Best Friends (New Species Book 15)

by Laurann Dohner

  “Why lie?”

  She chewed on her bottom lip, and then sighed. “It will make them feel better if they think Mel and Snow were a couple for a longer time than the truth, before making a lifelong commitment.”

  “What will you tell them about us?”

  She swallowed hard, seeming to think. “That I’ve been seeing you for a while, too. Maybe that we met while Mel was dating Snow. Lash, I could teach you how to read. I mean, if you ever want to learn.”

  He might consider it if it were important to Mary. He liked that she offered. “You’re a good mate…but you changed the subject.”

  She smiled and tapped her screen a few times. “I know. Okay. Be very quiet. I’m going to record a new outgoing message.”

  “What’s that?”

  She paused. “Listen.” She tapped her screen and seconds later, her voice came out of it. “Hi. You’ve reached Mary. You know the drill. I’ll get back to you when I can.” A beep followed. She tapped the screen again. “That was my old message. Now I’m going to record a new one.” She lifted a finger to her lips. “Hi. You’ve reached Mary. I’m spending time with a friend for a few days and cell reception is a crapshoot. I’ll get back to you when I can. You know the drill.” She stopped talking and tapped a button on the screen. “There.” She faced him. “All done.”

  He was surprised when she offered him the phone. He took it. “I still don’t understand why you plan to lie to your parents.”

  “I know, but it will make them worry less. Shit! I need to call my boss and Mel.” She held out her hand again.

  He returned her phone. “What do you plan to say?”

  “My boss knows Mel married Snow.” She touched her screen. “Don’t say anything.”

  A ringing started, and he realized she’d made it possible for him to hear the conversation.

  A gruff male voice answered. “I’m glad you called. We have two girls who are showing up at seven in the morning for interviews. Don’t be late.”

  Her nose crinkled. “Shit, Joel. I’m about to not make your day. I’m hung up with Mel for a bit.”

  “What in the hell does that mean? You have shifts to cover. I’d also like you to pick who you want to work with, since you can be a pain in my ass over Tina. For all I know, I could hire someone else who’s fucked a boyfriend of yours. I don’t need that bullshit again.”

  Lash frowned.

  Mary winced and held his gaze, mouthing I’ll explain later. She sucked in a sharp breath. “Just hire them both and change Megan’s shifts to mine. Leave Tina where she is so each of them can train a new waitress. I’m not sure when I can come back. I’ll be fine working with anyone but Tina. I’m sorry to dump this on you right now, but I have no idea when I’ll be done here.”

  “Goddamn it, Mary. Don’t do this shit to me. It was bad enough having Mel walk without notice.”

  “I’m sorry, Joel. Really. It can’t be helped. Mel needs me here. It’s a big adjustment and all that. I’m her best friend.”

  “And you’re my goddamn waitress, and you’d better be here at seven in the morning. Tell Mel to suck it up. She’s the one who decided to get married. Have her husband hold her damn hand. I’m running a business. Your ass better be here at seven, Mary.”

  “Don’t curse at my mate or give her orders,” Lash snarled. He wanted to hunt the human down and punch the son of a bitch.

  “Shit, gotta go. Sorry, Joel. Split up Tina and Megan like I said. I have my own mess to deal with.” She tapped the screen and slapped the phone against his chest. “What part of ‘don’t say anything’ did you not understand?”

  “I don’t like him.”

  “He’s pissed. I don’t blame him.”

  “No one speaks to you that way.”

  “No. You just snarl at me and bark out commands.”

  “I don’t bark.”

  She sighed. “Joel’s my boss.”

  “You don’t work for that male anymore.”

  She shook her head, staring at him. “It’s a good thing you’re so damn sexy.” A wry smile lifted the corners of her lips. “Well, I guess I don’t work for Joel anymore. I just screwed him over by not returning to work when he needs me the most. He’ll fire my ass anyway after this.” Her smile slowly disappeared, and she paled. “Shit. I just lost my job!”

  He saw panic on her face and tossed her phone on the counter near them. It made a clunk sound but he grabbed her. “It’s fine, Mary. You don’t need to work. You are my mate. I’ll take care of you.”

  He liked it when she threw herself against his chest and clung to him. “You better mean it, damn it. I’m not going to be forced to take a job shoveling cow shit.”

  He hugged her tighter to his chest. “No one would dare make you do that. I’d beat on them.”

  She laughed.

  He stoked her back. “I’m glad your mood is good.”

  “It’s called hysteria. I just gave up my job, Lash.”

  “You are my mate.” He lowered his chin to the top of her head and placed a kiss on it. “I hear the door. The males have returned. Stay here. Are you well, Mary?”

  “Just don’t be a loser, Lash.”

  He tensed. “What does that mean?”

  She pushed away from him, and he let her go. Her chin lifted and she stared into his eyes. “It means you’d better be certain of all the things you told me, and that I’m really your mate forever. You’re stuck with me now. No job means I can’t pay my rent or utilities when they’re due at the first of the month. I have zero savings after having to buy two new tires for my car, then I had a broken tooth filling replaced. I refuse to move back in with my parents. So yeah. You’re stuck with me now.”

  It was his turn to smile. “Perfect. I’ll be right back with the clothes Jaded brought.”

  He spun away, stalking toward the door.

  “You’re a crazy bastard…but you’re mine.”

  His grin spread. Mary had just verbally claimed him.

  Mary waited for Lash to leave the bathroom before turning and grabbing the phone off the counter. She dialed Mel, glad to have a few moments alone. It rang three times before her breathless friend answered.

  “Mary?!”

  “It’s me.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “I am. I don’t have much time.”

  “Oh shit. Is he holding you against your will? We’ll get you out!”

  “It’s not that.” Her gaze locked on the door. “You know way more about Species than I do. Can I trust him?”

  “Species aren’t big on telling lies. They’re pretty honest.”

  “He says he wants to keep me, that we’re mates, and he’s never going to let me go. What is their divorce rate?”

  “I don’t think they divorce ever.”

  A deep voice rumbled in the background but Mary couldn’t make out the words. Mel cleared her throat. “Snow just confirmed. Species mate for life. It’s a forever kind of deal. Why did you crawl into that vent?”

  “Two guys came looking for me.”

  “What guys?”

  “I don’t know. It’s irrelevant. So I can trust Lash not to dump me? I had to call Joel, and I basically blew that bridge to hell. I no longer have a job. At the end of the month, I won’t have my rent for the first. I do not want to live with my parents. I mean, they might be gone a lot but you understand. Then there’s the pregnancy thing. Did you know he could knock me up?”

  Mel sighed. “Yes. I didn’t tell you because it’s a big secret. I gave my word. I figured if I get pregnant by Snow, then we’d have asked for permission to tell you since that would be impossible to hide and you’ll so be my children’s aunt. I didn’t think you’d be getting naked with a New Species, either. Especially a Wild Zone resident. I haven’t met one of those yet but Snow says they’re…well…um…”

  “Lash is a lion man. He has some fur on his chest and a mane for hair.”

  Mel made a strange sound.

  “Are you laughing?”<
br />
  “No.”

  “Liar.”

  “Okay, it’s a little funny. I guess not all animals want to kill you after all.”

  “Were you planning on coming to rescue me?”

  “Don’t think I haven’t tried! Snow kept telling me you were safe and that they were working on a way to safely talk to you to make sure you were there willingly. He also said it smelled like you guys were getting it on a lot.” Mel lowered her voice. “Species are amazeballs at sex, aren’t they?”

  Mary felt herself blush. “Yes. But I’m not discussing that with you. We’re moving to a suite upstairs to let workers in to fix the air conditioning. I want to see you soon.”

  “Are you really okay with Lash?”

  She hesitated. “I am. He’s a bully, spoiled, a bit rude…but he’s also sweet and sexy.”

  “I guess you didn’t need me to throw my bouquet at you after all.” Mel laughed. “Or maybe it was because you were going to be the only woman to catch it, so fate knew you’d be the next one taking a trip down the aisle.”

  “Shut up. I love you, bestie. I’ll see you soon.” She ended the call and replaced the phone on the counter.

  Chapter Eight

  Mary loved the hotel suite they’d just toured. It was probably the nicest one she’d ever had the pleasure of getting to stay in. It shouldn’t have come as a shock, though, since she had been told Justice North and his mate usually stayed in the unit while they visited Reservation.

  It had a huge living area, two nicely decorated bedrooms with private baths, and a balcony that showed off beautiful views of rolling hills, trees, and a river in the distance.

  She turned away from the sliding-glass doors to the balcony to watch Lash opening cupboards in the kitchenette area. He looked out of place in the fancy setting, especially wearing just his loincloth. It had her smiling. He peeked into the fridge next, before moving on to the microwave.

  “No humans hiding anywhere, right?”

  A low growl came from him as he turned to face her. “My mate thinks she’s funny.”

  “I am. Jaded said there’s a ladder attached to the side of the balcony that reaches the roof. Do you want to go up there to make sure nobody is lying in wait to attack?” She stepped out of his path.

  He hurried to the slider, unlocked it, and went outside. She could imagine him climbing up to the roof to check for hidden bad guys. It probably wasn’t nice to tease him…but he deserved a little shit after the crazy way he’d brought her upstairs. He’d tossed her over his shoulder as if she were a sack of potatoes and only allowed Jaded Wild to accompany them. It would have been nice to talk to a celebrity, but Lash snarled every time she’d tried to speak to the other New Species.

  Someone knocked at the door. She walked toward it, not afraid, since there would be a guard stationed outside. She was slowly adjusting to being around New Species. At least some of them. Most seemed downright docile compared to Lash.

  “Don’t,” Lash growled. He was at her side and in front of her a moment later. “Go to the bedroom.”

  “This is getting old fast, sweetheart.” She came to a halt. “What if it’s Mel and Snow? I’m not going to go hide in one of the bedrooms and miss their visit.”

  He scowled.

  “I quit my job, damn it. I’m here for good.” She pointed at her stomach. “Possible cub in there. Now stop being an ass and open the door or allow me to.”

  He flashed her fangs but spun, storming to the door and jerking it open.

  “Hello, Lash.” A tall New Species woman stood there with a suitcase. “Spare clothing for your female. They won’t fit well but it was the best we could do for now. You should send a team of our males to collect her things.”

  Lash took the case and tried to close the door in the woman’s face without a word.

  Mary lunged forward and under his arm. She grabbed the edge of the door, yanking it open. She pressed back hard on his chest. “Stop it!”

  He tried to push her gently out of the way to close the door again, but she stomped her bare foot over the top of his and threw back an elbow, hitting him in the stomach. He grunted.

  The woman in the hallway laughed, and so did the guard.

  Mary glared over her shoulder at Lash. “You’re being rude again. Introduce me. I’m going to teach you some manners.”

  “Why?”

  “So you’re not such a dick to others. That’s why.” She tore her gaze off him and looked at the woman with cat-shaped dark eyes. She was a little scary, since she was tall and muscled but terror didn’t strike Mary speechless. Maybe it was because Lash was with her. “I’m Mary. You are?”

  “Kit. I like you, human.”

  “Thank you for bringing me something else to wear. I appreciate it.”

  “No problem. I was following orders. Jaded told me to grab you the smallest things we had in our reserve stores of spare clothing. You won’t like the selections.” Her gaze lifted to Lash. “He won’t let you wear clothes, anyway. Medical supplies would be a more appropriate request.”

  Lash rumbled low; it not a nice sound.

  Mary frowned. “Medical supplies?”

  “You chose a Wild Zone Species as your mate.”

  Maybe Lash wasn’t the rudest New Species at Reservation, after all, she decided. “He wouldn’t hurt me.”

  The woman shrugged. “If you say so. I’m out.” She turned and strode down the hall.

  The guard snorted. “Ignore Kit. She’s just irritated that Lash never wanted to bed her.”

  Kit stopped near the elevator and snarled, spinning on her heels. “What did you say, Creed?”

  Lash lifted Mary and slammed the door, locking it. He carried her away right as something thumped loudly outside in the hallway. She twisted a bit, trying to see over his shoulder. “Are they fighting?”

  “The male won’t hit her back. I wouldn’t call that a fight.”

  “Wow. Okay.”

  He didn’t put her down until they reached the first bedroom. It had the same view as the balcony. He placed the suitcase down, too. “Is this room the one you like best or should we sleep in the other?”

  “That’s all you have to say?”

  He shrugged. “About what?”

  “You and Kit seem to have a history.”

  “No.”

  She crossed her arms and cocked her head, watching him. A frown curved her mouth downward. “She tried to sleep with you?”

  “Never.”

  “So that guard wasn’t telling the truth?”

  “She didn’t want to sleep in my bed with me. She wanted to share sex. I said no.”

  Mary let that information sink in. “Oh. She was pretty, though.”

  “My friends warned me about that female.”

  “What’s wrong with her?”

  “She’s mean to everyone. She got sent here because she angered many Species at Homeland. Jaded brought her here to work with him.”

  That surprised her. Jaded Wild was known in her world as a huge advocate for animal rescue shelters and national parks preservation. The news always showed him at one charity event or another, raising money and awareness for both. It was odd that someone so nice and caring hired a known troublemaker.

  “What is that confused look for?” He stalked over to her, studying her expression with narrowed eyes.

  “It’s just weird. Bad business, I guess, if she tends to anger people. Everyone knows who Jaded is. You’d think he’d hire someone else.”

  “He’s Species. We like challenges. He’d also never allow Kit to leave Reservation with him to be with humans.”

  “You mean mingle?”

  He shrugged. “He wouldn’t let her around cameras or humans who aren’t mates.” He turned away, investigating the closet and attached bath.

  It made her smile. “You won’t find any ninjas hiding in here.”

  He came back out, scowling. “What are ninjas? Are they bugs?”

  “Never mind. It was a bad jo
ke that you didn’t understand. Relax.” She took a seat on the bed and smiled. It felt like she’d plopped down on a fluffy cloud as she sank into it. “I think it’s one of those fancy memory foam mattresses. I always wanted to buy one but they’re too expensive.”

  Lash cocked his head, watching her.

  “What?”

  “You like the bed?”

  “Yes.”

  He reached for his loincloth and yanked it off. Her gaze lowered to his cock. It hardened as she watched, thickening quickly. A low rumble came from him. She lifted her gaze up his muscled stomach and wide chest to his face. His tongue darted out to lick his lips, reminding her how amazing it felt when he ran the tip of it across her instead. A jolt of arousal hit.

  “We should test this bed to make certain you like it. Strip, Mary. Take it all off, or I’ll do it for you.”

  In other words, she figured he’d rip them off. “Horn dog.”

  “I don’t know what that means. Strip.”

  “So damn pushy, but I’m not complaining.” She stood, removing her borrowed clothes. “It’s a great thing you’re so damn hot with that killer bod. It makes up for how you like to order me around.”

  He grinned wide, showing his fangs in the process. “My mate finds me attractive.”

  “I do.” She stepped closer to him when she was naked.

  He lunged, grabbed her, and she squealed as her body went airborne when he tossed her. She landed with a small bounce on the bed.

  Mary sputtered and shoved her hair out of her face. “What the hell?”

  Lash chuckled as he climbed on the bed toward her.

  She struggled to sit up, shooting him a glare. “That wasn’t funny. You threw me.”

  “You wanted to test the bed. It’s soft.” He lunged again, knocking her onto her back and pinning her under him. He grinned. “My mate isn’t hurt. I’d never allow that to happen. I knew it was soft. Species bought it.”