Numbers (New Species #14-15)(49)

“I’m worried about her. She’s so frail.”
“Chocolate is the answer. I look at it and gain five pounds. See if she likes bacon cheeseburgers too, and French fries. Add in some ranch dressing for dipping and she’ll have some cushion around those bones in no time. Pretty much go on the internet and find foods that they say not to eat while dieting and feed them to her.”
“I can do that.”
“I know you can. Get some of the human mates involved. They’ll help you out on what to feed her and how to cook it.”
“I was considering bringing her to Reservation. I trust you to help me care for her.”
Tammy hesitated. “I think it would be better if you keep her at Homeland for now. After telling me how those assholes kept her on drugs for so many years, she needs to be near Medical. Trisha is an amazing doctor and she’s there right now. Besides, there are some excellent hospitals near Homeland in case she needs a specialist. Trisha can have them consult with her and that’s easier to do if they can actually check your Candi out themselves. That means taking her to them. Flying back and forth would be tough if she does end up having some health issues. I want your Candi to have the best medical care, and I know you want that too.”
“I do, but I’m concerned I won’t be able to care for her the way she needs.”“You’ll do fine. Old Doc Harris doesn’t have the best bedside manner, and he’s on duty here. Do I need to say more to convince you?”
“No. I’d have to hit him if he upset her.”
Tammy laughed. “He’s a good doctor but yeah, he needs a lot of work on the things that come out of his mouth. He blurts out whatever comes to mind. I think she’ll feel more secure having so many Species living in the dorm too, after what she’s been through. Exposing her to the Wild Zone residents might be something you want to do at a later date. You know how some of them are less than social. It took them a while to warm up to me because I’m human. They might see her that way instead of as a Species.”
“She’s one of us. So are you.”
“I know that. Some of the Wilds really hate humans though. They had it far worse than other Species. Valiant tells me stories about how he was treated while at Mercile that makes me want to kill people too. They kept him in a lion cage and the staff would stare at him like some circus attraction. Get her stronger before you bring her to Reservation. You want your scent stamped all over her. It helps them accept us if we smell just like our mates.”
He hung up with Tammy and felt better about everything. That was what good friends could do. She’d seen him at his worst when she’d been kidnapped and locked up with him. Her faith that he could become a good mate to Candi helped with some of his insecurities.
Hero returned to his room. The sight of Candi sleeping in his bed felt right. He bent down and removed his shoes. He’d dreamed about holding her again. It had been hell when they’d taken her away from him. She had been as much a part of him as one of his limbs. He stripped out of his torn shirt and even removed his pants, but put on a pair of boxers.
He managed not to wake her as he curled up against her back and wrapped his arm around her waist. Her steady, slow breathing assured him she wasn’t having bad dreams. There had been plenty of times as children when nightmares had plagued her. She’d witnessed her mother’s death at the hands of her own father. She’d loved the woman who’d given birth to her, always sharing stories of love and laughter.
He loved Candi. His life had been lonely until she’d arrived inside his cell. He hadn’t believed until then that he could learn to trust anyone fully human. She’d been nothing like the technicians. Even knowing Dr. C was her father hadn’t dissuaded him from forming a deep bond with her. Now here she was, alive and where she belonged.
He lowered his chin to rest against the top of Candi’s head, her small body molded to his front. He no longer wished to run from his feelings or her, and would make sure it worked out between them. This was their new beginning. She hadn’t been freed when he had been, but unlike him, she wouldn’t have to navigate that new life mostly on her own. Friends were great and he appreciated them, but a mate was someone to spend the rest of his life sharing every moment with. There was no question that Candi was his. She’d always been his. 
His body responded to having her so close but he ignored his stiff dick. He was terrified he’d harm her or get her pregnant. She really was frail. He made a mental note to talk to someone about what was being done to the humans who’d kept her imprisoned. They needed to pay.
Chapter Seven

Candi watched 927 carefully. He’d changed his entire attitude toward her and while she appreciated it, she wondered why he’d become so enthusiastic to accept her into his life. She finished the breakfast he’d brought her.
“Well?”
“I liked it a lot. My stomach hurts a bit. That was a lot of food.”
“Tammy suggested it. It’s one of her favorite things to eat. She said bacon cheeseburgers and fries are good for adding weight. I asked one of the males to cook it for you. He offered to teach me, if you like hamburgers, so I can make them.”
“That was nice of him.”
“Some of our males have really enjoyed learning things, but especially cooking. We like food.”
“It was really good. There were so many flavors.”
“What did they feed you after you left Mercile?”
“Mostly oatmeal, eggs and lots of soup. It wasn’t that good. I barely got meat since I was only allowed to use plastic spoons.”
“No wonder you are so thin.”
She smiled. “I actually missed the meat strips from Mercile.”
“I’ll cook you a steak. I am good at that.” He stood.
“Not right now. I’m full.”
He grinned. “Sorry. I’m eager to get you better. The females at the women’s dorm are baking for you. They are going to drop off a cake, a few pies and some cookies today.”
“That’s really nice of them.”
“Everyone is concerned about you, Candi. They want to help you gain weight. I went there while you showered this morning and told them Tammy said you need lots of chocolate.”
It touched Candi to learn that so many people wanted to help her. It also made her wonder if any of those females were ones he’d shared sex with. She didn’t ask, not wanting to ruin the morning because of her jealousy. It was something she needed to deal with. 927 was really trying to integrate her into his life and that’s what she needed to focus on, not what had happened in the time they were apart.
“How would you like a tour of Homeland today? Everyone is excited to meet you.”
She hesitated.
“Too soon?” Concern showed in his eyes.
“I just want to spend time with you,” she admitted.
“I understand. I remember when I was freed. It was amazing to see all those Species, but it was a little overwhelming. I spent a lot of time in the room they assigned me, just touching things and trying to figure them out.” He suddenly grinned. “Television! It’s a wonderful thing. How would you like to watch a movie with me? I have some of my favorites on DVDs. Those are round disks that store it and you can play it over and over, as much as you want.”
“Okay.”
“Do you know what is good for movie watching? Popcorn. I’m out, but I know a few males who also got hooked on that treat. I’ll go knock on their doors and see if they have any. I’ll be right back.”
“Popcorn?”
“You’ll like it, and it has lots of butter. That’s probably helpful to gain weight. I’ll be right back.” He moved fast, unlocked the door, and left.She shook her head, amused. 927 seemed determined to feed her until her stomach burst. She stood and carried the plate to the sink. She paused, glancing at the dishwasher. She had no idea how to use it. He’d given her a tour of his home that morning, and pointed out what things were. She decided to hand wash her plate, something she was confident she could do. Someone knocked on the door so she turned away and opened it.
Breeze smiled at her. “How did it go? I heard you spent the night with Hero.”
“I did. He let me sleep with him.”
“Good. I’ll relieve the officer since he’s no longer needed.”
“Come in.”
“I’m on my way to work so I just have a minute.” Breeze lowered her voice. “Did it work? I smell him on you, but you showered. Did he mount you?”
“No, but he held me while I slept. He’s afraid he’ll cause me damage.”
Breeze glanced down her. “Understandable.”
“He’s going to wait until I weigh more.”
“Does he understand that could take a bit of time?”
“I don’t think so. You should have seen the huge breakfast he fed me, and now he went to get some kind of treat. Popcorn. He might hurt me with too much food instead of sharing sex with me.”
Breeze chuckled. “A for effort.”
“What does that mean?”
“Sorry. You look so human I forget. It means he’s trying and going all out to do it.”
“He has his friends cooking for me.”
“Aw. That’s so sweet.”
“I know. I just wish he wouldn’t worry so much about me. I’m strong.”