Best Friends (New Species #15)(47)

“Have you ever thought about trying to find your, um, contributors?”

“No. It’s been debated but overall, Species don’t want to know. I don’t. Some humans sold their genetic material to Mercile. They may not have understood what was going to happen to it, but regardless, most of us are resentful. We suffered deeply. We hold no blame toward the animals who contributed to us. They wouldn’t have been given a choice.”

She wasn’t sure what to say to that. It hurt her thinking about it, though. New Species must have felt betrayed by not only the company who’d abused them, but the people who’d helped create them by contributing their DNA.

He smiled. “All Species are family to each other. The lucky ones find mates.”

Mel nodded, still too choked up to speak.

Snow withdrew from her body and got out of bed to dispose of the condom. He washed his hands and returned to her fast, climbing back into bed. She curled into him, wanting to just hold him.

“I’m so glad I found you, Mel.”

“Me too.” She already couldn’t imagine her life without Snow.

Snow’s heartbeat slowed, and so did his breathing as he drifted back to sleep. Mel worried he’d have another nightmare and fought to stay awake just in case. She ran her finger over one of the scars. It was slightly raised. Now that she knew how he’d gotten some of them, it made her killing mad. They’d hurt and tortured him. Nearly killed him.

It also made her wonder how often nightmares woke him when she wasn’t there.

Tears filled her eyes and she snuggled closer, closing her eyes. She wanted to be there every night to hold him.

That would mean moving in with him.

He wanted her to. She wanted it, too. But it was probably crazy to do it too fast. She debated the pros and cons as Snow slept. Living with him and sleeping with him every night would be great. The hard part would be telling Joel she was going to quit the diner. Mary wouldn’t be happy, either. They were besties, and they liked seeing each other every day.

Snow moved in his sleep, his arm tightening around her.

Mel yawned, deciding to think about it more later. She just wanted to enjoy having him close, loving every moment they spent together.

*

Snow woke with Mel mostly sprawled on top of him. He grinned. It was the best feeling in the world to wake with her in his bed. He ran his hand lightly over her bare back. Mel wiggled a little on him and rolled over. He missed her weight immediately, but one glance at the clock on the nightstand reminded him that they had a meeting. It was just over an hour away.

He got up silently and crept into the bathroom, closed the door, and then emptied his bladder. He brushed his teeth next, before returning to the bedroom to wake Mel. They both needed a shower. The smell of sex remained on their skin. He had no problem with that but the males at the meeting might. Some of them would be jealous. That thought caused him to chuckle as he leaned over Mel and quietly called her name.

She barely opened her eyes and smiled. “Morning. The sun is up.”

“It is. The meeting with the males is in just over an hour. I was going to take a shower. Would you like to join me?”

She sat up and yawned, her hair messy and adorable. “That’s probably be doing…”

He laughed. “You’re not awake yet. What you just said made no sense.”

“What did I say?”

He helped her out of bed. “Something cute.” She yawned again as he led her into the bathroom. “Brush your teeth while I start the shower.”

“Okay. Bad breath is bad.” She picked up his toothpaste and stared at it blankly. Seconds passed.

He laughed some more and snagged a toothbrush for her from the container he kept on the counter. “Here.” He tugged the toothpaste out of her hand and put some on the bristles before lightly wetting it. He put it in her hand. “Do you have it from here?”

She met his gaze in the mirror and offered a wry grin. “I think so. Sorry. I’m not a morning person.”

“I am. We’re perfect for each other. I’ll make sure you don’t stick that in your ear or try to brush your hair with it.”

“Good. I mean, I won’t.” She began to brush her teeth.

He turned away and started the water in the shower, adjusting the temperature to be comfortable for his female. He didn’t want it too hot or cold. He returned to her just as she finished spitting out the toothpaste and rinsing her mouth. She straightened and turned to him.

He held out his hand and she took it, and they entered the shower together. Mel let him wash her hair, then she wanted to do the same for him. He smiled when she offered but knelt down since he was much taller.

Mel chuckled. “That works!”

He closed his eyes as she worked shampoo into his hair. “That feels good.”

“It does. We could make this a regular thing when we shower together. We should buy one of those stool things for you to sit on so you don’t have to put your knee on the tile floor in the future when I do this.”

“I’ll get one,” he promised.

“Just like that, huh?”

“Yes.”

“I’d like that, Snow.”

She finished with his hair and he got back to his feet, pulling her against him. “We should also make this a regular routine.” He lifted her, pressing her against the tile, and kissed her.