Boss Tiger: Shifter Spice

Chapter 3

Chapter Three

Jace pretended to study his tablet as Amelia left the office, waiting until she’d closed the door before tossing it aside and putting his head in his hands. He squeezed his eyes shut and let out a muffled groan.

He heaved himself out of his chair and stalked over to the drinks cabinet. Amelia’s perfume still lingered in the air, and he breathed in deeply, savoring her scent. As he poured himself a scotch on the rocks, he replayed the scene that had just unfolded, wincing at his behavior.

He had been far too arrogant, pretending to be the big man. She must have thought he was a complete and utter jerk. In fact, he’d been surprised that she’d even accepted his strange proposal. He’d been both relieved and terrified when she did say yes, that now he was completely confused.

He took a swig of his drink, enjoying the sharp burn as it slipped down his throat. It calmed his nerves and he started to think a little clearer about what had just happened. He couldn’t help the way he acted around her. The girl was intoxicating, provoking feelings inside him he hoped he’d mastered a long time ago. He let out a bitter laugh. Clearly he wasn’t the big player he liked to present to the world.

He sighed heavily and wandered back to his desk. Sinking back into his chair, he pictured Amelia sitting opposite him. His mind travelled over her curvy, perfect body and her cute little face. He longed to run his fingers through her silky hair, trailing kisses along the side of her face and neck, pressing her against his body and enveloping her in his arms. The touch of her lips and the taste of her soft skin unleashed a deep primal hunger. For one wild moment, he was tempted to call her back in right now and express his true feelings. He ached for her, and the pain was unbearable.

“i***t,” he said under his breath. “You’re an i***t. She’ll think you’re crazy.”

Worse still, she might reject him out of hand. That was a thought too terrible to contemplate. Even more frightening was the possibility that she would accept him, but only so she would gain access to his wealth and all the freedoms and luxuries it offered.

The old cynicism that coiled like a serpent round his emotions quickly dampened his ardor. His father had taught him long ago to control his feelings. People were easily blinded by money, no matter how nice or honest they might be. “Always remember, people don’t always see the man standing in front of them, just the passport to all their impossible dreams,” was one of dad’s old adages.

That had certainly been the case with Natasha. But Amelia, it seemed different. Ever since she’d started working for him, she’d had a profound effect on him that no woman had done before. His chest got tight whenever she was nearby, and he became tongue-tied and awkward. Even saying ‘good morning’ to her had required phenomenal effort.

Before long, this strange power she had over him began to make him angry. The only way he could handle all these feelings was to retreat behind his cold, sardonic exterior. This was his safe place, where he could stay in control. The way he treated her when he behaved this way was like a knife wound to his stomach, he couldn’t deny that, but it was a brutal necessity.

Her soft, hazel bright eyes stalked his imagination, filled with cutting intelligence and sensual promise. His resolve crumbled, and he pictured them together, wrapped in a loving embrace, his hungry tongue exploring every inch of her warm, creamy skin.

“Damn you, Amelia,” he whispered huskily.

His dad had warned him this day would come. The one woman that could tame him would step into his life and everything would change. Amelia was the one, all his instincts screamed. This was it, the moment he had prepared for all his life.

Still, he hesitated. He could be wrong. He was about Natasha after all. She had bewitched him too, albeit on a purely physical level. He could be making the same mistake with Amelia too, hence this charade with the wedding. He needed to get to know her, understand what made her tick and to reach in to her very soul. Only then could he reveal the deep secret that had kept him a slave all his life.

Fear paralyzed him. He had held onto his secret nature for so long he wasn’t even sure he could even attempt to share it with another living being. All he could do was wait and see how events played out.

Closing his tired eyes, he finished his drink and growled softly.