“Of course. Stay here and I’ll retrieve your clothes. Would you prefer someone else bring them to you? I’m sure I’m not your favorite person.” He couldn’t resist baiting her.
Color rose in her cheeks again. “I don’t care who brings them.” Her chin lifted and she held his gaze with determination.
She was so appealing. He wanted to smile but kept the grimace in place. “Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?” He purposely lowered his gaze down her body. “I owe you.”
He caught the quick intake of her breath and the way her eyes widened. He’d shocked her with his subtle sexual offer. She didn’t answer immediately.
“It’s probably best for both of us if we leave it as is. Just get me some clothes. It’s cold in here. It would be nice to know if my suitcase survived so I have something to wear tomorrow. It was in the trunk of my car.”
“I’ll look into that. Relax, Kat. Welcome to Homeland.” He spun and stalked to the door, picking up his discarded tank top on the way. “Someone will be in shortly with your things. Stay here. There are a lot of males outside who would enjoy the view of you in so little.”
He walked out and closed the door behind him. He’d be keeping a close eye on that female and she’d be dealing with him often. First he’d have to change his current living arrangements. He looked forward to seeing her surprise when he became her neighbor.
Chapter Four
Kat walked around the small home after her shower and appreciated how well the NSO accommodated guests though she wasn’t allowed to leave without picking up the phone and calling for an escort. Visitors weren’t permitted to roam Homeland without one.
The two-bedroom cottage had charming furnishings and a comfortable feel. Her suitcase had been searched and delivered. Some new damage showed on the plastic case but she was grateful it had survived the explosion. All her clothes had been put away in one of the bedrooms that faced the cute little patio area.
The doorbell rang and she tensed, not expecting anyone until morning. She opened it, though, feeling safe. NSO had security up the ass. A female stood there, one she hadn’t met before, and held out a covered tray.
“Darkness asked me to deliver your dinner. I know you’re stocked with food supplies but he told me this is his way of apologizing for being mean to you.”
Kat was surprised. “Thanks.”
“Move and I’ll bring it in.”
“I’m Kat, by the way.” She stepped aside and waved her arm. “Come on in.”
“I’m Sunshine.”
The tall feline New Species was pretty. “I love your hair.”
The woman turned and flashed a smile. “Thanks. It’s natural.”
That surprised Kat. The woman’s tresses had to be at least six different colors. She didn’t mention that it reminded her of her neighbor’s pet or that she could guess what breed of cat they’d gotten her DNA from. She’d never look at Calicos the same way again.
“I know the layout. Most of these cottages have the same floor plan.” Sunshine walked into the kitchen and placed the tray on the counter. “Are you okay? I figured Darkness must have done something really bad to ask me to deliver food. He’s frightening.”
“I’m great. There was just a little mix-up at the gate.”
The woman arched her eyebrows. “We were attacked and you made the bad guys go kaboom!” She grinned. “Everyone is talking about it.”
Kat had to admit she hadn’t thought about much else since she’d been shown to the cottage. Men had died. They had planned to do harm but that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to have some issues to deal with. The report she’d have to write when she returned to her office would be a nightmare. She would also want to look up their backgrounds. It would probably help ease some of her distress about the incident when she checked their priors.
“Great.” She hoped her sarcasm didn’t come across.
“We got lucky. None of ours died, although my friend Breeze was trapped under part of the ceiling. It collapsed on top of her.”
“Is she okay?”
“Yes. Breeze is tough. The roof actually fell on top of the desks but she’d hit the floor first so it didn’t crush her. She just needed a shower once she got home. The males took over the only working showers so all the females on duty came to the dorm to get cleaned up. She was just angry that it happened.”
“It shouldn’t have.”
“The main gates are closed. They are going to have crews come in tonight to work on them but it’s going to take at least two days.”
“That’s fast.”
“Money talks, bullshit walks.” Sunshine beamed. “Is that the right saying? We pay out a lot of money by having contractors working around the clock when we need something done fast.”
“You nailed it.” Kat wanted to change the subject. “Do you know anything about the classes I’m supposed to start teaching tomorrow?”
“Of course. I’m signed up.”
“Where are they going to be held? No one said.”
“The bar. It’s big enough to house everyone who wants to come.”
That surprised her. “I’m holding class in a bar?”
Sunshine opened cupboards and removed a plate. “It’s not like the ones in your movies. We dance there and they mostly serve caffeine. That’s an amazing thing.”
“Dancing?”
“Caffeine.”Kit grinned. “I’m partial to it myself.”
“Most of us don’t drink alcohol. It tastes horrible and with our metabolisms it’s tough to get and stay drunk.” She curled her lip and revealed her fangs. “I don’t see the draw in it. Alcohol makes you lightheaded and stupid. Where is the fun in that?”
“I’m not sure. I’m not much of a drinker myself.”
“Good. A lot of us signed up for your class. We rarely have human guests who hold classes. Everyone is excited but I should warn you that some of the males will be there because you’re female.”
Kat opened the fridge. “Do you want a soda?”
“No thank you. Do you want me to leave?”
“Stay. I enjoy the company. Why are guys coming just because I’m a woman?”
“Some of them are looking for mates. Justice strongly discourages them from talking to the protestors or the mate hunters at the gates.”
“Mate hunters? What are those?”
Sunshine took a seat at the counter. “Females who show up looking for one of our males to mate them. Most of them are a bit…what is that saying? One nut shy of a full bag of peanuts?”
Kit laughed. She opened the lid on the tray and stared at the biggest steak she’d ever seen. It had to be over twenty ounces. “Wow.”
“You don’t like meat?”
“It’s enough for two. I can’t possibly eat all that.”
“Good! I’m hungry.” Sunshine slid out of her seat and took out another plate. “That is if you don’t mind.”
“Nope.”
Sunshine found silverware, cut the steak in half and passed one of the plates to her. “Here you go.”
Kat sat at the counter and opened her soda. “Thanks. So tell me more about these mate hunters. I’m curious.”
“They flash their breasts at us. I walk the wall by the gates and they can’t tell which of us are male or female. I’m tired of seeing boobs.”
It was funny. “I bet.”
“As if a little breast flashing would be enough to drive our males into a sexual frenzy. Maybe if they tried that at the Wild Zone. Some of our males there would go for it. Those humans would be so sorry if they lured one of those males into taking them home.”
“Why?”
Sunshine paused. “I don’t know if I’m allowed to say.”
The implied secret piqued Kat’s suspicious nature. Where they hiding something?
“Well, I guess it would be okay to say it’s called the Wild Zone for a reason. Some of us aren’t as civilized as others. They were badly mistreated at Mercile so humans aren’t their friends. They live there to avoid running into any except for mates. Ta…” She stopped. “A mate lives there year-round. Of course her mate is very protective so she’s safe from anyone being mean to her.”
“She’s human?” It was a calculated guess.
“Yes. There’s no harm in telling you that.”
“So why would a woman be sorry to end up with a Wild Zone mate? I am curious.”
Sunshine cut into her meat and glanced at her. “Wild. Get it? They aren’t so polite. Your females see Justice on television and assume all have his manners. They would be wrong. The Wild Zone males wouldn’t use polite words and conversation with a female. They’d just want to seduce a female. They aren’t into extended discussions first, if you know what I mean. They like sex and can get a little carried away. A male would get a woman to say yes and then go right for the good spots. I know human females are used to human males taking things much slower. Species love burying their faces between a female’s thighs. Often.”
“Oh.” Kat took a bite of her steak. It was delicious. She thought about what she’d learned. “They just go for it, huh?”
Sunshine grinned. “It makes for hot sex but they are a little rough. I don’t know if a human could handle it. They wouldn’t hurt them or force the issue but it would be a wild ride.”