Best Friends (New Species #15)(48)

Mel wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs hooked on his hips. He growled as her breasts smashed against his chest, positioning her a little higher. It was tempting to take her right there. He wanted to but then he remembered that the condoms were in the other room. As much as he wanted to mate Mel, she hadn’t agreed yet. He couldn’t risk getting her pregnant until she did. A snarl tore from him as he stopped kissing her.

Mel panted. “Why did you stop?”

“We have that meeting.”

“Oh. No time, huh?”

He reached back, turning off the water. “We’ll make time. Get on the bed, now.”

She almost tripped on the lip of his shower. He caught her around the waist to steady her and they both quickly dried off. Mel was the first to rush out of the bathroom to reach the bed. He was right on her heels. He glanced at the clock.

“We have about twenty-five minutes.”

“That’s more than enough time.”

He didn’t agree. There wasn’t enough time in the world in his mind to make love to her.





Chapter Twelve



Mel’s nerves kicked in as she sat in the front of Sheriff Cooper’s vehicle. After their meeting, and a long, stressful day, it was finally nighttime as he drove her from the gates of Reservation to her apartment. Deputy Tommy followed in another car. She thought that was too much but Snow had insisted on both men escorting her in two different cars, feeling it was safest since he couldn’t be at her side himself. He’d left twenty minutes before she had, with a team of New Species.

“The New Species are already inside your apartment,” Sheriff Cooper stated.

“How do you know?”

“I’m in contact with them. They gave me one of their fancy ear things. I can hear them.”

“Oh.”

She peered out the dark windows of the passenger side. “Are they sure they weren’t seen going in?”

“The only way that could happen is if the perp owns special night-vision goggles. We blacked out the area while they snuck in.”

“Wow. I didn’t know you could cut power. Why bother?”

“Because the perp can’t see in the dark. Some New Species can. It was their plan. Morris Brown turned off the power to that section. He showed up in his work truck right after to ‘fix’ it. If someone is watching your apartment building, they wouldn’t have seen anything but the lights from Morris’ truck while he was pretending to work. The New Species slipped into your apartment minutes ago. Brass just told Morris to turn the power back on.” He paused for a beat. “Morris just acknowledged.”

She hugged her waist. “Okay.”

“The power’s restored.” He accelerated. “Time for us to put our part of this show on. I’m going to drop you off, walk you to your door, and warn you about being careful.”

“Got it.”

“You’re going to open your curtains, right?”

“Yeah. As I clean up my trashed apartment. Snow and the other guys should be hiding in the bathroom.” She felt a little guilty about that. “It’s not a very big room for four large men to share.”

“At least they can piss if the need arises,” he joked. “Hopefully this perp is impatient and comes after you soon.”

They made it to her apartment building quickly. Her place was dark, while her neighbors had their lights on. The Sheriff parked where she normally did, since her car remained at the station, and they both got out. She clutched her purse and tried to appear nervous and afraid. She would be feeling both of those emotions if she were really about to be on her own.

“Are you sure you want to come home?” Sherriff Cooper used his booming voice.

“I’m sure.” She nodded. “Thank you for bringing me home. I wish my stupid car hadn’t died,” she said, to explain why she was getting a ride. Snow had refused to let her drive on her own, even the few blocks from the station.

“We’ll have your car looked at tomorrow.” Sheriff Cooper got out his flashlight and turned it on. “You really need more lighting around your front door.”

“I’ll ask the landlord.” She pulled out her keys, pretending to unlock the door. Snow had taken her door key to allow him and his team inside before she’d arrived. “Thank you for the ride.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come in and check it out?”

“I’m sure. You said the back lock on the window was fixed. I just want to clean up the mess and sleep in my own bed.”

“Alrighty. You call the station if you hear or see anything. Promise me.”

“I promise, Sheriff.”

“Go on in. I’ll stand here. Lock that door.”

She walked inside, flipped on a light, and closed the door, twisting the lock. She leaned against the wood, staring at the mess left behind. Snow had found her slip-on shoes so she wouldn’t cut her feet, thoughtfully leaving them right inside the door. She put them on to avoid getting more cuts on her feet, the sight of her apartment bringing back every second of the attack. It calmed her to know Snow, Brass, Timber, and Torrent were in her bathroom, just down the hall.

“I’m here and okay,” she said aloud. “The door’s locked. I’m going to open the curtains now.”