Free Wicked As He Comes: BBW Tiger Shifter Paranormal Romance (Tiger In Her Bed Book 3) by Lizzie Lynn Lee

kind of guy, are you?” Jane teased as she enjoyed her food.
    John hummed his agreement. “They say a man can’t live on meat and potatoes alone, but I’m going to try my damnedest. Tigers are carnivores.”
    Ah. Of course. “You ought to try gnocchi next time instead, it’s made with potatoes. Potatoes come from plants so technically it counts as a vegetable; Gnocchi and meatballs. They won’t give you a weird look or anything!”
    “No, no, totally normal.”
    They laughed together.
    The food was absolutely delicious, and the two of them conversed and ate through the rest of it as if things had never been more natural. Jane didn’t know what it was about John that made her feel so comfortable, so relaxed around him as they joked and talked. It had hardly been a week since she’d confronted him at a Vegas cafe, and after all that, he’d spent the entire time making her, her of all people, feel like a queen.
    “So your brothers married in Aspen?”
    John took a sip from his glass. “Yeah, I’ve never been big on the family traditions like everyone else, but I figure I kind of owe it to them. I mean Mom, and Quinn and Trent.”
    “Oh yeah? What for?”
    “They never thought I’d settle down,” John chuckled. “I’m the youngest, but I guess I was also the wild child. None of my old relationships felt like this.”
    Jane tilted her head. “I can see how people could feel a little insecure around you.”
    “You don’t know how spot-on you are. But you’re different.”
    “Different how?”
    “In that you were destined to be my mate,” said John, peering at her with a striking confidence, “My instincts. They never fail me.”
    “Well, John,” she drawled, her foot brushing up against his leg under the table, “I guess I can admit there are some parts of that I don’t particularly mind.”
    His smile broadened, and Jane wondered how much of her emotion he could detect with those feline senses of his. She wanted so badly to ask about that side of him, but in public, she knew it was a risk.
    “You’ll be happy to know where we’re going next, then,” he said.
    “Where?”
    “You’ll see.”
    He trailed off teasingly, and she narrowed her eyes at him as she bit into the last bit of fruit on her plate.
     
    *  *  *
     
    “My God, you’ve got to be kidding me. This place is amazing,” Jane said as they headed past the grand lobby of The Plaza.  She looked in awe of the opulent surroundings.
    “Don’t tell me you’ve never been here before?”
    “Once, I think, when I was a kid. But that was before they did a massive renovation.” Jane turned to him. “I hope you didn’t spend too much money on this,” she whispered.
    He gave her a look.
    “Sorry. My frugal radar just went haywire.”
    He was amused. His new wife would faint if she knew how much he spent on the Fitzgerald suite he reserved. He wanted to make an unforgettable memory with her. “I thought you’d like a little more privacy this time,” he explained. He leaned and whispered conspiratorially, “I can’t make you scream when we fuck at home.”
    She covered her mouth under her hand, laughing in secret.
    “I’m starting to think that we should get our own place—a place we could call home,” he continued. “I’m sure you’re looking forward to decorating the house in your own style.”
    “That would be nice but I’m sure your mom doesn’t want you to move out.”
    He sighed. “I’m a married man now, she’ll understand.”
    The floor butler greeted them and showed them to their room. A few minutes later, they stepped into the luxury suite. A welcome bouquet of champagne and two dozen red roses awaited them.
    “This. Is. Insane,” Jane marveled, turning in slow circles and staring up at the high, vaulted ceiling of the hotel room. She turned back and gave John a stunned, contagious grin.
    “I hope you like it.”
    “Like? I freaking love it.”
    He loved seeing that look on her face: amazed and in awe.