Tiger (New Species Book Seven) Read online

He could only protect her if she were with him twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. He’d have to take her to his house, barricade the doors and windows and allow no one close to her. That wasn’t any kind of life for her to have. It would be a prison similar to the one he’d grown up inside. Mercile wouldn’t be her captor—he would be. She’d grow to hate him and he wouldn’t blame her. He knew he’d have to let her go soon before he became too attached. His chest hurt from the thought.

  Chapter Eight

  Zandy fought a yawn but lost as Richard watched from his desk. He grinned.

  “Didn’t you get enough sleep?”

  “Nope.”

  “I take it your date went well last night?”

  Zandy just grinned.

  “I’m glad to hear it. Did you get any sleep at all?”

  Memory surfaced of the times Tiger had woken her during the night to make love to her—at least four times. “Not much. At dawn I had to drive myself home to shower and get ready for work.”

  “You spent the night with him? That good, huh?”

  She winked and focused on the letter on her computer screen.

  “Does he have a name?”

  “Yes.” She refused to glance at him. No way was she telling him Tiger’s name.

  “I’m not going to leave you alone until you tell me who it is.”

  That made her turn her head and stare at him. He looked serious. “Fine. His name is Angel.” She grinned at the private joke. Tiger would probably laugh too if she told him about calling him that.

  “One of my kind.” Richard wiggled his eyebrows. “We’re sexy, aren’t we?”

  “One of your kind?”

  “Angel is a common Hispanic name. Latin lovers and all that.”

  “You’re off base there. It’s his nickname.”

  “He must not be too angelic if he kept you up all night.”

  “He took me to heaven quite a few times.”

  Richard laughed. “I’m glad that you met someone. So, is this going to be marriage number three?”

  “Bite your tongue, man.” She hesitated, thinking it wouldn’t be so bad sleeping with Tiger every night and waking up his arms every morning. He wasn’t looking for anything long-term though. “No. Neither one of us wants something too serious. I’ve been married and divorced twice. He’s not looking for a wife. We’re just having some fun together so don’t expect a wedding invitation.”

  “Do you know that saying about never saying never? Just remember that. You might fall for the man and I’ve heard the third time is the charm.”

  “Or three strikes and you’re out.”

  “Bah humbug. You’re too young to be so pessimistic.”

  She shrugged. “He’s not up for it even if I were willing to take another shot at a relationship. He seems to enjoy his freedom too much.”

  Richard smirked. “That’s what all men say until they meet the right woman. I thought about becoming a priest before I met my wife in high school. She changed my mind when I realized I couldn’t live without her. I have no regrets.”

  “That’s really romantic.”

  He shrugged. “I do need some help. Will you leave Reservation with me at lunch? Her birthday is coming up and I need a woman’s opinion. I want to buy her something nice but I have terrible taste in jewelry.”

  Zandy nodded. “Sure. What does she like?”

  “Not butterflies.” He chuckled. “I bought her a broach last year, thinking it was pretty but she wasn’t so thrilled.”

  “I bet. I’ll go with you.”

  He smiled. “Thanks. I don’t know too many women. My wife’s best friend was supposed to go with me but she’s sick. I have to buy it today to make sure I have time to have it inscribed. I also figure we’re going to be swamped here for the next week.”

  “Why?”

  “That press release last night is going to draw in some hate mail.”

  She wasn’t sure what he was talking about since she’d spent the night in the woods with Tiger but didn’t want to reveal that part. Her coworker would ask too many questions but of course the NSO had a lot of press conferences. They were already pretty busy but she figured they could handle an increase in mail. The system they had implemented for incoming mail was pretty effective and smooth.

  Thoughts of Tiger made the time pass quickly as she wondered how long they’d last and how their relationship would end. He wanted to see her again but hadn’t given her a time. She hated that he’d kissed her goodbye at her car and promised to call her. Her teeth dented her lip, worrying it might have been a brush-off line for goodbye.

  “Zandy?”

  She turned her head to peer at Richard. “Yeah?”

  “It’s lunchtime.” He stood. “Snow just pulled up to escort us. Don’t forget your purse today. I doubt they’ll ask for it since you’re with me but you don’t use the front gate, do you? I’m not sure they all know you. You should take your identification.”

  It stunned her that time had passed so quickly as she put on her shoes and followed him to the front door. Snow opened it before they reached it. A few minutes later he dropped them off at the parking lot near the front entrance of Reservation.

  “You drive a white minivan?”

  He chuckled as they climbed inside. “My wife has a matching blue one. We thought it was cute.”

  “It is.” She put on her seat belt.

  Richard drove them to the gates and whistled. “Wow. Look at that.”

  Zandy was shocked at what she saw. “Is it always this bad around lunch? I never leave this way.” They slowly drove past at least a hundred protesters after they exited through the gate. They were glared at as some of them shouted.

  “I guess they aren’t happy Justice North took a mate.”

  Zandy jerked her head to stare at him. “He did? If the locals had such a problem with them why did they buy land here for Reservation?”

  “How did you miss that news conference last night? It was on every channel. He married the daughter of some popular senator and all of them announced it together. Daddy was thrilled, she’s kind of hot, and Justice swears they are really happy. They sure looked it.” Richard paused. “These aren’t the town residents. Everyone who lives around here loves the New Species. All these assholes drive here to cause problems. The local motels won’t rent rooms to them so maybe that’s why they are so bitchy. They have to drive over an hour to stand out here being idiots and then at the end of the day drive another hour back.”

  Zandy laughed. “The local motels won’t rent to them?”

  Richard shook his head. “Nope. They put out big signs. Haven’t you seen them? They state ‘no anti-New Species persons’ allowed right there with the ‘no shoes, no shirt, no service’ signs. It’s kind of funny.”

  “That is. I’ve never visited any of the motels. I bought my house online and did all the paperwork by fax. I just moved here after the house closed. I’m glad Justice North is happy. I like him. I’m glad he found someone but I thought he’d take a New Species mate.”

  “You and everyone else.” Richard accelerated once they reached the highway that would lead them into town. “The fact that she’s human is going to stir up every asshole out there who has a problem with the NSO. We’re going to get slammed with hate mail but just remember to respond nicely.” He turned his head and winked. “Insult them back with polite sentences.”

  “Dear sir, your thoughts are much appreciated by our entire mail department because we laugh daily over your views and hope you have the kind of day you’ve wished on us too.”

  Richard chuckled. “Too bad we can’t just tell them to fuck off.”

  * * * * *

  Tiger snarled as he hung up the phone and glared at the males around him. “Lock it down and triple security. I want the males from the Wild Zone patrolling the long stretches of walls where we’re spread thin. Have them break into two groups, twelve-hour shifts and they can tear apart any trespassers if they somehow make it over the w