Numbers

He held her as they recovered, both panting. She loosened her hold around his shoulders and smiled. “That’s a quickie.”

  “I like. Now I’m going to take you to bed and do it all over again slower.”

  She laughed. “We don’t have time. Hold that thought.”

  “I like holding you more.” He brushed a kiss just under her ear.

  She hated to part from him, but Paul would show up soon. She’d rather he not find her and Mourn in the kitchen that way. “Later.”

  He lifted his head to peer at her. His eyes took her breath away. They were always beautiful, but especially so after sex. “Now.”

  She smiled when his cock flexed inside her. He was still hard. No one could ever say New Species were lazy lovers. He recovered from sex super fast and was always ready to go another round. “Do you take blue pills by any chance?”

  “What is that?”

  “Never mind.” She stroked his face, his hair. “I need to clean up and put my underwear back on before Paul comes to get me. Don’t tell him we didn’t use a condom. He’ll flip out.”

  “Why didn’t you want me to go get one?”

  “I really do like you not wearing them. It feels better.”

  “It does for me too. I didn’t think you’d notice the difference.”

  “I do. Can I ask you something strange?”

  “Anything.”

  “You, um, are warm when you get off. Why is that?”

  “You mean my semen is really warm?”

  “Yes.”

  He shrugged. “It’s a feline thing. Darkness is feline and would have warned me if my semen would harm you. It won’t. He has sex with his mate without condoms. I heard they are trying to have a baby.”

  “I just like feeling all of you.”

  “There is a chance I won’t pick up the change in your scent when you begin to ovulate.”

  “I’m willing to risk it. Are you?”

  “You’re mine, Dana. You just don’t realize it yet, but I’m going to convince you to become my mate. I would like a baby with you. It would make me happy if my seed grew inside you.”

  “I’m not ready for that yet so always sniff me before we have sex. I trust you to tell me if you pick up that scent, okay?”

  He nodded. “I give you my word.”

  “That’s all I need to hear. Now let me down. I am hungry now.”

  He chuckled. “I’d rather eat you.”

  “Definitely hold that thought until later. I love your mouth on me.”

  He still hesitated, and his expression grew somber. “I’d like to meet your mother.”

  She clamped her hand over his mouth. “Never talk about her while we’re in this position. Please? If I had a cock I’d have just gone soft.”

  He chuckled and amusement sparked in his eyes.

  She released his mouth. “It’s not you. It’s her. She’s not going to be nice to you once she sees you as a threat. And she will. You’ll ruin her plans for me, which is to marry me off to someone she approves of who won’t ever ask me to move away from her.”

  “I think I could make her change her mind and be happy for us if I tell her how I feel about you, and explain what mates are. You’re my everything, Dana. That’s never going to change.”

  Her heart melted, because there was no denying the sincerity in his eyes. “I wish that would make her accept us being together but it won’t. It matters to me. I want us to strengthen our relationship before she has a chance to scare you off.”

  “I don’t frighten, Dana.”

  “You’ve never met my mother. I want to run away from her when she’s being mean.” She backed away. “We need to clean up and finish eating before Paul arrives.” She bent and grabbed her panties off the floor. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to use your bathroom.”

  “Our bathroom.”

  She wasn’t falling in love with him anymore. She had already fallen. She fled down the hallway.

  Chapter Ten

  Dana gawked a bit at all the people outside the back gates when Paul drove them through. Cameras flashed, blinding her. Many people stood on the sidewalks as Paul slowly maneuvered the SUV into the street. A few idiots darted out in front of them to snap pictures. Paul had to hit the brakes and honk the horn to get them to move.

  “Tuck your chin and keep your baseball cap low,” Paul hissed.

  She followed his directions, even lifting a hand to block the side of her face. “This is nuts. It kind of reminds me of what celebrities go through.”

  “Welcome to life at Homeland.” Paul snorted. “This is what you have to deal with when you live here and want to leave or come back.”

  “It wasn’t like this at the front gates.”

  “You came early in the morning, like I asked. This is why. Most of these jerks are sleeping then.”

  “Why does the NSO let so many people back here?”

  “The street is public property and doesn’t belong to the NSO. The cops come around once in a while to ask them to leave because they are a nuisance, but they just return. Every time the NSO is in the news for something, this circus parks their asses outside of any entry or exit to Homeland.”

  “I see why you and Becky don’t have date nights outside Homeland anymore.”

  “She mentioned that? Was she upset?”

  “She loves you, bonehead. She didn’t complain about it. It was more of a cautionary tale of what I’d have to deal with if Mourn and I mate.”

  He drove a few blocks and turned onto a freeway onramp. “We’re going to go a few miles and then turn around and go to the motel.” He kept darting glances at the rearview mirrors.

  “Is anyone following?”

  “I’m not sure yet. They can be pretty tricky. Some of them will use multiple cars and communicate by cell phone so one will back off and another one will take up the chase.”

  “That’s crazy.”

  “We deal with crazies all the time.”

  She mulled that over. Paul took an exit a few miles down, drove around a couple of residential areas, and then started back. Dana glanced in the rearview mirrors too. She didn’t see any headlights behind them.

  “We’re in the clear?”

  “Looks like. I think I’ll just take side streets to be sure.”

  “You just don’t want to go to the motel so you’re taking your sweet time.”

  He chuckled. “Probably. You know Mom is going to fake tears when you tell her you’re not ready to go home.”

  “I know.”

  “Are you going to cave?”

  “No.”

  “You’ve never been that great at standing up to her. That’s why you’re the one who lives so close to her.”

  “I’ve gotten better at it, and I’m motivated. You completely ignored what I said when I mentioned Mourn and me becoming mates. Don’t think I didn’t notice that.”

  “Are you considering it?” Tension sounded in his voice.

  “Yes. It’s all I think about. I wish you would give him a chance. He’s amazing.”

  “You love him, don’t you?”

  She didn’t hesitate. “I do. I saw fear in his eyes when we were saying goodbye, as if he was afraid I wouldn’t come back. I want to go back, and I don’t think I want to stay at your place anymore. I’d like to live with him.”

  “You’ve only known him for a few days.”

  “How long did you spend with Becky before you knew she was the one?”

  He didn’t answer.

  She turned her head to stare at his grim expression. “Answer me, and be honest.”

  “I knew after our first date when I woke up with her in my arms.”

  “She slept with you on the first date? I’m shocked,” Dana teased.

  “We hit it off. What can I say? I woke up and my first impulse was not to get the hell out of there like all the other one-night stands I’d had. I wanted to stay and cook her breakfast. Hell, I wanted to go home and grab a bag so I could sleep with her every night.” br />
  “That must have been some out-of-this-world sex. I don’t want details.”

  He chuckled. “Actually, it wasn’t all that great, but we had the best time. She made me laugh and I just fell hard. I wasn’t even ready to settle down, but she changed everything for me.”

  “I feel that way about Mourn. Only the sex is out of this world.”

  “I didn’t need to know that.”

  “Just saying.” She glanced in the rearview mirrors again, still not seeing headlights. “I think we’re good.”

  “Me too. I just worry about you, Dana. You and Tommy were real social butterflies. You can’t go to parties or the theater with Mourn.”

  “That was all Tommy. I never enjoyed that crap.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. We fought about it often.”

  “I didn’t know that.”

  “There was a lot you didn’t know. I’ve never felt this way before. Ever. Not even with Tommy. This morning it was tough to leave Mourn’s house. I thought about calling you and asking you to just bring my stuff to me. I wanted to stay.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  She decided to be honest. “I knew you’d argue with me again, and try to talk me out of it. He’s not used to family drama. I guess I’m afraid he’s going to decide I’m not worth the trouble.”

  “He wouldn’t care about that shit if he loves you. Hell, Becky puts up with Mom because she loves me.”

  “Mom is across the country and you only lived near her for a few months. You work at Homeland so he can’t avoid it if you decide to be an asshole. You bothered him while he was at work.”

  “I told you I did that because I’m worried about you.”

  “Get over it, and start focusing on what’s going to make me happy instead. Like it or not, that’s Mourn.”

  “I’ll try to cut him some slack, okay?”

  “You will?”

  He nodded. “Yes.”

  “Thank you.” She saw the motel sign ahead. “Is that it?”

  “Yes. Stick close to me. I wasn’t joking about that place being a dive. Keep the cap and glasses on. Don’t talk to anyone. I have a feeling a lot of the protestors stay here. It’s cheap and close to Homeland. I registered Mom under a false name, and made her promise to avoid talking to strangers.”

  “Won’t they recognize the SUV as belonging to Homeland?”

  “No. This isn’t a task force vehicle. This one is the smaller type they rarely use, and it doesn’t have any NSO markings. It will take them time to run the plates, if someone does, and it’s registered under a false company name. We’ll be good for at least an hour. If shit hits the fan, get behind me. I’m armed.”

  Her mouth dropped open.

  He parked far away from the other cars, turned off the engine and unfastened his belt. He sighed. “It’s procedure. I have military training and target practice every few weeks. I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

  “Isn’t that illegal?”

  “No. The NSO lists me as a task force member, and I have a badge in my wallet to flash if I need to shoot someone. It is better than a permit to carry a concealed weapon. My ass is covered.”

  “Have you ever had to shoot someone?”

  “I served a few tours. Of course I have. Let’s go.” He climbed out of the driver’s side.

  Dana got out and closed the door. Paul activated the alarm and came to her side, hooking his arm with her. She kept her head low. A few guests hung out in the parking lot in several groups. Paul drew her closer and took the stairs up to the second level. It was clear there. He stopped in front of a door and lifted his hand.

  “You ready for this?”

  “Yes.”

  He knocked and there was movement at the peephole in the door. The light disappeared.

  “Go away or I’ll call 9-1-1!”

  Paul sighed. “It’s us, Mom.”

  Within seconds the door opened. Their mother stared at both of them. Paul pushed her gently out of the way, drew Dana inside, and locked the door behind them. He released her arm and removed his glasses, grinning.

  “Hi, Mom.” He hugged her.

  “I thought you were both drug dealers. Why are you dressed like that?” She glared at them.

  Dana removed the cap, allowing her tucked-up hair to fall free, and took off the sunglasses. “We wanted to fit in with your neighbors,” she joked. Her gaze traveled around the room. “Wow. Hello, low-budget porn set.”

  “It’s horrible.” Her mother pointed at the mirror on the ceiling. “I’m terrified that’s going to fall on me when I sleep.”

  “I warned you this place was bad. You should have stayed in a nice hotel a few more miles away. I said that too. Do you want us to move you?” Paul waited for an answer.

  Their mother ignored him, fixating on Dana. “This is what I do for you. Do you see this shithole? I’ll probably be mugged, raped and murdered by morning. My headstone will read that it’s all your fault.”

  “Mom,” Paul chastised. “That isn’t funny.”

  Their mother threw up her hand to silence him. “You can’t run away from your problems, Dana. This is just another way you’re hiding from living. Do you think your poor brother and his wife want you hanging around their place? They don’t.”

  “Mom,” Paul raised his voice. “That’s not—”

  “Stay out of this!” Their mother stepped closer to Dana. “I brought Dirk Hass with me. He’s going to drop by in about fifteen minutes and talk to you. I also bought us tickets to leave on the first flight home in the morning.”

  Dana’s temper finally exploded. “You brought your gynecologist with you? To talk to me? What is wrong with you?”

  “Dirk likes you. You really need to give him a chance, Dana. He makes good money, has his own practice, and took time away from work to fly out here because I told him you’re having difficulties. What other man would do that? It shows how caring and concerned he is for you.”

  “You manipulated him, in other words.” Dana was tempted to leave.

  “Don’t talk to me like that,” their mother hissed. “How dare you.”

  Dana took a step back. “What? It’s the truth. You probably told Dr. Hass I’m interested in him when you know damn well I’m not. He’s seen you naked from the waist down. Don’t you think that’s a little fucked up? I do. Talk about a dysfunctional family. And stop setting me up with men. I’ve told you that. I’m done.”

  “Don’t cuss. It’s not the way I raised you.”

  Dana opened her mouth but Paul moved fast, stepping between them. “Mom, you need to calm down.”

  “Your sister is so rude.”

  “Pot, meet kettle.” Dana stepped to the side so she could glare at her mom. “I came to see Paul. I told you I needed some space. You drive me crazy. Thank you for taking care of me after Tommy’s death, but I’m trying to get on with my life now. Why can’t you just let me?”

  “You said you’d be gone three days. I had to come out here to get you.”

  “I’m not some wayward runaway teen.” Dana clenched her teeth.

  “You’re acting like one.”

  “Shit,” Paul muttered. “Do you fight like this all the time?”

  “No,” their mother answered.

  “Yes,” Dana said at the same time.

  Paul removed his cap and scratched his head. “This is going to be a long evening.”

  “No. It’s not.” Dana put her hands on her hips. “I’m not coming home yet, Mom. I won’t until I’m ready. You bringing your gynecologist with you…” She shook her head. “I don’t even know what to say except I feel bad that you talked him into it. I won’t even mention that he’s twenty years older than I am. You date him if he’s such a great catch. Go home.”

  Someone knocked on the door and Dana gritted her teeth as her mother sailed toward it and opened it to let Dirk Hass inside. He held flowers and smiled when he spotted Dana.

  “Hello.” He offered them to her.

>   Dana felt guilty. She knew her mother must have lied to him to get him to take a flight across the country. She accepted the flowers. “Thank you.”

  Paul saved her by introducing himself and taking the attention off her. Dana shoved the flowers at her mother and backed away.

  Her mother beamed, obviously pleased with the mess she’d created. Dana wanted to strangle her.

  Dirk turned to Dana. “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m fine.” It wasn’t his fault that he’d been pulled into this mess, but someone needed to be honest with him. “I am so sorry about this but the truth is, I’m not interested in dating you.”

  “Dana!”

  She ignored her mother. “I’m seeing someone. My mother didn’t know. I haven’t told her yet. I’ll pay you back for the money you spent coming all this way.”

  Dirk appeared taken aback.

  “She’s lying.” Her mother rushed forward and gripped his arm. “I told you she’s having issues. She is inventing a make-believe boyfriend.”

  Dana was about to scream. “I am not. I just didn’t want to tell you because he lives in this area, and I knew you’d blow your stack when I told you that I’m relocating here. It’s serious.”

  “You’re lying.” Her mother’s face turned an angry shade of red.

  “She’s actually not.” Paul shot Dana a hooded look as he ripped off his sunglasses. “He works security. She met him when she arrived, and they’ve been spending almost every moment together when he’s not at work.”

  “You’re not going to date a security guard.” Their mother shook her head. “I won’t allow it. Dirk is a doctor.”

  Dana threw up her hands. “I’m done. I’m not going to fight with you anymore. I’m moving here, and that’s something you’re just going to have to deal with.” She looked at Dirk Hass. “You should ask my mom out. She’s about your age, and she thinks you’d make someone a wonderful husband.” She pushed her sunglasses back on and added the cap. “Paul, I’ll wait for you outside. I’m stick-a-fork-in-me done.”

  Dana stormed to the door and yanked it open.

  “Dana,” Paul called. “Don’t go out there alone.”

  She turned. “I’d rather face off against drug dealers and hookers than stay in here.” She stormed out, slamming the door.