She felt jealousy rear its head. “Who was she?”
He turned her sideways on his lap and bent her back a little, leaning over to gaze into her eyes. “Does it bother you thinking that some female has a hold on me that you don’t? Tell me the truth.”
“You keep telling me you want me to be your mate, but no one wants to be a man’s second choice. I refuse to be compared to another woman and always found lacking. I’ve already had a boyfriend like that once. It made me feel shitty and tore me up. I loved him, but he took off the moment he heard his ex-girlfriend had filed for divorce from the man she’d married instead of him. He flew back to New York to try to get her to date him again.”
He snarled. “You still love him?”
“No. All I feel now is anger and a bit of self-loathing, because I knew it couldn’t end well as soon as I realized he was hung up on his ex. I was hopelessly naive and believed I could make him love me more.”
“Is there a male you love now?”
“I have bad luck with men. It’s the types I’m attracted to. They aren’t the kind of men who are good for me. Mel is drawn to bad boys. I’m drawn to self-centered pricks.”
“Explain.”
“They’re men who are incapable of loving anyone more than they love themselves. It’s all about them and what they can get out of a woman. They move on to the next one as soon as they feel they’ve taken all they want.”
“You didn’t answer me. Is there a human male you love?”
“No.” She could say that honestly.
“Good.” He softened his tone. “There is no magic pussy for me, Mary. I’ve shared sex with a few Species females, but I didn’t want to keep them. I want to keep you.”
“You don’t even know me.”
“I’m Species. I don’t question my instincts. I listen to them, and I am getting to know you. My instincts weren’t wrong. You are mine, and I’m glad.”
“Life isn’t that simple, Lash.”
“It is in my world.” He lifted his head, gazing around the room. “This is it, Mary. Our home.”
She followed his gaze. It was a beautiful space with the lights on. It almost felt as though they were outside, only there wasn’t summer heat or sunburns to contend with. The artificial trees gave the huge space a magical garden feel, and she did love that waterfall. The sound of running water had become soothing.
She spotted the bed hanging up near the far corner. That was the only problem.
“We could return to the Wild Zone if you don’t like our space, but I prefer it here. I’d worry about the other males sniffing after you, and Valiant stalks me anytime I get within a mile of his home. He fights me even though I’m not aggressive toward him. You couldn’t roam around without me at your side anytime we left my home there. We also tend to the rescued animals the humans didn’t want or have abused. Some have adjusted, but a few might attack you. I’d hate to have to fight with them just for following their instincts, but I wouldn’t allow anything to hurt you.”
“I appreciate that.”
He tugged at the towel wrapped around her body. “Take this off.”
“No. Food, remember? What’s taking so long?”
“You wanted yours fully cooked. That takes time.”
“They’re delivering it?”
“Yes. I used the phone and told them I’m hungry. They bring it to me. You saw me place a call when we left the bathroom.”
“That’s kind of nice that they deliver. You never have to cook?”
He shook his head. “They didn’t like it when I went hunting for my own food.”
She was almost afraid to ask. “Like rabbits or something?”
“I don’t enjoy killing live things and eating them.” His nose wrinkled. “I went upstairs into their kitchen. The ones who cook got angry because I’d taste things and spit it out if I didn’t like it. They said I made a mess. Now I use the phone and they bring my food. They make sure to remember what I like to keep me from hunting for food on my own again.”
She pictured him in some kitchen putting his hands in food, tasting it, and how that would drive a kitchen staff crazy. “You’re totally spoiled, aren’t you?”
He shrugged. “I like what I like. They want to keep me down here and out of their kitchen.”
A loud knock sounded at the door.
Lash quickly lifted her off his lap and rose to his feet. “Stay!”
She clenched her teeth, not appreciating his harsh tone or being treated as if she really were his pet. He strolled over to the door and punched in a code. She wished she could see the numbers, but he’d placed his body in the way of the pad.
He yanked open the door, and she twisted to the side trying to get a glimpse of whoever waited there. Lash took a big tray from the person, and then slammed the door closed. He came back to her.
“You didn’t even thank the person? Seriously?”
He growled and lowered back down to the floor, placing the covered tray between them. “They feed me or I go hunting. Wasn’t I clear about that? They don’t like it when I leave. Why say thank you for doing something everyone wants?”
“You’re so rude.”
He lifted the large cover on the tray, placed it aside.
She had to admit to being a bit impressed. Their plates were platter-size. The soda cans had her arching her eyebrows, but the sight of chicken-fried steak smothered in country gravy with mashed potatoes quickly made her forget the strangeness of being served drinks in cans with restaurant quality food. It smelled delicious, too. She reached for the plate.
“What are you doing?”
She froze and looked up at him. “Eating…or trying to.”
“I wanted that. You can have the fish.”
She looked at the other plate. There were at least three kinds of fish with rice and mixed vegetables. “I don’t eat fish.”
“I want that.”
She slapped his hand when he tried to reach for the food she’d chosen. “Next time, I’ll use the knife to stab you if you try to steal my plate. You’re keeping me here against my will. I get to pick what I eat.”
He scowled but withdrew his huge hand. “You’re rude.”
“I’m learning from you.” She lifted the plate off the tray and set it down in front of her. She also grabbed the soda she wanted before he could pick. He growled, but she grinned.
“Can I have bites?”
She unwrapped the cloth napkin to get her silverware. “Maybe.”
“You’re my female. We share everything.”
She began to cut up the steak and took a bite. Her eyes closed as she chewed. “This is the best chicken-fried steak I’ve ever tasted. The gravy is delicious, and so creamy!”
Lash growled.
She opened her eyes and grinned, enjoying giving him a sample of his own treatment. “One bite.” She stabbed a larger piece of meat with her fork and offered it to him.
He leaned in and opened his mouth. She was amused that he expected her to feed it to him, but decided it wasn’t worth an argument. She gently offered it to him, and he bit it off her fork. He chewed and swallowed.
“You should give me half of that. You’re small.”
She gripped the knife and pointed the tip at him. “Eat your fish. You can have whatever I don’t finish. That’s fair.”
“You’re a mean female.”
“I think I’m being quite nice. I’m not trying to stab you with this.” She cut another bite and put the knife down. “They really do have the best food at the NSO.”
“We hire human chefs. They cook for us.”
“I could get used to this.”
“Good, since they feed us every day.”
Lash ate his fish, watching his mate. Mary had already grown less fearful and acted more aggressive. He knew he’d pushed her too far and found it amusing that she gave him attitude back as they ate their meal. He hadn’t been wrong. She was his.
He slowly reached for the brownie on the tray, makin
g sure she was aware of his movement. Human females were supposed to love chocolate.
She lunged and grabbed it before his fingertips made contact. She lifted the small plate it rested on and put it next to her meal, shooting him what should have been a dirty look. He chuckled.
“What’s so funny?”
“I like playing with you.”
She glanced at the brownie, then him. “You don’t want it?”
“No. I ordered dessert for you to have. I just wanted to see what you’d do.”
She raised her middle finger. “How is that for a response?”
He grinned. “I know what that means. Offer accepted, but you said you wanted to eat first. I’ll mount you soon.”
She rolled her eyes and picked up the knife. He tensed slightly, but she cut into the food instead of pointing the potential weapon at him again. “You’re such a man.”
He was glad she saw him that way, instead of too animal, and relaxed further. “I am.”
“Is sex all you think about?”
“No. I like to play, too. Sleep. Swim in the water. Sometimes I go outside to frolic in the sun. I eat.”
She chewed, swallowed, and took another bite. Her gaze kept drifting around their domain, an odd expression on her face.
He couldn’t guess her thoughts. It bothered him enough to ask. “What are you thinking about?”
She didn’t respond at first, but long seconds later, she said, “I kind of envy you.”
“Why?”
“Do you have any responsibilities or stress in your life?”
“I worry about humans attacking.”
“Besides that.”
“I was lonely until you came.”
She dropped her gaze. “I think everyone is sometimes.”
“Were you lonely?”
“I work a lot, but I had Mel.”
He planned to point out that wasn’t really an answer, but she continued before he could.
“Most of my friends got married right after high school and now they’re knee deep in kids. My parents retired and are doing the whole RV trips across America all the time. It’s like a house on wheels, if you don’t know what one is. Mel was my social life, but now she’s with Snow. That means it’ll be an ordeal of some kind every time I want to see her. You can guess how I feel about that.”
“I’ll let her come visit you once she promises not to try to help you get away from me.”
That earned him a glare. “How big of you. I’m trying to have a real conversation here.”
He masked his features. “I’m listening. Talk.”
She studied him and put her fork down. “Mel quit the diner. It means I’m going to have to train someone else. It’s going to suck. I did everything with her. We had keys to each other’s apartments and spent a lot of time together. Her marriage happened so fast that I’m still kind of reeling. It’s totally stressed me out. I’ve tried hard to be supportive, she needs that since her parents are jerks. I’ve mostly been hiding how sad it makes me, though. As her friend, I’m glad she fell in love…but it means I’m losing daily access to my closest friend. It will change things between us.”
“You shouldn’t be sad. You’ll see your friend often now that you both live at Reservation. Snow’s home is upstairs in the hotel. You will quit your job, too. I won’t have you leaving the safety of our gates every day. It’s dangerous in your world. I want you right here where I can protect you at all times.”
“Get serious. You know you have to let me go at some point, and my boss is going to be pissed if it’s not today, since I’m supposed to work tomorrow. I can’t miss my shift. Joel doesn’t have anyone to cover for two people. We’re already shorthanded with Mel gone. I’m supposed to help him interview new waitresses. One of his nieces was going to go full time, but she changed her mind.”
He leaned in, holding her gaze. “I am serious. You’re mine, Mary.”
“Damn it, Lash! Get real. You already got what you wanted. After we finish eating, you need to open that door to let me out.”
“What I want is for you to understand and accept that you’re my mate. Why did you say you envied me?”
“You don’t work, don’t worry about whether you can make the rent if tips are bad, or where your next meal is coming from when you get sick enough to miss work for days. There are chefs who cook for you!”
“You are my mate. You now live here with me. We don’t pay rent.”
“Come on.” She gave him a frustrated look. “Be serious. You can’t really expect me to just stay here forever.”
“I do.”
“People don’t just meet and get married. That’s fantasy.”
“I’m Species. It’s our way.”
“I’m not, and that’s crazy.”
He regarded her as he inhaled, picking up a slight scent of her fear. He spotted signs of it in her eyes, too, and in the way she nervously flexed her fingers. He didn’t know much about humans, but he guessed she might feel panicked.
“Mary, relax.”
“I can’t. You’re screwing with me.”
He crawled closer to her. She didn’t flinch away but her body tensed. He sat inches from her and lightly pressed his body against her side, putting one arm loosely around her waist. Everything he’d learned about her flashed through his mind. He got the impression males had deeply hurt her in the past, and she’d admitted one had abandoned her for another female.
“I’m nothing like the males you knew.”
She lowered her chin, refusing to look at his face.
He guessed he had been right. “I’m never going to let you go. You belong with me. I’m going to take care of you.” He reached over with his other hand and gently cupped her stomach. “And any of our children we may have.”
She sucked in a sharp breath and her head jerked up, her eyes wide as she gawked at him.
“You could be carrying my offspring right now. Species can breed with humans. The one like me that I spoke of, Valiant, has one cub already and another one on the way with his human mate. That should tell you how serious I am about you. I took that risk because I never plan on letting you go.”
She shook her head. “You’re lying. Species can’t have kids.”
“We can. We just don’t tell humans. They are stupid and will attack us.” He rubbed her belly. “My cub could already be growing inside you.”
She moved faster than he thought possible, rolling out of his reach and getting to her feet. “You bastard!” She looked ready to flee, her gaze darting for an escape.
He slowly stood. “I don’t have parents. A surrogate birthed me. That doesn’t hurt my feelings.”
“You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Yes. Humans lie. Species don’t.”
“Does Mel know that Snow could get her pregnant?”
He shrugged. “Snow is mated to her now. I assume he told her.”
She backed up, glancing down at her body before bolting toward the door.
He growled, taking off after her. He caught her before she reached it and yanked her off her feet. She kicked and fought, clawing at his arms around her waist and chest.
He spun, carrying her toward the dinner they’d abandoned.
“Calm,” he snarled.
“Fuck you! You could have gotten me pregnant! That’s so screwed up. I can barely support myself.”
“I’ll care for you and any of our cubs.”
“Let me down!”
He slowly lowered her to her feet but didn’t let her go. He kept his body wrapped around her. “Take deep breaths.”
She nodded, and he eased his hold more once she seemed to be listening to him. She released her grip on his arms…
And suddenly surprised him by throwing her elbow back right into his stomach.
He grunted in pain, and she twisted. Her towel fell off as she sprinted away from him. He lifted his head to watch her run. She avoided the door that time, instead heading toward the bathroom.
&n
bsp; He rubbed his belly, finding a red mark there. He bent, scooped up her towel, and slowly followed. She was acting like prey again.
He grinned. She might be angry, but he was determined to make her accept him as her male. It just wasn’t going to be easy.
Nothing in life worth having should be.
Chapter Six
Mary sat on the toilet lid with her back pressed to the tank, both her feet braced against the closed door. It didn’t have a lock.
She would have been a lot better off if she’d just done that the first time she’d been in a bathroom at the hotel upstairs, instead of deciding to return to the reception and ending up inside an air vent. She wouldn’t have met Lash.
“Mary?”
His deep voice annoyed her. “Go away!”
He turned the handle and tried to open the door. She locked her legs. He pushed a little but didn’t apply too much pressure. He stopped, releasing the handle. His growl pissed her off more. She was the one who had a reason to be mad.
“Mary,” he repeated.
“Are you deaf? I came in here to get away from you. Leave me alone. Go hide on your bed. I’m sure bad humans are attacking Reservation right now, you paranoid asshole. Go be safe on your bulletproof platform.”
“Babies are a good thing. They are cute. Our son will look just like me.”
He tried the door again but she kicked it closed when he got it open an inch.
“Mary, you are being unreasonable.”
“Unreasonable? How about not using a condom knowing you could knock me up and only telling me after the fact? Do you know how careful I’ve been since I started having sex to avoid that very thing? I’ve always gotten on birth control if I started seeing someone and made them use condoms. I used double protection, damn it! Always!”
“Do you not like children?”
“I’ve never really thought about it because I haven’t been married or engaged before. That’s how it works. You date to see if they’re someone you want to spend your life with. Then you think about the future. Marriage. Kids. In that order. You don’t just seduce someone and keep them.”
“I’m Species.”
“I’m not!”
“Are we going to have this conversation with a door between us?”
Best Friends (New Species Book 15) Page 26