TIGERLILLY- THE BRAVO BOYS [book two]

Chapter SEVENTEEN

Frankie Xiao

Snuggled up with the giant Tiger, I feel some kind of spiritual security I haven't felt since I was so young I can barely remember it.. This is what it's like to feel safe.. The endless weight of possibilities and sacrifices I don't have to make anymore are lifted from me and I am just me.. I am not Fei's daughter.. I am not Li Jun's whore.. I am not River's slave.. I am just me.. Free to think happy thoughts without them being crushed by the devil that walks outside these walls. Free to wonder what might happen next with hope instead of fear..

"River?" I mumble against his smooth skin..

"Aye, my lovely Lilly? What's goin' on in that pretty little head o'yours?" The vibration of his gentle purr ripples through me where my chest presses against his..

With genuine inquisitive interest and because I've been wondering about it, I ask for something I want.. Something easy.. "Can we go to the soup market?"

He chokes, a humoured grunt.. "The what?"

"On the news.. The man said to buy stock and pork chops from the soup market? It must be good?" I love to cook, it's one of the things I know I can do and always get right.

He laughs.. "You mean the stock market?!"

I sit up, giggling because he is laughing, though I'm not sure why.. "Yes?"

His cheeks flush red as he sucks a deep breath to steady himself.. "I can see why ye'd think that, really!"

"Why is it funny?" I poke his ribs impatiently and he squirms..

"'Cause I'm tied up like a turkey n' yer' askin' about finance.. It's feckin' adorable!" He grins, shaking his head so that his shiny strawberry locks shimmer.. "It's not a market for soup-stock, baby.. It's more like a-- trading market for money and assets.. I've got a book on economics somewhere you can read if you wanna learn about it.."

"Oh.." I wrinkle my nose, still wondering about the pork chops.. The newsman definitely said something about them. "Yes. I want."

"If you want it, then you should have it, Wallflower.. You deserve it all, anything your sweet-heart desires.. I'll get you some soup too.." He chuckles warmly, rich rivers of happiness that flow into me..

I blush all over.. "I wanted to make something nice for you."

"O'course ye' did.. Thank you, Lilly, for thinkin' of me.. See that-- what you're feelin'-- that's why I got ya the cake.. You understand? Somethin' nice.. Just because." In the sea of his deep green gaze there is nothing but truth and trust..

He got me a cupcake.. Just because he thought it would make me happier.. To see me smile.. To show me that he cares..

The Tiger told me the truth when he said he could make me feel powerful, because I do.. Sitting atop a real mountain man, with my knees on either side of his narrow hips, I push my hands against his tattooed chest to feel his heartbeat as I lean forward to brush my mouth against his.. Prickly stubble and soft lips accept me, parting in welcome to breathe in my nervous desire..

I drag a finger across the inky print on his right pec.. "What does this mean.. Sem-per fie-dellys?"

He looks down to where I trace the letters.. "Semper Fidelis.. It means 'always faithful'.. Loyal.. The Marine motto.. Its who I am."

"Like a soldier?"

River chuckles confidently and winks at me, making a joke I don't quite understand, but like the way he tells it.. "Aye, like a soldier, except better."