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.”