Tiger Born Read Online Free

teasing.
    “I’m sorry. I was joking, baby.” She squeezed his hand. “I know it’s been tough accepting what you are and then learning how to deal. Working with Ward, who’s one hundred percent gung ho, can’t be a breeze either.”
    “Ward is…” Heath shrugged. “Ward. But you’re right, the work isn’t always simple. I never intended to go into politics, or whatever you want to call running a town. He wants me to take on more responsibility and have the people recognize my status.”
    “And you just want a ranch,” she guessed.
    He smiled. “You know me well.”
    “It’s been your dream forever. Did your dad say when he’ll get that land?”
    “We couldn’t even discuss it what with all that’s happening right now.”
    “What’s going on with that?”
    “Later,” he said with firmness in his tone. “What’s happening with my woman? Is work going okay?”
    Deja wrinkled her nose. “I asked to start tomorrow. There’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”
    “What’s that?”
    She hesitated and was relieved when Melly brought their food. Heath’s usual included a steak, a baked potato, and green beans. She had no idea how the man could put away so much heavy food at lunchtime and then go back to work with Ward. Deja took a bite of her burger and munched on a few fries before answering his question.
    “I want to have kids. I want us to start trying to get pregnant.”
    “No.”
    “I think two or three would be great, and… Wait, did you just say no?” She must be hearing things. Of course he hadn’t said no. She looked into his face and noted the set turn to his mouth, the tight jaw, the narrowed eyes, and swallowed. Anger simmered low inside her. He might not have understood her question, or he might be distracted thinking about work, so he didn’t hear what she’d asked him. All these thoughts passed through her mind as she waited for him to elaborate.
    “We’re not having children.”
    Deja chuckled and sniffed. “You’re kidding. Baby, this is so not the time to be playing with me. I was thinking—”
    “I’m sorry, Deja. The way things are with the tension between our kind and humans, and Spiderweb still in existence who knows where…” He shook his head. “I can’t guarantee any children we would have would be safe.”
    “ We will keep them safe. I will as their mother.” A sick feeling rose inside of her. She couldn’t believe what he was saying. A thousand thoughts had gone through her mind when she considered talking to him, but never outright refusal. He didn’t even act like he wanted them as Coreen claimed all shifters did. Maybe she’d been wrong. When she spoke again, her voice rose an octave. “I don’t get how you’re going to sit there and flat out tell me no.”
    “It’s for the best—”
    “Who says? You?” she demanded. “Not even a discussion. As if it’s all your decision.”
    He frowned and wiped his mouth. “Deja, everyone doesn’t have to be in on our conversation.”
    “Oh, please, even if I whispered, they’d hear, so what’s the big deal about me raising my voice a little? So, what, you’re working with the alpha, and it’s your way or nothing?”
    “You know it’s not like that!”
    She recognized he’d lost his temper but didn’t give a damn. She didn’t care who heard them arguing either. Truth be told, his attitude devastated her, and it was all she could do not to cry. Heath wouldn’t get the satisfaction, and neither would the nosy people staring in her face with no shame.
    When she didn’t say anything, Heath touched his fingertips to hers as they lay on the table. A familiar zing raced through her system at his slightest touch, but she suppressed it and pulled her hand away.
    “Baby,” he whispered, and his tone had dropped so low it rumbled, sending pings of desire straight to her pussy. She squirmed in her chair, it being too early in the day for him to get her hot and bothered. Besides, he’d pissed