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“Claim it,” she said. Her eyes were glassy and endless. “Take what fate has graced you with. Soothe the hearts of you and your beast, and most of all, enjoy the ride because there’ll be none other like it.”
“And if I don't? If I come here, do my job, and walk away, what then?” he asked, even as his tiger protested the thought.
“Good luck focusing on winning if you think your tiger will allow you to deny his mate. This isn't a game…this is fate.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Your inner tiger is going to protest. Demand that he claims what his. The more you deny him, the more he will crave to be near her. Eventually, you’ll feel it too. Nothing else will matter but her.”
Gerri’s words slipped through Benton’s fingers, burrowing themselves into him.Nothing but her.Wasn't that what he had just been thinking? It was the fire she ignited with her touch, the one he couldn't seem to fully extinguish.
Did she feel it too?
Her tiger will recognize me. We will always find each other.
His tiger's voice carried over him. The satisfaction of finding his mate wrapped around the desperation of letting her slip away.
How was it possible to care so much about the presence of a person he’d never met? His traitorous heart rebelled against the logic he desperately tried to force forward. His stomach clenched as self-preservation faced off with his desire.
“Well, then, I'll leave you to your games. You’ve got a tournament to win,” she said with a laugh.
Benton watched as her small frame weaved its way off the casino floor. He suddenly felt like a fish out of water. He was supposed to be surveying the competition and getting some warm-ups in, but Opal had put a stop to all of it.
He could find her if he wanted to. Use her trail of spices as his personal map.
Let's do it,his tiger purred.
This is a job,he reminded his tiger.
Plans change.
So you're willing to disappoint her?
Of course not!his tiger huffed.
Then we have to focus on the goal. We’re playing for her, remember?
Benton walked around the casino, heading away from the poker tables into the next room. He told himself he wanted to get a clearer layout of the place. Ignoring how his breathing began to ease as he put distance between himself and his mate.
His lips tilted into a smile at the thought of Opal. He frowned, scrubbing away the glimmers of joy with the realization that the thought of a woman he barely knew brought him more happiness than he had felt in, well … ever.
He paced through the rows of nickel slot machines, studying the various options available to him. They lined the edges of the carpet, luring guests with naive minds and greedy pockets. He bypassed them and headed toward the eye of the storm. Any experienced gambler knows all of the high-risk bets took place in the center. Which meant that was where you earned the most.
No risk, no reward.
Except when it comes to our mate, then you run with your tail between your legs.
I thought we agreed that we had to focus.
And we will, on the win ... and our mate.
Let’s …
No mate. No games.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
Benton didn't receive a response. Which was worse than if he had received one. His tiger was set on Opal. The more he thought about her, the more his resolve lessened. Would it really be so bad to get to know the owner of the charity he signed up for? After all, that's what he was here to do.
