Romance: The Tiger's Hired Mate: BBW Tiger Shifter Romance Standalone (Spicy Shifters Book 2) by Ashley Hunter Read Free Book Online Page A

taking any chances.  As she attempted to remember the details of that exciting new gallery opening in Paris next month, the elevator doors abruptly slid open.  Amanda’s eyes widened and her mind became a blank slate.
    “Natasha,” Joshua said sweeping past Amanda with a wide smile fixed to his face.  “You look fantastic.”
    He’d get no argument from Amanda.  At five foot nine, she was a paragon of statuesque beauty.  Her lean, well proportioned body was poured into an exquisite cocktail dress of vibrant red and the gold necklace and earrings she wore were fit for an empress.  Her hair was the colour of gold platinum and worn loose to cascade around her bare shoulders.  Eyes of steel grey scanned the room with calm assurance, before spearing Amanda where she stood.
    “You’re a filthy liar, Joshy,” Natasha purred in a voice of silken honey.  “I look absolutely hideous.  I have not slept for four days.”
    “You’re a lucky guy, Ash,” Joshua said, grinning knowingly at the scruffy, dark haired man at Natasha’s side.  Amanda recognised him straight away as Hollywood hot property Ashley McKenzie.  She’d had such a crush on him after that superhero movie he did a while back, but seeing him in real life she now felt a slight pang of disappointment.  He was much shorter and more haggard-looking in the flesh.
    Ash blinked at Joshua, a bemused look on his unshaven face, before he gave him an inane grin.  “Yeah, man,” he said in a sleepy voice.  He lurched forward and gave Joshua a big hug.  A look of shock flitted across Joshua’s face but quickly vanished.
    “Good to see you, buddy,” he said diplomatically.
    Finally releasing Joshua from his bear hug, Ashley stared around him like he didn’t know where he was.  Amanda noted how red his eyes were and was just about to say hi to him, when he suddenly spotted her first.  Without warning he gave her a bone crunching hug.
    “Hey babe,” he said, finally releasing her.  “I’m Ash.”
    “I know,” Amanda said a little breathlessly.  “I’m a big fan.  I loved you in Cosmo Squad.”
    Ashley stared blankly at her, before grinning like a happy child.  “Oh yeah, I was in that.  They gave me superpowers, but I don’t really have superpowers.  It’s just special effects.”  He trailed off and gazed vacantly around the room.  Suddenly his eyes widened in pleasure.  “Elephant!” he exclaimed, and pointed excitedly over at the large decorative elephant statue that served as a table stand.  “Oh, I love elephants,” he said, drifting over to it.  “They’re my favourite.  Can I stroke it?”
    “Um, sure,” replied Amanda, shooting an uncomprehending look at Joshua.
    “He’s probably stoned,” Joshua said conversationally, “or on mushrooms.  Judging by most of his onscreen performances, I’d say he’s high on a pretty permanent basis.”
    “Ashley, don’t break that!” Natasha snapped.  She sighed theatrically, and her attention focused back on Amanda.  Amanda suddenly felt like she was caught in the sights of a big game hunter.
    “You must be Amanda,” the other man next to Natasha spoke up for the first time.  He was sleek and handsome, dressed in a wine red shirt and black dress pants.  He had the same cut-glass features and sharp eyes as his sister.  This was undeniably Toby Grant, Natasha’s younger brother.  He stepped forward and gave her a seductive smile.  It sent goose bumps all along Amanda’s skin.  “I told you she was gorgeous, sis,” he added, glancing back at Natasha.
     
     
    “Amanda.”  Natasha rolled the name around her mouth like it was a particularly fine wine.  “Your hair looks amazing,” she said warmly, coming over and giving Amanda a hug.  It wasn’t as smothering as Ashley’s, but it had enough affection behind it to take Amanda off her guard.  It felt like she was greeting an old school friend rather than a complete stranger.
    “Thank you,” said Amanda