New Species 03 Valiant (22 page)

hand palm out to her. “It also helps keep the rougher

spots on our skin smoother.”

spots on our skin smoother.”

Tammy reached out and ran her fingertips over his

fingers. She could feel calluses on the tips of his fingers

and at the top of his palm where his fingers began.

“What causes that?”

“Being Species. Some of my kind have this. Some

don’t. I do. It helps me climb trees without tearing up my

skin.” His eyes narrowed warily. “Does that make me less

appealing to you?”

She shook her head. “I kind of find the rough texture

of your hands a turn-on. They make me shiver and

goose bumps break out. I like it.”

“Good. I worried my differences from a human male

might make me less able to attract your sexual interest.”

She fought a smile. “Don’t worry, Valiant. I am

learning to appreciate all your differences.”

He stared into her eyes, seemed to gauge her

honestly, and smiled. “I am glad.”

Tammy quickly finished her shower while Valiant

attended to his nails and his calluses. She quickly dried

off, wrapped a towel around her body, and walked into

the bedroom. Four shopping bags waited on the bed.

She dumped them out to see what she had to work with.

Two bags contained clothing for Valiant but the other

bags were for her. She chose a pair of cotton knee-length

pants and a black, oversized T-shirt. They had bought

her bikini-cut underwear and two exercise bras that were

stretch-to-fit.

Valiant entered the bedroom behind her. His wet hair

had been brushed back. He looked different with it

combed away from his face. He kind of looked more

frightening to her. His mane-like hair softened his

features a little and made him look more cuddly and

attractive. Tammy smiled but didn’t say a word while

Valiant dug through the pile she’d made for him of the

large-sized men’s clothing.

Tammy nearly stepped on a shoebox peeking out

from the bottom of the bed. She retrieved it and opened

it, guessing they were for her since the box wasn’t big

enough to contain anything for Valiant’s big feet. Inside

was a pair of white flip-flops. She hated them but she at

least had shoes. She left them in the box. She wasn’t

planning on leaving the suite. She heard a doorbell chime

and her startled gaze flew to Valiant.

Valiant smiled. “There are doorbells in the suites. It’s

our food.” He had pulled on a pair of black boxer briefs.

“I’ll go get it.”

“I’ll go. I’m dressed.” She smiled at him. “You’re

showing way too much skin. It could be a woman

delivering our breakfast.”

He laughed. “Would you feel jealous if a female

looked at me?”

She hesitated. “Yes,” she answered honestly.

His humor faded. “You are mine and I am yours. You

don’t need to feel jealous. I would not allow another to

touch me.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Tammy called out as she

quickly left the bedroom. She liked that he’d said that.

She walked through the living room and opened the

door. “Hi,” she said instantly.

The woman who stood there had to be just over six

feet tall. She had long brown hair and dark eyes. Tan

skin and strong features made the woman appear intense

but beautiful. It was the first time Tammy had been that

close to one of the females. The woman had wide

cheekbones, the flatter nose, and she looked down at

Tammy with a smile that showed off some sharp,

pointed teeth. Her expression wasn’t threatening.

“Hello back, small human. I have brought you food.”

Tammy couldn’t help but laugh. “Thank you very

much. I’m Tammy.”

“My name is Breeze.”

Tammy moved out of the way to allow her to push a

cart from the hallway into the living room. Tammy

almost winced as she saw food containers nearly slide off

the tray. The tall woman didn’t seem to notice or care

when she turned, her gaze studying Tammy from head

to foot. She chuckled.

“So you are Valiant’s mate.” The woman didn’t hide

her amusement. “You’re so small. I believed he would

pick Sunshine. She’s as tall as I am.”

“Sunshine?”

“One of us. He has been looking for a mate. I had to

see for myself the human woman I heard about from last

night. They said you were small the way Ellie and Trisha

are. They were right. A re all of your woman about your

size? I don’t get to be around many of your females.”

“I met Trisha last night, right? The pregnant doctor?

Who is Ellie?”

“She’s a human mate to Fury. He is canine but they

are not here. They live at Homeland. She is my good

friend. I came here with some of our women months ago

to help with the opening of Reservation. I miss my friend

and I wanted to meet you. I enjoy being around human

females.” She grinned.

Tammy smiled back at her. She saw the woman’s

grin swiftly turn into a tense line when her gaze fixed on

something behind Tammy. She guessed Valiant had

entered the room. The growl that rumbled a second later

dispelled any doubt. The New Species woman backed

toward the door, her gaze dropping to the floor. Fear

showed on her face.

Tammy spun and put her hands on her hips. “Don’t

growl at her.”

Valiant’s angry glare shifted to Tammy. “I don’t want

anyone near you.”

“Deal with it. I’m making a friend.” She turned back

around and smiled at Breeze. The woman looked

surprised as her gaze lifted to meet Tammy’s. “Don’t

mind him. He’s,” she shrugged, “protective.”

Breeze nodded. “He has reason to be. Some of our

people don’t tolerate humans.”

“Well, you aren’t one of them. You said so yourself

that you are friends with women like me. It was really

nice meeting you. I hope I get to see you again soon.”

The woman flashed Tammy a smile. “I will be

delivering all your food. No one else wanted to.”

“Because they don’t want to see me?”

The woman’s gaze flashed to Valiant as she shook

her head. She glanced at Tammy. Her attention returned

to Valiant. “I’ll see you again at lunch.” The woman fled,

closing the door behind her.

“They are avoiding me.” Valiant walked to the cart to

remove the lids on the plates.

Tammy frowned. “Why would they do that?”

“I frighten them. I’m not,” he shrugged, “social.”

“You mean because you roared at them last night

when they stared at me?”

“Yes. Exactly.” He nodded. “Let’s eat.”

Tammy and Valiant moved the food to the coffee

table. Someone had sent a few different drinks. Tammy

lunged for the chocolate milk. Valiant made an

unpleasant face.

“What’s that look for?”

“That stuff is disgusting.”

“Chocolate milk?”

He nodded. “It makes me sick.”

She hesitated. “Oh. I see.”

“What do you see?”

“Well, I had a dog once. He ate a candy bar and

threw up. It’s probably that animal DNA of yours. I love

chocolate.”

“I’m not a dog.”

She managed not to laugh at his horrified expression

at the mere thought of being accused of something he

obviously thought was insulting. She found it cute.

“You’re a lion. I bet chocolate makes lions sick too. It

probably doesn’t agree with your stomach.”

He set the plate of meat in front of him. Tammy

noticed for the first time what had been brought to him

for breakfast. She couldn’t help but stare. Four thick,

partially cooked steaks dominated the plate, nothing else,

and they were really rare. Blood pooled under them as

though it were gravy.

“That’s what you eat? Is that even cooked inside?”

She managed not to shiver with dread.

He took a bite. Tammy verified the meat was almost

raw after he bit into it. She forced her eyes away. Valiant

ate barely seared meat. She studied her food, grateful

she’d ended up with a typical breakfast of bacon, hash

browns, scrambled eggs and toast. She wouldn’t have

touched them if they’d brought her mostly raw steaks.

“Do you want some? It’s good.”

She shook her head. “It’s all yours. I only eat my

steaks cooked all the way through and with some steak

sauce. A nice baked potato to go with it too.” She

hesitated and glanced at his plate. “How many pounds of

meat do you eat in one sitting?”

He shrugged. “A few.”

“Is that all you eat?”

“No. I eat deer too. Cows are good. I enjoy chicken

and pork but I want them cooked more. Fish raw is

excellent. I catch them with my hands from the river. I

will catch you some when we move to my house. You

probably want them cooked though.”

She just nodded. Man, I’m so totally not going to

watch him eat. She forced her attention to her plate and

kept it there while she finished her meal. She tried not to

glance at Valiant.

The doorbell chimed again about fifteen minutes

later. Valiant opened the door. Tammy set her empty

plate on the tray and smiled as Sheriff Greg Cooper

walked inside the suite. Two New Species officers flanked

him, obviously escorts. The sheriff smiled back at

Tammy.

“You’re looking much better, Tam.” He peered

around the suite with a whistle. “A nd they are sure taking

good care of you. Nice place. Fancy.”

“Thank you. Would you like to sit down?” Tammy

smiled at the security officers. “A ll of you?”

The two New Species shook their heads and

remained standing by the door they had closed. Sheriff

Cooper walked to one of the chairs to drop into it.

Tammy sat on the couch. Valiant took a seat next to her.

“You need me to make a statement, right?”

Sheriff Cooper reached into his pocket. “A ctually, that

was kind of taken care of already. They,” he glanced at

Valiant, “are very efficient. I just need you to read it and

sign this if it’s accurate.”

“Oh.” Tammy accepted the papers and unfolded

them. She started to read. Someone had typed out an

account of what had happened, most of it anyway, minus

the stuff about the doctor who ordered the men to take

her or any mention of an informant. Some of it wasn’t

quite precise but it was all damning for the four men.

Valiant stood and walked away. He returned quickly

and handed Tammy a pen. “Here. Sign it with that.” His

features were grim.

Tammy nodded and signed the last page. She

handed the statement back to the sheriff. “Here you go.”

“It’s all correct? I take it they interviewed you

already?”

She nodded. New Species had written it up and she

trusted them. “Yes. It’s perfect.”

“How are you feeling today? You look good. The

bruising on your face isn’t as bad as I thought it would

be.”

“I’m feeling a hundred percent better. One of their

doctors came by last night to give me pain medication

and examined me.”

Valiant rose to his feet. “I’ll get you the pills. You

ate.” He walked out of the room.

Sheriff Cooper leaned forward and whispered, “A re

you good here? You can leave with me if you want to.”

“I’m great.” Tammy smiled at him. “I have to call Ted

though to tell him I won’t be to work for a few days.”

Sheriff Cooper leaned back with a grimace. “What

happened is all over town. You know how it is. Ted

called me first thing this morning wanting to know if the

rumors were true. I told him what happened and where

you were. I wasn’t sure how long you’d be out here.” He

paused. “Your friends would appreciate it if you would

call them. Tim was especially worried about you. He tried

to call you here but they told him you weren’t accepting

phone calls.”

She blinked. “I was sleeping until just a little while

ago. I’ll call Tim first chance I get.”

Sheriff Cooper stood. “Well, I better get going. I have

four of my deputies with me. We’re here to collect two of

your attackers. The third had to be moved to a hospital

in Sherver. He survived surgery.”

Tammy stood and hugged Sheriff Cooper. “Thank

you for everything. Especially for thinking to call the New

Species to help find me.”

“I’m glad I did the right thing. It was all I could think

to do. Once a person goes missing, the longer they are