The Tiger's Reluctant Mate: BBW Paranormal Tiger Shifter Romance Standalone (Hunky Shifters Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

unless he paid his own way.
    There was a flashy dark blue BMW parked outside her house. Julie could see someone sitting on the porch, his face half-lit by the light on his phone as he texted away. She groaned. Of all the people she didn't want to deal with, this man was at the top of the list.
    She pulled into the driveway and got out, snatching for her purse and clutching it tightly to her as she locked up. Then she stalked towards the porch.
    "What are you doing here?"
    Lawrence looked up. Julie was surprised to see a frown between his eyes. He looked worried. Then it disappeared as Lawrence put his phone away and he stood, coming down the steps to meet her.
    "I came to check you were okay." He stopped when Julie stopped, keeping his distance. "I heard you were rather distraught after what happened to that quaint little cafe you ran."
    "You'd be distraught if the only thing that paid the bills and kept your brother in the school is what is not there anymore." Julie snapped.
    "And I'd be distraught if that happened and no one would give me a loan to help me get back on my feet."
    Julie gritted her teeth. She had a headache coming on.
    "Why are you here?" She demanded. "Are you here to gloat? To say that serves me right that I didn't let you have that party?"
    As soon as she said that, a disturbing thought came into her head. It took firm root and began to grow. Julie knew it was ridiculous but...
    She stared at Lawrence, who was watching her closely.
    "Oh, God. You set the fire, didn't you?"
    Lawrence scoffed and rolled his eyes.
    "Now you're getting hysterical."
    "Really? Then what's to prevent me from calling the cops right now and saying I have the man responsible for the arson outside my house?"
    "Because it's a stupid and clumsy theory that you've come to and we both know it."
    Julie knew he was right. She was being hysterical. Just because they had come to a disagreement didn't mean that he was responsible for starting the fire. He wasn't that vindictive or stupid.
    Was he?
    Lawrence sighed.
    "I actually came here to offer you some help."
    Julie scoffed.
    "I don't want any help from you." She snarled.
    "You might change your mind when you hear the terms."
    "That's why I don't want your help. Because there are strings attached." Julie went to push past Lawrence. "I don't do help like that."
    She squealed when Lawrence grabbed her arm and spun her round. He didn't hold her hard but Julie could feel the heat burning into her skin. Lawrence held her close as he glared down at her, his now-golden eyes flaring, his mouth twisted in frustration.
    "Would you stop being so stubborn for five minutes and listen to the terms before you judge?" He snapped. "Or are you going to pre-judge again like you pre-judged me?"
    "I didn't pre-judge you."
    "Are you sure of that?"
    Julie knew he was right. She had pre-judged him from what Laura had told her about him and her opinion on shifters. Bastard that he was, Ryan Lawrence didn't deserve that. Sighing, she shrugged his arm off and put a lid on her rising temper.
    "Fine. You've got two minutes."
    "One month." Lawrence held up a hand. "You work as my personal assistant on my ranch for one month. There's a separate annex for you so you won't have to do the long commute. You will do anything and everything that I say. I'll pay you as I would for any personal assistant, including bonuses. Then at the end of the month, if you're still there and I think you've been good, I'll give you the money you need to get your cafe back up to speed."
    Julie couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had to be dreaming. He was offering to help her out on the condition that she worked for him. She could see how well that would go down.
    "My workplace cost tens of thousands of dollars." She pointed out. "You haven't got the money."
    "Try me. I can easily afford it." Lawrence spread his hands. "I was a successful businessman with a high-ranking salary before I came here to take over Dad's operations. I've got