“You said you like ribs. That’s what I planned for our dinner together. There will be only one fork to eat the side dishes with.”
“That sounds perfect.”
“I want you to be comfortable in my home.”
“I’m sure I will be.”
“It’s not as colorful as yours. Perhaps you could help me with that.”
She laughed, and he let all the tension in his body go. He and Mel were attracted to each other, and she was a nice female. He knew that about her from all the times he’d watched her work in the diner, hoping for a chance to speak to her alone. He had just never been allowed to go into town by himself. She’d seemed shy, and he hadn’t wanted to spook her. He’d been patient, hoping she would approach him.
The drive to Reservation wasn’t long, and he had gotten special permission to bring Mel in without her being searched. She’d shot humans to protect Species. It proved she wasn’t a threat…and they’d already run a background check on her. It was standard procedure after she’d been brought in with a medical emergency. The SUV only slowed, not having to stop at the gate. He didn’t feel it would be a good start to a date to have her patted down by a guard.
Timber glanced at him in the rearview mirror, almost seeming to read his mind. He and the other males had vouched for Mel.
They continued to the hotel, and he exited out of the side door once parked, helping her wiggle off the seat. Torrent brought her bag, and Snow accepted it. He glanced at the team. “Thank you.”
Mel stayed close to his side, her hand clutched in his. They approached the front of the hotel, and Mel’s steps slowed until she came to a stop. He glanced down, worried that she’d changed her mind.
“I thought we were going to your house.”
“I live here, Mel.”
“Oh.”
“Some of our males have homes in the Wild Zone, but most Species live in suites inside the hotel. They were remodeled after we bought Reservation.” He took her inside and led her to the elevators. “They are now like human apartments. I have a kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bath. They took down walls to combine the units into larger quarters.”
She smiled. “That’s cool.”
“The NSO wants us to be comfortable and not have to share personal spaces.”
He punched the second-floor button and they rode up in silence. He stepped out first, keeping a hold on her hand, and took her down the hallway to his place. He let her go, reached inside his back pocket, and slid his card though the reader. It turned green and he opened it, motioning her to go in first. She slowly entered.
He’d left the curtains open. Sunshine lit the space to show off how clean he kept it. It was imperative to him that he impress Mel and show her that he didn’t want her to be his maid. He watched her expressions as he used his foot to close the door and placed her bag down. She strolled into his living room.
“It’s super nice and roomy.”
“Thank you. I didn’t pick much in the way of furnishings. Some human designer Justice hired did.”
She turned, facing him. “There is some color. I like light blues and browns.”
“Justice didn’t want us reminded of our cells at Mercile. They were a dingy gray.”
After a moment of silence, she licked her lips. “Are you as nervous as I am?”
“A little. I’m afraid I’ll frighten you but I won’t mean to.”
Her expression gentled. “Show me the rest of your place, if you don’t mind.”
“My home is your home.” He meant that. He wouldn’t mind if Mel stayed forever. Just imagining having her with him all the time made his chest ache. He’d been alone his entire life. The idea of sharing his living space with Mel sounded wonderful. “This part was once another hotel room, but they removed the bathroom and put in a kitchen, and then made this my living room.”
She walked to his kitchen island across the room and ran her fingers over the granite. “It’s way nicer than the one at my place. You even have a dishwasher and built-in microwave. I don’t have either of those things.”
“It’s compact but efficient. Some units have kitchens but others don’t. There are males who aren’t comfortable with cooking. We have a cafeteria on the ground floor that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is also a fridge for anyone who gets hungry in the middle of the night, stocked with snacks and sandwiches.”
“That’s convenient and pretty cool. I don’t think I’d ever cook if I had that option downstairs. Is the food good?”
“It’s excellent. Justice hired skilled humans to cook for us. Our dinner is coming from there. I hope you don’t mind that I didn’t do the cooking myself. I didn’t want to risk giving you food poisoning on our second date.” He grinned. “Barbecue ribs are beyond my skill set. They will deliver our meal at six. I thought that would give us some time to talk and unwind.”
“It sounds perfect.”
“Let me show you the bedroom and bathroom.” He felt nervous again. “Not that I’m trying to lure you in there for the purpose of sharing sex.”
She smiled. “You’re nervous too.”
“Yes,” he easily admitted. “I care about you and don’t want to mess this up.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Anything, Mel.”
“I noticed you always say ‘sharing sex’ instead of ‘having sex.’ Is that a New Species thing?”
He nodded. “Sharing sex is something a male and female do together. Having sex doesn’t sound right to us. Your kind say that, but we see your news stories on our televisions. Not all your males care about a female’s consent. It’s just how we speak and view things. Like the way we say male and female, instead of man and woman. We’re like you, but not. To say sharing sex makes it clear both of us are equally involved.”
Mel stared up at him for long seconds.
He wondered if he shouldn’t have been that honest.
A smile curved her lips. “I like that.”
She took the lead and entered his bedroom. It was a big space with a king-size bed, a large television, and two dressers. He hated to hang his clothing and rarely did. He used the closet to store his work uniforms, shoes, boots, and weapons. He had closed the doors to that small space, worried the sight of guns might frighten Mel.
“Wow.”
He wasn’t sure what that meant. She liked color, and his room didn’t have a lot of it. “I meant it when I said you could help me decorate. I’d love those hanging sheets around my bed.”
She turned to him. “Really? You’re not just saying that? I think it’s kind of exotic to have drapes enclosing a bed. I always wanted to get one of those bamboo beds with the pretty, sheer curtains, but they were far too expensive. I kind of made my own by hanging bedding from the ceiling. Actual curtains were out of my budget.”
He drew closer to her. “I used to sleep on a pad on the floor. Your bed looked comfortable and cozy. It was very appealing.”
She turned to face him. Her gaze was soft, a look of almost concern in her eyes. He liked her staring at him that way, as if she really did care. He hoped she did.
“Do you want to tell me about Mercile?”
“Perhaps later. It’s not a good story.”
She surprised him by reaching out and resting her hand on his forearm. “It’s part of who you are. I’d like to know everything. I told you a bit about my life.”
He believed her. “We’ve got all the time in the world to learn about our pasts. I’m more interested in the now.”
She smiled. “Are you afraid I’ll run if I find out too much, too fast? I feel that way about my own past sometimes. My family is kind of crazy.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her she didn’t have anything to be ashamed of. He’d read the background check the NSO had done on her. She had worked three different jobs as a waitress, had no arrest record, and had lived in two places during her life.
Guilt surfaced. He should confess that he knew that informati
on, but he’d been warned some humans grew angry when they found out about the NSO digging into their lives. He changed the subject. “You haven’t seen the bathroom yet. I think it’s a nice one.”
She slid her hand down his arm and curled her fingers around his. He clasped them and she turned, leading him out of his bedroom and back into the living room. She kept going, walked to his couch, and tugged on down. They both sat next to each other. She held his gaze.
“Breathe. That’s what I’m doing.”
She was trying to put him at ease. “I am nervous.”
“Have you ever dated someone like me before? I mean, not New Species?”
“You’re my first human.”
“You’re my first New Species.”
“I’d like to be your last and only.”
She blushed and dipped her head before looking back up at him. “I don’t know what to say to that.”
“I know I move too fast for you.”
“You’re very confident.”
“Because I know what I want.”
“We barely know each other.”
That was true. He couldn’t deny it. “I’ve been drawn to you since I first saw you. I was too worried you’d be afraid of me if I approached. I was waiting and hoping you’d come to me. I’ve taken every opportunity to eat at the diner to see you since coming to Reservation. I even asked to be assigned to the team sent to speak to Sheriff Cooper for our regular meetings, to give me the opportunity to see you. I like all the things I’ve learned about you, Mel.”
“Like what?”
“Your smile. The way your voice softens when you speak to me. I’ve caught you watching me while I eat, but you always glanced away before I could smile. The way you speak fascinates me. I could listen to you all day and night. You’re a bit shy, and I like that, too. It’s endearing when you blush. You’re as sweet as you scent when we talk. I’m also strongly sexually attracted to you. You make me feel protective, like I want to just take you home with me to keep. My instincts tell me you belong here, with me. It’s just that simple.”
“I’ve felt this big pull toward you, too, since I first laid eyes on you.”
Her admitting as much made him feel happiness. “Instincts.”
“Is that what it is?”
“Yes.” He wanted to kiss her but resisted the urge. “Humans seem to ignore them, but Species don’t.”
“Aren’t you afraid of getting hurt? What if I end up being the wrong person for you? We could be a disaster.”
“I’m willing to risk it.”
She nodded. “Me too. That’s why I’m here.”
“I’m glad you are, Mel.”
“I’m still nervous.”
“Tell me why. You can talk to me about anything. I’d welcome it.”
She chewed on her lower lip with her smooth teeth before speaking. “We’re so different. And I don’t want to fall in love with you—which I suspect is going to be unavoidable—because I’ll get my heart broken if we break up.”
He released her hand and slid off the couch, shoved the coffee table out of the way, and then faced her on his knees. He gently spread her thighs, inching closer, and cupped her face with both hands to peer deeply into her brown eyes.
“I’m a male who won’t do that, Mel. You can trust me. I know what I want. I just need to show you how good we can be together.” He glanced at her mouth. “I’m going to kiss you.”
She licked her lips and nodded. “Okay.”
He leaned in, closed his eyes, and brushed his lips against hers.
He didn’t have a lot of experience at kissing. Some of the female Species he’d shared sex with didn’t like it. A few had taught him, though. He used that skill now, when it really mattered.
He just held back a bit not to startle her with the amount of need he felt to taste her.
Snow took his time before he dipped between her slightly parted lips and teased her tongue with his own.
He groaned, his cock instantly responding to how right she felt and tasted to him. She met his kiss, her hands clutching his arms instead of trying to shove him away.
He pressed against her. Mel submitted to him by leaning back, seeming to welcome his body pushing hers into the couch. Passion burned higher, and he wanted to strip her bare, run his mouth and tongue all over her skin and taste every inch.
Melinda was his. He just knew it. She was meant to be his mate.
He didn’t want to rush her, though. Some of his friends had warned him that human females could panic if things moved too fast. They’d been taught to be leery of human males. He’d also seen plenty of their movies, where males did hurtful things to females.
He backed off and broke the kiss but stayed close, locking gazes with her.
“I’m not going to hurt you, Mel. Can you trust me?”
She nodded, a little breathless. “I’m willing to try.”
He smiled. “Good. Now, I need to put a little space between us or we’ll end up in bed already. I’m certain you’d like to eat first, and I have a feeling I won’t want you to get dressed once I get you out of those clothes.”
She blushed, and he found it delightful. He forced himself to back up then take a seat next to her on the couch, keeping a good foot between them. The urge to pull her onto his lap surfaced but he resisted. “Tell me more about you.”
She licked her lips again, turned her head, and met his stare. “What do you want to know?”
“Anything that you want to tell me.”
“I’d like you to kiss me again.”
He didn’t hesitate. He scooted closer and twisted his body enough to cup her cheek with his hand. She lifted her face, and he pressed his mouth to hers in the next instant.
She clutched at him when he deepened the kiss. Desire heated Snow’s blood, and his cock turned rock hard.
So much for slowing things down. He just wanted to get her naked on his bed, explore every inch of her body, and claim her.
He broke the kiss again, panting. “Mel, we need to stop or I’m going to undress you.”
“Dinner comes at six, right?” Her gaze held his, and she was breathing hard, too. “We should probably work up an appetite. I’m all for getting naked.”
He forgot about good intentions and kissed her again.
Chapter Six
Mel caught fire the second Snow took possession of her mouth. She felt as if she were running a fever, and Snow was the cause. He heated her up all over. Nobody had ever kissed her that passionately before. She couldn’t even think, nor did she want to.
For once in her life, she shoved away that voice of reason that warned about being careful. The sensations Snow caused with his tongue made her actually hurt between her thighs. Her clit began to throb. She wanted him inside her so desperately that it became a physical ache.
His skin also felt hot under her hands where she touched him. She restlessly explored, hating the feel of his shirt over his back. She shoved at the material, trying to get it out of the way.
Snow ended the kiss, and she opened her eyes to find him staring at her. They both breathed hard, his face looking a little flush, probably just like hers. The blue of his eyes was captivating. She wanted to stare into them forever and a day.
“Wow,” she got out.
His nostrils flared, and he growled, his gaze lowering between them to where her spread thighs and his groin were wedged together. She figured out quickly what he was smelling. It was her. She was so turned-on that she had to be soaked.
That was another new thing. No man had ever made her that needy.
“I want you so much. Tell me to stop.”
His voice came out with a bit of a growl to it, making him even sexier. She knew she should take his advice. He was urging her to put on the brakes, slow down what was happening between them.
Instead, she blurted the first thing that came to mind. “It’s our second date.” She sat up and pressed herself against him. “Bed or couch? I don’t care.”
“I’m not afraid of you.”
“That might change if I get too aroused. Species tend to make a lot of noises that frighten humans. It would kill me inside if I frightened you.”
“Consider me warned, and I don’t scare easily. I want you to be yourself, Snow. I’m way tougher than I look. Don’t hold back. I can handle your sounds.” She smiled. “You’re like chocolate. I can’t resist. Let’s do this…we both want to. The nervousness we feel will only increase with all the sexual tension. It’s like ripping off a bandage. Let’s just get naked together. I’m willing to risk it, even if it’s awkward.”
“Why would it be?” He cocked his head.
Her gaze ran down his body. “You’re like a fitness model or something, Snow. Your muscles have muscles.” She waved a hand down her own body. “Nobody has ever asked me to do a porno movie, despite me tormenting my mama about it. You’re hot—and I’m average. I’m okay with that. It’s not like I have low self-esteem, but I’m a realist. You could literally have anyone.”
“Porno movie?” His eyebrows arched.
“Sex video. Whatever you want to call it. Directors weren’t beating down my door. Not that I wanted them to, but you know what I mean.”
He looked confused.
“Maybe you don’t.” She tried to think of how to word it better. “Super-attractive women get offers to star in sex movies. It’s not exactly a respected profession. Anyway, no one would ever approach me to do something like that. I just don’t want you to be disappointed because I don’t have firm muscles, and I kind of have a rounded stomach. Don’t look at my butt too closely, either. I’ve got some flab thanks to my love of pie and chips. I’m not going to look like those lingerie models do in ads. That’s all I’m saying.”
He grinned. “Good. They look as if they are starved and too skinny. I never think about sex when I see them. I wonder why no male is feeding them more.”
She laughed, relaxing. “I want to buy them a big bacon cheeseburger and an extra-large plate of fries.”
Best Friends (New Species Book 15) Page 7