Species Interaction (12 page)

Biting my lip, I whispered words straight from my heart. "I can't lose another man I love."

The silence ticked on as a myriad of emotions raced through his eyes and across his handsome face.

He released a tired sigh, stared at me a few more beats, then stepped over to pick up Misha who seemed to have stabilized well in her polka-dotted kitty form. If his injured arm pained him, I couldn't tell. He cradled her solidly as he turned back to me.

Standing up, I watched him, chewing my lip in nervousness.

"I… I'll just go home…" I stammered the words out.

He frowned down at me. "Oh, I don't think so."

"But…"

"No. We're taking her back to my house, then you and I are going to have a little talk."

"Oh, goody."

I didn't realize I mumbled it aloud until his lips pursed. "What was that?"

"Umm. I said…"
What sounds like goody? Moody? No. Booty? Ummm. No. Woody? No, no, no. Think. Think.
"I have… cooties."

His eyebrows shot up.

Good grief.

Head hanging, I stepped over to grab onto the waistband of his jeans, pulling myself against his hot body.

A low groan caught my attention. The two men lay unconscious, but alive. "What about them?" I nodded in their direction.

Meat's gaze flickered over. "They'll be picked up shortly."

I blinked. "Picked up? As in minions from Hell slinking out of the floor? Do they make creepy wailing noise when they arrive?"

He snorted in response.

No sooner had those words left my mouth than two rather large, burly men appeared out of thin air. They kept to the shadows, silently stalking ever so quickly toward their prey. Reaching out, each took a bad guy by the back of the shirt, gave a yank, and disappeared.

"Ohh. Now that was kinda scary."

"You think that was scary. Wait until we get home."

I'm in so much trouble.

Chapter 12

Two days later

Meat strode out from the side entrance to the stage, jogged down the steps, and headed straight for me. Earlier, he asked me to stop by the club, something about missing me and dinner plans. In 007-ese that meant he was hungry, horny, and wanted company. Luckily, the boys already had a sleepover planned with one of their friends from pre-school, so I didn't need to scramble for a babysitter at the last minute.

He wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close. "Thanks for coming." A kiss brushed the top of my head.

"You're welcome. Are you ready to go?" I leaned back to look him over. The crisp black silk shirt rubbed softly against his muscular chest. Matching black jeans molded to his lower body, outlining anything and everything, namely that bulge that I knew for certain had nothing to do with a sock. The women at surrounding tables seemed to notice the same thing if their facial expressions and level of their gazes spoke true.

"Not quite yet. I have someone to meet for a few minutes." He grabbed my hand and pulled me through the masses to a small table in the back.

I stopped, stood flush against his side, as he introduced me to a middle-aged woman sitting by herself.

"Shyanne, this is Madam Stephanie. Madam, this is Shy."

I blinked, looking at the older lady. Dark hair pulled back in a bun set off a classically beautiful face, with angles and perfectly clear skin taut over high cheekbones. The deep blood red dress dropped demurely over her cleavage, hinting without being blatant. The pearl necklace and matching rings and bracelet shouted old money, probably lots of it. She might never walk the catwalk, but she possessed obvious sex appeal. In fact, I'd wager she could attract any man she chose, no matter his age. Her carriage and posture spoke of heaps of self-esteem laced with complete confidence. Probably nothing less than Armageddon could rattle her. I decided she could easily be a third grade teacher. The kids wouldn't dare mess with her. Too intimidated to take the risk.

She gestured to the vacant chairs. Meat and I dutifully sat down. A nearby waiter zipped over, handing a beer to Meat and a glass of dark liquid to the woman. I settled on bottled water.

Opening the cap of my water, I glanced across the table. "A madam?"

She took a small sip of her drink then softly explained. "My business cares for the needs of specialty clients."

Blinking, I looked at Meat, then back to her. "Huh?"

A brief grin crossed her face. "Tyger, you must be lacking in your duties to this young lady." She glanced my direction then pinned him with her gaze.

He snorted and lifted the beer to his lips.

Her attention returned to me. "Yes, dear. Clients with more… adventuresome desires seek me out."

"Adventuresome?" I sounded like a parrot.

Meat rolled his eyes, then set his bottle back on the table. "Think the very back corner of the scary store."

My eyes widened as comprehension hit. "Oh."

"Some clients need a bit more than simple vanilla." She sipped her drink and licked her lips.

Her stare made me squirm. The seconds of silence ticked by. A few more ticks and I finally broke. "I like vanilla. And chocolate for that matter. Especially when used as a topping to make a Meat Popsicle."
Uh oh
.

He flashed those dimples. "That's a start. And for dessert, maybe we need to stop by that scary store and find some toys?"

I choked and took a long drink, wishing my water bottle suddenly turned to ice so I could use it to whap the kitty upside his head. "Keep it up, and I will fill your thong with quarters next time you're on that stage."

His wicked smile only increased. Stephanie shook her head.

Her gaze flicked over my face as her expression softened with what appeared to be amusement. "Dear, if you ever become bored with this overgrown… puss"—she shot him a small grin—"consider looking me up."

"Not happening," Meat interjected low and deep.

Her eyebrows lifted in response.

He leaned forward to explain. "Her gate doesn't swing your way. Hell, I'm not sure her gate swings my way anymore."

I frowned at him.
Jeez.
Not our personal life! At the club, in front of a near stranger. "It's only been a week!"

"It's been too long," he replied, his face stoic.

Giving an undignified huff, I answered his challenge. "It was that time, then I got busy. Besides, you spanked me two days ago!"

"It was two measley swats, more like love taps. Which you rightfully deserved for endangering your life," he calmly retorted as he sipped his beer.

"To save your flea bitten hide!" I frowned at him, clutching my water bottle a bit harder.
Stubborn hyena.

A burst of laughter interrupted. The madam smiled widely while swirling her drink. "Priceless." She looked at Meat with definite amusement.

"What is?" I glanced at her before returning to stare at my boyfriend.

"I never thought to see the day someone would actually argue with him."

"Why not?"

"Why indeed?" she answered quietly, looked at Meat once more, grinning at him knowingly.

I glanced from one to the other. "I'm lost."

Meat replaced his drink bottle on the table and ran one hand through his sable hair. "I'm an alpha."

As if that explained everything! Well, on second thought, maybe it did.

"Yeah, well…" I thought for a moment. "You put your undies on just like everyone else."

He snorted while the madam's eyes twinkled.

When no one commented, I took a long drink and attempted to pull up the thread of conversation. "My bottom stung for an entire day." I pouted to the best of my abilities.

Finally, a grin formed on his chiseled face. "I promised to kiss it."

I snorted and waved his direction. "Yeah. Kiss it then do a multitude of kinky things to it. I so don't think so."

His smile widened. "But the feel of your virgin…"

Gasping in embarrassment, I quickly slapped my hand over his mouth, muffling the remaining words. My face heated rapidly as I heard the woman titter. The Neanderthal licked my palm, earning his release. I watched him closely just in case he chose to try to finish his mortifying sentence.

In the background, the club's announcer began speaking, something about door prizes. I tuned him out, focusing instead on the conversation at hand.

"A little uptight?" Madam Stephanie asked Meat, her head inclining my direction.

Offended, I jumped right in. "I'm not uptight!" Giving both of them glares, I made a big example of sipping my water. "I'm merely… prudent."

My name carried loudly over the loud speaker. I twisted toward the stage. "What?"

The realization hit me. I won a door prize. I turned my attention back to the alpha tyrant at the table. "What did I win? A blender?"
Eh, maybe not a blender
. After all, it was ladies' night. That meant they had to have something better than that. What prize would a woman visiting the club really want and need? A woman like me?

"A pizza?" Neither party at my table answered, so I continued, "A massage? Oh, I know. A free sandwich!"

Meat's face shifted from twinkling eyes to full-blown laughter. The madam even joined in, her chuckle mirrored his.

"Shyanne McDaniel!" the announcer called once more.

I shot the two laughing clowns a glare before standing and waving. "I'm here! What did I win?"

The tall blond smirked when he saw me. He flashed Meat a wicked smile. "I take it you're back in the game?"

Meat nodded, still chuckling, sending the announcer a thumbs-up signal.

The DJ pulled the mic closer to his mouth. "So which dancer will Shyanne choose to be her date?"

Date? I obviously missed something important.

Women at nearby tables called out names, offering suggestions. But, in the end, Meat's cocky smile spurred my decision.

"Ducian!" Teach the Neanderthal to be haughty and laugh at me. I would simply go out on a date with the vampire instead.

A murmur went though the crowd. Ducky stepped on stage from his position along the sides. His eyes raked the crowd until he spotted me in the back. Only then did his devilish smile widen as those eyes twinkled with mischief.

Perplexed, I blinked at Ducky before returning my attention to Meat. "I don't get it. What exactly did I win?"

He laughed all the harder. The madam finally took pity on me. "Hun, you won the grand prize. The Threesome Fantasy."

"Threesome?" I squeaked.

Meat smiled widely at me. "Oh, yeah. You, me, and Dick of a Duck alone and naked for an entire weekend."

Sputtering, I half choked on my own spit.

"I'd wager after a night with you two, she'll no longer be… prudent." Stephanie grinned over her glass of brandy and winked at Meat.

The smile remained on his face, although the laughter faded. Leaning forward, he quietly answered with a low rumble full of sensual promise. "Not to mention no longer… virginal. Maybe we do need to stop by that scary store after all."

Yikes!

Chapter 13

I snuggled into Meat's chest, absorbing his body heat along with the comforting scent of maleness. He tugged the cover snug. We sat on the couch, both nude and sated in our blanket laden cocoon. The deep lub-dub of his heart began to softly lull me into sleep.

After a romantic dinner that evening, he drove me to his home for some dessert. The ice cream never left the freezer as we made it no farther than the comfy, oversized sofa.

"Ewww." A snort came from across the room. "Worse than a harem of horny chimps."

Not willing to move from my comfortable position, I turned my head to glance at the offending beast. "Where's a flying house to squish evil witches when you need one?"

Meat rubbed his chin against the top of my head and gently swatted my rear under the covers. "Behave."

I yawned in response, keeping one eye on my nemesis, who dressed in a bright red outfit, including mini skirt, four inch spike heels, and a matching blouse with barely enough material to cover her expanded cleavage. All she needed was a sign that said, "Candy apple sex on a stick. Come and get it."

Her glare lifted and softened when she turned her attention to Meat. "I need your help."

He began a slow stroking along my back, not even budging from our haven. "Why?" He kissed my nose.

She huffed but plowed ahead. "I think I've discovered how to make the Talisman Stone work."

"Talk to my father. It's in his possession." Meat nuzzled my ear, fairly ignoring our visitor.

Her teeth ground as she crossed her arms over her chest. "He won't release it to me."

"So?" The word came out muffled against my throat as he nibbled his way along.

A loud tapping of a heel sounded across the room. "I need that relic. Don't you see? I've figured the mystery out. If he would just let me have it then I could…" She paused as if realizing where her train of thought led. Sucking in a breath, she redirected. "I need you to borrow it for me."

"No." For the first time, he looked her direction.

"Excuse me?" She stared him straight in the eye.

"I said no," Meat repeated firmly.

"But…"

I rolled my eyes. "Jeez. You would think she's never heard that word before. Do you need me to find a dictionary?"

"Stay out of this… human." She spat the term as an insult.

Grumbling, I met her irate gaze. "Yeah, well. I can think of much worse things to be… namely you."

I received a pinch on my rear for my words. Frowning, I looked up at Meat as he soothed the area with one large hand. "Hush. You're only egging her on."

"Tyger. I need this. Last time, I didn't understand. Now I do. I can make it work. The power is calling me."

Her whining grated on my nerves. I sincerely doubted the power called her.
Maybe one of the other voices in her crazy mind did, though.

His focus fell on her. "No and that's final." His tone lowered and came out with a deep rumbled growl from his chest.

Annoyed, I glared at her. "Did it occur to you that if you couldn't get it to work before, you can't get it to work now? Let's face it. You aren't powerful enough or special enough."