Page 95 of Bria and the Tiger

She set her purse on the bed and joined him at the loveseat. “Hey, Jace?”

“Yeah?”

She took his hands and squeezed them. “This is feeling really awkward and it doesn’t have to be. I’m here to play the part of your adoring girlfriend. In the interest of keeping things simple, why don’t we just keep the whole pretend girfriend thing going even when we’re alone. Once you drop me off at home tomorrow night, we’ll go back to being just friends. It’s easiest this way. Do you agree?”

“Yes. If you’re sure you’re okay with that.”

“I am. Oh, and don’t worry, I won’t start thinking it’s real and go all Fatal Attraction on you later,” she said teasingly.

“Excellent news, little tiger.” He gave her a flirty grin and put his arms around her waist. “So, if we’re going to pretend to be dating even when we’re alone, does that mean I can get you naked and…nap with you?”

“Why, Mr. Shepherd, what kind of girl do you think I am? I require a nice meal before I’ll nap with a man.”

He pressed a kiss against her mouth. “In that case, let’s get out of here and find someplace to eat immediately.”

* * *

“How’s your steak?”

“So good.” Bria stabbed a piece of meat with her fork and tossed it into her mouth. “This place is amazing.”

“Yeah, I’ve been here a few times when I visit Ashley and her family. It’s owned by an alligator shifter and his sons. He started the restaurant about twenty-five years ago.”

“Cool.” Bria ate another piece of steak before sipping at her wine. “So, did you grow up here?”

“No, I grew up in the city. My dad and mom moved to the city about three years after they were mated. My grandparents and my aunt have lived here their entire lives though, and I spent a lot of summers here with Ashley and Scott.”

“Scott is Ashley’s older brother. He’s married to Penny and they have four children?”

He nodded. “That’s right. A set of twins and two singles.”

“That’s a lot of kids for a tiger shifter.”

“Penny is a cheetah shifter and loves kids.” Jace ate the last of his steak and sat back in his chair.

“Ashley’s marrying a bull shifter? Is that right?” Bria paused with a piece of steak on her fork.

Jace leaned forward, grabbed her hand and ate the bite of steak from her fork before grinning at her. “Yep. His name is Reggie.”

She pulled her plate a little closer to her when he eyed it. “Back off, Mister. This is mine.”

He laughed and sat back in his seat again. “Are you nervous about meeting my family tomorrow?”

“Nope. I make a really good first impression. Well, usually. Not so much with your parents this time, but I’ll win them over tomorrow.” She grinned at him and ate another bite of steak. “Are you nervous?”

He shrugged. “Sometimes my family can be a bit much.”

“No more than mine, I’m sure.”

“You haven’t met Aunt Frieda yet.”

“You keep talking about your Aunt Frieda, I have to admit I’m really curious to meet her now.” Bria sipped at her wine again. “I feel like I’m really going to get along with her.”

Jace laughed. “Tabitha hated her. Said she was a nosy old busybody who couldn’t keep her mouth shut about anything. She made me swear never to leave her alone with Aunt Frieda or anyone else in my family. One time… fuck, what am I doing?”

He gave her an apologetic look. “Sorry. That was really fucking stupid of me.”

“It’s fine.” She hesitated and then decided to go for it. “Will you tell me why you and Tabitha broke up?”

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