"They should be."

"Life isn't that simple."

"I'm lost in this world."

"We all are but we have each other. Stop charging after human females, Ven. You said you're learning about their culture? Learn that. I'd suggest coming at them gently and talking to them. Allow them to get to know you first before you try to convince them to go home with you."

"She isn't with a male. I thought she might want one."

"Yes. She is." Tiger's voice deepened. "She's mine."

"Your scent isn't on her."

"My mark is."

"How did you lure her into being yours?"

Tiger released him. "It's a long story and I've made mistakes."

"So have I."

"Let's go inside and talk."

Vengeance turned. "You are lucky, Tiger. Mate her and know happiness."

Tiger wanted to curse. He'd really screwed up with Zandy. She'd locked him out of her apartment and refused to speak to him. He didn't know how to make it right.

Chapter Thirteen.

Zandy bit her lip and stared at the locked door, wishing there was a peephole. "Who is it?"

"It's Creek," a familiar female voice stated. "I brought you dinner."

Zandy quickly unlocked the door and opened it wide. The New Species female smiled, holding a bag in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. She stepped inside the apartment and swept her gaze around the room.

"I thought you could use a drink after today. I know human females enjoy wine. Are you all right? Richard is fine but a little shaken up. I hope you are in the mood to eat a steak. I know you like to have that for lunch sometimes."

"That sounds wonderful." She took the bag and the wine. "Have a seat. I'll get us some glasses."

"I brought my dinner too. Do you mind if I eat with you?"

It explained how heavy and big the bag was. "I'd love that." She put it on the coffee table and rushed to the kitchen to get silverware and glasses. She hunted up a bottle opener.

They sat side by side on the couch and Creek sniffed the air. Zandy turned her head to stare at her friend.

"You are in heat. It's not just a faint smell now. It's hit you full force."

"That's so weird. I hope I don't stink." She hated the thought. "Women can't tell when they ovulate."

"Species can. We get very aroused for sex and want it often. You don't suffer that condition?"

"Nope."

"You are lucky. I am sorry Vengeance went after you. He lives in the Wild Zone and hasn't learned manners. Some of our more uncivilized males live there and they tend to allow their animal sides to rule. I'm sure he wouldn't have harmed you but you would have had one horny male on your hands."

"He would have forced me?"

Creek hesitated and then smiled. "He would have convinced you that you wanted sex. Our males would never take us unless our bodies were prepared for them. They can be very persuasive when they really want a female."

Zandy shook her head. "He wouldn't have convinced me."

"I would disagree." Creek took a sip of wine and looked surprised. "It is fruity but not bad."

"You never had wine before?"

"No. We don't drink alcohol but I like it." She set the glass down. "Vengeance would have stripped you bare and buried his face against your sex. They can convince you to want them." A wide grin spread across her face. "They are good at that. You being in heat would have assured he wanted to do that to you. They go crazy over the taste of a female in heat."

Her mouth was hanging open and Zandy had to force it closed. "Okay."

Creek chuckled. "You should see your eyes. Does this shock you? Don't your males love to lick your sex and taste you?"

"Um, most of them prefer women to go down on them."

Creek's amusement instantly died as she gawked. "Why?"

"What do you mean, why? They like getting head."

"What is that?"

Zandy blinked. "Oral sex. Men love getting oral sex from women."

"Our males don't ask." Her chest puffed out a little. "They want to convince us to share sex with them. There's no reason for us to tempt them that way to share sex with us. We are few and they are many. They have to work harder at sex to impress us since we have a large selection of males to choose from."

"Wow." Zandy sipped her wine. "So you never go down on the guys?"

"No."

Zandy decided to change the subject. "I feel horrible about that fight today. I should have just left when Tiger told me to."

"It's not your fault you didn't understand how tempting you were to males or that they would come after you aggressively. You're human."

"Tiger was hurt. His cheek was bleeding."

She laughed. "Don't worry about him. Males fight often and we heal fast. Besides, the females will hear what he did and want to reward him. He was a hero."

"Reward him?" Zandy didn't like the sound of that one bit.

"Tiger is one of our best fighters. That's why he heads security here. The males respect and fear him at the same time. The females will hear what he did for you and offer to share sex with him. Some female will be more than happy to tend to it."

Pain sliced through Zandy at the thought of some Species woman going after Tiger. He was mad at her and they were probably over. Would he sleep with someone else? She lifted her wineglass and downed the contents.

She listened to Creek talk about missing Homeland and how she'd been assigned with fifteen other women to live and work at Reservation. She drank a few more glasses of wine and managed to finish her dinner. Creek finally seemed to notice how quiet Zandy had grown.

"Are you tired?"

"Yes."

"I'll leave then. You aren't supposed to go to work but you can. Tiger will get over his anger. You work with a human and they have no sense of smell. Richard also has a mate and I've never smelled arousal on him when it comes to you. I'm sure you'll be safe with him."

Zandy stood up too fast after so many glasses of wine and stumbled. Creek gripped her arm to steady her and laughed.

"I think you drank too much, my little friend."

"Probably. It's been a long, bad day."

"You should call that male you are involved with and talk to him. It might make you feel better. You haven't been able to see him since you've been asked to stay here for your safety."

"We had a fight and I think we're over. Thank you for dinner and the wine."

"I'll walk you to your room. You're wobbling on your feet."

"Thanks." Zandy couldn't deny she was a bit drunk.

Creek led her into the bedroom and pulled back the blankets. The other woman sniffed the air and got an odd look on her face as she stared at Zandy.

"What?"

"Have you changed your mind about wanting to share sex with one of our males?"

"Nope. I was seeing someone and it just ended badly. Didn't I just tell you that I think we're over? We got into a fight."

"That's right." Creek helped her remove some of her clothes and climb into bed. "Were you seeing that male for long?"

"Long enough that it really hurts that we're over," Zandy admitted. "I knew it couldn't last." Tears filled her eyes and she blinked them back as she stared at her friend. "I envy you that whole refusing-to-get-serious-with-a-man thing. It sucks when you care about them and they don't feel the same way."

Creek tucked her in. "I understand. Did you allow him to sleep with you?"

"Yeah."

"He held you while you slept?"

"It was really nice," Zandy admitted. "Falling in love sucks."

"I'm sure it does." Creek moved away and paused at the door. "Sleep well, Zandy. I will see you in a few days after you're out of heat and allowed to return to the cafeteria."

Zandy closed her eyes when Creek turned off the bedroom light. She heard the other woman cleaning up the other room and felt a little guilty. Hot tears spilled out though when she thought about Tiger. Was he with another woman? He hadn't called her to apologize and he hadn't shown up again at her door, trying to talk to her.

The living room light went out and Creek closed the exterior door as she left. Zandy rolled onto her stomach and tried to push thoughts of Tiger away. She should have known better than to fall for him.

Tiger paced his bedroom, his thoughts on Zandy. He wanted to go to her but wasn't sure she'd talk to him. He paused to stare at the phone. Would she answer if he called? He'd really lost his temper when Vengeance had gone after her. He'd hurt her feelings but wasn't sure how to fix it. Humans were so different from Species females. One of them would have just hit him if he'd angered them but humans were known for holding grudges.

He sat on the edge of his bed and opened the nightstand drawer. He withdrew the Ziploc bag he kept there and opened it. Zandy's scent still lingered on her bra as he breathed her in. It only made him miss her more. The desire to go to her grew stronger so he sealed the bag again and put it away. Tormenting himself wasn't going to help matters.

His doorbell rang and he quickly strode to his front door. He shouldn't have come home but he'd needed some time away from everyone. He grabbed his cell phone out to check it, saw he hadn't missed any calls and jerked open the door, wondering who had come to visit him. It surprised him to find Creek standing there.

"Hello, Tiger." She peered at him. "May I come in?"

He opened the door wider and moved to allow her to pass him. "Is something wrong? I spoke to Vengeance if that's what you're here about. He's sorry for what he did today."

She turned to face him as he closed the door. "I had dinner with Zandy and we shared wine." Creek grinned. "She can't hold her alcohol. She was swaying on her feet and talked funny after a few glasses. It was very cute."

"Is she all right after today?" He inwardly winced, wondering if Zandy was more upset with him or with the male who'd tried to take off with her. He hadn't beaten on Vengeance after their talk. He'd felt bad for him and had no longer wanted to beat on him. "Is that why you're here? He won't go near her again."

All trace of humor left Creek's expression and she stared at him for long seconds. "Vengeance was out of control today but you stopped him from seducing her. I wanted to say thank you. Zandy is my friend. She doesn't understand about our males or what going into heat does to them."

"It was nothing. He was out of line."

She took a step closer to him. "I could share sex with you if you are interested. You were a hero by fighting him."

Tiger took a step back. "No thank you. I appreciate the offer."

She stalked closer and he backed away. Creek's gaze narrowed and he wondered why she was being so aggressive. It wasn't common for a male to turn down a female's offer to share sex. His back hit the closed door and he softly growled at her. "I said no."

Creek paused inches from him and stared into his eyes until he felt uncomfortable. "I could call another female to come here if it's me you're not interested in."

"I would find one on my own if I wanted a female. You should go."

Her expression softened as she retreated a few steps. She turned, took a seat on his couch and crossed her arms over her chest as her gaze met his again. "I tucked Zandy into her bed. She was unstable on her feet. Imagine my surprise when I smelled you and sex on her blankets. I know the real reason you are turning away my offer of sex. You don't want me because she's the female you do want."

Tiger frowned and remained against the door. "She's your friend and you were testing me to see how I felt about her by offering to share sex with me, weren't you?"

"Yes."

Anger stirred. "What do you want?"

"I like her a lot. She is my friend. She's hurting because you aren't seeing her anymore." Her voice deepened into a growl. "I saw pain in her eyes that you've caused. She isn't Species and sex isn't casual to them. She has feelings for you, Tiger. I wanted to tell you this. You'd be stupid not to see what a good female she is and try to coax her into a mating."

Tiger's anger burned hotter. "I plan to see her again. We just had an argument. I didn't say it was casual. We are both confused about what is happening between us."