Free New Species 09 Shadow by Laurann Dohner Page A

residents?”
    “Just Tammy. She’s Valiant’s human mate.”
    “I meant antisocial women with more animalistic traits.”
    “None of them survived.” Breeze looked grim. “If they ever existed at all. None were found when we were freed. Mercile either didn’t make what they considered mistakes with females or they had them killed.” Breeze spun away to head for the bedroom door. “Sometimes I wish Kit would be sent there. She’s a thorn in my side. I’d love for her to be someone else’s problem. Let’s go.”
    Beauty slid off the bed to follow. “What is Kit’s problem?”
    “I have no idea. She refuses to talk to me about why she is turning so mean.” Breeze paused by the front door and held her gaze. “Are you ready for an adventure? You’ll have fun and hopefully you’ll enjoy this vacation.”
    “Who is my escort?”
    “Shadow volunteered.” Amusement showed on her features. “You know him. Is that all right?”
    Her heart raced. “He asked to be the one to go with me? Really?”
    “Is that going to be a problem? We figured you’d be comfortable sharing a cabin with him. There are two bedrooms.”
    “That’s fine.” Beauty tried to hide her excitement at seeing him again. “He isn’t angry at me for getting him into trouble?”
    “He was never in trouble. The males were just concerned for your safety. Everyone is aware that he didn’t harm you. It’s all good.” She paused. “Do you want to talk first?”
    “About what?”
    Breeze lowered the bag to the floor and pressed her back against the door, staring at Beauty. “Sex.”
    Her cheeks turned really warm. “No.”
    “You’re going away with Shadow. He won’t offer to share sex with you but he’s still male. I’m going to give you advice whether you ask for it or not. Are you ready?”
    Embarrassment filled her that the other woman could read her so well. She nodded sharply, more than willing to listen to anything Breeze had to say.
    “Okay. I’ll assume you’re curious but I’m guessing any sexual experience you’ve had wasn’t enjoyable.”
    Beauty fought back tears as memories surfaced. “No,” she whispered.
    Anger glinted in dark-brown eyes. “I wish I could kill that bastard who had you under his thumb but that’s another day when we catch him once he returns to the States. It’s not that way when you share sex with someone who cares about you and who wants you to enjoy the experience. Our males do both. They are different from humans, which is a good thing. A Species male would never hurt you. They growl and are aggressive but saying no to them means stop. They will. Am I clear? If he’s lost in passion then just box his ears. That’s opening your hands and hitting his ears on both sides at once. You’ll have his attention. A male would never strike you back. Repeat the word ‘no’ and he’ll retreat immediately.”
    It stunned Beauty, thinking about hitting one of the big men. They were fierce. “Are you sure this ear boxing won’t make a man really angry?”
    “Oh, it will, but they’d never harm a female. I promise you that. That’s another huge difference between our males and the humans you met when you were in captivity. They would never find honor in harming someone they knew would be defenseless against their strength. They will skulk away to calm but return in a better mood.” She drew in a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “Shadow won’t initiate sex with you but you could go after him. Do you want me to tell you how to go about that?”
    Beauty nodded.
    “Strip naked. Tell him you wish to share sex. Be blunt. That way he can’t mistake it for anything else.”
    “What if he doesn’t want me?”
    Breeze laughed as all the tension faded from her features. “He’s male, hon. You’re beautiful. You were given that name for a reason. Shadow isn’t a moron or blind. He’ll want you. And remember this. It’s important.”
    “Okay.”
    “He’s more afraid of you than you are of