Numbers (25 page)

She turned her head and kissed his cheek. “I’m wearing you
out. Admit it.”

He laughed. “You are the one panting.”

She reached back and dug her fingers into his side, wiggling
them. He laughed louder and rolled, pinning her under him. He tickled her
instead. He finally stopped when he knew she’d had enough. He stared into her
face, and knew without a doubt that it would destroy him inside if anything
ever happened to his Candi. He wanted to protect her at all times, but Mercile
made that impossible. He’d just do everything he could to make certain she was
strong and could fight when he wasn’t with her.

Candi watched Breeze leave and felt a large burden lift from
her shoulders. She’d told the female everything. The door opened a few minutes
later and Hero entered. He looked furious.

“Why was she carrying a video camera?”

“She asked to film some of my answers and I agreed. They are
going to play it for the humans.”

“I don’t like that.”

She stood and approached him. “You’re being overprotective.”

“Humans could use your image in bad ways.”

“There’s an active manhunt under way for me right now, and
some photo the hospital took is being shown on the news. My image is already
out there. I’d prefer they have the truth instead of thinking I killed Penny
because I’m insane and dangerous.”

His gaze traveled down her and he snorted. “Humans are
idiots if they see you as a threat.”

She grinned. “They aren’t like you.”

He grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the kitchen. “I’m
feeding you.”

“Okay.” It had been a few hours since they’d seen each other
and she was a little hungry. “I’m fine though.”

He stopped and lifted her up on the counter, gazing into her
eyes. “I hate that you had to go through that.”

“I’m grateful. Do you know how many years I wished someone,
anyone would listen to me? Now the NSO will get my story out there. Everyone
will know that Dr. C killed my mother and that Penny kept me locked up so I
couldn’t expose Mercile after I was taken from there. The police will stop
believing I’m a deranged murderer.”

He leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers. “Did
you have to agree to Breeze filming you?”

“I didn’t want to wait for them to type out things and sign
them. Breeze said humans are anal about paperwork and statements. The video can
just be shown to them to prove they were my words. I don’t mind. Plus, Breeze
said humans would see how puny I am and know I was abused.”

He growled. “She didn’t have you strip naked, did she?”

“No. How did it go for you?” She reached up and ran her
fingers through his hair, stroking him. “Was it difficult talking about the
past?”

“Yes. We went down to the conference room and more males
showed up to write down what I said. They’ll only share what they feel the
humans need to know to protect you. The legal team came too. They’ve been busy
since you arrived with what information they had.”

“What does that mean?”

He paused.

“Just tell me.”

“They located the homicide file on your mother. It was
unsolved. They feel the police are going to be happy to close it once they
learn that you witnessed Dr. C kill her and that other male. They also
discovered a missing-person report on you. Dr. C had to file one once the
police notified him of the fire at your home and the deaths. Your body wasn’t
located. They said it was standard procedure for a male to file one and it
would have made him seem innocent of stealing you.”

She let that sink in.

“It also establishes that you were at the site of a double
homicide as a young child and disappeared at that time. Dr. C’s alibi was
Mercile Industries. They said he was working that night, but now everyone knows
they lied. One of the humans working on our legal team seemed really happy
about that. He feels it proves where you were taken.”

“Good.”

“No one is going to take you away from me.” He straightened.
“Did you sign the mate papers? They had me sign them first.”

“I did.”

He smiled. “Good. You already were my mate but now the
humans know it as well.” He backed away and opened the fridge. “I will make you
a sandwich.”

Someone knocked on the door and Hero slammed the fridge
closed. He grumbled as he passed her. “Don’t get down.”

She turned her head and watched as he unlocked the door and
yanked it open. Two females stood there. He opened the door wider and they
entered, carrying large bags.

“We brought cakes, cookies and a fried chicken. We heard
what was going on and figured you’d be hungry for dinner.” The tall female
grinned at Candi. “I’m Bluebird and this is Sunshine. Welcome to Homeland.”

Hero took the food from them and set it on the coffee table.
“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” The one with blue streaks in her black
hair peered at Candi. “You poor thing. We’ll put weight on you really fast.”
She turned to Hero. “You should move into the women’s dorm. We got permission
from the Gifts. They see it’s more reasonable to have a mated couple under our
roof. It will be easier for us to feed your female if she’s there, and we’ll
keep her company while you’re on shift. They think she must be terrified,
surrounded by so many males.”

Candi almost laughed at his stunned expression. She slid off
the counter and walked up to the females. “Thank you. It’s so nice to meet you.
I’m not afraid to be here.”

The one with the streaks in her hair arched her eyebrow.
“Doesn’t the smell bother you?”

“What smell?”

The feline grinned. “I’m Sunshine. You don’t have the nose.
I forgot. This building smells of a lot of males. It’s not a bad thing but you
are the only female living here. We checked and Hero hasn’t asked to be moved
to couples housing.” She shot him a curious look. “Why haven’t you done that?”

“Um. I hadn’t thought of it. I should.”

“No. We’re fine here.” Candi leaned against his side. “This
is our home. I like being surrounded by males. I feel safe.”

Bluebird smiled. “You’d be safe at the women’s dorm too.
Hero works shifts, and he’ll have to leave you alone while he’s on duty.
Wouldn’t you like to hang out with us when he’s gone? We can teach you how to
cook and work everything inside your home.” She lowered her voice. “Make him
vacuum. It’s this scary machine that cleans the floors and sucks everything up.
It’s loud and you have to watch it closely. It tries to take things you don’t
want it to and then you have to wrestle with it to get your shirts back.”

Sunshine laughed. “I told you to pick up your clothes before
you run the vacuum.” She rolled her eyes and smiled at Candi. “We all had a
difficult time when we were first freed, but we’ll help you adjust. We’re your
family.”

Candi was touched. “Thank you.”

Bluebird looked at Hero. “Consider moving into the women’s
dorm. It’s probably best if you don’t request couples housing. Most of the
males who transferred into single homes did so with humans. Your Candi doesn’t
know how to cook or how to use the appliances. She needs the assistance to
learn, and no offense, but you males grumble too much when you teach…and learn.
She’d have more fun being taught by females.”

“I’ll think about it. Thank you.”

Sunshine hesitated, her gaze on Hero. “I’m glad you’re doing
better. I was worried, but now I understand why you were so upset. Be happy.”

Both females left and Hero locked the door. He looked a bit
grim when he stared at her. “Do you want us to move to be with the females?”

“You don’t want to move into the women’s dorm, do you?”

“I would if you wanted.”

“I like your home.”

“Our home.”

“I could visit the females when you have to work.” The
relief on his face was almost comical, but she managed not to laugh. It helped
her make a decision. “I don’t want to move.”

He smiled. “Let me feed you.” He rushed into the kitchen to
get plates.

She helped by sitting on the couch and removing containers
from the bags. They’d brought her a cake, cookies and lots of fried chicken.
There were also side dishes. Hero settled next to her and grinned.

“We never saw the rest of the movie. I’ll find where we left
off and replay it.”

“I’d like that.”

“Just be certain to eat lots.”

“I will.” She wanted him to stop viewing her as too thin and
fragile.

* * * * *

Candi woke and smiled. She lay sprawled over Hero’s chest.
The blue screen from the television provided enough light for her to study his
features while he slept. His peaceful expression matched her mood. His arms
were loosely wrapped around her waist to keep her from falling off him.

They’d finished their movie and dinner, and he’d put the
rest of the food away. They’d watched a second movie and been halfway through a
third when she must have dozed off. He had stretched out and pulled her on top
of him to get them into that position.

Tears filled her eyes, and she didn’t try to stop them. Her
pup was with her, alive and well. It seemed too good to be true, but she no
longer feared waking up inside her room at the asylum. It wasn’t a drug-induced
dream. He was really with her, and they had a future together.

She laid her head against his chest and just listened to his
heartbeat under her ear. They’d lost a lot of time but every day would be
precious from that moment on. Part of her was tempted to wake him and lead him
into the bedroom. He seemed too peaceful though. She just lay there and enjoyed
being close.

A slight noise came from the hallway. The body under hers
tensed and Hero locked his arms tightly around her as he tried to sit up. She
lifted her head. “Easy.”

“I heard something.”

A door closed down the hallway. “It’s just one of your
neighbors.”

He glanced around but seemed to accept that. “Security is changing
shifts about now.”

“Do you always get jumpy at every sound?”

He stared into her eyes. “No.”

“You’re worried about me. I’m not going to leave.”

“I keep thinking about how the humans might want to take you
from me.”

“Breeze swore they can’t come into Homeland to take me, and
the NSO will never hand me over. I’m not a criminal. I’m a survivor, and I’m
not really one of them. The humans will understand all that once they learn
what was done to me and why I killed Penny.”

“I just don’t trust them to be reasonable.”

“Breeze isn’t worried. Were the males you spoke to?”

He sat up, shifting her onto his lap. “No. They assured me
this would be resolved quickly.”

“See?” She smiled. “I’m all yours and no one is going to
take us away from each other ever again. You are stuck with me.”

He slid one arm under the back of her knees, his other one
hooking around her back. He stood. “My mind knows it, but I still feel uneasy.”

“I understand.” She did. Them being together again seemed
almost too good to be true.

He carried her into the bedroom and flipped on the light,
taking her to the bed. “I’ll be right back.”

She watched him enter the bathroom and close the door. It
gave her enough time to strip out of the clothes she wore. She’d just climbed
onto the bed when he returned. She smiled when he softly growled.

“What are you doing?”

“Aren’t we going back to sleep?”

“You’re naked.”

“I don’t want anything between us. Take off your clothes.”

“This is a bad idea.”

“I ate and I slept.” She grinned. “Get the box.”

She expected an argument, some kind of resistance, but he
surprised her. He picked up the box off the nightstand, tore it open, and laid
a strip of condoms on the corner of the bed. He removed his clothes and she bit
her lip, enjoying every inch of his body as he revealed it.

“I wish we could stay naked. I love to look at you.”

“We can inside our home.” He put one knee on the bed, bent
over and braced his arms near her. “Lie flat on your back and put your feet my
way.”

She followed his orders. He grinned and she loved seeing him
happy.

“Put your heels against each side of my shoulders.”

She wasn’t sure why he wanted her to do that, but she didn’t
hesitate. It meant her legs were almost straight up in the air since he was so
close to her. He surprised her when he unlocked his arms and lowered his upper
body. Her heels ended up on his back instead of resting against his shoulders.
He grabbed her inner thighs and shoved them apart. She stared at him, not
concerned that he wanted to take a look at her sex. She loved to examine him.

“Do you know what I’m going to do to you?”

“Look at me. It’s okay.”

He licked his lips. “Remember what I did to you with my
hand? I’m going to do that with my mouth. It will feel really good. Let me hear
how you enjoy it, Candi. You’re a little different than Species so I want to
make certain I’m doing it right for you.”

It seemed a little surprising, but she was willing to allow
her pup to do anything to her. “Are you sure about this?”

He chuckled. “Yes.” He spread her open, gripping her thighs
tighter. “I want to taste you.”

She nodded. “Anything.”

“I appreciate you trusting me.”

“I know I can.”

“Ready?”

“Yes.”

She tried to relax when he leaned his head lower and his hot
breath fanned her intimately. When his tongue touched her she jerked, but she was
just surprised. He hesitated and licked her again, his tongue hot and wet.
Using just the tip to apply a little pressure, he focused on one part.

Her breath caught. It felt strange but good. He used his
lips, and she clawed at the bed. That felt really good. It was sweet pleasure.
He grew a little more aggressive and Candi moaned.

“Oh!”

Hero growled and had to pin Candi’s thighs against the bed
when she tried to wiggle her hips away from his mouth. Her moans encouraged him
and assured that she enjoyed oral sex. He loved the taste of her, and how the
little bud he played with stiffened. His dick could relate. She was addictive
to him.

He wanted to use his fingers to fuck her while he tongued
her clit, but she kept trying to twist away. She was close to coming. He opened
his eyes, staring up at her. The sight of her clutching her own breasts,
kneading them, made him snarl. It sent her over the edge and she climaxed hard.

He pulled his mouth away as she panted, her body relaxing.
It was difficult to rip open one of the packages and get a condom on. He hated
the things, but her safety came first. He tore a little hole in it with his
fingernail in his haste to fit it over the head of his dick. He tossed it aside
and opened a new one.
Slow down
, he demanded.