He laughed. “I’ll remember to avoid you if you have a marker.”
“I’d never do that to you.”
“I’m glad.” It was nice of him to come, but she just wasn’t sure what to say next. “Um…”
He stopped messing with the bag and looked up at her. “What is it?”
She hated being uncomfortable. It was something she should be used to after everything she’d endured growing up. Her mama and some of the town really had put her through the wringer every time she’d done something they hadn’t agreed with. She figured her cheeks might be bright red but she held her ground. “I’m sorry for some of the things I said after I got shot.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for unless you didn’t mean it.”
That stunned her.
He went back to pulling items out of the bag and setting them on her counter. They looked like to-go meals from the diner but she knew he hadn’t gotten them from there. It was still closed.
Snow folded the empty bag and lifted his chin. His gaze locked onto her. “I liked what you said. I even wore a tank top and jeans since you prefer them.”
She was torn between feeling happy and possibly making a beeline toward her bedroom to hide. She usually knew how to talk to men—but not him. He was a New Species. Her strong attraction to him only made matters worse.
“I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. Did I?” His tone softened and his expression grew somber. “I apologize. I was too blunt.”
“No.” She bit her lip. “I just don’t know what to make of you. That’s all.”
“Do I frighten you?”
“I wouldn’t have let you through the door if I thought you’d do something bad to me.”
“Pretend I’m completely human.”
She grinned. “But you’re not.”
“I could act as if I were.”
“Then you wouldn’t be you.” She shook her head. “That isn’t right. Nobody should expect you to change. You’d be miserable. Trust me on that.”
His eyebrows rose.
“I grew up in a small town. Real small. It makes this place seem like Los Angeles. Though, I went to Southern California with my best friend right before Christmas to see some of her family. It was a scary; there were way too many people. I don’t know how they get anywhere in cars. It just seems like folks sit in traffic for most of their day.” Mel shook her head, getting back to her point. “Anyway, there are rules to follow in a small town or you get treated badly. I hated doing all the boring things they found fun. I wanted more for my future than what my folks kept forcing on me. Nothing I did or said was ever good enough. It’s why I finally broke free and left. I just wanted to be who I am. I’m much happier now.”
“Do you enjoy living here?”
“For the most part. I’m kind of a sore thumb. I try to fit in but I see people looking at me weird when I talk. I dropped most of the accent but the way I word things still screams ‘farm girl.’ I can’t really deny it, since it’s where I came from. Some snobby people think I’m dumb as a post or slow. I’m really not. I’m just…me.”
“I think you’re perfect the way you are.”
Warmth spread through her at his compliment. “Thank you. Would you like to sit? The food can wait.”
“Sure.” He left her kitchen and stepped into her living room.
She turned and took a seat on the couch. He sat next to her, only a few feet separating them. Mel studied his face. He really was incredibly handsome, and his eyes were over-the-top sexy. “Do you want honesty?”
“I’d like that a lot.”
She took a deep breath and blew it out. “I’ve been attracted to you in a big way since I first saw you. You make me nervous, though, and I feel like a virgin on prom night. I’m not implying we’re going to have sex,” she rushed on. “It’s just an example.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
She laughed. “It depends on the virgin. Some can’t wait to get rid of it and others are purely terrified.”
“Which type are you?” He smiled.
“I’m kind of borderline. I thought about asking you out but you all don’t seem to date. I’d know it if a New Species had a girlfriend who lived here. Everyone would gossip about it. It hasn’t happened yet. And I don’t want to get involved if you’re only looking for sex. Some men like the chase and once they get what they want, they move on. I’m not that sort.”
“You’re not looking for a one-night stand?”
“No. I’m also not ready to jump into bed with you right off the bat, if you’re attracted to me, too, but that whole you-don’t-date thing stumps me. It’s tough to get to know you better to figure out what kind of man you are. I don’t know much about New Species, but I refuse to read that crap they print in the tabloids or listen to the trash talk on television. I mean, I’ve never been tempted to nail my cousins, and I sure wouldn’t marry any of them, but that’s how a lot of small-town folk are represented to the rest of the world. Though I know not all city folks are snobs or weirdoes. I’ve met some real nice people who are down to earth.”
“New Species don’t go out on dates. That’s true. It’s not because we’re opposed to it, but we tend to draw a lot of attention and crowds if we venture into the outside world. It’s not bad here in this town. We aren’t followed around, photographed, or attacked…usually. Homeland is another story. It is surrounded by large human cities.”
He placed his arm over the back of the couch and twisted his body more to face her. “Species don’t want to put anyone in danger, and some humans have been targeted after their association with us became known. That’s a deep concern to us. It can be life threatening when a human dates a Species. Not from our kind, but from yours. It’s also tough to date at Homeland or Reservation. Not too many places to take a date. We have a bar that serves food but most of us don’t drink alcohol. Our bars aren’t like the ones humans visit.”
“You don’t drink?”
He shook his head. “Alcohol tastes vile, and it doesn’t sound fun to get drunk. No one wants to be out of control and foolish in front of witnesses. We have bars as social places to gather, dance, and eat. We mostly drink coffee, teas and juices there.”
“That sounds nice.”
“Humans who date each other have privacy when they go out. We don’t. Everyone is curious about Species, and they watch the couple’s every move regardless of where they go. It is not fun to be stared at.”
“That does make things tough.”
He chuckled. “It does.” His humor faded. “I would love to take you out on dates but I’m afraid someone might notice if you began to regularly spend time at Reservation with me. You would leave the safety of our gates, and I wouldn’t be here to protect you. It’s happened in the past. A female was kidnapped after it became known she had spent time with one of our males who lived at Reservation. She was taken from this town.”
“I haven’t heard anything about that.”
“It happened a while ago. Her name is Tammy, and she mated to Valiant. Two males targeted us yesterday because they’d heard we visit town without the kind of precautions we use when we leave Homeland. It’s made us tighten security here for a while. I had to argue with someone to come visit you. There are three armed males outside in case of trouble. I’d like to spend time getting to know you…but I don’t want to put you in danger. I am attracted to you, Melinda.”
“It’s just Mel. My boss insisted on using my full name on the tag I wear at work.”
“Mel.”
He rasped her name in a growly way and looked at her as if she were an ice cream he’d like to lick. She crossed her arms over her chest again.
“What would you like to know about Species? Ask anything.”
“Anything?”
He nodded. “Yes. There’s no need to be shy or worry that I’ll become offended. This is us getting to know each other. Think of it as a home date. I would like to. We have food nearby and privacy. I wish I’d though
t to bring you flowers.”
“I’d sneeze. Roses and carnations aren’t my friends.”
He smiled. “What do you like?”
She hesitated. “You brought me food. That’s perfect. I’m not fancy. I usually feel uncomfortable in nice places. I went to one of those high-end restaurants with Mary when we were in Los Angeles. I didn’t even know why they gave me two forks. It seemed kind of wasteful to dirty an extra one. I couldn’t tell a salad or dinner fork apart to save my life.”
He laughed. “I wouldn’t know, either.”
“We went to a fancy rib joint, too, and you should have seen the looks I got when I picked them up with my fingers. That’s how you eat ribs. They were using forks and knives. That’s just weird. It was a pain when I tried it.”
“I had to learn how to use silverware but I still eat a lot with my fingers. We weren’t allowed forks or knives while I lived at Mercile. We got plastic platters of food. They didn’t even give us napkins; I licked my fingers clean. Sometimes I forget to use one, despite being freed, but I eat with other Species. They don’t care or look at me strangely. Eating in front of humans makes me nervous. I worry that I’ll offend or disgust them in some way. We do like our red meat bloody.”
She smiled, liking him a lot. He was down-to-earth. “I only eat my prime rib that way. I like it real pink but not raw. I don’t mind if you eat it that way, though. To each his own. I just don’t like the taste or how chewy it is if it’s too rare.”
“You’ve eaten rare meat?”
“Not on purpose. Let’s just say my cousin married a girl who couldn’t cook and invited me to dinner. She made a roast. We ate it, but it wasn’t cooked near enough. Nobody wanted to hurt her feelings. She was trying hard to fit in, and that isn’t easy when you’re a city girl moving to a small town. I wrote her a recipe to follow before I left, told her Ray loved that version with garlic. I was real clear about the temperature and how long to keep it in the oven.”
“That was nice. You can cook?”
“As if my mama would allow me not to. She dragged me into the kitchen to help her about the time I could walk. It gave her a break when I got older, so she didn’t have to do the cooking every night. It’s just the way it is where I was raised. Women cook and clean.” She shrugged. “It’s old-school thinking. My papa did all the heavy-duty outside chores, then would drink a beer and get waited on in the evening.”
“Are you old school?”
“Why? Are you looking for a woman who will clean your house, cook your meals, and do all your laundry?” She smiled to show him she was teasing.
He grinned in return and lifted his hand to his chin, tapping it. “Let me think.”
She laughed. “I’m a little more modern.”
He dropped his hand to his lap. “Fair enough. I learned how to cook. My skills are limited but I don’t starve. I do my own laundry and my home is clean. We aren’t big on messes. Dirty laundry and unwashed dishes stink, and we have sensitive noses.”
“Then I’m glad I was awake for a while before you got here and brushed my teeth.”
He laughed. “So am I.”
They regarded each other with smiles. He finally spoke again.
“What else would you like to know about Species? Any concerns or worries about me?”
“I don’t know. I’ve been so fixated on how to get close enough to talk to you that I hadn’t reached the stage of figuring out what I’d say if I did.”
“I really like you, Mel. It goes well beyond just the physical attraction.” He bent the knee closest to her and turned more. “Some females are concerned about our fangs.”
“I saw them. Not yours. You kind of talk with your lips close together. But one of your friends yesterday showed his after the attack.”
“I wouldn’t hurt you with them. It’s possible to kiss a Species without bleeding.”
“That’s good to know. I appreciate that.”
He chuckled. “They do have their advantages. I’m not sure if you’re ready for that conversation yet.”
“Go for it. I’m super curious.”
He glanced at her neck briefly before peering into her eyes. “Light bites feel really good with fangs. During sex…” He paused. “Are you sure I’m not making you uncomfortable? I don’t want to.”
She tried to imagine him kissing her and was glad her arms were covering her breasts. Suddenly it was the rest of her body that started to worry her. “How good is your sense of smell?”
“You buy coconut products. I like the way you smell, if you’re wondering. You aren’t wearing perfume, and I appreciate that. It makes me sneeze.”
“We better change the subject to something else then. I don’t want to be embarrassed.”
“There’s no reason to be. Are you shy about discussing sex?”
“It’s more of a worry about you picking up how I react to the conversation.”
He looked confused for a split second but suddenly smiled again. “Oh.”
“I have a real good imagination. You talking about all that makes me start to picture it.” Her cheeks felt warm, but despite that, she liked their forthright discussion. “I was raised on a farm. Not to be offensive…but I know a male anything can sniff out a girl feeling frisky.”
He leaned in closer. “I’ll control myself. You wanted to get to know me better, so I’ll resist touching if you do start scenting of arousal, no matter how much you drive me crazy. I put my own hand where it is to hide my reaction to you.”
She glanced down at his lap and saw the way he’d angled his hand down and across to his other thigh. His forearm covered his crotch. She lifted her gaze and found him staring at her again, a look in his eyes that made her feel even warmer.
Mel blurted the first thing that come to mind. “We have attraction down, then.”
“We do. You might have concerns about how a New Species would be in bed. Should I go on?”
She nodded. She had always been too curious for her own good. Right now, she suspected that curiosity was like shaking something red at a bull. It was just asking for trouble. Yet, she still wasn’t willing to ask him something safe and boring, like what kind of movies he enjoyed.
“Fangs,” he cleared his throat, “have their advantages. I wouldn’t even have to use my fingers to gain access to your clit. The fangs help with that. Species love the taste of aroused females. We’re very different from some of your males that way; we all enjoy giving oral sex. We need to taste, and nothing is sexier than making a female soaking wet while hearing her moans.”
Her heart rate increased, and she was tingling between her legs. “Now you’re being mean.”
“Why?”
“I admitted my last boyfriend was a dud in bed. Do you know how long it’s been since I had sex? Almost a year.” She smiled, amused. “Mean, Snow. Just mean.”
His nostrils flared as he inhaled. “You smell incredible. You make my mouth water.”
She hugged her body tighter and pressed her knees together more firmly. “Is it hot in here?”
“Yes.”
“Stop looking at me like that or we’re going to be in trouble. I’ll grab you, you’ll end up helping me get naked… Before we know it, we’ll be on the floor.” She breathed harder. “Then after you leave, I’ll hate myself.”
“I don’t want you just once, Mel. I’m different than the males you have known. Not all of them seem to appreciate females the way we do.”
“You’re not helping. I’m trying to resist. Must resist,” she chanted jokingly. Then she thought of something. “I don’t have condoms. I don’t keep any since I’m not seeing anybody. I always make a guy wear those. I’m afraid of diseases and double up on protection, but my birth control pills are also wonky for a month, according to your doctor. If you pull a condom out of your pocket, maybe that means you’d planned to seduce me. Which would make me wonder if you were only trying to use me for sex. Do you have any…?”
“No. I could turn out my pockets
if you wish. I did lie about one thing, but not this.”
“What did you lie about?”
“I do have cable. But your theory can’t apply to me, since I haven’t had it long and I’m not human.”
“That’s fair and valid. Why did you lie about it?”
“I was afraid it would make you not like me anymore if you assumed I’d be a bad lover.”
“Well, you got me halfway there just by talking and looking at me the way you are. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.”
“Halfway there?”
“Take another whiff.”
He leaned in even closer and his nose flared. His eyes closed, and his body tensed. He straightened in his seat before he opened them. “Cruel, Mel.”
She smiled. “I’m the one who’s going to have to change my bottoms when you’re gone. It’s not real comfy walking around wet down there.”
“I’m not real comfortable right now, either.” He shifted his ass on the couch and leaned back a bit more.
She glanced down. His arm wasn’t going to hide that bulge.
He looked down, too, and grinned. “Do you want me to apologize for my size?”
“No. But I have to be honest, that is a bit scary. I know some women say bigger is better, but I’m kind of not into pain.”
“I’d go slow and easy until you adjusted to me.”
“That’s not helpful. Your voice dropping that low and deep isn’t, either. You don’t know what you do to me when you sound like that. Notice my arms over my chest? It’s for a reason. I always react when you start talking to me.”
“Show me. I think I like you torturing me.”
“We’ve got to stop this, Snow. I can’t end up on the floor with you, and we’re heading there fast.”
“Why the floor?”
“This couch isn’t big enough for us to get frisky on. My bed isn’t, either. I have a twin-size. Not to mention, I’m not sure how you’ll feel once you see my bedroom. I went overboard in there, too.”
“I’d go look at it if I could stand without hurting myself. That’s almost a challenge.”
She laughed. “It’s even brighter, and there are sheets hanging from the ceiling around the bed. I always wanted something like that as a kid. I wasn’t allowed.”
Best Friends (New Species Book 15) Page 5