her lead him into the bathroom.

  She turned the shower on, using the keypad to adjust the showerheads and the water temperature before they stepped in. The large shower stall filled with steam almost instantly. Lydia turned to Carter, emboldened by the heat in his eyes. Tiny hands shot out and delved into his waistband. She slid his clothes down to the floor, stopping momentarily to plant a shy kiss on the tip of his erect member.

  “You’re playing with fire,” he ground out.

  “That’s what I’m counting on.”

  He stepped out of the last of his clothes while she stripped down to nothing. Carter’s eyes stroked her bare skin, skimming over the smooth surface so forcefully that she could almost feel his gaze. Opening the door, she all but dragged him into the stall and into the rush of water pouring out of various places on the wall.

  They were soaked in an instant, Lydia’s long hair plastered against her face.

  “It’s like a waterfall. I love this.”

  Before he could say anything, she kissed him again, her mouth demanding he kiss her in return. The water thrummed against them, the effect was nearly painful.

  Carter moved against the wall, pulling her with him and sliding down onto to one of the decorative stones that jutted out to make a seat. He scooped Lydia up and set her in his lap. His erection pressed against her, slipping between her thighs and searching for her heat. Lydia opened herself to him and he immersed himself in her sweetness.

  As she moved atop him, Carter watched her. Strong hands kneaded the flesh of her taut breasts. He squeezed playfully and Lydia moaned, her pace quickening.