Free MAXIM: A New Type of Human (Oddily Series #2) by Linda Pohring, Anne Dewberry

donut shop filled with freshly baked goods. “Hey Helen, how’s my favorite girl?” Paul greeted the woman behind the counter.
    “You’re such a flirt,” Helen laughed. “What will it be today?”
    “My buddy here needs some help.”
    “What can I do for you, young man?”
    Maxim stepped up to the glass display cabinet and stared at the array of choices while he listened to Helen’s recommendations. Then he ordered two of each, starting with maple bars, apple fritters, bear claws, cinnamon twists, and jelly donuts.
    “What if Oddily’s favorite is chocolate sprinkles?” Paul teased him.
    “Add two chocolate sprinkles to my order, please?”
    “Hey, I was just kidding!” Paul was surprised when Maxim had taken his remark seriously; but when he saw Maxim grin, he knew the joke had been put back on him.
    “I’ll drop you off at school.” Maxim called over his shoulder as he headed back to his car.
    Paul ran to catch up with him. “Thanks for the lift. I’ll be your donut delivery boy if you don’t want to get out of the car.”
    Maxim’s first response was to say no because he already had plans to be on the school’s campus; but, he reconsidered. This would give him the chance to remain unnoticed while he kept an eye out for Zaylyn. “Yes…sounds like a great idea. Thank you.”
    * * * * *
    Oddily walked alongside Nexa and Paul while munching on donuts Maxim had sent along with Paul. She was heading for class when one of the students bumped into her, knocking her into the wall.
    “Excuse me,” the girl stared into Oddily’s startled eyes.
    “Hey, watch where you’re going!” Paul grabbed Oddily by the arm in an effort to steady her while she regained her footing. “Are you all right?”
    Oddily appeared to be in a daze as she gazed up at Paul. Then suddenly, on impulse, she promptly grabbed him and tried to give him a kiss.
    Paul held her off and glanced first at Nexa, then at the girl who had bumped into Oddily. She was ducking out the nearest doorway, but not before she glanced his way and winked.
    “Stop it!” Nexa pulled Oddily away from Paul before she could try and kiss him again.
    Suddenly, Oddily snapped out of her trance-like state and stared at Paul who had begun to laugh.
    “I didn’t know you were a jokester!” Paul playfully ruffled Oddily’s hair in an attempt to blow off the incident, but he couldn’t hide his discomfort from Nexa. It was written in the depths of his alluring brown eyes right before the tardy bell rang.
    After Paul’s abrupt departure, Nexa spoke to her brother while she and Oddily rushed to class. Maxim, Zaylyn got to Oddily and she did it right under our noses.
    I know sis. You can relax though because I caught her. I’m going to take care of this situation once and for all . I’ll talk to you later.
    * * * * * *
    Maxim’s light blue eyes were hooded and unwavering while he kept Zaylyn pinned against the wall of the gymnasium. When she finally stopped resisting him, he believed he had the upper hand…but he didn’t. With Zaylyn’s quick thinking, she had managed to free one of her arms. She ripped his shirt open, gazing at his chest seductively, and then into his eyes.
    Stop it! Maxim was the first one to break eye contact. I don’t want you. Why is that so hard for you to understand?
    Damn it Maxim! You are the one who doesn’t understand. I love you. What will you do in fifty or sixty years after Oddily dies? You will have to move on with your life.
    No! I have thought this through and I will find a way to keep her with me.
    Obviously, you haven’t considered the fact that she will grow old.
    Of course I have. Night after night, I have searched for answers.
    So tell me, what did you find?
    That is none of your business.
    You’ve already discovered the answer, haven’t you? I can see it in your eyes. When do you plan on changing her?
    You ask too many questions. Maxim tried to hide his confusion over her last question. He wasn’t sure what