Justice Read online

  “I don’t wear dresses but thank you. Was I rambling about the damn things last night or something?”

  “You will wear this tonight.”

  Jessie frowned. “Why? What is tonight?”

  “You are going to a party with me. Don’t you remember?”

  Jessie shook her head and regretted it immediately. Movement was bad. “What party?”

  Breeze grinned. “This is going to really be good. You don’t remember us talking about it.” Her laugh sounded again. “You are going to a Species party as my guest. Other humans will be there and it will be fun.”

  “I don’t think so, Breeze. Justice was pretty clear that I’m banned from Species social gatherings and my head hurts so bad I just want to climb back into bed until next week.”

  “I have made all the arrangements and you’re going. It is a done deal.”

  “Did I mention I don’t wear dresses? My father is a senator and he dragged me to so many benefits growing up that I can’t stand the sight of them.” Some of the pain in her skull eased, a sign the pills were working and she peered at Breeze warily. “Plus, you know someone is going to mention to Justice at some point that I went to that party. I don’t want to fight with him. When we talk I don’t want there to be yelling involved.”

  Breeze sat on the counter. “This one you will go to and you will wear a dress. I want you to put on makeup the way your women do and we’ll have fun. It is settled and I’ll howl if you argue. I’m mixed with canine and have been practicing.” She grinned, obviously proud of that. “It’s loud enough to make your ears want to bleed, so shut up, my friend. Now I will wash your hair for you and you will get out of the tub before your skin wrinkles. We only have a few hours to get ready since you slept all day.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Four in the afternoon.”

  Jessie groaned. “It can’t be. I had to work today.”

  “I told Ellie you would not be in today. She went on the internet, sent a human to pick up the things she chose from the outside and they delivered it all to the gate. She bought you everything for tonight. I had to come get one of your shoes and look at your bra to get your sizes. I hope you don’t mind but I borrowed your key to the front door. We went to a lot of trouble so don’t argue, Jessie. You are going to that party if I have to carry you. I did it last night and I’ll do it again. Now, scoot away from the edge and let’s wash your hair.”

  Two hours later Jessie felt a hundred times better. The aspirin had fully kicked in, the bath had helped and the headache was just a memory. Breeze had gotten ready with Jessie for the party, almost fearful she’d bolt. She admitted she might have been tempted if the taller woman hadn’t kept her within eyesight at all times.

  Jessie gawked at her reflection and tried to hide her dismay. Breeze preened from her side, happy as could be by the look of it. The dress was too tight, revealed way too much cleavage with the plunging neckline and the handkerchief skirt flashed too much leg.

  “Ellie picked out this dress?” She glanced at Breeze for confirmation.

  “I told her I wanted you to look very sexy and nice. She said that dress would make every male notice you. I think it’s perfect but I wish you’d put your hair up in one of those nice buns your women wear. I see them do that on television when they go to nice parties.” She stepped closer. “The makeup hid the marks Justice left on you so there’s no reason to have your hair fall over your shoulders.”

  “I like it down. It’s long enough that it gives me a headache if I put it on top of my head for more than a few hours.”

  “You look good.” Breeze shot her a grin. “Everyone will think so.”

  Or they’ll mistake me for a hooker. She refrained from saying that aloud, not wanting to explain the definition to Breeze or hurt her feelings. The party seemed to mean a lot to her friend and for that alone she’d put up and shut up.

  “I hope there’s no dancing.” Jessie looked down at her exposed cleavage. “This dress wouldn’t survive anything other than slow dancing without getting me arrested for indecent exposure. I’m afraid to take a deep breath in case my breasts spill out. I think I have another bra that isn’t a push-up.”

  “You’re not changing a thing that Ellie picked for you to wear. She knows what she is doing and she went to a lot of trouble for us. There will be dancing but no one said you had to participate. You have a great body and you look wonderful. You don’t have our muscles and you’re pale but you have nothing to hide away, Jessie. What is that saying? If you have it, flaunt it? You have it, wear it proudly.”

  Jessie suddenly frowned, studying Breeze. Her inner alarms warned her that something was up. “What are you plotting? You’re too pleased with yourself and you have this glint in your eyes.”

  “Nothing.” Breeze glanced away, looked everywhere but at Jessie and fidgeted with her hands.

  “Is Justice going to be there?” It was the worst scenario she could think of. “I was told he is at Reservation by his secretary when she called here to explain that our meeting was canceled. He must have told her we had one because he sure wouldn’t have mentioned he was coming here to yell at me over last night.”

  “He was delayed by some issue at Reservation.” Breeze met her gaze and held it. “It would be interesting if he had been able to attend. Every male will be looking at you and will want to mount you.”

  Jessie sighed. “I don’t want a repeat of last night ever again. It was embarrassing to be treated like a five-year-old being sent to her room. He caused a scene on the dance floor with Flame when he prevented me from leaving with him.”

  That mischievous gleam returned to Breeze’s dark eyes. “That won’t happen tonight. Justice won’t be able to yell if males dance with you and wish you’d share sex with them.”

  “Breeze, you had Ellie pick this dress on purpose just to piss Justice off if men hit on me, didn’t you? He’ll hear about it and hit the roof.”

  Breeze wouldn’t look at her but her grin widened.

  “Breeze!”

  “It will be good for him. He made you cry. You will make him angry and he won’t be able to do a thing about it tonight. The Council and all our people except those working security will be there and he has no logical reason to say you shouldn’t go to the party. This is your night to get even, Jessie. Justice will have to hold his temper in check even if it kills him when he discovers you’re there. You can flirt and dance with all the males you want and he’ll suffer wondering if one of them will win your attention. It will be good for him to learn what it is like when he finds out how attractive you are to our males. Think of how you felt, knowing he took Kit dancing. I bet after tonight he will learn to never go out with other females again. For that reason alone you should do this, Jessie.”

  Jessie sighed. “I don’t want him to get really upset.”

  “Our men don’t get upset. They get angry, blow up, but they recover from it quickly. The way to get even with one of our males is to piss him off and do it when he can’t retaliate. He will learn this way and remember.”

  “You mean he can’t retaliate tonight. What about tomorrow? His secretary said he’d be back in the morning.”

  “You are sleeping in the women’s dorm tonight. I’m not stupid. I thought of this. We are having a slumber party in the library of the dorm and you have been invited. It will last for days. I packed your pajamas in the bag already. By the time you come home, he will have cooled down and learned his lesson.”

  Jessie chewed on her bottom lip, considering it. “Are you sure?”

  She had to admit it was tempting. Justice would blow a fuse when he got the call that she was at the party and had disobeyed his orders. He did deserve a little grief.

  Breeze smiled. “Don’t worry about Justice. I promise one way or another, he will have cooled off by the time he gets you alone. Our men don’t stay angry for long. Let’s go. I don’t want to be late.” She gripped her arm and tugged. “I’m driving.”

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