Valiant

“They cry and shriek around men. They jump and shake.” Breeze’s voice sounded upset. “A nd it makes us very angry to see that.”

Jessie clenched her teeth. “It’s not their fault they are that way.”

Breeze frowned. “We are not angry at them. We get angry that this happened to them and that they were made weaker and taken from our men who treated our females well. We feel rage that they were completely alone. It was rare that we saw other Species unless they were breeding us but we could scent them on the humans who came into our cells. It was comforting.

They didn’t have that. It angers all of us.” Breeze stared at Jessie. “Our anger is never directed at them. Never.”

“I’m sorry.” Jessie sighed. “I have seen the reactions of your kind when I take the women in. I just assumed the rage was directed at the Gift females because they are crying and very frightened when they see others of their kind. I know you really respect strength and courage.”

“We do but we want to protect the weaker. We understand they need our compassion most.”

Tammy finished her breakfast. “Wow. The sun is out.” Her gaze drifted away from the window at the back of the cafeteria.

“You should get some rest before Valiant returns.”

Breeze chuckled. “He will want to take you to bed but he will not allow you sleep. You need all the sleep you are able to get while you can.”

Tammy nodded. “We’re getting married today.”

Jessie choked on her coffee. “What?”

Tammy gri

“A nother one.” Jessie smiled. “So you’re going to be the second married, mixed couple. That’s great. I didn’t mean to blow coffee. It just surprised me.”

Breeze chuckled. “Wait until you see them together.

That will surprise you even more. Where she is short, he is tall. He’s a big male—six-foot-six and weighs well over two-hundred-fifty pounds.”

Jessie winked at Tammy, gri

“He’s a sweetheart.”

Breeze laughed. “To her, he is a sweetheart. We shake in fear when he is angry. She laughs at him. Just do not be afraid when you hear really loud noises today, Jessie. I will have to put you on the third floor by their suite. You will need a room for a few days while you stay to help with the woman. Valiant is lion mixed. Just remember that.”

Jessie appeared confused. “What am I missing?”

Tammy

knew

her

cheeks

warmed

with

embarrassment. “He roars after sex. On that note, I’m leaving.” She waved. “I hope to see both of you at the wedding. Come if you can.”

“She was kidding, right?” Jessie sounded stu

Breeze laughed. “No. She was not. She is what your kind call a ‘screamer’ too. We all know when they breed.

We look forward to when they will go to Valiant’s home just so we can get some undisturbed sleep.”

Tammy groaned as she walked away, grateful to move out of earshot after that. She quickly reached the elevator, happy there were no lingering males in the reception area, and made a beeline for her suite.

Chapter Seventeen

Tammy might have been a little nervous but Valiant didn’t seem to suffer from it. He held her hands while he gri

Jessie Dupree had shown up to witness their marriage.

Her best friend had refused to come when Tammy had called to invite Tim. She was a little sad but staring into Valiant’s exotic golden eyes made it not matter after all. Tim would either get over his prejudice or he wouldn’t. It was his problem, not hers.

She’d never thought so many New Species would show up to witness their joining but they had. It warmed her heart that they cared. The lobby was the largest room besides the cafeteria that the hotel had to offer and it was packed—standing room only. There weren’t enough chairs to seat so many people. Justice stood at the front of the group, gri

“Do you, Tammy A

They had changed the vows to make it easier for everyone to understand. “I do, happily.”

Valiant gri

“Do you, Valiant North, take Tammy A

“I do, with honor and happiness.” He winked at her.

Tammy laughed. She’d have to talk to him again about how wrong and weird that looked. They listened as the pastor spoke, telling them what marriage meant before he pronounced them legally married.

“You may kiss your wife, Valiant. She’s all yours now.”

Valiant released Tammy’s hands and gripped her hips. He slowly raised her off the floor. Tammy laughed and grasped his broad shoulders to keep her balance. He lifted her until they were the same height. Her hands slid around his neck and she closed her eyes as he drew her tighter against his body. His arms slid around her waist, hugging her.

She hoped he would just brush his lips over hers.

A fter all, there were hundreds of people watching them.

Valiant didn’t do that. He really kissed her. His mouth opened over hers and he invaded her mouth with his tongue.

Tammy kissed him back, unable to resist the sensual touch of the man she loved and her body instantly responded. Valiant always had that effect on her. He purred and she moaned as the passion ignited between them.

“Uh…” Pastor Thomas coughed. “I think that will do.”

Valiant growled but he broke the kiss. When he pulled away, they looked at each other and their gazes held. Tammy couldn’t wait to get him alone and with the blatant desire on his features, she knew the feeling was mutual. The room remained totally silent. Valiant slowly set her back on her feet.

“Mine.”

Tammy laughed. “Yours.”

Breeze laughed. “We have a car outside to take you to Valiant’s house as a wedding gift to everyone staying at the hotel. We would like to be able to sleep and we know how you both are. We thought it would be worse since you are celebrating marriage. We think Valiant won’t allow you out of bed for days.”

A few of the New Species laughed. Tammy blushed.

Valiant smiled and nodded at Breeze. “That is my plan.”

“Thank God,” Jessie whispered softly. “I thought the roof would collapse when I heard them. Congrats! I’m going to go eat before a long line forms.” She gri

Tammy blushed more. Valiant threw back his head and laughed.

Pastor Thomas frowned. “I don’t understand.”

Breeze stepped forward. “We want Valiant and Tammy to enjoy their alone time together and we’ll all sleep better when they are far away.”

The pastor still looked confused. “What am I missing?”

Justice chuckled, walking forward. “It’s a New Species thing if I just walked into the conversation topic I believe I did. Don’t worry about it.”

Valiant turned to Tammy and suddenly grabbed her.

He scooped her into his arms with a grin. “Let’s go home.”

Tammy wrapped her arms around his neck. “A re you actually going to give me a tour this time? I’ve yet to see anything inside your house but the entryway, the stairs, and your bedroom.”

He laughed, carrying her through the crowd that parted for them on their way outside. “Maybe in a few days.”

“You have to let me eat.” Tammy teased.

“I thought of that already. I will have food delivered from the hotel.”

A Jeep waited outside and Tiger jumped into the driver’s seat. He just laughed when Valiant took the passenger seat with Tammy curled on his lap.