Tiger Read online

  “Terrific.” She grinned, relieved it was that easy. “That’s wonderful. I really need this job, Mr. North. You won’t regret giving me a chance.”

  “Call me Slade. We spoke to your coworkers from your last job.” He frowned. “You didn’t put it down that your last employer harassed you but you should have. We wouldn’t have held that against you. That was unforgivable of your boss to sexually harass you but it won’t happen here. I don’t want to share sex with you. I am happily married and I’d rather die than touch anyone but my Trisha. No offense to you but that’s the truth.”

  Zandy’s mouth dropped open and she gawked at him.

  He frowned. “Was I too blunt? I thought that might be a concern of yours after your last job. Your coworkers told us what your last boss attempted and he fired you because you refused to share sex with him. I didn’t want you to worry.”

  It took her a second to recover. “You’re blunt. I’ll give you that but thank you. I’m relieved to hear it and yes, after my last experience, I guess it is a concern.”

  “You have nothing to fear here. My people—our males—will leave you alone. Just tell them to stop, that you have no interest in them if any approach you. We appreciate honesty and bluntness. There is no confusion that way. There are also a lot of words and sayings your people use that we are still learning. Sometimes it causes language barriers or misunderstandings. Just speak your mind clearly and we will listen. You can talk to me immediately if any problems arise and I will handle it. We want you to be happy working for us.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Could you start working now?”

  He surprised her again. “Sure.” She hadn’t planned on more than the job interview but she wasn’t going to say no. It was just after eight in the morning. She didn’t have anything better to do other than go home and watch game shows and she didn’t mind avoiding that. “That would be great.”

  He nodded. “Creek, my receptionist, will call for one of our males to escort you to building C. You will be told your duties when you get there.” Slade paused. “Because of security you are not allowed to leave the building during work hours until your lunch. One of our males will meet you at the gate every day when you arrive and escort you from there and then back to the gate at the end of your day. At lunch a male will escort you to our cafeteria. I apologize but we can’t have you roaming around free. We have many enemies and it has to be this way for security purposes.”

  “I understand. I could just pack a sandwich so I won’t need an escort at lunch.”

  He smiled. “Lunches are free, Miss Gordon. We serve excellent food and you should take advantage of it.”

  “Thank you.”

  He stood and held out his hand. Zandy stood to put her much smaller one in his so they could shake on it. He had a firm hold, released her quickly and nodded.

  “Enjoy your work.”

  “Thank you.” She gripped her purse and left his office.

  Creek smiled and waved her to have a seat. “An officer was called to take you to building C. You will like working here.”

  Zandy liked the New Species woman and smiled. “Thank you. I’m sure I will. Everyone I’ve met so far has been wonderful.”

  A snort sounded from Creek. “Except for the fact that you have to be searched every time you enter our gates.”

  “They had a woman pat me down but it wasn’t so bad. They were really nice about it.”

  “We try. We feel bad for having to touch everyone but it’s necessary. Just weeks ago a man came in for a job interview and they found a gun stashed inside his underwear. He was from a hate group and wanted to shoot Slade dead.”

  Zandy was shocked. “That’s terrible.”

  “Some humans hate us.” Creek shrugged. “They blame us for what we are though we were never given a choice. Now we just want to live in peace and it offends some of your kind. We fear hiring humans—no offense to you—but many of us don’t have the skills to do all the jobs required. I learned how to use computers and type to become a receptionist. A human did this job before me but she sold some documents to the reporters for money. Eventually we’ll be able to do most of the jobs as more of us learn skills though the humans we trust will keep their jobs.”

  “That’s just shitty that she did that.”

  Creek nodded. “Yes. Slade trusted her. She was a grandma type. Is that the right way to say it? I saw Christmas movies and she looked like Mrs. Santa Claus. It was sad when she betrayed our trust and it really hurt Slade’s feelings. He liked her and it left him very depressed.”

  “I don’t blame him. There’s nothing worse than someone you trust screwing you over. Especially for money.”

  A look of interest sparked in the woman’s eyes. “You have been betrayed for money?”

  “I’ve been betrayed but I never had any money to steal and there were no tabloids to sell stuff to that would hurt me. I just imagine it would be worse if that’s why someone did it.”

  Creek nodded. “Do you have children? I like them.”

  Zandy shook her head. “No. I’ve been married twice but neither one of them turned out to be daddy material. Or loyal.” She shrugged. “Now I’ve given up on the whole having-kids plan. I’m past thirty and enjoy not having a man in my life.”

  “You have had two mates?” Creek’s eyes widened. “Did they die?”

  “I divorced them. The first one was a cheating jerk who nailed anything that said yes. The second one, well, he was a bum.”

  “He lived on the streets?”

  Zandy laughed. “He probably is now that I’m not around to support him. He liked to sit on his ass all day doing nothing and couldn’t find a job to save his life. He was lazy and I got fed up with it. I divorced him and he moved in with a woman two apartment buildings over. While I was working and supporting him, he was sleeping with her. I’m a horrible judge of character when it comes to men, I know that now, and have called it quits on finding another one.”

  “I don’t blame you.” Creek reached over and squeezed her hand in support. “Our men are not bums. I heard some of your males are not very strong but our males keep in good shape. You won’t find any weak ones here. Our males would die before they expected a female to tend to them as if they were helpless. They don’t have that bad trait.”

  “Are you married? Do you have children?”

  Creek shook her head. “I just share sex with different males. I don’t plan on mating with one. Our females are unable to conceive children so there is no reason to settle down with just one male. They are a bit controlling. We dealt with that all of our lives and don’t wish to be told what to do.”

  A smile curved Zandy’s lips and she liked the woman a lot. “That sounds wise. You don’t need a man to complete your life. At least that’s what I tell myself every time some cute guy hits on me. No way, no how. I’m better off remaining single.”

  The office door opened and a tall man dressed in black walked in. Zandy felt the color leave her face as she stared at his features. She’d met him before. She couldn’t remember his name but she remembered him all the same. It had been a few weeks ago but she’d never forget his face.

  Creek smiled. “This is Slash. Slash, this is Zandy Gordon. She is going to be working in building C. You are her escort for today.”

  Shit, Zandy’s mind screamed. Maybe he won’t remember me. She stood as the man’s gaze landed on her. His blue eyes narrowed and he cocked his head while he studied her intently. A smile suddenly curved his mouth and she almost flinched, knowing he recognized her for sure. She could see amusement in his gaze.

  “You’re the small female from the bar who was smashed by the drunken males,” he confirmed. “How are you, small female?”

  “Zandy Gordon,” Creek corrected. “You’ve met her before?”

  Slash flat-out grinned. “Briefly. It is nice to see you have fully recovered.” He held out his hand.

  She had no choice but to shake the man’s large hand. His ski
n was hot as he gripped her hand firmly and gave it a squeeze. He released her but stayed close. She had to tilt her head back to look up at him.

  “Call me Zandy. You are very tall.”

  Creek laughed. “Yes. Our males are all tall but so are most of our females. I am six-foot-one. What are you, Slash? Six-foot-three?”

  He nodded, still smiling at Zandy. “Come with me. I will escort you to work.”

  The urge to quit her new job and flee gripped her. At least he wasn’t the one she’d molested. It could be worse. That thought barely comforted her. She turned to Creek.

  “Thank you. It was nice meeting and talking to you.”

  Creek grinned. “I would like it if we could become friends. We could eat lunch together. I could easily find you in the cafeteria. Would you like that?”

  Zandy smiled. “I’d love that. I’ll see you at lunch.”

  She followed Slash out of the building. He didn’t turn around once to make sure she followed him until they were outside and he paused by a black Jeep. He sat in the driver’s seat and she climbed into the passenger side, glancing at him warily as he met her gaze.

  “You are working here now.”

  “Yes.”

  He chuckled and started the Jeep. “You made quite an impression on Tiger.”

  “Who?” She knew though. Now she had a name for the mystery man she’d molested. She’d never forget those stunning blue-and-gold cat eyes.

  “Tiger is the male who breathed life into you.”

  Her heart nearly stopped. “Breathed life into me?” It was a hell of a great kiss but that is overstating it a bit.

  “You were not breathing when he threw drunks off your body, which was crushed against the floor. He had to put his mouth over yours and force air back into your lungs to get you to breathe again.”

  Shock tore through her. “I wasn’t breathing?”

  “No. Tiger helped your heart pump and he forced air into your lungs. He carried you outside to wait for the ambulance once he breathed life back into you.” He chuckled. “I assume he believed you needed more assistance, considering he put his mouth on you again.”

  Her cheeks flamed. “Could we drop this subject? Please? That wasn’t my best night and I keep trying to forget all the details.”

  “We can drop it. Don’t worry. Tiger told me to never mention what happened between the two of you to anyone. I kept my word. We didn’t write what happened outside in our report to the sheriff or to the NSO.”

  A report? Oh hell! Just the thought made her feel even more embarrassed. Slash had just said they hadn’t written what she’d done, which meant no one knew she’d molested…Tiger. Yeah, that name fits. She pushed that line of thought back. She’d referred to him as her fallen angel and she hated how many nights the memories of what they’d done together had kept her awake.

  Slash had said she’d left an impression on Tiger but he’d left a huge one on her too. She mentally kicked herself. Every time she thought that word she remembered her hand digging into the man’s pants and gripping his cock. It had to be the alcohol. It just had to be. He really couldn’t have been that good-looking and built.

  She smiled as a joke filtered through her thoughts. How do you turn a man into a perfect ten? Drink a six-pack of beer. She’d been having mixed drinks, which were stronger. Tiger couldn’t really have looked as good as she remembered. He probably wasn’t even that great of a kisser. It had to have been the booze.

  Slash parked in front of a building with a big C on the front of it above the doors. She glanced at other buildings, saw more letters, and mused aloud, “How come the buildings aren’t numbered?”

  He held her gaze, looking grim. “We were once known by numbers instead of names inside the testing facilities and seeing them reminds us of bad times. We chose to use letters instead.”

  “I’m sorry.” She regretted asking and sympathy welled up.

  “You didn’t know. There is no harm in asking questions and we welcome them. We ask many ourselves when we don’t understand something. I know you didn’t mean to offend me and I hope we never ask any questions that offend you. It wouldn’t be our intention.” He climbed out of the driver’s seat. “I will return to escort you to lunch. You need an officer at your side while you are on NSO property. We apologize but it is necessary. There are cameras inside all of our buildings and even outside. We had to implement this security measure and it is for your safety as well as ours. You working here will make you a target to our enemies. It provides you with a safe work environment.”

  She slid out of the seat since the Jeep didn’t have doors. “I knew that about the cameras. It’s in the information packet I had to read before I applied for the job and I know I need to be patted down every day.”

  He paused next to her. “I’ll introduce you to the male you will work with.”

  Slash opened the door for her and Zandy stepped inside a large, open office space full of file cabinets and two large desks. A man sat behind a computer, glanced their way and grinned as he stood. He approached them.

  “Hello. I’m Richard Vega. You must be Zandy Gordon.” He flashed a grin at Slash. “How are you doing today, Slash?”

  “I am good, Richard. Here she is.” He frowned and his gaze narrowed. “Remember what you were told. You don’t want to share sex with this one.”

  Zandy’s mouth fell open. She jerked her head to stare wide-eyed at Slash but he just spun on his heel and left. Her new coworker laughed.

  “That came out wrong. They just crack me up.”

  The man returned to his seat, grinned, and she gaped at him.

  “I was told why you left your last job. He meant to say that I am not to sexually harass you. They kind of talk in a way that can come across badly at times.” Richard chuckled. “Like that. I’m sorry but it was funny. You should have seen your face. I swear I’m not a lunatic. Will you have a seat? That will be your desk right there.”

  She relaxed and took a seat. The chair was comfortable and she just dropped her purse on the floor, still watching her new coworker. Richard Vega was in his late thirties, Hispanic, with lightly graying black hair and laughing, light-brown eyes.

  “New Species, well,” he chuckled, “they take some getting used to. They are really good folks. I just hope you have a great sense of humor because you’ll need it.”

  “That did come out wrong.” She smiled.

  He laughed again. “The last man left because he moved to Arizona to help his daughter with his grandkids. I didn’t sexually harass him if you’re wondering.”

  Zandy laughed. “That’s always good to know. Is there anyone here who doesn’t know why I left my last job?”

  “Probably not. They are looking out for you, believe it or not. They wanted to make sure it never happens to you again. As an employee, they will be protective of you. Toss out the rule book for standard work policy if you had one. You’re in a whole new world.”

  “I’m starting to see that.”

  His smile faded. “My wife got sick last month with a bad case of the flu and had to be hospitalized. We have two small children. Not only did the NSO send flowers to my wife but they invited my children to come to work with me since I insisted on working. They sent two of their women to play with my kids all day to keep them amused. They are amazing and then to top it off, when I took my wife home, they had food delivered to us for a week. They said it was just to help out my family. Those are the kind of people you’ll be working for and I wanted you to know that.”

  “Thank you for telling me. They sound great.”

  He suddenly smiled again. “Yes. So when they slip with their words just know it was unintentional. Laugh a lot. I do.”

  “I understand.”

  “Are you ready to learn what you do? I hope you have a good sense of humor because you’ll need it with this job. Otherwise you might get pretty pissed off.”

  “Why?” She didn’t like the sound of that.

  “We’re the incoming
-mail department. All the hate mail, the fan mail, all of it, comes right to us. It’s our job to read it, separate it and respond to it. And keep in mind we are supposed to reply nicely no matter what.” He stood and pointed. “See those file cabinets?”

  She studied the few dozen file cabinets. “Yes.”

  “That’s where all the hate mail goes, the death threats, and the really scary shit.”

  Zandy gave him a horrified look. “There’s so many of them.”

  “You should see the second floor. That’s storage. These cabinets are just from the past five months.”

  Shock tore through her. “All those are full of hate mail?”

  “And death threats. Yeah. Keep your sense of humor if you have one. You are going to need it. If something comes in that is really specific or just gives you the willies, bring it to my attention immediately. Those we hand over to the FBI.”

  Her gaze drifted around the large room at all the cabinets and it made her chest hurt to see the kind of hate that people were capable of.

  “The sad part is that these people are just amazing, hell, better than the people I’ve known all of my life. They have to deal with all this hatred every single day. The good part about the job though is we do get a lot of fan mail too. Those are fun and nice. Hand it over if you find something really great. I like to give those to the NSO so they think some of us are decent people.”

  She glanced at two mailbags by the door. “Is that today’s mail?”

  He chuckled. “It sure is. You tackle the one on the left and I’ll tackle the one on the right. And don’t worry. All the mail is screened against poisons and bombs.”

  Her heart rate accelerated for a second. She had never considered that and swallowed hard. “That’s always good to know.”

  Richard laughed. “Welcome to working for the NSO. Did I mention they feed you for free and they serve a great buffet at lunch?”

  “That helps. Is it just us here all day?”

  “Just you and me.”

  She hesitated. “Do you mind if I take off my shoes? I wore high heels to my interview but I wasn’t expecting to work all day in them. These are the ones that pinch my feet but they look great.”