Page 1 of The Tiger's Secret Baby (Savage Shifters Special Ops 4)

Prologue: Ember

I peered deep into the darkness. The inky night enclosed me like a wet, woolen bag. I could barely see where I was walking as I left the parking lot of the school library, trying to find my way to the car. It was my first year at the university, and I was working hard to maintain my straight “A” GPA in education. I had always dreamed of being a teacher.

Nervously, I held my keys between my fingers, as I had always been taught, in case someone tried to grab me. I may not win the fight, but I sure as heck wasn’t going to simply go down without making my mark.

My heart was racing, and I had a hard time controlling my breathing. I could have sworn that I heard boot steps behind me. Stepping up the pace, I was just about to my car when someone grabbed my arm.

I swung around to see someone in a ski mask. He pulled on my arm and my computer bag at the same time. My entire life was in that bag, and this man was going to take it from me over my dead body. I swung my fist around, and he yelled as my keys scratched him through the ski mask. I kicked him in the shins. He managed to twist my arm around, trying to get the bag. Out of nowhere, a ferocious growl echoed through the heavy night air, and the mugger hit the pavement with a loud thud.

Out of nowhere, a huge man had leaped to my defense, sending the masked man to the ground, where he was holding his elbow and crying in pain.

My rescuer said, “Shut up.”

Then, he turned to me and said in a much gentler voice, “Are you okay, Miss?”

I nodded, my heartbeat slowing, and my breathing returning to normal.

“Thank you, sir. I appreciate it,” I said, my voice still shaking a bit.

“You’re welcome,” he said. Then, he smiled widely. “I’m not sure how much I helped. You looked as though you were holding your own.”

“You were great. I’m Ember, by the way,” I said.

“Damian. Pleased to meet you,” he answered, shaking my proffered hand.

I was captivated by his hazel eyes, flecked with green and gold. They seemed to be so liquidy and deep that one could jump through them and be in a different universe.

He seemed to be as captivated by me, since we both had forgotten about the mugger who laid moaning on the ground. “I’m Kevin. Please call the police and an ambulance.”

We happily complied. The police came, took our statements, and said that they would be in touch.

Afterward, Damian asked if he could buy me dinner. I told him that I should be the one buying dinner, since he was my knight in shining armor and he had saved me.

Damian and I were inseparable for a year after that first night. Then, one evening, we went for a long walk along the river. The moon was full and beautiful. Millions of stars were twinkling in the sky.

“Look, Ember, a falling star,” Damian said, pointing to the sky.

I made my wish on the star. When I looked back down, Damian was on one knee, holding out a ring.

“Will you marry me?” He asked.

“Yes,” I answered, without hesitation.

We went back to my apartment. He took me gently into his arms, and looked deeply into my eyes. Slowly, he lowered his lips to mine.

His hands gently held my face with both of his hands. My entire body tingled from the gentle pressure of his mouth against mine. I could smell his essence, which drew me in like a bee to sweet nectar.

I moaned as the kiss deepened, and he pressed his tongue between my lips. He tasted of the sweet red wine we had at dinner.

Wrapping my arms around his back, I felt as though I couldn’t get close enough to him. I wanted to feel his bare chest against mine.

I tugged at his shirt, and he broke his kiss enough so I could pull it off over his head. Then, I pulled mine off. He unfastened my bra and let it drop to the floor.

His chest was so sexy. The tiny dusting of reddish-blond hair across his chest made the heat between my legs start to build. I had never seen anything that could compare to the beauty of this man’s physique.

My chest pressed against his made the flames burn hotter than ever. I was a little scared, but I knew that I needed him. Our pledge of being with each other for eternity made everything right.

Shyly, my fingers found the button on his jeans. I started to unfasten it, but Damian stopped me.

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