"No and stop this line of questioning. I don't want to discuss it."

"I'm your friend."

"I know. It's just that I've been living with him for eight days but I don't know if he asked me to live with him because he knows I can't go home until my house is fixed by my insurance company or if he wants me to live with him. Things are...complicated."

"I'm a man and I know how men think. Tiger is nuts about you. I see him drop you off every morning and the way he kisses you goodbye. He lingers as long as he can because he doesn't want to part from you. Every day he spends lunch with you and he isn't even a minute late at the end of the day to pick you up. That speaks volumes to me. He could have had you stay at the human-housing apartment building after you were kidnapped but instead he had you move into his place. That's something a man does when he's serious. Trust me. We don't give up the bachelor pad easily."

"He's New Species."

Richard waved his hands. "What does that mean?"

"You can't compare him to a normal man."

"Just because his dick is bigger doesn't-"

"Shut up. That's not what I was talking about and you know it. Who knows what it means to him to have me live there. It just might be for sex instead of code for 'I'm serious about you'."

"I don't buy that for a second. He came here yesterday with a surprise picnic and you said he's planning on doing it again today. He was so eager to spend time with you alone that he shoved me out the door before my escort could even get out of his Jeep to take me to lunch. He's nuts about you."

"Maybe. He's got commitment issues though so we don't talk about the mate thing."

Richard sighed. "You guys are just going to play house and leave it all up in the air?"

"That about sums it up."

"What do you want?"

Zandy hesitated. "Tiger."

He smiled. "I'm sure it will work out. You two are happy together. Anyone with eyes can see that." Richard glanced at the front windows. "Ah. My escort for lunch is here a few minutes early." He stood and put his shoes on. "Have a good picnic with Tiger." He winked. "And please don't have sex on my desk."

She laughed. "You're so dirty minded. There are cameras in here and there're no blinds on the windows. Anyone going by can see inside. Do you really think that's what we did yesterday? It was just lunch."

"The security officers who watch the live footage from those cameras would sure appreciate it if you did. It would give them something good to watch for once." Richard laughed as he walked toward the door.

Torrent, a tall, black-haired New Species, opened the office door before Richard reached it. He held a bag in his hand and his gaze fixed on her.

"Zandy?"

She smiled at Richard's escort. "Hello, Torrent. What's up?"

He approached her. "A meeting has been called that Tiger had to attend. He will come as soon as it ends. It shouldn't be long but he didn't want you to go hungry. He ordered your lunch."

Zandy stood and walked closer to him. "Thanks." She held out her hand.

He inhaled and softly growling at her. It shocked her enough to step back. His gaze narrowed as he inhaled again. He growled deeper, his body tensing. Richard and Zandy exchanged glances before Richard moved in front of Zandy.

"What are you doing?" Richard frowned at him. "You're scaring her."

Torrent seemed to shake himself. "I'm sorry." He shoved Zandy's lunch bag at Richard. "I'll wait for you outside. Tiger didn't warn me that she was in heat. I have to leave. The scent drives me nuts. I haven't shared sex with a female in a while and I have to go before I do something Tiger will kill me over." He fled the building.

Richard turned, holding Zandy's lunch, and chuckled. "A laugh a day. You're still ovulating? I thought that was supposed to just last a few days. What are you? A one-woman egg distribution center?"

Zandy felt stunned. "I shouldn't be." Her conversation with Dr. Allison tugged at her memory. "I was given a shot after I was rescued from the creeps who kidnapped me. The doctor said it would mess up my cycle. Maybe I'm ovulating again instead of having double periods. Tiger didn't tell me."

"I wonder why not? Maybe it just started."

"Maybe. I don't know but obviously it's happening. Their sense of smell is amazing."

"Do I want to ask how you know that since you sound as if you're pretty knowledgeable about it?"

"Tiger can tell me what ingredients are in my shampoo just by sniffing at me. I had to change brands because he isn't a fan of avocado. I used it once and he never saw the bottle since he had to go out to do a security check when it was delivered to me. I showered while he was gone and he knew the second he stepped in the bedroom."

"I'm glad my sense of smell isn't that great. I'm going to lunch." He suddenly laughed. "Remember those cameras when Tiger shows up if he reacts the way Torrent just did. The guy looked like he wanted to grab you and take you on the floor."

Zandy carried her lunch to her desk and opened it. She wondered why Tiger hadn't said anything to her about going into what they considered heat. Creek assured her New Species could smell a woman's cycles coming. She suddenly froze in her seat, tensing. That morning Tiger had been particularly frisky.

He woke her up and made love to her until she thought he'd never let her out of bed. He was usually a passionate lover but that morning he'd been more aggressive than usual. It was possible he hadn't noticed or it hadn't started until after he'd escorted her to work. She shrugged it off and ate her roast-beef sandwich, the chips and drank the soda they'd included.

Her phone rang. "Zandy Gordon here."

"Hi, little one. I'm sorry but I won't make lunch. The meeting ran long and I have to wait on a report to come in. I have to call Homeland when it does. I'm stuck in my office."

"Is everything okay?"

"Yes. We're no longer on high alert. The United States government has taken a stronger stance against hate groups after what happened to you. They've been tracking down and arresting the most outspoken hate groups who have made public threats against the NSO. It's rid us of a lot of the more hostile protesters. They're pushing legislation to make it a hate crime to even threaten us."

"That's great news."

He chuckled. "I could almost thank Brother Adam if he wasn't dead. He made sure there were enough cameras and reporters present when he tried to kill you that it made worldwide news. Everyone had to take notice of what we deal with and the public outcry is forcing all the politicians who wish to be reelected to back us."

"You were a hero when you saved me by risking your own life. It showed what great guys New Species are. Plus you're sexy hot." She chuckled. "We're getting fan mail just for you. Most are from women. I hope that doesn't go to your head and you dump me."

"You're the only female I want."

"I'm really glad to hear that because you're all I want too."

Tiger softly purred into the phone and Zandy's body instantly responded. The man made the best noises that turned her on. She bit her lip and closed her eyes and admitted what she was thinking.

"I miss you."

"I'm going to pick you up at four today instead of five."

"What would my boss think?" Zandy teased and knew he'd laugh. "I don't want to be fired."

He chuckled. "Your boss would think I could sexually harass you and you'd enjoy it."

"Promises, promises."

"It is a promise." Tiger paused. "I have to go. The report is in and I have to call Homeland."

"I'll see you at four."

"Yes, you will." He hung up.

She finished her lunch and noticed that Torrent didn't walk Richard to the door when they pulled up to the curb in front of the building. It was unusual since they always did. Richard came in grinning.

"How was lunch with Tiger?"

"He couldn't make it. Something came up but I'm leaving an hour early today. Tiger is picking me up at four to make it up to me."

He chuckled. "See? He's nuts about you. Creek misses you and wanted to know if you'd be having lunch in the cafeteria tomorrow. I said you were in heat and she said she'd see you in a few days."

Zandy turned back to her work and started scanning in letters. They had a lot of mail pouring in. Mostly it had been supportive over the last week. The hate mail was down. It was a nice change.

Tiger watched Bestial swagger into his office and drop his large body into a chair across the desk from him. The male looked amused and Tiger's spine stiffened.

"What?"

"How is your mate? Have you told her yet?"

"No."

Bestial grinned, showing his canines. "You're being foolish. Just tell her she's your mate and be done with it."

"It isn't that simple."

"Sure it is. She doesn't have sharp teeth and she can't fight as well as our females can. I doubt she is as stubborn as they are either. You can handle her if she resists until you change her mind. Don't tell me you're afraid she'll kick your ass. I'd lose all respect for you."

"Shut up. It's complicated."

"Uncomplicate it." He chuckled. "I've fought with you and she doesn't stand a chance."

"This isn't about dominance. She had two humans who were bad mates and destroyed her trust in males."

"You're not being a good mate either if she doesn't even know she has one." He snorted. "Do you want me to tell her?"

"Don't interfere."

"I'm good at it."

"No, you aren't. Brawn still growls at me sometimes if I even glance at Becca when I see them. I took them a gift when their son was born to congratulate them and I thought he was going to attack. You used my name to make him go after his mate when you tormented him by making him think I was interested in stealing her away from him."

"It worked." Bestial laughed. "I've never seen a Species run so fast as when he shot out of our office to reach her. I still think they should have named the baby Sprint."

Tiger grinned. "I dare you to tell them that."

"No way. Kismet was a fine name to choose. You are missing the point. I helped them get together and they are very happy. Let me help you."

"Stay out of it."

"When are you going to tell her?"

"Soon."

"How do you plan to tell her?"

"I don't know. Why are you so curious?"

Broad shoulders shrugged. "I'm bored."

"Learn a new sport or go spend some time in the Wild Zone. Vengeance could use a friend. Go interfere in his life. He's the one who needs help with females. He's mourning the loss of his mate."

"I'd rather help you."

"Go share sex with a female."

Bestial stared at him with narrowed eyes. "I am your friend and you can talk to me. Are you afraid she will reject you?"

Tiger took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair. "Yes." It was a relief to admit it.

"I never thought I'd see the day when a little female would take you down. This is what they call priceless."

Anger stirred. "It's not amusing."

"It really is." Bestial chuckled. "You know we're all enjoying this after all the times you swore you'd never take a mate. Her being human is a bonus."

A snarl tore from Tiger as he shot to his feet. "I can't wait until you meet a female you want to mate. We'll see how amused you are then."

Bestial slowly rose to his feet, all amusement fleeing. "I'll just take her home with me and keep her there if I ever find a female I want to make my mate. I wouldn't allow her to believe we were just sharing a home either once I got her there. I'd claim her. You should try it. You need to do something."

"I am!"

"What are you doing?"

"I have a plan."

"What is that?"

Tiger hesitated. "Zandy has said that the males who didn't make her happy had no idea how to really commit to a female. I'm going to prove to her that I'm nothing similar to them."

"How are you going to do that?"

Tiger held his silence, unwilling to discuss it further.

"Fine. I hope whatever it is works before she leaves. I'd hate to see you moping around and mourning the loss of your mate. Don't expect any sympathy from me if it happens." He stalked out of the office and slammed the door behind him.