New Species 13 Smiley

Laurann Dohner

Book 13 in the New Species
series.
It is advisable to read the books in order to get the most
enjoyment from the series.

Vanni is furious when her fiancé
tricks her into attending a conference where his father’s church is protesting
the New Species Organization. She hates everything those vile bigots stand for.
Vanni goes to the bar to cool off and ends up seated next to a handsome New
Species. Things heat up fast when they are both drugged.

Smiley doesn’t want to believe the
sweet human would dose them with the breeding drug. He’s willing to trust her
and determined to save her life. He’ll hold her. Protect her. Offer up his body
to distract them both from the pain. She is
his
female, even if she
doesn’t realize it yet.

A Romantica®
paranormal  erotic romance
from Ellora’s
Cave

Dedication

As always, I have to thank my amazing husband. MrLaurann is
my rock, my inspiration, and he makes life a pretty fantastic experience to
share. On Christmas 2013, I suffered a stroke. Life can be full of surprises,
some wonderful…some not. I want to give a HUGE thank you to everyone for being
so supportive. It was a very scary time at first but the many wonderful
messages motivated me to keep my sense of humor and to push to get my life back
on track. You guys rock!

I’d also like to say a very special thank you to Kele Moon.
She’s an awesome best friend and the best critique partner I could ask for. To
my mother, Donna, who pitched in to help with the kids after my stroke—thank
you! My editor, Pamela Campbell, is worth her weight in gold. Thank you. Last
but not least, I want to extend my gratitude to Ellora’s Cave. Five years ago
you took a chance on me by offering a housewife with a dream of getting her
stories published a book contract. I’m so glad that you did!

“Stop embarrassing me.” Carl hissed the words, glancing
around to make sure he couldn’t be overheard by anyone except his target. “My
father said you’re surly. It reflects badly on him. I just got my ass chewed
out. Keep smiling and nod, Vanni. He also said you were rude to a journalist.”

“Did you hear what he preached up there?” She was angry too.
“I agreed to put on this long skirt because your father has a problem with
women wearing pants. I didn’t say I’d talk with reporters and repeat the hatred
he spews.”

“You’re not supposed to talk at all. I know he’s old school
but he is my father. We’re here to represent him.”

“Old school? I’d use way harsher words for what he is. No, I
only came because I thought we were having a romantic weekend at a nice hotel.
Instead, I discover you’re sharing a suite with your father and I’m stuck
rooming with his insane assistant. You waited to spring this on me once we
arrived because we both know I wouldn’t have come otherwise.”

He stepped closer and wrapped his fingers around her upper
arm, glancing around again. “This is important to him. It’s two more days. Just
smile and keep your lips sealed. That’s all.”

“You told me you have nothing to do with your father’s
church. Why are we even here, Carl? I don’t understand.”

“He never asks me for anything but some of the press have
been questioning his family values. He needed us here to show support. It’s
only two days. Please, Vanni. I know this is a lot to ask but he is my father.
That makes him family to you.”

She was tempted to remind him they weren’t married yet. Her
mind went over her options. She was two hours from home, without a car. Her
roommate could come get her but she’d only ask a favor that big in an
emergency. It hadn’t quite reached that point but it was getting close.

Carl softened his tone. “This is important to my father and
he really needs me to be here. He asks for so little, Vanni.”

She stared into his eyes and hated the way her resolve caved
under that pleading look. “I don’t like his church members or what they stand
for.”

“I don’t either but I couldn’t say no. You’re going to be my
wife. I wanted you here with me.”

“They are bigots and I didn’t exactly wave that reporter
down or ask to have a microphone shoved in my face. I just said two words, Carl—no
comment. Be thankful I didn’t tell him that dinner was an hour of my life I’ll
never get back and how pissed I was, hearing that bullshit.”

His normally handsome expression twisted into something less
appealing. “My father and his followers just have different views. You’re not
being fair.”

“Fair?” Her temper flared again. “Don’t even say that word
to me. You swore we’d never have to deal with this church business and then you
lied to get me here. That was underhanded and low.”

“It’s one damn weekend.” He hissed the words. “Don’t be
selfish.”

“Who the hell are you and where did the man I know go? You
hate the things your father stands for as much as I do or was that just
bullshit to get me to marry you?”

He glanced around and then stared at her. “He promised to
give me fifty grand if I showed up. Your family isn’t exactly able to pay for a
nice wedding. I’m the one who has to eat the extra costs.”

She clenched her teeth, resenting the guilt trip and knowing
that was exactly what it was. “I wanted something small so don’t lay this on
me. You’re the one who wanted four hundred guests.”

“They are clients. I couldn’t get married without inviting
them.”

“I want to leave.”

His hold tightened and he jerked her a little, looking away
once again to scan the room. “Just stop it,” he snapped. “Go upstairs if you
can’t put on a happy face. Don’t embarrass my dad again. Do you understand?”

“I’m starting to.” She didn’t like the implications either. “So
you want me to hide after you brought me here since I won’t get with the
program?”

“You can’t embarrass him.”

“What about me? I’m embarrassed to be here with that
so-called church.” She yanked her arm, forcing him to release her and backed
away.

“You don’t have to agree with their beliefs but you will
stand by my side so I can support my father. Someone has to pay for this
wedding.”

“Yes sir.” She raised her hand and smartly saluted. “I’ll be
good and go hide upstairs so I don’t tell anyone that I was sickened by the
hatred and stupidity your father preaches.”

“You’re being dramatic. It’s not flattering, Vanni.”

She bit back a nasty response.

“Don’t forget to show up at breakfast tomorrow. We’re
supposed to pose for pictures with my dad right afterward. Wear the pink dress
his assistant bought you.”

She cringed. “It’s horrible. It reminds me of some nightmare
bridesmaid dress where someone threw up carnations down the front of it.”

Carl shook his head. “Just wear the fucking dress. Smile for
the cameras and act like an adult. We’re doing this for our future and to pay
for our wedding. Is that too difficult for you?”

She was tempted to say yes.

“Do it for me.” He reached out and took her hand, his thumb
brushing over her engagement ring. “For us. It will make me happy and it’s only
two days. That’s all. He’s trying to gain support for his church. There are
reporters here and the coverage is just what he needs. We’ll get a nicer
wedding out of it.”

Vanni cringed inside. She wouldn’t be heartbroken if his
father’s church faded into oblivion and hoped no one took to heart the crap she’d
heard during dinner. The speech Pastor Gregory Woods had given had made her
lose her appetite. She would have walked out if it hadn’t been for Carl. She’d
tried to avoid an argument but hadn’t succeeded since a reporter had attempted
to interview her right afterward. Her “no comment” remark had pissed Carl off
and apparently his father as well.

“Shit,” Carl muttered. “Reporters at two o’clock. Get the
hell out of here before they spot us.” He glanced down at her and his gaze
narrowed. “Go upstairs and stay there until breakfast. We’ll discuss this in
the morning.”

She spun away, eager to leave the banquet hall. The Carl she
knew had radically changed once they’d arrived at the hotel and she wasn’t
enjoying this new side of him. He’d been a first-rate dick. It made her
seriously reconsider their future.

Pastor Gregory Woods’ personal assistant, Mable, was another
nightmare for Vanni. The woman was rude and snooty. The idea of returning to
the room they shared turned her away from the elevators. The bar sign beckoned.
She strode toward it and entered the dimly lit area. The tables were occupied
but she spotted an open barstool. She rarely drank and bars weren’t her scene.

The bartender caught her eye as he approached. He was in his
mid-thirties and flashed a friendly smile. “What can I get you?”

Vanni smoothed the long skirt as she took a seat and shoved
a hand inside her pocket, regretting leaving her purse in her room. She had a
twenty-dollar bill and her room keycard though. Her license was in her wallet
so she couldn’t prove her age if asked to show ID.
Could my luck get any
worse?
“Just an iced tea but no lemon. Thanks.”

He nodded and turned away to fetch her drink. She kept her
head down until someone cleared his throat to the left of her. She hoped it
wasn’t some drunk about to hit on her—the reason she hated bars. One deep
breath and she turned her head to face her fellow bar mate.

The gasp was automatic when she saw his features. It came as
a shock to realize he wasn’t just any guy. He had the firm jawline, pronounced
cheekbones and generous lips that told her he was New Species. Her gaze lowered
to his jeans jacket and the way the sleeves were tight in the shoulder and
upper arms. He wasn’t sporting the black NSO uniform that she’d spotted a few
of them wearing from the brief glimpses she’d gotten of them in the lobby.

She lowered her gaze to glance at his jeans. They were
molded to muscular thighs. Her attention jerked upward to gawk a little at his
face again.
I shouldn’t have asked. My luck can get worse.
Panic struck
her next. Carl would have a fit if someone spotted her sitting next to a New
Species and told him or his father.

This New Species possessed lovely brown eyes with long dark
eyelashes. He had silky black hair that fell just past his shoulders. He
blinked before he spoke. “Are you all right? You’re really pale and your hands
are shaking.”

His voice had a deep tone that sent chills down her spine.
She wasn’t sure if it was from fear or because it was the kind of voice she
found sexy. It was gruff, masculine and pleasant at the same time. She
struggled to come up with an answer but acknowledged being tongue-tied.

He leaned in a little closer. “I’m not dangerous if that’s
what you heard about my kind. I’d never attack you. Do you want me to go?” He
tensed as if to get up from the stool.

“No!” She managed to speak. It made her feel a little guilty
that he was ready to leave because of her deplorable reaction. “I was just
surprised, that’s all. You’re fine where you are.”

He leaned back on his barstool. The bartender distracted her
when he brought her iced tea and dropped off a dark-colored drink to the New
Species. She withdrew the twenty. “I’ll pay for both of them. Keep the change.”
It was the least she could do after making him uncomfortable.

“You don’t have to do that.”

The bartender fled and she faced the man with the whiskey
voice. His nose was wider than most but his eyes were striking with the long
dark eyelashes. Beautiful, even. “Call it my version of an apology. My mood has
nothing to do with you. I’ve been on edge all day.”

He lifted his drink and took a sip. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

He put down his drink, ran his palm over his thigh then
offered it to her. “I’m Smiley.”

Her still-stunned mind scrambled for the definition of the
word. Rumors speculated they picked their names to reflect their personalities.
It was a nice one. “Vanni.”

His hand was large and warm. He took hers very gently, shook
it and released her. “Vanni is a pretty name.”

“It stands for Travanni. My mother had a thing for weird
names. I hate it. All my life I’ve just gone by Vanni.” She sipped her tea,
trying not to babble. She did that when she was nervous and speaking to a New
Species made her very much so. “My poor sister got stuck with Mortimia. She
usually refuses to tell people her full name and just goes by Mia. We are
certain that my mom was obsessed with vampires.”

He appeared a little confused. “I don’t understand.”

She smiled. “Travanni reminds me of Transylvania, home of
Dracula. Mortimia, well, Mort translates into dead. Mia translates into me.
Dead me.”

He chuckled now. It was a nice sound. “I see. Are there any
other siblings with strange names?”

“I have an older brother. He got stuck with Count. Again
with the vampire theme. Count Dracula. She said it means noble but we’re on to
her.”
Shut up
, she ordered herself but then the New Species laughed. She
relaxed. “She’s weird but we love her.”

“What did your father think about those names?”

She hesitated. “He was a workaholic. He was gone a lot, out
of the country on business when most of us were born so I don’t think he had
much input. He pretty much got her pregnant and then flew away. We joke that we
know when he had vacation time by counting back nine months from our birthdays.
He’s retired these days.”

“That must be nice that he’s home now.”

“Well, my parents haven’t killed each other yet so I guess
it is.” Vanni took another drink of her tea. She was downing it fast. It might
silence her before she over-shared too much about her family just to find a
topic of conversation. “I take it you’re here for the thing?”

He blinked. “Thing?”

“You know. The conference thing.” The New Species
Organization was promoting the expansion of the NSO Reservation to start a
wildlife sanctuary to take in more rescued animals. Gregory argued they were
really training them to attack people. He was nuts.

He nodded. “Yes. Are you as well?”

She wasn’t going to admit it or he might ask who she’d come
with. Pastor Gregory was one of New Species’ biggest adversaries. After hearing
the vicious things Carl’s father had said about people like Smiley she was
ashamed to be associated with that church in any way. He seemed nice and
definitely not deranged. “Vacation,” she lied.

He nodded. “It’s beautiful here in Los Angeles. I love the
city lights I see from my room. It’s like a different world from where I come
from.”

“Do you live at Homeland or Reservation?”

“Homeland.” He drank more of his soda. “I’m here on security
detail. I just finished my shift.”

She nodded, deciding to change the subject. “You’re drinking
Red Bull and vodka?” She glanced at the glass he held.

He shook his head. “Most of my kind don’t drink alcohol.
This is just a soda.”

She’d heard so many rotten things from Carl’s father about
New Species but talking to Smiley proved him wrong, so far anyway. It wasn’t a
surprise that the pastor was a gasbag. She cleared her throat, trying to think
of a topic to talk about.

“Take my advice and just enjoy the city from your room. This
neighborhood is nice but I wouldn’t want to venture a few blocks over. The
crime rate is horrible.”

One dark eyebrow arched as he peered at her with curiosity.

“That older brother I mentioned is a cop. He made me swear
not to leave the hotel after doing a computer check of the area before I
arrived. I got a lecture about carjackings, muggings and rape complaints that
had been filed. He acted as though I’d take moonlight strolls down alleys or
something.” She grinned. “I’m always going to be five years old to him, I
swear. I’m hoping that one day he realizes I’m an adult but I’m not holding my
breath.”