Best Friends (New Species #15)(19)

“No bickering.” Torrent slammed the front passenger door closed. “Do you know why I like dealing with the Wild Zone males more so than you? They get to the point. No drawn-out arguments. They snarl a few words before the fight is on. They exchange blows until one wins and the other backs down. I respect that. You’re becoming too human.”

Timber drove away from the apartment building and back onto the road. They were quiet for a few miles.

Jinx finally spoke. “I’m starting to worry about what kind of female will draw your attention, Torrent. Perhaps Kit?”

Torrent smirked. “You only say that because you fear her. She’d hurt your overly sensitive feelings. That’s fine. Leave her to stronger males who can truly appreciate her. She’d never invite you to share sex, anyway.”

Jinx snarled.

Snow met Torrent’s gaze in the side-view mirror, knowing the male had gotten their attention off him and his upcoming date. He smiled in thanks. Torrent winked.





Chapter Five



“I should probably put on makeup, right?” Mel stared at her reflection.

“You never wear it. Why start now? You say it’s a waste of money and ramble on about how men are jerks if they can’t appreciate us as we are.” Mary met her gaze from behind her in the mirror. “You said some girl traumatized you once and it left a lasting mark.”

“Barbara Jill. Yeah. My cousin’s wife from the city. She always wore makeup, but I didn’t realize how much. Once, Ray came to dinner with this strange girl. I was tempted to tear him a new one, thinking he was cheating on that sweet wife of his. It was just Barbara without her makeup. I kept staring at her all night because she looked totally different. She called it ‘contours’ and stuff. It was more like magic makeup. Her nose looked bigger and her lips were smaller without all that stuff on her face. Her eyelashes were hard to see, too; apparently she always wore fake ones. She didn’t have eyebrows, either!”

Mary laughed. “No?”

“She drew them on. She didn’t like her real ones and kept them plucked. All I kept thinking about was my poor cousin. Did he go to bed with one woman and wake up in the morning staring at a stranger? I asked him in private if he’d ever screamed. I would have.”

Mary leaned against the wall to stay upright as she laughed. “You should see how horrified you look. What did he say?”

“She did what he called an ‘unmasking’ before they were married. Maybe he said an unveiling, but the other word fits better. She’d refused to spend the night with him while they dated, and that bothered him. He’d taken a job for a construction company in the city for a couple of years to make enough money to buy his farm; that’s when he met her. He figured they could have spent more time together, and saved money, if they were sharing a place while they dated. Anyway, she finally showed him her secret. He was okay with it, of course. He already loved her, so he said he could put up with her foolery.”

Mary pulled herself together. “Foolery? You’re showing your hick side. You never fail to amuse.”

“Thanks.”

“I successfully distracted you. It’s too easy. Now we have your bag packed, and you have your keys. Do you know what that means? You’re all set to go!”

“Aren’t you going to try to talk me out of this?”

“Is that why you were so happy to see me when I came over to check on you?”

“I needed help washing my hair.” Mel paused. “And yeah. You’re supposed to be my voice of reason. I have a weakness for Snow. I admit it. He looks at me, talks, and I’m putty in his hands.”

Mary held up a fisted hand and straightened her index finger. “He’s hot.” Her second finger went up. “He wants to have sex with you and is interested in more than a one-night stand.” Her ring finger was next. “You want to have sex with him, and you believe him.” Her pinky straightened. “You’re both adults.” She curled her fingers once more and stuck up her thumb. “It’s a go. You’ll regret it if you don’t give this relationship a shot.”

“Thanks.”

“I’m not your mother. Live. Have fun. Snow is the man you’ve been talking to me about since the day he walked into our diner months ago. Nonstop talking, too. I’m a bit jealous.”

“Do you want to date a New Species?”

“No! They scare me, and the closest thing I’ve had to a pet involved a fishbowl. Do you know why?”

“I remember. You think animals hate you.”

“Exactly. You’re comfortable with New Species because you were raised with a lot of animals around you.”

“That sounds kind of snooty, Mary.”

Her best friend flipped her off. “They have fangs. I don’t dislike them, but I just want those sharp teeth far away from any of my body parts. I also wouldn’t date a woman. It’s not because I have anything against anyone who would. They just don’t have the body parts that I want to touch. Fangs are a mood killer. Growling, not to mention how huge those guys are, makes me want to run in terror. Period.”

“You need a therapist,” Mel teased. “Just don’t go to the one I did. He’s a jerk and will make fun of you. You really think all animals are out to get you?”