Smiley (New Species) Read online

  “I’m not ready to settle down but he’s making me reconsider it.”

  Vanni was happy Beth was okay. “Just be safe.”

  “I am. I have ‘bat man’. You sound exhausted. Go sleep and call me when you wake up. I want to hear from you often.”

  “I promise. Love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  Vanni hung up the phone. At that point she just wanted to get clean and take a nap. She took a quick shower and stepped out of the stall, using two towels to dry off. The house was nice, fully furnished and they’d even stocked the bathroom with every personal item a person could need. She had shampoo and conditioner for her hair, body wash and even a new toothbrush with toothpaste to brush her teeth. She did that next.

  She exited the bathroom and approached the dresser, unsure what kind of clothing she’d find. They had to be better than the scratchy T-shirt and shorts she’d bought at the discount shop. The top drawer contained a few neatly folded T-shirts with the NSO logo. She removed one and liked the feel of the soft material. It was a triple-large size. An investigation of the other drawers revealed a few sweatshirts, sweatpants and shorts. None of them were even close to her small size. She sighed and put on the big T-shirt. It fell to her thighs as if it were a nightshirt.

  There was a guard posted outside her door if she needed anything but she decided to wait awhile before asking if they had anything that would fit her better. She couldn’t go shopping with Smiley just wearing a baggy shirt. The bed was large and she was eager to climb under the covers and sleep. One glance at the nightstand assured her she wouldn’t miss the call from her family when it came.

  Apprehension struck when she heard a noise in the living room. She spun and crept toward the hallway. A quick glance for something to use as a weapon yielded no results.

  “Hello?” She hoped her fear didn’t sound in her voice.

  Vanni gasped when a man stepped into her line of sight. She jumped and bumped into the wall. A pair of attractive brown eyes stared back at her and she calmed once she recognized Smiley. It was a surprise to see him inside the house but her fright evaporated.

  “I knocked but you didn’t answer.”

  She took a hesitant step forward, her heart still doing a number in her chest. “I was in the shower.”

  He remained still. She studied him from head to foot. His hair was wet and he looked as if he’d showered recently too. The dark-red tank top accentuated his tan, muscular arms and broad chest. It had been tucked into a pair of faded denim jeans that hugged his hips and thighs. He wore no shoes and the sight of his bare feet surprised her. Her gaze lifted to his face. He was as handsome as she remembered. His lips parted.

  “Don’t be afraid, Vanni. Please don’t bolt to one of the bedrooms and lock the door. I was worried and wanted to check on you.”

  She nodded. He made her aware of her body and the fact that she only wore a baggy T-shirt. She didn’t even have clean underwear so she wasn’t wearing any at all.

  Smiley raised one hand and motioned her closer. “Would you come into the living room and speak to me? You’ve been through an ordeal. Are you okay?”

  That was sweet of him. She took another step closer and then another. He held still, just dropped his arm at his side. She paused a few feet away. He smiled, his expression softening. It encouraged her to answer him.

  “I’m just a little tired. I didn’t sleep much last night.”

  “You should allow our doctors to check you. They are excellent at what they do.”

  “I don’t need a doctor. Really. I just have a little bruising from the Taser darts and from the fall.”

  The smile disappeared and a low grunt came from him. He appeared angry all of a sudden. “Who Tasered you? What fall?”

  “Gregory Woods had his guard stun me and I hit the floor. I thought you’d know about that. I mean, I told Justice.”

  “I haven’t spoken to him.” His gaze traveled down her body. “Where are you hurt?”

  “My back. I was trying to escape out the front door when I was tagged with one of those electric dart guns. It’s really not bad.”

  Smiley took a step closer, almost touching her. “Let me see.”

  He smelled like soap and man. It stirred instant memories of the last time they’d been that close. She tilted her chin up to keep her gaze locked with his. He had really beautiful eyes and she felt lost in them. The sunlight coming in through the windows showed small swirls of darker brown in them. They were truly breathtaking.

  “Let me see.” His voice was almost a whisper.

  Vanni had to force her mind to work, reminding herself what he wanted to see. The attraction she felt for him made her a little befuddled. Images of them kissing and what they’d done in the SUV kept flashing through her mind, which made it difficult to focus on his words. “I’m okay. It’s just minor stuff. Really.”

  “Vanni,” he rasped, “let me see.”

  She forced her legs to move and retreated a step. “Um, it’s my shoulder blade.” Her hands opened against her thighs, the feel of the fabric there comforting. “I can’t.”

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t have anything on under this. I didn’t want to put on the only pair of panties I have until I can wash them.”

  He glanced at her thighs and then back up. “I still want to see.”

  She swallowed hard. “I’d be naked.”

  “I don’t have a problem with that. I’d enjoy it.”

  Whoa. He actually said that. She wasn’t used to men being so frank.

  “I’ve seen you before.”

  As if I need a reminder. More flashes of that night popped into her head. Smiley without his shirt after she’d torn it. Him leaning over her, his lips brushing kisses along her neck. Her nipples pebbled when she remembered him nipping her shoulder with his teeth. She quickly crossed her arms over her chest to cover them in hopes he wouldn’t notice.

  “Um…” Her mind blanked.

  He inched forward. “You’re blushing.”

  She could feel the heat in her cheeks. “Um…” She retreated a step.

  He advanced one, pacing her. “You’re shy.”

  “Yes,” she got out.

  “There’s no reason to be. It’s me. Take off the shirt and turn for me.”

  Her lips parted but she wasn’t sure how to respond to that and didn’t want to sound like an idiot again. She swallowed and took a deep breath. “No.”

  A pained look flashed in his eyes.

  “I mean, I can’t take my shirt off. That’s, um, I barely know you.”

  Smiley’s eyebrows rose.

  “You know what I mean. We barely know each other. I mean, we do know each other but we were drugged. We aren’t now. I can’t just strip.”

  He offered a hand. “Let’s go into the living room. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, Vanni. We’ll sit and talk. I won’t ask again to see your injuries.”

  She timidly reached out and put her trembling hand in his. It was as warm and big as she remembered. He gently closed his fingers around hers and turned, waiting for her to follow. She appreciated it when he moved slowly, mindful of her hesitant steps until they ended up next to the couch. He released her.

  “Have a seat. Please.”

  She sat, tugging the shirt hem down to cover her knees. Smiley didn’t take a seat next to her but surprised her by crouching and pushing the coffee toward one end of the couch. He faced her, dropped to his knees and sat back on his heels. His smile looked a little forced.

  “Relax,” he urged. “We’ll just talk.”

  “Why are you there? You can sit on the couch with me.”

  “I’m better off here.”

  “Why?”

  He licked his lips. The slide of his tongue over them drew her attention and she focused on his mouth. “First off, thank you for not screaming when you discovered I’d let myself into your home. I was worried about you when you didn’t answer the door. I came in through a bac