“Have you changed your mind about wanting to share sex with one of our males?”

“Nope. I was seeing someone and it just ended badly. Didn’t I just tell you that I think we’re over? We got into a fight.”

“That’s right.” Creek helped her remove some of her clothes and climb into bed. “Were you seeing that male for long?”

“Long enough that it really hurts that we’re over,” Zandy admitted. “I knew it couldn’t last.” Tears filled her eyes and she blinked them back as she stared at her friend. “I envy you that whole refusing-to-get-serious-with-a-man thing. It sucks when you care about them and they don’t feel the same way.”

Creek tucked her in. “I understand. Did you allow him to sleep with you?”

“Yeah.”

“He held you while you slept?”

“It was really nice,” Zandy admitted. “Falling in love sucks.”

“I’m sure it does.” Creek moved away and paused at the door. “Sleep well, Zandy. I will see you in a few days after you’re out of heat and allowed to return to the cafeteria.”

Zandy closed her eyes when Creek turned off the bedroom light. She heard the other woman cleaning up the other room and felt a little guilty. Hot tears spilled out though when she thought about Tiger. Was he with another woman? He hadn’t called her to apologize and he hadn’t shown up again at her door, trying to talk to her.

The living room light went out and Creek closed the exterior door as she left. Zandy rolled onto her stomach and tried to push thoughts of Tiger away. She should have known better than to fall for him.

* * * * *

Tiger paced his bedroom, his thoughts on Zandy. He wanted to go to her but wasn’t sure she’d talk to him. He paused to stare at the phone. Would she answer if he called? He’d really lost his temper when Vengeance had gone after her. He’d hurt her feelings but wasn’t sure how to fix it. Humans were so different from Species females. One of them would have just hit him if he’d angered them but humans were known for holding grudges.

He sat on the edge of his bed and opened the nightstand drawer. He withdrew the Ziploc bag he kept there and opened it. Zandy’s scent still lingered on her bra as he breathed her in. It only made him miss her more. The desire to go to her grew stronger so he sealed the bag again and put it away. Tormenting himself wasn’t going to help matters.

His doorbell rang and he quickly strode to his front door. He shouldn’t have come home but he’d needed some time away from everyone. He grabbed his cell phone out to check it, saw he hadn’t missed any calls and jerked open the door, wondering who had come to visit him. It surprised him to find Creek standing there.

“Hello, Tiger.” She peered at him. “May I come in?”

He opened the door wider and moved to allow her to pass him. “Is something wrong? I spoke to Vengeance if that’s what you’re here about. He’s sorry for what he did today.”

She turned to face him as he closed the door. “I had dinner with Zandy and we shared wine.” Creek grinned. “She can’t hold her alcohol. She was swaying on her feet and talked funny after a few glasses. It was very cute.”

“Is she all right after today?” He inwardly winced, wondering if Zandy was more upset with him or with the male who’d tried to take off with her. He hadn’t beaten on Vengeance after their talk. He’d felt bad for him and had no longer wanted to beat on him. “Is that why you’re here? He won’t go near her again.”

All trace of humor left Creek’s expression and she stared at him for long seconds. “Vengeance was out of control today but you stopped him from seducing her. I wanted to say thank you. Zandy is my friend. She doesn’t understand about our males or what going into heat does to them.”

“It was nothing. He was out of line.”

She took a step closer to him. “I could share sex with you if you are interested. You were a hero by fighting him.”

Tiger took a step back. “No thank you. I appreciate the offer.”

She stalked closer and he backed away. Creek’s gaze narrowed and he wondered why she was being so aggressive. It wasn’t common for a male to turn down a female’s offer to share sex. His back hit the closed door and he softly growled at her. “I said no.”

Creek paused inches from him and stared into his eyes until he felt uncomfortable. “I could call another female to come here if it’s me you’re not interested in.”

“I would find one on my own if I wanted a female. You should go.”

Her expression softened as she retreated a few steps. She turned, took a seat on his couch and crossed her arms over her chest as her gaze met his again. “I tucked Zandy into her bed. She was unstable on her feet. Imagine my surprise when I smelled you and sex on her blankets. I know the real reason you are turning away my offer of sex. You don’t want me because she’s the female you do want.”

Tiger frowned and remained against the door. “She’s your friend and you were testing me to see how I felt about her by offering to share sex with me, weren’t you?”

“Yes.”

Anger stirred. “What do you want?”

“I like her a lot. She is my friend. She’s hurting because you aren’t seeing her anymore.” Her voice deepened into a growl. “I saw pain in her eyes that you’ve caused. She isn’t Species and sex isn’t casual to them. She has feelings for you, Tiger. I wanted to tell you this. You’d be stupid not to see what a good female she is and try to coax her into a mating.”