Best Friends (New Species #15)(22)

He nodded. “Sharing sex is something a male and female do together. Having sex doesn’t sound right to us. Your kind say that, but we see your news stories on our televisions. Not all your males care about a female’s consent. It’s just how we speak and view things. Like the way we say male and female, instead of man and woman. We’re like you, but not. To say sharing sex makes it clear both of us are equally involved.”

Mel stared up at him for long seconds.

He wondered if he shouldn’t have been that honest.

A smile curved her lips. “I like that.”

She took the lead and entered his bedroom. It was a big space with a king-size bed, a large television, and two dressers. He hated to hang his clothing and rarely did. He used the closet to store his work uniforms, shoes, boots, and weapons. He had closed the doors to that small space, worried the sight of guns might frighten Mel.

“Wow.”

He wasn’t sure what that meant. She liked color, and his room didn’t have a lot of it. “I meant it when I said you could help me decorate. I’d love those hanging sheets around my bed.”

She turned to him. “Really? You’re not just saying that? I think it’s kind of exotic to have drapes enclosing a bed. I always wanted to get one of those bamboo beds with the pretty, sheer curtains, but they were far too expensive. I kind of made my own by hanging bedding from the ceiling. Actual curtains were out of my budget.”

He drew closer to her. “I used to sleep on a pad on the floor. Your bed looked comfortable and cozy. It was very appealing.”

She turned to face him. Her gaze was soft, a look of almost concern in her eyes. He liked her staring at him that way, as if she really did care. He hoped she did.

“Do you want to tell me about Mercile?”

“Perhaps later. It’s not a good story.”

She surprised him by reaching out and resting her hand on his forearm. “It’s part of who you are. I’d like to know everything. I told you a bit about my life.”

He believed her. “We’ve got all the time in the world to learn about our pasts. I’m more interested in the now.”

She smiled. “Are you afraid I’ll run if I find out too much, too fast? I feel that way about my own past sometimes. My family is kind of crazy.”

It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her she didn’t have anything to be ashamed of. He’d read the background check the NSO had done on her. She had worked three different jobs as a waitress, had no arrest record, and had lived in two places during her life.

Guilt surfaced. He should confess that he knew that information, but he’d been warned some humans grew angry when they found out about the NSO digging into their lives. He changed the subject. “You haven’t seen the bathroom yet. I think it’s a nice one.”

She slid her hand down his arm and curled her fingers around his. He clasped them and she turned, leading him out of his bedroom and back into the living room. She kept going, walked to his couch, and tugged on down. They both sat next to each other. She held his gaze.

“Breathe. That’s what I’m doing.”

She was trying to put him at ease. “I am nervous.”

“Have you ever dated someone like me before? I mean, not New Species?”

“You’re my first human.”

“You’re my first New Species.”

“I’d like to be your last and only.”

She blushed and dipped her head before looking back up at him. “I don’t know what to say to that.”

“I know I move too fast for you.”

“You’re very confident.”

“Because I know what I want.”

“We barely know each other.”

That was true. He couldn’t deny it. “I’ve been drawn to you since I first saw you. I was too worried you’d be afraid of me if I approached. I was waiting and hoping you’d come to me. I’ve taken every opportunity to eat at the diner to see you since coming to Reservation. I even asked to be assigned to the team sent to speak to Sheriff Cooper for our regular meetings, to give me the opportunity to see you. I like all the things I’ve learned about you, Mel.”

“Like what?”

“Your smile. The way your voice softens when you speak to me. I’ve caught you watching me while I eat, but you always glanced away before I could smile. The way you speak fascinates me. I could listen to you all day and night. You’re a bit shy, and I like that, too. It’s endearing when you blush. You’re as sweet as you scent when we talk. I’m also strongly sexually attracted to you. You make me feel protective, like I want to just take you home with me to keep. My instincts tell me you belong here, with me. It’s just that simple.”

“I’ve felt this big pull toward you, too, since I first laid eyes on you.”

Her admitting as much made him feel happiness. “Instincts.”

“Is that what it is?”

“Yes.” He wanted to kiss her but resisted the urge. “Humans seem to ignore them, but Species don’t.”

“Aren’t you afraid of getting hurt? What if I end up being the wrong person for you? We could be a disaster.”

“I’m willing to risk it.”

She nodded. “Me too. That’s why I’m here.”