Tiger by the Tail (Middlemarch Mates, Book Nine)

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An Excerpt From: TIGER BY THE TAIL

Copyright © SHELLEY MUNRO, 2010

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

Chapter One

Hari Daya´s breath eased out in a soundless whistle when he caught his first glimpse of Ambar Patel. His feline part froze, attention fixed on his prey. No doubt about it-he wanted her. One glance at her striking exotic looks, the nubile curves, and he knew he´d been right to stealthily liberate her file from his cousin and travel halfway around the world to locate her. While she looked attractive in the photo he´d carried with him for the last six months, the flat black-and-white portrait didn´t capture her essence. It didn´t show the teasing sparkle of her eyes or the luster of her long, black hair. It did nothing to showcase her easy manner with the customers who shopped for groceries at the Patel Store or the sensuous way she moved despite her height and robust frame.

His.

A rush of air escaped him, the accompanying rumble sounding like a purr of contentment. After a quick glance in both directions to see if anyone was watching, he lifted his nose and opened his mouth, dragging the breath across his receptors to test the early morning air for scent.

Yeah, she was all tiger.

Satisfaction throbbed in him, even though Hari knew winning her wouldn´t be easy. Marriage brokers arranged matches in the local Indian community in London where he´d spent most of his life. It was a way to ensure wealth stayed in the family, for prestige to remain intact, but one look at Ambar told him everything. He wanted her in his bed and in his life.

And he´d do anything to get her there.

The idea of a stealthy hunt didn´t bother him. Seduction-his feline rather liked the idea. Another purr erupted along with a pleased grin. He had plenty of money and had no need of a dowry to sweeten his bank account. There was no impediment there.

Already he´d put things in motion, applying and receiving the necessary documentation to start a new life in New Zealand. With his computer skills, it wasn´t difficult to obtain work, and he´d covered that angle quickly, signing a contract for freelance design work he could take care of while he set up base in Middlemarch.

City born and bred, his heart was captured by the countryside-the endless green and open spaces. The mountains and the crisp, exhaust-free air. It was easy to see why the Patels had moved from Auckland to the South Island of New Zealand. The sense of freedom sang through him, enticing his feline to run and play. Other cats lived in the area-he could smell them along with the Patels´ distinctive tiger scent. On one level that pleased him, but it made him realize he shouldn´t dally outside on the street, spying on Ambar Patel like a voyeur. Six months had passed, and he had to make sure no one else had claimed her first.

Time to make his move.

Straightening, Hari switched his laptop bag from one hand to the other and strode toward the store, sighing when Ambar moved out of sight. Impatiently, he waited for a mother and daughter to leave. He pushed the door open, setting off a bell. The tinkle faded seconds after the door closed behind him. The faint strains of off-key humming drifted from behind the scenes, making him smile.

He marched up to the counter, unaccountably nervous because this meeting was so important. "Hello?"

Footsteps sounded and Ambar came into sight again. He felt his lips curve in the beginnings of a smile and opened his mouth to speak. Nothing came out. Aghast, he snapped his mouth shut so he didn´t look like the village idiot. That would be a first, and a terrible impression on the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life making happy.

Swallowing, he tried again. "Hi, I´m Hari Daya." He stuck out his hand and waited for her to take it, desperate to touch even in an innocent way. His breath eased out with a whoosh when she clasped his hand. Soft and feminine, the touch left him with sex on his mind. He couldn´t wait to experience her fingers wandering over his naked body.

"It´s nice to meet you, Hari." Her welcoming smile faded while he stood there like a fool. "I´d like my hand back now." She tugged to emphasize her point.

"Sorry." Damn, this wasn´t going the way he´d intended. He released her hand, his heart beating a fraction faster. Who knew he´d turn into an idiot the minute he stepped into her proximity? He wiped his clammy palms on his jeans-clad thighs. A first, that´s for sure. He continued to stare, imprinting her image in his mind so he could recall it later. Belatedly, he noticed the pucker of her forehead, a cute wrinkle between her golden-brown eyes.

"I´m here to marry you," he blurted. "I need to speak to your brother."

For an instant she stared at him, her mouth dropping open. Then her teeth clacked together, her lips pursing in a firm line. Pure fire erupted in her eyes. "Out!" The thrust of her finger indicated the direction.

"Huh?"

Before he could say another word, she was around the counter and shoving on his shoulders, pushing him to the door.

Hari was so surprised and distracted by her touch he didn´t put up a fight. She propelled him outside.

"We´re closed," she snapped at the elderly man about to enter. Then she slammed the door and shot the bolt, turning the Open sign to show Closed, every line of her body indicating fury.

"What was that about?" the elderly man asked.

"I have no idea," Hari said, irritation building inside him. Anger at himself. At her. He hadn´t handled that well. It´s true he wasn´t exactly pretty to look at-not like his cousin. The scar he´d received during a childhood squabble zigzagged down the left side of his face. But he had a nice smile. Other women told him that, and he took care of himself. Damn. What the hell should he do now? Surely his scar didn´t bother her? Some women couldn´t get past it, and over the years he´d become used to people staring. It didn´t bother him, not as much as it had during his teen years. "I suppose they´ll open again later?"

The elderly man didn´t seem particularly perturbed. "No doubt young Rohan will come along soon." He wandered off, leaving Hari wondering what to do next. A glance up the street showed a cafe. The number of vehicles parked outside attested to the fact it was open and the food half-decent. His stomach grumbled and that decided him. A cup of coffee and something to eat would do a lot to settle his nerves while he pondered his next move.

Hari pushed the cafe door open and stepped inside. He ordered a coffee and a cooked breakfast at the counter before checking for a table. All full. That would be right, considering the way his morning had gone already.

The woman behind the counter noticed his dilemma. Feline, he determined after an unobtrusive sniff. "See the guy with brown hair sitting alone at the table in the far corner? That´s Jake. He won´t mind sharing. Just head over and introduce yourself."

"Thanks." At least not all the natives were hostile. He navigated past a stroller and an ornately carved walking stick leaning against the corner of a table before stopping where the woman had indicated. "Hi, I´m Hari Daya. The woman at the counter said you wouldn´t mind if I shared your table."

"Jake Quinn," the man said, his easy grin putting Hari at ease. Jake registered the scar on Hari´s face, but his behavior didn´t change. "Take a seat."