Bite My Bengal: Paranormal Dating Agency (Heads N' Tails Book 3) Read online

  “You’re a tiger!” She watched intently as he rearranged his shirt.

  “I am?” His eyes widened like he didn’t know then he burst out laughing. “The look on your face was priceless.”

  “No, the look on your furry face was priceless when you had that rat hanging out of your mouth,” BJ laughed.

  “Not my favorite moment.” His face scrunched up in disgust.

  “You were adorable.” She brushed his hair over his shoulder.

  “I’m a tiger, we don’t do adorable.” Crossing his arms, he looked serious but it came off as more of a pout.

  “Adorably ferocious?” Taking his hands, she unraveled his arms and stepped into him. Placing his arms around her, she hugged him.

  “I like ferocious.” His arms tightened around her.

  “Let’s tape this top down so they don’t get out.” BJ grabbed the tape from under the sales counter and ran a strip around the tin.

  “How could someone put them here? The door has been locked.” BJ pushed on the door to show him it was locked. The door gave way under her weight. She almost fell out the opening door but Dare grabbed her hand.

  “You may have locked it, but it’s not locked anymore,” Dare commented.

  BJ righted herself and looked at the door. That’s not possible. She had the only key to the building. She pulled the door closed and turned the lock. The familiar click sounded letting her know the door was locked.

  “I locked this door before we went upstairs,” she told Dare. “I’m sure of it.”

  Dare came over to her and pushed on the locked door, it easily swung open.

  “How the hell?” BJ asked in disbelief.

  Dare stepped in front of her, looking at the door lock. With the door opened, he twisted the lock. The bolt came out as it should. He turned his attention to the door jam.

  “Someone blocked the lock,” he told her, pointing to the door jam.

  “What is that?”

  “It looks like some type of expansion foam,” he told her.

  “How? Who? Why?” she asked, still in disbelief.

  “The only reason I can see behind putting rats in a food place is to have them shut down.”

  “That’s it.” She snapped her finger. “That slimy piece of shit, he did this.”

  “Who?”

  “Mr. Jones.” She took out her phone to call the cops. “He works for McNeilsons. They want to buy this place, and I’m not selling.”

  Dare pulled out his pocket knife and popped holes in the tin lid. They waited for the police to show up but not much was accomplished. Everything had been wiped down. They pulled some prints from the door, but BJ believed they’d turn out to be hers. She told them her suspicions about Mr. Jones, but without surveillance it was hard to prove. Dare agreed to take the rats out to the state park on his way home.

  “I can fix the lock,” Dare told her once the police left. “I have to run out to the truck. I’ll be right back.”

  “Thanks.” She appreciated all his help. How would she have caught all those rats by herself?

  At least they were able to catch them all. She’d have to bleach everything tonight, but she’d be able to open in the morning. She walked around the bakery checking the floors and under the tables. Dare came back in with a chisel and hammer. Movement caught the corner of her eye, she looked to the display against the wall. A rat was helping itself to her muffins.

  “Dare, do you think you can catch that one too?” She pointed to the display.

  “Pull the tape off the lid.” He put the hammer and chisel down on the floor by the door.

  Dare slowly made his way around the sales counter and to the back of the display. The rat was trapped in the display with only one way out. Dare made it look easy to quickly reach his hand in and snatch up the rat. The rat squealed out and flopped around in his hand. BJ rushed the tin over to him. Once the rat was inside, she added more tape around the lid.

  “I’ll do another sweep while you finish with the door.” She began her search again.

  Dare was still chiseling the hardened foam out of the lock hole when she finished the search. With the rat in the food display, there was no way she could open tomorrow. She pulled out the large trash can from the kitchen and began tossing everything from the displays. She couldn’t take the chance of anything being contaminated.

  “This is what he wanted.” She forcefully threw the muffin in the trash. “He wants me to close. If I don’t have any goods, then I can’t make any sales. It’s going to take me all night to bleach everything.”

  “It’ll only take you half the night if I help,” Dare offered. He closed the door and locked it, giving it a push to make sure it was truly locked.

  “I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

  “You didn’t, I offered.” He came over to her and wrapped her in a hug. “Plus, I wouldn’t be able to sleep knowing you’re scrubbing this place all night.”

  “I wouldn’t want you to lose sleep because of me.” She gave him a squeeze. “First, I insist on us going upstairs and having our dessert.”

  “If you insist, then I can’t deny you.”

  After dessert, BJ put on some music and they bleached every surface in the bakery. It took them two hours when they tackled it together. They kept an eye out for any more rodents that may be running around. Luckily, they didn’t come across any.

  “Man, this sucks ass.” BJ dropped her rag into the sink. “I still can’t open tomorrow. I’ll be lucky if I can open on Saturday. Sorry, this wasn’t an ideal date.”

  “It’s okay.” Dare dropped his rag on top of hers and took her in his arms. “I got to spend time with you. It doesn’t matter what we do. I’ll come by on later and help you bake. I can’t promise It will be perfect, but I can follow directions.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I know you have to work. You can swing by afterwards if you want.”

  “I’ll be here by seven and pick up some dinner on the way over,” he offered.

  “Good, I don’t think I’ll want to cook after all the baking I’ll be doing.” She never felt like cooking when she had a big baking day.

  “I’m going to get those rats out of here. I’d kiss you but I’d like to brush my teeth first.”

  “You can make it up to me tomorrow.” She smiled.

  Dare grabbed the tin on his way to the door. BJ held his hand and walked him to the door. She really wanted to kiss him but the thought of rats hanging from his mouth kept her in check. He pulled her in for a hug when he got to the door. She buried her face in his neck, kissing his skin.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said as he walked out the door.

  “Later, kitten.” He smiled back at her as he crossed the street.

  She locked the door, pushing on it to make sure it locked. Confident no one could come in, BJ went upstairs calling it a night. Thankfully the place was clean because she was utterly exhausted. She locked her apartment door behind herself and stripped her clothes off on the way to her bed. It only took a minute for her to fall asleep.

  Eight

  All morning BJ had been baking and turning away customers. Even being closed for one day was seriously going to hurt business. She had printed out coupons to offer to her customers in hopes of bringing them back. She’d make one batch of everything in order to open in the morning. She dropped some blueberries into the muffin mix when someone tried to open the bakery door. BJ went to the door, grabbing a couple coupons off the table.

  “You’re opening late today BJ,” Peggy spoke when BJ opened the door.

  “I’m not opening today, Peggy.” She handed Peggy the coupons. “I should be open in the morning. Come back and get a free sweet treat.”

  “Oh no, what happened?” Peggy asked taking the coupons.

  “Busted pipe,” BJ lied.

  “I hope there’s not much damage.”

  “No, it’s a good thing I live here. I was able to catch the problem quickly.”

  “Good, I’ll
swing back by on my way home from work tomorrow.”

  Peggy turned and continued down the sidewalk. Before BJ turned to go back inside, she noticed Mr. Jones standing on the sidewalk across the street. Anger built in her, his smug face told her everything. He did it, and she knew it. She tossed the leftover coupons onto a table just inside the door and stormed across the street. He stood there with a smile on his face. She was going to wipe that smile off his face. Without saying a word, she balled up her fist. She swung, connecting with his lower lip. He stumbled back but corrected himself before falling.

  “Careful, Ms. Elwood. You wouldn’t want to catch an assault charge.” He wiped the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief from his jacket pocket.

  “You did this.” She pointed at him.

  “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about. How’s business going?” he asked with a smirk. “I see you haven’t opened yet. Is there a problem?

  “Don’t play dumb with me. You put those things in my bakery last night.”

  “If what you say is true, where’s your proof? You must have some.” He knew she’d have nothing against him.

  “Stay the hell away from my business. You won’t be getting your slimy hands on my building.” She turned and went back to her bakery.

  She wanted to punch him again but she’d be lucky if he didn’t press charges on her now. The nerve of him to come and watch what he caused. She gritted her teeth and held her hands tight beside her to keep herself in check. It took everything she had not to go back over there and beat him. It’s one thing to want to buy her place but he crossed the line when he tossed rats into her bakery. Karma would catch up with him. Somehow, he would get caught.

  For right now, she needed to take her mind off things. Her blueberry muffins just needed to be scooped into the muffin pans, and her cookies were ready for their icing. She made special cookies for coupon holders in honor of Dare and all his help. There was still plenty she had to make.

  ****

  BJ slid a batch of cupcakes into the oven and set the timer. There was a knock on the door, and excitement ran through her. She peered out from the kitchen to see Dare at the door holding a pizza box. She tossed her rag onto the counter and went to unlock the door for him.

  “I’m glad to see you.” She gave him a hug when he set the box down on the table.

  “Kitten, what happened to your hand?” he asked, taking her right hand in his. He kissed her swollen hand.

  “Mr. Jones needed to be brought down a peg.”

  “He was here?”

  “Not exactly.” She looked up at him. “He was across the street.”

  “Maybe I should have a chat with Mr. Jones,” Dare suggested as she locked the door.

  “I don’t want you to get into any trouble. It would be worse on you because you’re a shifter and he’s a human.” She stood on her tip toes and pressed her lips against his. “Mr. Jones will get caught. You have to have faith in that.”

  “I’d have more faith if I had a little talk with him,” Dare insisted and grabbed the pizza box

  “He’ll give up once he realizes I’m not selling.” She led him to the back of the bakery where she had a table set up for them to have dinner.

  “I didn’t know what type of pizza you like, so I took a chance and got a meat-lovers.” He opened the box exposing the pizza.

  “My favorite.” She pulled a piece out and placed it on her plate.

  She ate a slice before the oven timer went off. Her stomach growled in protest as she stepped away from the table to get the cupcakes out of the oven. The medium pizza didn’t last long once she got back. BJ had been baking all day and only had a muffin for lunch. She crushed up the pizza box and took it to the kitchen trash. She pulled out a couple of cookies she made early and placed them on a napkin. She wanted Dare to be the first person to try one.

  “Bite my Bengal.” She held one out to him.

  “You can bite my Bengal,” he teased, taking the cookie from her. “This is creative, it looks just like me.”

  “Well, that was the plan. Think of it as a thank you for saving my bakery.” She kissed his cheek.

  “You’re more than welcome.” He took a bite of the sugar cookie.

  It was in the shape of a tiger’s head. She decorated it with white and black icing to match his tiger. Each cookie had blue eyes just like his. Without him, she wouldn’t be able to open her bakery tomorrow.

  “What are we fixing first?” he asked pushing away from the table.

  “I still have to make a cake and another batch of cupcakes. When they cool, we can add the icing.” She told him, grabbing their plates and bringing them into the kitchen.

  “Just tell me what to do.” He rubbed his hands together.

  “First, wash your hands.”

  Over the next hour, they were able to get all her planned baking done. They both mixed batches at the same time. It saved time having some help. While the cakes cooled, she started piping the icing onto the cupcakes. Dare put them in the small cupcake container and she came behind him piping the icing on top. Once the icing was on, Dare would come behind her and add sprinkles to some.

  “Pick a color for the cake decorations.” She smoothed white icing onto the cake and added a layer.

  “Green, like your eyes,” he answered without hesitation.

  She piped on the green icing, while he moved the packaged cupcakes to the display case. He couldn’t possibly understand the appreciation she had for his help. It meant the world to her. She lost her train of thought for a moment when he walked past her with cupcakes. Her piping missed the cake, landing on the edge of the base. She scooped the icing up from the base and waited for him to pass again.

  “Is this the right shade of green?” she asked, getting his attention. When he turned to her, she wiped the icing on the tip of his nose. He smiled and swiped his finger through the glob of icing on his nose.

  “I think this color looks better on you.” He reached out and wiped it down her cheek.

  Her eyes widened with surprise. Since she didn’t need anymore of the icing, she might as well have a little bit of fun with it. She dipped her finger in the icing bowl, getting a glob on her fingertip. He tried to dance out of her way, but she managed to swipe his cheek. He moved in between her and the bowl, dipping his finger inside.

  “Two can play at that game.” He turned to her with icing on both his index fingers.

  BJ let out a playful squeal and ran out of the kitchen. Dare chased her around the bakery. They both laughed as they weaved around the table. He caught her at the steps that led up to her apartment. She spun around, and they both fell to the steps laughing. Dare wiped icing on her cheek and down her neck.

  “Damn, I made a mess.” He grinned at her. “I guess I’ll have to clean that up.”

  He pressed his lips against the icing on her cheek. She leaned her head back, letting him slowly lick the icing from her neck. His lips were warm against her skin. She wanted more. She should have more. She pulled him to her and he kissed her lips. His tongue was sweet from the icing. Her hands went to his shirt, fiddling with the buttons. One came undone and she moved to the next. He stopped kissing her and look into her eyes.

  “What are you doing?” He grinned.

  “I think we should take this to the next level.” She smiled and the second button came undone.

  He smiled and pressed his lips against hers. She unbuttoned another button as he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up. Clearly, he had the strength to hold her up, but she wrapped her legs around him anyway. He carried her up the stairs with his hands on her ass. She nuzzled her face in his neck, lightly scraping her teeth along his neck. A growl came from deep within him, sending a satisfying chill down her back. She did that to him. When they got to the top landing, she reached behind her and twisted the doorknob. Dare carried her through and kicked the door shut.

  Without a pause, he took her straight to her bedroom. He didn’t give her time t
o reach for the light switch. With the bedroom door open, the light from the living room lit up a trail to the bed. He gently laid her down on the bed. Her legs tightened around him as she leaned up, stripping off his shirt. His body was in shape and well defined. Her fingers splayed out along his muscular chest. Taking in the wonderful view before her, she bit her lip. She loved nipple rings. She leaned forward, taking one into her mouth. Her tongue flicked over the small ring. She couldn’t keep her hands off of him as the heat built within her.

  “Are you sure you’re ready?” he asked her softly.

  Not trusting her voice, she nodded. She pulled him down on top of her, claiming his lips. His passionate kiss warmed her soul. He tugged her t-shirt out of her jeans. She raised her arms, allowing him to pull her shirt over her head. He kissed his way down her shoulder, sliding his hand behind her. She arched her back to give him room. With a quick flip of his hand, her bra sprung forward under the weight of her breasts. He leaned back pulling her bra off as he went. His abs clenched as her fingers tugged on his zipper. He unbuttoned her jeans and pulled them down her legs taking her panties with them. He stepped off the bed and stripped off his pants. His hardness sprung forth from its confines.

  He climbed back onto the bed and positioned himself in front of her. His fingers danced down her skin, sending thrilling chills down her body. She arched her body into his touch. With every touch she felt more alive. His hand slipped over her apex. It was then she felt her own heat against his hand. His finger circled over her clit, making her body quiver. With a quick dip, his finger slipped inside her. He bit his lip and smiled.

  “You’re wet for me already,” he commented, sliding his finger out and around her clit again. “Mmm, you’re so ready.”

  He licked his lips and leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on her belly. His soft lips grazed her skin as he made his way to her core. She held her breath as his lips came down upon her clit. His tongue darted out, flicking across her clit. Her body reacted to him immediately, jerking with every flick of his tongue. He dipped a second finger inside her, stretching her opening. She wasn’t going to be able to handle much more of his teasing.