Smiley

Smiley held her tightly and started to stroke her thigh. “Are you okay? Talk to me.”

“I bet we’d have cute babies together.”

His hand stilled. “That’s all you have to say? You don’t sound angry.”

She turned her head and he leaned back so she could look at him. “I’m not.”

“You have no idea how much I love you, Va

She stared into his soulful brown eyes and believed him. “I love you too. We’ll deal with whatever happens together. I’d be totally fine if I am pregnant. Are you going to be? The truth.”

He gri

“We’re okay then.” She smiled at him. “We’re both a little sweaty. How does a bath sound?”

He chuckled. “Good. I just want to hold you for a little longer though. I don’t want you just to share sex with. We’ll cuddle and then figure out if we enjoy sex in water. Sound like a plan?”

“Yes.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Va

She peered around in curiosity. It was vastly different from Homeland. They were in an open area with only a single building within view. Trees and hillsides surrounded them. As they neared it, her attention focused on what was obviously a hotel. New Species exited the building. Most of them wore casual attire. Plenty of them sported grins and a few waved. Smiley responded. It was clear they were happy to see him and he them.

“I want you to meet everyone but I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed.” He maneuvered her toward the doors, speaking loudly enough for everyone around them to hear. They nodded greetings as she passed, not making any comments.

They entered the double doors that slid open without a key card. The lobby was large and a New Species female greeted them. She was a tall, dark-haired beauty.

“Hello.” She offered her hand to Va

“It’s nice to meet you too,” Va

Creek stepped back. “Welcome to the family. You’re Species now that you’re Smiley’s mate. We are so happy you said yes. He raved about you on the phone.”

Va

“Creek, smell Va

Creek stepped closer and sniffed. She bent a little and sniffed again. She straightened. “All I smell on her is you, Smiley. She’s covered in your scent.” The woman chuckled. “I could try again later after she showers and before you touch her. Just call me and I’ll come up. That would be exciting news.”

“It would.”

Creek glanced between them. “I really enjoy seeing a couple in love.” She winked at Va

“That would be great,” Va

“After we go to Security but before the wedding,” Smiley added.

“I’ll make it happen.” Creek spun away and walked back to the desk. She picked up the phone.

Smiley tugged on Va

“That is so nice!” Va

Smiley swiped the card. “I told you everyone was happy we mated.” He pushed the door open but stopped her when she tried to enter.

She looked up at him as he used his foot to hold the door ajar. He bent and scooped her into his arms, shouldering the door open to carry her over the threshold. He kicked the door closed.

“This is going to be our home for the next few days.”

The room was large and tastefully furnished. It was one of the nicer hotels she’d ever seen. Balcony doors across the room had been left wide open to allow the breeze inside. There was a beautiful view of the trees. A river glistened in the distance.

“Where’s the bed?” She didn’t see one. The area was set up as a living room and even boasted a fireplace along one wall. One corner contained a cozy dining table with two chairs. Two covered silver dishes sat on top, taking up most of the space, and a bottle of wine chilled in a bucket of ice with two glasses next to it.

Smiley turned. “It’s down the hallway. This really is the honeymoon suite. There are two of them in the hotel. Most of the suites have two bedrooms. I requested this one specifically because it faces the back of the hotel and has a balcony.” He strode down a short hallway and passed through open double doors. He paused there.

“Wow.” Va

“That’s for later. You fell asleep last night so we are going to find out if we enjoy sex in water.”

“Sorry. You might have mega stamina but I guess I was tired. I told you that you could have woken me up.”

He chuckled. “You were too damn cute sleeping in my arms. Let’s eat.” He spun and headed back to the living room. “We missed breakfast and I want you to relax a little before we go to Security.”

She wasn’t sure if she could eat. Her nerves were on edge. “I’m not sure about seeing Carl, his dad and Bruce.”

“You don’t have to go.” He set her on her feet next to the table and pulled back a chair. “No one would blame you. I would actually prefer that you didn’t.”

She sat, grateful for his ma

He lifted both lids and just put them on the floor. There was a full spread of scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast. The tantalizing smell revived her appetite. She unwrapped the silverware and carefully placed the napkin on her lap.

“There’s a cafeteria on the first floor. They serve good food. I hope this is okay. I could order something else. They always have a buffet open but I thought it would be best to eat in private.”

“This is fantastic. Thank you. You think of everything.”

“Good.”

“Speaking of which—any word on how we’re going to get Beth here today?”

“They are going to send a team to pick her up at the address you gave us, after confirming a time with her. The task force will drive her to Homeland and fly her to us. How did she take the news?”

Va

“She isn’t upset that you are mating a Species and will live at the NSO?”

Va

His eyebrows rose.

“That’s Beth-speak for she’s okay with it.”

“Beth-speak?”

“She is someone you have to get used to. We’re opposites. She’s very outgoing and kind of has a twisted sense of humor. She sounded excited though, and promised to jump through whatever hoops it took to get here. I told her to expect a call from Homeland. I also swore her to secrecy. Thankfully, Elvis wasn’t there. I was surprised since I woke her up but she didn’t go into details. She seemed irritated with him. I think she was kind of relieved to be coming here instead of staying there any longer.”