Best Friends (New Species Book 15) Read online

  “Thank you, Snow. I get that this is hard on you.”

  She really had no idea. “I keep thinking about how you could have been killed.” He stroked his hand down her back. “I’m going over scenarios in my head. What if the male shows up with a gun? What if he shoots you before we can get to him? You’re wearing a vest. Don’t fight me on that.”

  “He was trying to grab me. He wanted answers. Dead folks can’t talk.”

  “You hurt him when you fought him off. Bad males might change their motives and want revenge more.”

  She reached up and cupped his face. “I’m hearing you. I am. I’ve still got to do this. Do you believe in gut feelings?”

  “Yes. We call them instincts.”

  “Mine are telling me that I’m right, and if he can’t get to me, he might go after Mary again. I’m sure it’s linked to the shooting, since he broke into Mary’s place, too. Her and I were the ones working that shift. Mary is like family. Actually, I like her better than my real family. I’d talk Mary into moving to Reservation, but I know she won’t. I have a better chance of winning a billion dollars playing the lottery. She’s super scared of animals. Not that you or other New Species are animals.” She glanced around, giving his friends apologetic looks, before going on.

  “She’s even afraid of kittens, puppies, fluffy bunnies, and even those super-cute sloths. A customer came in a few months ago showing a video on her phone of a baby sloth getting a bath. It was adorable. Not to Mary. She said they look all cute but them bam! They might use those claws to attack. She even had a nightmare about it. It was ridiculous but…that’s Mary for you. She’s got the worst case of animal phobia that I’ve ever seen. There’s no way she could live with New Species.”

  Snow stroked her back more. “I understand, Mel. We are way more frightening than baby sloths.”

  Everyone inside the SUV chuckled.

  “Are you mad at me?” She appeared worried.

  “No. This is something you feel you need to do. I’ll support you.”

  “We all will,” Timber stated from the driver’s seat.

  They came up on the gates but they didn’t have to stop. Brass had called ahead. Snow liked that Reservation was laxer about the rules than Homeland at times. Otherwise, Mel would have to suffer a pat down by someone on duty every time she entered. He knew he could thank Brass for her easy clearance.

  Snow helped her out of the SUV when they stopped in front of the hotel, keeping hold of her hand. He couldn’t wait to get her upstairs and alone. He’d missed her, and the scare he’d had made his need to touch her almost unbearable.

  Brass stopped them before they could go inside. “We need to fine-tune the details of this mission. We’ll meet at eight in the morning for a shared breakfast.” His gaze locked with Snow’s. “You’re off duty for the next few days. Stay with your female.”

  “Thank you.” He knew the NSO would be supportive. Mel wasn’t officially his mate but he’d made his intentions clear.

  He took her into the hotel. Other Species were inside, but they kept back, giving grim nods his way. They must have heard what happened to Mel. He led her to the elevator and took her directly to his home. No one stopped or spoke to them. He was grateful for that.

  Once they were inside, he locked the door and pulled her into his arms. “I was frightened,” he admitted.

  She hugged him around his waist, nuzzling his bulky uniformed chest with her face. “I’m really okay. I’m a fighter. I wasn’t going to let that creep take me.”

  He separated them but snagged her hand, taking her into his bedroom. He immediately began to strip.

  Mel’s brows inched up. “Horny?”

  “I hate the uniform. Take off your clothing. This isn’t about sharing sex. I need to make certain you’re not hurt. Strip, Mel. Now.”

  She nodded, reaching for her long-sleeved shirt with the diner logo over her right breast. “I’d be okay if you were horny.” A small smile played at her lips. “I missed you.”

  He couldn’t bare his body fast enough. He just tossed his clothing into a pile until he’d removed everything and then went to her, dropping to his knees to help her since she was slower. His gaze scanned every inch of skin she bared. Besides her slightly red knuckles, a few light marks on her arms, she seemed fine.

  She lifted one of her feet after she’d taken off the socks and he saw three small bandages. He gently gripped her ankle and used his other hand to lightly push her back. She laughed as she landed on her ass on the edge of the mattress. He studied her foot. The smell of disinfectant hid any blood. The bandages weren’t stained.

  “It’s only a few small cuts from glass. They aren’t bad. Sheriff Cooper had a first-aid kit.”

  He released her ankle and walked on his knees closer, gently parting her thighs to make room for his hips. He cupped her waist and pulled her right up against his body before hugging her tight. He breathed in her scent. She was safe with him, in his home, in his arms.

  “I can’t lose you, Mel. I won’t.”

  She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “You won’t. I told you. I’m tough. I fought that sucker hard. He probably wishes he’d never messed with me. And bonus? Now I have an excuse to buy new dishes. I smashed most of what I bought throwing them at his stupid face.”

  He could tell by the light tone of her voice that she was trying to be funny but he couldn’t laugh. She felt so frail in his arms. And a male had attacked her. Tried to steal her away. It infuriated him. Frightened him. What if the male had hit her hard enough to break bones? Kill her? He’d seen too much death in his life. He knew how easily humans could die. Especially females.

  “I’m fine, Snow. I promise.”

  He nodded. “I’m going to make sure of that. Once this male is caught, move in with me. Stay with me, Mel. Mate me.”

  Her eyes widened.

  “I mean it. I’m certain. You’re mine, Mel. I’m yours. It’s that simple. I missed you when you were gone. You admitted to missing me. We shouldn’t be apart. It felt wrong.”

  “I did miss you but it hasn’t been long enough to make a lifetime commitment.”

  He felt pain in his chest at hearing her words. “I’ll convince you.”

  She smiled. “Does that mean lots of sex?”

  He chuckled then. “Yes.”

  “I’m all for that. Give it your best shot, Snow.”

  He kissed her, not holding back his need and desire to show her what she meant to him. His female moaned against his tongue, making his cock harden in an instant. He felt primed to take her but she wasn’t ready yet, her scent of arousal only faint. He let his hands roam her soft skin, remembering to be gentle.

  Mel clutched at him and rubbed her breasts against his chest. He could feel the tips of them as they tightened. Her scent changed, her need growing stronger as he rubbed his cock against her slit. He lowered her slowly to the bed, released her, and gripped her thighs to spread them apart. He nuzzled his face between them, growling as his tongue found her clit.

  Her little hands ended up in his hair. He growled louder, knowing she enjoyed the vibrations it caused. He licked, sucked, and focused on the swelling bud. Her moans increased, growing louder as he mercilessly took her to a thrashing climax.

  When he felt the bud softening, he rose up.

  It crossed his mind that he needed to put on a condom…but he had almost lost her. A human male could have taken her from him forever.

  He gripped the base of his cock and slid his other hand under her ass, dragging her to the edge of the mattress. He looked down as he lined them up and put the tip of his shaft right at her entrance. The urge to drive into her deep and fuck her hard hit—but he paused.

  Guilt surfaced as Mel panted, her eyes meeting his when he peered at her face. She was flush from her climax, trust shining in her eyes, and he realized he couldn’t be selfish.

  “Hold on.” He forced himself to release his shaft, slide his arm out from under her, and rose to his fee