Species Interaction (6 page)

"This weekend."

My smile faded. "I can't wait that long." Pausing, I thought for a moment. "I can poof to your house tonight."

No sooner had I uttered the word than Andrew turned from the passenger seat and growled. "I don't think so, young lady."

I pouted, but it didn't seem to help one iota. "But…"

Dad joined in, "He's right, Baby Girl. You can't teleport by yourself. I would worry about where you ended up."

"I can poof!" I defended, still holding the phone to my ear.

A loud snort came from the front seat.

"Face it. You suck at it," Andrew replied with a grin. "Victor, think we should just invite the tomcat out to the ranch instead?"

Dad glanced in his direction before a small smile appeared. "It would keep Shy from landing in the middle of the North Pole. Besides, we can keep an eye on Meat while he's on our home turf."

I groaned. Meat must have heard as he chuckled into the phone. "Tell your family to expect me in an hour. I've got to make a couple of calls, pack a bag, then I'll be there."

"Okay." A sudden thought struck. "Meat, but how will you get to the ranch? You need Dad's address?"

I could almost see the wicked gleam in his eye as he chuckled. "I can poof!"

I snorted. "But you've never been to the ranch before." I chewed my lip in worry.
He may be good at teleportation, but how did one hit a target he's never been to?

"Don't worry, baby. I have your scent and can find you anywhere in the world."

"Ummm…"

The hyena laughed at me. "I'll see you in a bit, baby. Maybe I can sniff you over real good, just in case."

"Okay," I squeaked out, sounding like a surprised chipmunk.
Horny frog of a boyfriend, I swear.

"Hot date?" Andrew asked, flashing his incisors.

Dad stopped the car for a red light. Both men in the front turned to stare at me. I blinked and a blow torch flashed across my face.

Oh, yeah. Men sucketh.

* * * *

Two hours later, I still hadn't seen Meat appear on the ranch. Worried, I called his cell phone, which rolled over to voice mail.

After pacing my room for a few more minutes, I decided I'd better make sure he didn't get lost. Closing my eyes, I pictured his living room, the extra large couch where he would wrap his hunky body around me, sending us both into a cozy, restful nap.

Cracking open one eyelid, I gauged my location and nearly turned giddy with relief. I actually landed at Meat's house on the first try. Either my skills improved with practice or I sailed under a lucky star.

Bouncing around, I headed to the kitchen first. "Meat?" No answer. Spinning around, I headed toward his bedroom, almost running into him as he plowed out of the bathroom.

Squealing, I placed one hand over my pounding heart. "You scared me!" Ten years of my life flashed before my eyes when he appeared so suddenly.

His face morphed from surprise to a lazy smile. "Couldn't wait any longer to be thoroughly sniffed?"

I blinked up at him playfully. "Well…"

Arms crossed over his chest as he leaned one shoulder against the bedroom wall. "Uh huh."

The guy already had an ego the size of Italy. Did he really need to hear me add to it?

Biting my lip, I tried for flippant. "Nope. Not at all. Just worried that you'd get lost is all."

He shifted off the wall, stalked in my direction, his expression predatory. I now knew how a bunny rabbit felt when it encountered a wolf, or in this case, a big horny liger.

"Yikes!" I bolted down the hallway, through the living room, only to be caught behind the couch, wrapped up, and tossed over. A giggle escaped as I landed flat on my back on the soft couch, staring up at the ceiling.

Meat stood behind the couch, staring down at me. "You'd make a lousy poker player."

"Uh huh." I swiveled around and stood up. "Two can play at this game."

His eyebrow shot up as a mischievous grin emerged.

My cell phone chimed, the particular tone drew a long groan from me. Sure enough, Dad had noticed my disappearance. "Hi, Dad."

"Young lady, where are you?"

He had that 'you're in big trouble' vibe to his voice. "Umm. I was afraid Meat would have problems teleporting to the ranch as he's never been there before, and he was late. So I thought I'd better go to his house, make sure he was okay, and then hurry back to the ranch."
Before I got caught.

Dad paused for a long moment, then sighed. "Why do daughters give their fathers such headaches?"

Was that a rhetorical question?
I opened my mouth to answer, but he cut me off. "Gather up your tomcat and get back here, young lady."

"Okay."

"Now."

I closed the phone and sent Meat a look. His expression fell from horny to less than thrilled.

"Are you ready?"

He nodded, taking my hand and pulling me into his strong arms. My nose tucked into his chest as I inhaled his rich spicy scent.

"I'm sorry, baby. I never meant to get you into trouble. When I found you gone from the club, I…"

I gave him a squeeze. "I know. But it all turned out well. You caught Jack, I learned to strip…"

He squeezed me hard, grinding his hips into my belly and groaned. "Don't remind me." A small kiss topped my head. "On second thought, you can remind me later."

I smiled up at him, standing on tiptoe for a proper kiss.

My phone rang again. Grumbling, I flipped it open to hear Dad once more. "Sweetheart, I said now, not next week."

"We're coming."

I shut the phone and glanced up at Meat's wicked expression.

"Oh, we'll be coming a lot before the day is over."

Jeez.
Shifter kitties were all about food and mating, but not necessarily in that order. Good thing I happened to like sex with a particular shifter kitty.

He chuckled, grabbed his bag, and took my hand. "You playing tour guide?"

I nodded. "Hold on tight."

Closing my eyes, I pictured my bedroom at the ranch, the old-fashioned bed complete with antique quilt.

"Oh, if you're a good girl, I'll let you hold onto something else. Maybe even have a Meat popsicle. I packed the chocolate syrup."

Oh, boy.

I opened my eyes to a not so unfamiliar sight. Groans and moans split the air, as I stared at a man's naked rear.

Meat stood shocked for a long moment then snorted as he fought the laughter.

I glared up at him as a quite nude Andrew swung around to face me. "Shyanne!"

Quickly, I covered my eyes. "Sorry! Good grief!"

I spun, headed for the door, which opened wide, revealing a totally naked Dad. "ACK!" My hand slapped over my line of vision once more. "I need therapy!"

Meat burst out laughing. "Now I know why they don't want you teleporting. You inevitably find naked people. Like some magnet that draws you right to them. A penis magnet called Shyanne."

Frowning, I shot him a look. "That wasn't nice. Besides, you were the one telling me about your choccy popsicle that I could lick."

Dad coughed. "If you had arrived the first time I called, you wouldn't be so traumatized now. That's what you get for delaying my bedtime."

"But how did you know…?"

"Parents always know." Dad lifted his chin and winked at Andrew.

Andrew snorted.

"Baby Girl, I think I just might need your therapy session this week." Dad strode farther into the room, gently pushing me out the door. Meat received a heavier shove, still cackling. The bedroom door soundly shut, I breathed again, trying hard to wipe the disturbing image out of my mind.

Meat grabbed my hand, tugging me to the steps. "Did I mention you never cease to entertain?"

I rolled my eyes.

Chapter 6

The immediate family sat around the large supper table. Meat on my left. The boys demanded to sit beside their grandfather, who occupied the chair at the head of the table, flanked by Andrew.

Delcine received Meat's most gentlemanly attention when she sat opposite him. The gray-headed elderly housekeeper slash nanny had worked for Dad and Andrew for a number of years. More than once Meat remarked over her fine cooking, the glitter in her eyes, and her obvious fortitude in order to handle not one, but two overbearing men. She agreed heartily. I noticed she dipped him an extra serving of each item as a reward. Flirting and cajoling women fell under the alpha kitty's talent list, right up there with dancing.

Dad and Andrew refrained from much dinner conversation, at least words aimed at Meat. Annoyed looks and growls, sure, but they didn't engage him in conversation. I'd bet afterward, when small ears were tucked in bed, they would corner my boyfriend and give him an earful.

Keeping my eyes down, I focused on my mashed potatoes, trying to ignore Meat's ever-questing hand as his fingers walked up my inner thigh. He started earlier with a game of footsie, which soon spread to the present situation as his right hand headed straight for my promised land.

I stomped his toe and pinched his thigh, all to no avail. He simply wiggled his eyebrows at me and grinned wickedly.
Maybe the hyena needed some whole milk to drink to give him the runs so he would leave me alone to eat in peace
. The plan did have potential.

"How does the meat taste?" Delcine asked.

I quickly swallowed, focusing my attention on the remaining uneaten food. "He's yummy. Especially when dipped in chocolate syrup."

The whole table gasped, before I realized what came out of my mouth. Heat blasted across my face. Dad spewed his tea, Andrew coughed, and Meat smiled wide.

Dad reached over to whap Andrew on the back as he tried to catch his breath after aspirating his drink. Delcine blinked before refilling her glass, seeming to ignore the whole oopsie that popped out of my mouth. After serving so long with Dad and Andrew, I imagined not much would surprise or rattle the older woman. The light bulb finally clicked on that she really meant the new spices on the meat she prepared for the evening meal, not my boyfriend.

My only excuse lay in the fact someone's hand reached their destination between my thighs. His thumb rubbed once, from top to bottom, making me cross-eyed, trying to keep from letting on in front of the family.

The kids shot me a look of sheer confusion. Sasha broke the silence. "Mommy? Meat is really big. How did you dip him in chocolate?"

Another chorus of snorting and chuckles followed. I considered that first statement.
Yeah, Meat WAS really big.

I glanced up to find all eyes centered on me, waiting for a reply. Meat tickled the inside of my knee as I pinched his thigh hard through his jeans, really close to a terribly sensitive spot of his own. He jumped in response, yanking his hand away. Maybe now I could actually think a way out of this mess without his help.
Neanderthal. I swear.

Dad and Andrew both sported small grins smacked on their faces, promising no help while sitting back and listening as I dug my own hole.

Think. Think.
"Well, Sasha." I squirmed and stalled, using my napkin to pat my mouth. "We were… at a chocolate store and they were offering free samples."
Okay. This sounded reasonable. I'll go with it.
"One sample was a melted chocolate…"

"Like a glaze?" Delcine asked.

I beamed her direction, thanking her with my eyes. "That's exactly what it was. A glaze for a dessert." Waving my hand dismissively, I continued onward. "Well, Meat dipped his finger in the chocolate and then I licked it off."

So there
, I wanted to add to the men in the room who thought I couldn't wiggle out of such a situation on my own.

"Mom?"

"Yes, honey?" I glanced over at Chance as he played with his fork.

"Do you and Meat have sex?"

I choked. Dad spewed. Andrew chuckled. Meat whapped me on the back, a face splitting grin on his face.

Did I have the audacity to believe I could outwit a four year old? Man, was I dumber than a kindergartener.

Chapter 7

I slipped in the back door of the club, pinky waving at the guard. Knight, I believed they called him. He wasn't near as big as the mountain that guarded the front, but I wouldn't doubt he could take anyone short of the Marines out in a heartbeat. Something about those deep eyes and stern expression spoke of strength, power, intent, and experience. Not to mention, the whole body language shouted, 'I haven't killed today… yet.' His build whispered of real life work and activity to keep in top condition, not a daily gym workout.

He nodded slightly, his eyebrow lifting as he glanced at my outfit.

"Pink day," I explained. He remained silent, and I squirmed. "The boys were running amok, and I ran out of Calgon. My hair wouldn't cooperate, and there wasn't a single chunk of sanity-saving chocolate to be found. This was the best I could do." I spread my arms in order to show off my hot pink blouse. Matching jeans and shoes complemented the ensemble. I even wore pale pink socks and undies, but I wasn't about to disclose that information to Knight. Underwear color fell under the need to know category. The guard didn't need to know.

One glance at his face told me I didn't need to worry, his Superman x-ray vision read me like a bug spot on a windshield. The corner of his mouth twitched, his arms dropped from across his chest to rest at his sides. Muscles rippled with the slight movement, accentuated by his black, body molding shirt.

I bet if he smiled now and again, women would flock to him like a hungry bear to honey. Heck, they probably did so when he scowled as well.

Scooting by, I headed for Meat's dressing room, intending to surprise him and perhaps admire his excellent dance abilities in person.

Trudging down the narrow hallway, I passed a couple of other dancers fresh from the stage. Or at least, it appeared so, with each dressed in only a thin thong, money hanging out from all sides. They raked me with their gazes and rolled their eyes.

Yeah, well, we all can't be fashion divas.

Finding the correct door, I quickly tapped, then barged in. The sight stopped me in my tracks.