Free Tigers Like It Hot by Tianna Xander Page A

though. Just enough of everything to taste it, but not overpower the flavor of the meat.” He took another bite and moaned.
    “You were hungry.” Mac chuckled and shook his head as he crammed the last of his food into his mouth.
    They made their way back to the hotel and up to the sixth floor. “Should we all drop off the costumes?” Mac glanced between them. “Don’t you think all of us showing up at their door will be a little daunting?”
    “I don’t give a shit. If you think we’re going to let you two look like Kelly’s knights in shining armor, you’re out of your fucking minds.” Derek growled.
    Mac held his hands up. “Hey, we weren’t trying to steal your thunder. We just thought it might look a little odd to have us all show up at the same time.”
    “Why wouldn’t we? We left together, and they know it. We’re friends, and they know it.” Zach frowned at the door. “Are you expecting something we should know about?”
    “Nope. Not expecting a thing.” Mac turned and knocked on the door.
     

Chapter Fifteen
     
     
    Jessi stood in front of the closet, staring in at the clothes she’d brought with her. None of them could remotely pass for a costume of any kind. Her shoulders slumped as she stared at her jeans, her black slacks and her blouses.
    She frowned as she rifled through her things. When had she reverted back to wearing dark clothes and ones so baggy on her? She thinned her lips. “It was probably not long after I got to Langston. The people there could turn the most well-adjusted person into a neurotic.” She shook her head and yanked out a pair o black slacks and a gray shirt.
    “I need to go shopping. This is horrible.” She’d just dropped the clothes on her bed when someone knocked on the door.
    “Just a minute!” She ran to the dresser, yanked open the top drawer and pulled out a pair of underwear and a bra. She put them on in a hurry, pulled her blouse on, buttoned it in a flash and tugged on the black slacks.
    She hurried to the door and peered out through the peephole. It was the guys. Her heart skipped into overdrive and her breathing quickened. She put her hand on her chest, willing her pulse to slow down.
    They were shape shifters, for God’s sake. Real life shape shifters. They could probably hear her heart beating. The last thing she needed was for them to know exactly how much they excited her. She needed to calm down.
    Closing her eyes, Jessi took a deep, calming breath before opening the door and looking up at the man who stood staring down at her with the most handsome of faces.
    “Hi there!” She licked her lips and smiled nervously. She fought the urge to pull the towel off her head. She was nowhere near ready for dinner and poor Kelly was still in the shower. “You’re early.” She twisted her fingers together. “We aren’t quite ready yet.”
    “Good,” Gareth said as he stepped forward, a large plastic bag in his hands. Mac stood just behind him, holding what looked suspiciously like a shoebox. “We knew you felt self conscious during lunch, so we took the liberty of buying you ladies a costume to wear tonight.”
    “A costume?” Her eyes widened as Gareth handed her the bag. “This is from Mac and me.” He smiled. “It’s what we thought you’d look best in.” He gave her a smoldering look. “We can’t wait to see you in it.”
    Mac handed her the box he held. “This is a pair of shoes to go with it. We aren’t experienced in buying women’s clothing. We guessed your size the best that we could.” He smiled. Don’t be offended if it’s too big, or too small. This,” he added holding his hands in a small circle in front of him, “is not an accurate form of measurement.”
    “I-I’m sure it’s fine.” Whatever possessed them to do something so thoughtful? “It was very thoughtful of you.”
    The back of her throat felt clogged and her eyes burned. When was the last time any man had ever done something so nice for her? It had