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He wanted to spoil Kirsten, to show her all of the sights the beautiful country had to offer, as well as some special treats only a tiger alpha could offer.
He booked them inside the most luxurious yurt by a mystical river that he could find, which also happened to be close to the village where Sher and her family lived. He wanted to be near them so he could also use their time here to inquire about his ex-wife and discover whether or not she could possibly be the one stalking him back in Colorado.
Henry tried not to let it weigh heavy on his mind as they settled into the yurt, Kirsten’s wide, curious eyes looking as fresh and innocent as Zara’s. He had her there to keep him balanced, centered, and ready to take on whatever challenge was presented to them.
Everything had been flowing like a dream he had let go of long ago, and he had to keep pinching himself each time his experience of happiness grew too unbearable. The sight of Kirsten holding Zara at sunrise, a long tiger-patterned dress adorning her shapely form, looked like something that belonged in the Louvre.
It made him want to cry, while it also made him want to pull away. The last time he had given into anything, despite the lack of passion he’d shared with Sher, he had been heartbroken. He had believed for the longest time that he wasn’t going to have a mate, and when she had shown up at his door, it took some time for the tiger shifter to accept it.
He let himself fall into the softness of their growing affections. Kirsten became more and more endearing to him every day. Both of them, stifled by the tropical heat, walked into town and through the crowds to experience authentic culture and food. Henry adored the way she plunged herself into everything, even when she had an upset baby strapped to her chest.
They shared Pad Woon Sen, Yum Nua, and Massaman curry. They sat on shoddy benches and spoke with the locals, thickets of people moving through the streets, a constant harmony of honks between sentences. Henry knew that he could have kept them away from all of the contact with the locals because of his wealth, but something in his heart said Kirsten didn’t want to be hidden away in some affluent vehicle or resort.
They toured the villages where tiger shifters originated, along with the particular one where Henry knew Sher had been since they’d broken up. The first one was Wang Nam Khiao, a mountainous village that was often called the Switzerland of Thailand. Lush green surrounded them with stunning fields of flowers, and Kirsten walked through it in a flowing floral dress, her fingers brushing against the vegetation. She looked like an angel sent down from the heavens, one that was particularly meant for him.
They explored beyond the main village, where there was a majestic waterfall, and it was there they stood together, holding hands in awe.
Kirsten was rocking Zara back and forth with the baby still strapped to her chest, a sway that had become second nature.
“This place is so surreal,” Kirsten whispered. “It’s like a child’s storybook come to life.”
Henry nodded, that sensation of happiness overwhelming him again. He leaned onto her, and she tucked her head against his shoulder as the water streamed in spectacular flourishes.
“Is this the village where Sher lives?” Kirsten asked cautiously.
“Not this one,” Henry replied. “She lives in Khanom, which is more of a seaside village. Supposedly anyway.”
Kirsten gripped his hand tighter as she continued to sway. It was clear that she believed Sher was a touchy topic for him, which she was, especially when exploring such an extraordinary land.
He didn’t want the theme of his possible ex-wife’s stalking to soil the breathtaking sights, which were the combination of the landscapes and his beloved.
Henry turned to her, and she brought her lips to his. They kissed softly, making Henry weak, ready to drift into the dreamlike state her touch often cradled him in. They were set to explore a few more villages before heading back for the night.
“Mmm,” she groaned against his lips.
Judging by the way his body was responding and by the way he sensed her body was curling into his, it was likely that their adventure for the day would be cut short.
Henry gazed down at Zara, whose eyes were drooping beneath her dramatically large sun hat.
“I think the little one has had quite the day,” he remarked with a grin. “What do you say we get back and have a little time of our own?”
Kirsten had his head in her hands, the sound of the waterfall behind them misty and romantic. She bit her lip while looking up at him, her hazel eyes honied with desire.
“I think that sounds perfect, my darling,” she whispered.
Since they’d first met, their sex life had grown into a slow, steady indulgence of the senses. There was still an urgency on occasion because they did have a little baby to care for. She was growing up fast and required the majority of their time and attention. But most of the time, she slept long and deep, giving them the opportunity to explore each other’s bodies like the treasures that they were.
Henry took his mate and child back to the yurt just before it started getting dark. They all ate and then settled Zara in her crib to sleep. They decided to get started on their relaxing in a hot tub by the river.
The sight of Kirsten in a tight, black and wine red, two-piece swimsuit was enough to get him going.
TWENTY-TWO
KIRSTEN
When they got back to their luxurious hut, they had a quiet dinner by sunset, and they put Zara to bed. Kirsten felt like she was living in some dream world, one that she had allowed herself to fantasize about in between pockets of time, but obviously not often enough. She never thought anything that romantic could ever come into being.
Yet, there he was. Sitting across from her at the little table by the dazzling ocean, one that sparkled cobalt blue and a shimmering shade of red as the sun fell. He was handsome beyond measure, and the brush of wind she felt rolling up her long, floral dress, was enough to get her going.
