Jessie cleaned up their dinner dishes and put them on the bottom empty shelf of the
cart. She lifted the lids on the four smaller dishes to identify the desserts when she
pulled them out and set them on top. She knew a lot of the Species weren’t fond of
chocolate and ignored the fudge cake to study the other dishes. One was a mixed-fruit
concoction piled on what appeared to be angel food cake. The other two were pieces of
apple and pumpkin pie. She glanced at Justice for a moment, trying to decide which one
he’d enjoy more. She picked up the fruit and the apple pie and grabbed a spoon before
approaching him.
He must have sensed her behind him. He turned and cupped the bottom of the
phone to mute his voice. “I’m sorry.”
“Which one?” She held them out.
He smiled and accepted the fruit. She had guessed right. She held out the spoon but
he didn’t have a hand free to take it. She grinned as she dipped it into the dish he held and lifted it toward his lips. He grinned in response and opened his mouth.
She took notice of his fangs as she gently slipped the spoon against his tongue,
avoiding the sharp points of his teeth. He sealed his mouth around the spoon and Jessie
suddenly became as jealous as hell of that bit of silver with his lips wrapped around it.
She pulled it slowly out.
He closed his eyes as he savored the taste, his expression showed the pure pleasure
he experienced and he softly groaned. Jessie put the other dish on the table far from his papers and took the dish he held. His eyes opened to stare at her and she kept her smile
in place despite the attraction she felt toward him. She dipped the spoon again to offer
him another bite.
“You need both hands,” she explained softly.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
He took another bite, just as seductively as the last, only the second time he kept his
gaze on her face. The blue of his eyes showed more and it fascinated her how the color
seemed to change with his emotions. The oval-shaped pupils had shrunk a bit,
narrowed and more blue spread through his exotically patterned irises. Justice
suddenly broke eye contact to search for something. He grabbed a paper and read it.
She felt the loss of his attention and disappointment filled her for some odd reason.
She’d enjoyed being the sole focus of his attention for those brief moments.
“I see that. It’s right in front of me. Tell them that’s fine but make them go lower on
the price. Just because we won that lawsuit doesn’t mean we’re stupid enough to spend
all of it on high bids.” Justice cleared his throat. “Tell them you are calling others to 24
Justice
acquire bids on the job. That should make them lower their price. Go with the number
we spoke of and if they don’t accept it, call others and reopen the bidding. We’re set on a budget.”
Jessie fed him another bite when the other person on the phone kept talking. She
hadn’t fed a man…ever. She enjoyed it. He flashed another grateful look, smiling at her.
She wondered if a woman had ever fed him, hoped not and wanted him to remember
her. She fed him all of the fruit and cake until the plate was empty. She returned the
dish to the tray and picked up a few sodas for them to drink. He pointed at the table
next to him, grinned his thanks and reached for something in his briefcase. Jessie
opened the soda for him and set it down. She went to the couch and ate the apple pie.
“I’m so sorry about that.” Justice collapsed on the couch next to her a few minutes
later after ending the conversation. Three feet separated them. “Thanks for the fruit. It was really good.”
She turned to face him. “I understand.”
His phone rang again and his smile faded to a grimace. “I’m not going to look. For a
dime I’d toss that thing into a wall and break it.”
She touched her front pockets. “Sorry but I don’t have any change.”
He laughed. “I wish you did.”
“Does your phone always ring nonstop?”
“Only when it’s on and that’s always.”
“You should get someone to help you. One man can’t possibly do everything.”
He shrugged. “I don’t know who would do everything that I do.”
“I’d train a dozen of them and disappear for a month of vacation. I bet you dream
of hiding from cell phones and other people.”
“Don’t tempt me.” A look of longing crossed his features. “Do you think they’d hire
me if I ran away to the circus?”
Jessie laughed. “I’m sure they would. I don’t think you’d enjoy that job any better
though. You wouldn’t have calls to deal with but the people factor would be a hell of a
lot worse.”
He adjusted his big body on the couch, bringing up his foot to rest on the edge of
the coffee table. “What did you want to talk about? I would really be interested in
hearing your ideas.”
Jessie hesitated. “You get this all the time, don’t you? People wanting your attention
for something?” She felt bad for him. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll write you a letter, send it to your office and you can look it over when you find some free time. You shouldn’t have
to deal with work right now. You really need some time to relax.”
“You want to leave?” He tensed. “I understand. I’m sorry about dinner getting
interrupted. It was rude of me but I really had to take those calls. I swear I will read
them if you want to send your ideas by mail. Just put your name in bold black print on
25
Laurann Dohner
the back of the envelope and I’ll tell my secretary to bring it to me as soon as it comes in. It will get my full attention.”
Jessie stood. “I don’t want to leave. You’re so stressed out.” She peered down at
him. “You work more than anyone I’ve ever met. My father is a workaholic but you
make him pale in comparison. Don’t worry about dinner or the calls. Do you know
what you need?”
He shook his head but curiosity sparked his pretty eyes. Jessie hesitated. Oh hell,
who cares if it is unprofessional? He’s stressed out, I want to help him and I’m doing it. It’s such a bad, horrible idea but screw it.
“You need a massage.”
His eyebrows lifted. “What?”
His baffled expression was adorable and drew a chuckle from her as she repeated
her words. “You need a massage. I can rub your shoulders if you have some lotion
around here. I used to do it for my father when he got stressed out. It made him feel
better and it will feel nice on top of it.”
Justice swallowed hard. “There’s some in the bathroom. All the rooms come with
those things.”
“That way?” She pointed at the hallway.
“Yes.”
“I’ll go. You relax. Put both of your feet up, get comfortable and don’t you dare
touch that phone. Let it ring.”
Jessie realized she’d lost her mind. Justice could order her boss to fire her ass and
Tim would. Justice was the leader of the NSO and she planned to rub the tension out of
his thick, broad shoulders. Oh hell, she thought as she looked around the bedroom and walked into the bathroom. Justice was a stress case and he needed to unwind. A
massage would do him a world of good. She located the lotion and returned to the
living room.
Justice had followed her orders by resting his big feet on top of the coffee table.
Jessie smiled as she bent, took off her own shoes and met his unsure gaze. He watched
her cautiously as if he had no idea what she’d do. She fought back a laugh over his
bewilderment. She figured he was probably wondering if she was insane or not.
“I’m going to climb on the back of the couch and sit behind you. Can you take off
your shirt?”
He only hesitated for a second before reaching for his waist, leaned forward a little
and tugged the tank top higher up his chest to reveal those amazing muscles on his flat
stomach again. Jessie stepped onto the couch, sat behind him and planted her feet next
to his hips. She flipped open the lotion cap, studying his massive shoulders,
understanding how much responsibility rested on them. They were impressive enough
that she guessed he was the one man who could handle being the face of Species before
the world.
26
Justice
His hair fell in the way and she set the lotion down and reached to her ponytail,
pulling out the thong holding it in place. Her fingers dangled it out in front of Justice’s face.
“Could you put your hair up on the top of your head to get it out of the way,
please?”
He hesitated before accepting it, pulled all his hair up on top and secured the
strands. She figured she’d laugh if she saw him from the front. She concentrated on his
tempting back instead, longed to touch him and poured lotion into one palm. She set
the bottle down and warmed the creamy substance between her hands.
“The trick to relaxing is closing your eyes and letting everything go.” She spread
the lotion over his shoulders, her fingers gripping the muscle. The tension in him
couldn’t be denied. His shoulders felt like stone under her fingers and palms. She let
her hands glide over his heated skin until the lotion coated the area she intended to
massage. “Do you think you can do that?”
“I’ll try.” His voice came out deep and raspy.
“Good. You just close your eyes and relax.”
Jessie dug her fingers into tense muscle. She used her palms to push into his skin to
massage deep, knowing she wouldn’t hurt him. Her hands weren’t strong enough to do
that. Enjoyment filled her at touching him, her gaze locked on the tan skin she
manipulated and hoped it would work. Justice needed to unwind. He worked way too
hard.
He groaned, drawing a grin from Jessie—she hadn’t lost her touch. Her hands
worked up his neck to knead his muscles before slowly lowering to the tops of his
shoulders then back. He groaned and made soft sounds occasionally.
The phone rang a few times but he ignored it. He didn’t tense at the disruptions or
move under her hands. Jessie’s hands started to hurt eventually from the strength she’d
used. She stopped.
“Is that better?”
He groaned. “Yes.”
“Are you feeling stress free?”
“Yes.”
“My mission of relaxation is now complete.”
She released his shoulders with regret. It had been a pleasure to have her hands on
the tall Species leader. She tried not to allow her thoughts to linger there and knew it
was a really bad thing that she was so attracted to him. Her fingers slid the thong free
from his hair and she shoved it into her pocket. Talk about barking up the wrong tree. He’s way out of my reach and Tim would kick my ass if he knew I was here.
Jessie climbed off the back of the couch and studied Justice’s handsome features.
His dark, sexy gaze met hers. She had to swallow hard over the intense look he
27
Laurann Dohner
concentrated on her, not sure what it meant with him so serious. He was really good at
keeping her off balance.
“Is anything wrong? You’re staring at me as though you might want to say
something.”
He slowly rose to his feet and he was so tall her chin had to lift to keep her gaze on
his. She held still. He stood nearly a foot taller than her and he was really impressive in size. Too big. She let that thought slide. It didn’t matter because she didn’t feel threatened by him. He continued to watch her intently until he finally spoke.
“Thank you,” he rasped.
“You’re welcome.”
He blinked. “You should probably leave before I do something I’ll regret. Thank
you for sharing dinner with me and…feeding me the dessert. I especially want to thank
you for the massage. It was wonderful and needed.”
Jessie’s heart rate accelerated a little and curiosity wouldn’t be denied. “What are
you thinking about doing that you’ll regret?”
His gaze searched hers and a long moment passed while he seemed to debate
answering. “Touching you.”
Her heart did a flip. She identified the look in his eyes now that she had a hint.
Desire. Justice wanted her as a man wanted a woman. His nostrils flared and he made that soft sound in his throat that did wonderful things to her libido.
“You do purr,” she whispered.
Justice ordered his hands not to fist at his sides, worried Jessie might take it as a
threat but he longed to touch her so desperately that it became a nearly impossible urge.
Having her hands on him, inhaling her feminine scent so close to him while she’d
massaged his shoulders, had driven him a little insane.
She was human, worked for the task force assigned under his command and he’d
read up on proper human etiquette in the workplace. Sexual harassment. Those two
words repeated in his head. She wasn’t Species, her society’s rules were totally different than those in the world he lived in and it wasn’t a simple solution of asking her if she
wanted to share sex with him. That’s what he’d do if she were one of his women. They
knew they could freely deny him and he’d respect it. She might be afraid or insulted if
he dared utter that question.
He tried to reason with his turned-on body. He couldn’t possibly share sex with
Jessie Dupree. She wouldn’t want him. Her actions were based on kindness and not an
invitation to put his hands on her in return. She’d come to discuss work, not end up in
his bed.
The image of sweeping her into his arms and carrying her down the hallway to his
room filled his head. He’d tear her clothes off, explore her pale skin and run his hands
over every inch of her body. His cock responded full force as blood rushed to his groin
28
Justice
and the uncomfortable heaviness of the hard-on made him want to adjust his stance
since it pressed against the confining denim of his jeans.
Breathe through it, he ordered his body. Resist. You can’t offer her sex. She’s human and you’re not allowed to have her regardless of how much you want her. Those thoughts helped him regain some control on his raging need to take her. He’d growl at her if she were
Species, show his dominance and offer her his body. He’d strip her in under a minute if
she agreed to share sex with him and show her his skill as a lover.
A small trace of uncertainty struck and kept that growl of intent locked within his
throat since she wasn’t Species. He had no idea if anything he’d learned about humans
would apply to her. He swallowed hard, kept silent and hoped he appeared
nonthreatening. She was much smaller and weaker than Species women. That was
another thing that cooled his heated blood. Jessie appeared frail in comparison and he
feared he’d cause her harm in some way if he followed through with his instinct to
attempt to get her into his bed.
Jessie stared back into Justice’s beautiful gaze while he remained absolutely silent. I want him, she silently admitted. Tim will have my ass, fire me, but oh hell, he’s worth the risk.
He wants to touch me and I really want him to. Tim doesn’t have to know, right? Who would tell? Her gaze broke contact to sweep around the room. No witnesses, no one to judge and we’re both adults. She peered up at him again, met his intense stare as he continued to regard her, almost as if he waited for unspoken consent.
It could lead to sex if they put their hands on each other. Justice was a big guy,
really strong and a Species. She wondered how that would work out between them in
bed. She knew that some women had hooked up with them. She had gone to Tammy
and Valiant’s wedding and Tammy had sure seemed more than happy despite their
drastic size difference.
“Have you ever slept with a human?” Those words popped out and couldn’t
believe she’d said the thought aloud.
“No.”
Their gazes remained locked and it encouraged her to keep talking. “I’ve never
been attracted to your kind before but I’m drawn to you in the worst way. Am I being
too blunt? I know total honesty is supposed to be normal for Species. Just tell me to shut up if I’m wrong.”
“You want me too?” His voice lowered to a raspy growl.
Kinda scary but hot, she decided. His voice change made her heart race faster. Justice moved slowly, leaned his body closer and his hand lifted to cup her face with his big
palm. His other hand slid loosely around her waist while he studied her eyes. Answer
him.
“Yes,” she breathed.
“You’re so small and I’m afraid I’ll bruise or accidentally hurt you.”
29
Laurann Dohner
She grinned, finding his nervousness reassuring. It proved she wasn’t the only one
on shaky ground and all her doubts about getting involved with him disappeared. “I’m
tough and willing to risk it.”
“I saw that you were strong in the lobby when you were attacked.” He nudged her
closer with his hand at her hip until their bodies pressed together. “You turned me on.
You were small yet fierce. You fought incredibly well.”
“I did?”
“Mmmm,” he growled as his face lowered. “Pull your hair back, please. I want
access to your neck.”
She gripped her long hair without hesitation and shoved it back over her shoulder.
She tilted her head to the side to give him open access to her shoulder and throat. He
leaned in more and Jessie shivered in anticipation when she felt his hot breath tease her skin below her ear. Justice inhaled slowly and ran his nose from that area, as gently as
the caress of a breeze, downward to where her shirt started at her bra strap.
“I won’t touch you with my teeth. Don’t be afraid. I’m aware that sharp canines
scare humans.”
“I’m not worried about it and you can touch me with your teeth as much as you
want.” The concept excited her but she did have one exception. “Just try not to break
the skin. I’m not into love bites. I’m not a fan of pain.”
He purred deeply, a sexy rumble coming from him. Her hand pressed against his
chest and she drew closer until her breasts flattened against his big frame. She could
feel vibrations when he purred that way. Jessie gasped softly from surprise when his
tongue suddenly traced her skin. Jessie turned her head, found her mouth pressed to
skin and opened it to lick his nipple. She latched onto it and nipped him gently with her teeth while sucking. The body against hers tensed and he growled, vibrating again.
The annoying shrill of his cell phone interrupted them. The mouth on her neck
stopped kissing and Justice uttered a snarled curse. She released his nipple, lifted her
chin and met his passion-filled gaze.
“Don’t get it. Let it ring.” She held her breath, hoping he’d choose her instead of
whoever called.
“Let’s go into the bedroom away from it.”
She pulled air into her lungs, the tension eased from her body and she smiled. That
was one way to get her into his room. Of course, she wanted to follow him anywhere at
that moment.
He pulled away to put space between their bodies and his eye color appeared
noticeably darker. She didn’t usually move this fast with someone but she wanted him,
he wanted her and she refused to think too deeply about it. He held out his hand and
she eagerly placed her smaller one in his. He turned, his focus remaining on her and led
her out of the living room.
30
Justice
Justice released her hand when they entered the large master bedroom, reached
back and pushed the door closed. A lock clicked into place, the sound easy to identify.
“It’s not to keep you in but to keep anyone from interrupting us. Sometimes the males
assigned to guard me enter my suite and the locked door will keep them from just
opening it.”
“Okay.”
Jessie reached for the front of his jeans and unfastened the top button. She watched
his face as she pulled the zipper down, looking for any signs of protest. Passion blazed
in his heated stare and she lowered her attention down his body to watch her fingers
hook the opening to spread them apart. He wore red flannel boxers.
They looked expensive and were amazingly soft when she brushed her knuckles
against them. He hadn’t been kidding about liking comfort between his skin and jeans.
She shoved the pants down his muscular legs before going for his boxers to remove
them too. His hands suddenly gripped hers and Jessie’s gaze jerked to meet his.
“Am I going too fast? Do you want to slow down?” She resisted smiling over how
amused she was at the thought that a man might resist getting naked as quickly as
possible with a willing woman in his bedroom. He isn’t like other guys, she remembered.
“There are some things you should know first.”
Uh-oh. “You have the same parts, right? Male parts?”
He flashed a grin. “Yes.”
“Then what else is there to know?”
He hesitated. “We’ve been told we’re larger than typical males.”
Larger. She swallowed. “I can deal with that. Larger as in ‘just a bit bigger’ or as in
‘that is never, ever going to fit inside me’?”
A laugh escaped his lips. “Your kind and my kind have shared sex. They didn’t
seem to have any problems with that.”
“That’s good to know.”
“There’s more.”
She bit her lip, unsure if she really wanted to know. Some things were best left
unsaid but she appreciated him wanting to be totally up front with her. “More than
large?”
“I just want you to be aware. Some Species swell even larger at the end of sex. I
don’t.”
She was a little shocked, hearing that Species fact.
“Tammy told Valiant that at the end, his seed is noticeably hot. It doesn’t hurt her
but she feels warm heat filling her when he spills his seed. I don’t have condoms and
can’t contain my seed if we do this. You will feel it if I come inside you.” He took a
sharp breath. “I don’t have to. I just wanted to give you the option of having me pull
out.”
31
Laurann Dohner
“It doesn’t hurt her?”
He shook his head. “She seems to enjoy it from what I was told by him. I just
wanted to warn you.”
“I’m warned. I think I can live with that.” Jessie was glad it wasn’t something
worse. Semen that was warmer than normal wasn’t a deal breaker in the bedroom.
He hesitated. “Can you get pregnant? Are you on something to prevent that?”
“I’m on the shot but I know that’s not a worry since you can’t have children. That’s
true, right?”
He hesitated. “It is better to be safe. We are all different and therefore it is always
within the realm of possibility. I prefer to be safe rather than take a risk.”
“I go to the doctor regularly, I’m on the shot and haven’t taken anything that will
mess with it, so we’re good. I don’t have any diseases either. They do regular testing at my doctor’s office and I haven’t had a sexual partner in about a year. I’m sure I’m
completely healthy.”
Surprise widened his eyes. “A year?”
She shrugged. “What about you?”
“It’s been a few months since I shared sex with a female. She was Species and we
don’t carry your sexually transmitted diseases. I’ve never been with a human, as I
stated.”
“So we’re good to go. We had the responsible conversation, we’re covered on
pregnancy and are both disease free.” She smiled and gripped the waist of his boxers to
push them down his muscular thighs. She couldn’t help but look down at the body she
revealed and as soon as she freed his cock, she froze. Her fingers clenched around the
soft material.
“Jessie?”
She forced her focus off his lower half to meet his concerned gaze. “You weren’t
kidding about being larger.”
“Do you want to stop?” His pretty catlike eyes narrowed, he frowned slightly and
worry tensed his features.
She stared at his cock, studied it. He wasn’t freakishly endowed but she’d never
been with a man his size. “I haven’t changed my mind. Just go slow because otherwise
that’s going to hurt.” She released his boxers, allowing them to fall to the floor. Her
attention returned to his face. “I still want you.”
“I don’t have to enter you. We could do other things. I won’t hurt you.”
Jessie stepped back as Justice kicked free from his clothes. She gripped the waist of
her tank top, pulled it over her head and dropped it to the floor. Justice silently watched her as she removed her jeans.
“I’m pretty sure I’m the same as your women. No surprises on body parts.”
He purred again. “Your skin is so pale. It’s beautiful.”
32
Justice
She glanced at her breasts. “I’m glad you think so. Your women are a lot tanner
naturally.”
“Your skin reminds me of milk. I love milk. The texture and the taste of it when it’s
warm is my favorite.”
He’s good. Jessie smiled at his compliment. The best part was she didn’t believe it was a guy line that he practiced to use with potential sexual partners. Justice wasn’t the average guy who’d grown up dating and learning what worked to pick up chicks. If he
said her skin looked like milk that he loved, that’s what it looked like. She removed her panties and matching bra, grateful they were nice.
“You’re beautiful,” Justice growled, staring at her breasts. “And bigger than our
women.”
She chuckled. “I’m glad something on me is. Your women are pretty impressive.”
He moved forward until they nearly touched and his warm hands gently gripped
her hips. He just dropped to his knees to kneel in front of her, his face now level with
her breasts. Hot breath fanned them and her nipples responded by growing taut. She
got to look down at his face for once as their gazes held.
“The last thing I should warn you about is that we’re naturally dominating and
aggressive. I’d never hurt you during sex but I might make noises you aren’t familiar
with. I don’t want you to be frightened if they sound scary. It’s not my intention to be
threatening.”
“I like it when you purr. You vibrate and it turns me on.”
“You are about to become really aroused if you are being honest with me. You have
no idea how much I want you, Jessie. I’m battling my urges to come at you full force.”
She wondered what kind of urges he resisted. “I’m not fragile or easily frightened,
Justice.” She lifted her hands and cupped his face, staring into his exotic gaze and the
urge to kiss him gripped her. She knew all about keeping in control at that moment.
“Don’t hold anything back. Be yourself. I want to know you.”
He softly growled at her, a deep rumble that had to be the sexiest thing ever. The
blue of his eyes really showed at that moment, leaving no doubt the color lurked in
those dark depths and she watched something change in his expression.
“You’re going to get me.”
33
Justice opened his mouth and licked the underside of one of her breasts. Jessiegripped his shoulders and lightly raked her nails across his skin. His hands tightenedtheir hold at her waist and he urged her back until she lay flat on her back across hismattress. He bent forward as he tugged her lower until her bottom rested on the edgeand his mouth opened over her right breast. His tongue tasted her, teased and playedwith the tip.Heat spread through Jessie at the strange texture of his tongue. That was anotherNew Species difference. It was wet, hot and felt a little rough but in the best way. Hissharp canines raked her skin, sending a jolt of passion throughout her body.“That’s a talent,” she moaned.He chuckled and released her breast. “I’m just starting.”His hands slid from her hips to the inside of her thighs, spreading them wider apartand pulled her c
Justice read the note Jessie had left on the bed. He’d gotten hung up with the pressby the reporters but had hurried back to his room looking forward to being with her.He read the note again, understood she’d gotten an emergency call from the task forceafter they’d gotten a lead on a New Species female and she’d had to leave. Tim Obertohad sent someone to pick her up. He snarled and crumpled up the note in his fist.Justice pulled out his cell phone and froze. What would he do? Call the head of thetask force and complain that he’d ordered Jessie to work when Justice wanted to climbback into bed with her? He cursed and lowered his cell. Jessie would never forgive himif he did that. Human women were private about their sex lives and independent. Hedoubted she would want the task force and the people she worked for to know she’dbeen in his bed. She’d also possibly re
Justice yawned and glanced at the clock. “It’s after three.”“I’m ready to call it a night.” Tiger stretched on the couch. “That was a good actionfilm.”“Thanks for staying with me.”“Not a problem. Any time.” Tiger met his gaze. “Females are trouble. Never forgetthat. We’re better off without them.”“I’m not sure I agree.”“Do you want me to stay in the guest room?”“Do you feel like driving home?”“Not really.” Tiger yawned. “I’m not used to these late nights.”Justice clicked off the TV and the DVD player, rose to his feet and dropped theremotes on the coffee table. “Stay. We’ll have breakfast together and discuss the newcameras you want installed at the gates.” He withdrew his cell phone and flipped itopen.
Justice grimly adjusted his tie for the hundredth time as he glanced at his securityteam. Humans stared at them as they entered the hospital lobby but it wasn’t unusual.Six large Species males, all dressed in black uniforms but one who was a nice businesssuit, was bound to draw a lot of attention. Justice ran his nervous hands down his darkgray jacket as he paused in front of the nurses’ station. The female lifted her chin andher mouth dropped open, nearly competing with her wide-eyed gaze.He tried not to intimidate the woman by speaking in a soft tone. “We are here to seeJessie Dupree. She was brought in as a shooting victim.”The woman snapped her mouth closed and swallowed hard. “You’re New Species,aren’t you?”Justice refrained from growling and flashing fangs. He didn’t want to carry on aconversation with the nurse. He didn’t want to
Jessie was nervous as she stepped out of the cab and lifted the gym bag to hershoulder. The sight of protestors marching near the gate angered her instantly. Don’t they have lives? Something better to do than harass a bunch of people who have never done anything to them? Jessie paused next to the cab window and handed the driver three twenties.“Keep the change.”“Thanks.” He backed the vehicle away.Her gaze studied the men and women as she headed for the gates. The NSOHomeland was the main home for New Species and they also had a huge wooded areathey’d bought and named Reservation. She’d been here before but she’d never had towalk through the front gates. She’d come in a helicopter, dropped off females and hadpromptly been flown out, having never stepped past the heliport area. Now she wasgoing to live and work inside Homeland. It was rumored Justice liv
Jessie closed the door and held the large bag of takeout food from the NSOcafeteria. She hadn’t eaten all day and the smell of dinner made her stomach rumble.She turned on lights to study the living room, debating whether to eat or explore. Herstomach rumbled again, settling the debate.The couch was plush and comfy as she sat, settled the bag on the table before herand opened it. The scent of prime rib made her groan. Justice had to have ordered it forher since they hadn’t asked her what she wanted. At least she hoped he’d donesomething that thoughtful. For all she knew, prime rib could have been the day’sspecial.She’d gotten to spend time with Tiny and Halfpint again. That had been great.She’d always believed her job rewarding since joining the task force but nothingreaffirmed that more than seeing the changes in the two. They’d been frightened,i
Jessie knew she pushed Justice to the breaking point when his catlike eyes fixed onher every movement as though she was the most fascinating thing in the world to him.His breathing grew erratic. The soft sounds he made were purely animalistic andturned her on further.He had admitted to being dangerous but she didn’t believe for a second that he’dhurt her. It might be nuts but her instincts were always something she counted on. Noalarms were triggered when it came to the New Species leader. Her attraction to himwasn’t the smartest thing she’d ever felt but she refused to deny it. She wanted himenough to fight for him. That meant being provocative in bed and making him break hisiron control.He grabbed her finger without warning and pulled it to his lips. Jessie was stunnedwhen it disappeared into his mouth, he snarled, and he sucked. It was erotic watchinghis reactio
“Breeze!” Jessie grinned. “You’re here at the women’s dorm! Why aren’t you still atReservation?”The six-foot-plus woman grinned. “I arrived early this morning. My best friendEllie wanted me to come home to share some news and I’ll be here for a while. She ishuman and married Fury, who is Species.”“I’ve heard of them—on TV when they got married. I hope it was good news?”“The best. I’m sorry but I can’t share what it is. All I can say is her and her husbandwanted something since they found love together and they finally accomplished it.”“That is good news.”“What are you doing here? Are you checking up on the woman you brought to us?They are still at Reservation and are doing fine. They have settled well. It was decidedthey should stay there instead of being brought here sinc
Jessie stared at her father while Senator Jacob Hills regarded her silently. His blue eyes were unreadable as they remained in Justice’s office. Jessie had asked Justice to step out so she could privately talk to her father. “So,” she finished. “I love him and he loves me. We are going to try to keep a lid on this until we get back from Reservation. Justice is taking a few weeks off to give us some time to spend alone.” Jessie searched her father’s face for any sign of emotion but couldn’t pick up a single one. Whatever he thought or felt, he kept it to himself. The man was a master at doing that. It’s why he was so good at his job. “Say something.” “Are you sure about this?” She frowned. “I called you to come here because I want you to give me away at my wedding. I’m marrying him, Dad. I love him and he’s everything to me. I’ve never been surer of anything in my life. Say so now if you don’t want to do it because I’m getting married in ten minutes. Justice was adamant ab
Justice woke and realized three things instantly. Jessie lay beside him sleeping, hewas in pain and Tiger sat in a chair next to him, silently regarding him with a grimexpression. He’d survived the attack since he was in Medical.“How bad are my injuries and did you catch the fifth male?”“Jessie killed him. You had surgery but you’re going to be fine within a few days. Ihad Doctor Treadmont give you the drugs to help you heal faster so that’s the reason ifyou feel a little aggressive. Please control it.”Justice turned his head to study Jessie. She lay curled on her side facing him, hisarm rested under her head and his hand curved around her back. He didn’t see a markon her delicate features, reassuring him she hadn’t been harmed. He felt relief. Hisattention shifted back to Tiger.“When did she fall asleep?”“She didn&rs
“Justice is going to be fine.” Doctor Treadmont smiled assurances. “He pulledthrough surgery and we’re using drugs to help his healing accelerate.”Jessie closed her eyes and fought tears of relief. “Thank you.” She opened her eyesand gave the doctor a grateful look. “Thank you so much.”Tiger cleared his throat and drew her attention. He and about fifty other NewSpecies were crammed inside the Medical Center reception area with her. Some of themsat in chairs, on the long counter near the front doors and on the floor. She’d taken upresidence sitting on a desk she’d pulled next to Justice’s room while he’d undergonesurgery.“Can we get you showered and changed now?” Tiger inched closer.Jessie glanced down, noting she hadn’t removed the vest and her bloodied clothes.She shook her head.Tiger frowned
Justice awoke to a strange, faint noise, something unfamiliar, and opened his eyes.Jessie remained tucked securely in front of him, their bodies still pressed tightlytogether and she breathed slowly and steadily, sleeping. Whatever had disturbed hissleep hadn’t been her. He listened, putting his senses on alert and picked up the soundof a vehicle approaching.He turned his head, glanced at the clock and realized there were a few hours beforethe sun rose. No one should be driving near his home at that time. Security patrolledthe grounds but stayed far from his house the way he’d ordered them to do after he’dchewed them out for invading his privacy every time he roared. He carefully eased hishold on his mate and slid from the bed without waking her.He rushed out of his room, down the hallway and into the living room. The lightswere still on from when he’d brought Jessie home
Jessie zipped her gym bag but Justice took it from her before she could lift it fromthe bed. She grinned, amused that he’d really driven her straight to the house to pack.He’d helped by bagging everything inside the bathroom and had taken most of it nextdoor already.“I could have done this tomorrow when you’re at work.”“I want it settled tonight.” Justice reached up and caressed her cheek with hisfingertips. “I don’t want you to have a reason to come over here again. You live withme.”His tender words filled her with happiness. He was totally committed to theirrelationship now, it wasn’t a secret anymore and he wasn’t hesitant in the least to makeit permanent.“What about all those boxes in the living room? Are we going to move those too?”“No. I will have someone do that in the morning.”J
Jessie turned when the hand gripped her waist with force. The male was a littleaggressive to hold her that tightly while dancing but she knew no one would hurt her.She looked up and gasped. Justice glowered at her. He was at the party and he didn’tseem happy to see her, judging by the way rage glinted in his dark eyes. She glanceddown when his other hand reached out and both of them locked around her hips. Hewore a dark-navy suit, a black, silk tie and appeared civilized from the neck down.“You need to go home right now.”Jessie met his gaze again, taking in the extent of his anger as she studied his harshfeatures. He’s livid. His nose flared, he softly growled and his fingers tightened their hold, to confirm her assessment. She frantically turned her head to search over hershoulder, spotted Breeze and didn’t see surprise on her face. She had a sinking feelingthat her friend
“My head,” Jessie groaned.Breeze laughed, making her head hurt worse. She’d swallowed two aspirin andprayed desperately they would work soon. It felt as if someone were using ajackhammer behind her forehead.“You should never drink.” Breeze chuckled.“Stop laughing. Please? It hurts.”“I had to carry you to bed.”“I don’t remember anything past the second beer. How many did I have?”“Many more but I drank three times what you did. I didn’t pass out. I tried to getyou to drink wine after the beer was gone but you just said there were two of me.”“Thanks for putting me in bed.”“I brought you something.”“What? Hopefully it’s a shot to knock me back out.”Breeze walked out of the bathroom where Jessie soaked in the tub and returnedcarrying a dress bag in
Breeze paced the bedroom, shooting glances at Jessie and clenched her fists. “Itmakes more sense now. Justice is very smart.” She paused. “Now I see it. He movedyou into this house to keep you next door to him. Everyone wondered why he wouldput a human here. They only live in the human village except for Ellie who lives withFury. We were told it was because Justice is close with your father and he wanted youin the safest place at Homeland. These homes are guarded and secured more than anyothers.”“I know.”“He lives next door and can come in here without anyone knowing.”Jessie nodded. “I know.”Breeze gaped at her. “He is so smart. Tonight…” Breeze threw her hand over hermouth before dropping it to her side. “He wasn’t worried about your safety or youbeing in a bar with our kind. He was jealous. He was
Two weeks of misery had passed since she’d kicked Justice out of her house. He’dleft her alone, had managed to avoid her completely. She forced her attention on Breeze.The big building loomed behind the Species woman and excitement shone from hereyes.“This is it. You’re going to have fun, Jessie.”“This is your big hangout, huh?”“Yes. It’s a bar and a dance club rolled into one. This is where we hang out withfriends or hook up with a male if we would like to share sex. I will introduce you andyou will make new friends. The dancing is fun and we are getting good at it. Ellie lovesto dance and she taught us how. It will be good for you to do more than work or stayinside your home.”“I love Ellie,” Jessie admitted. She’d met the woman who ran the women’s dorm,had instantly hit it off with her and become fast fr