“He worries about you.”

She completely relaxed. “That’s what big brothers do all the way from New York. He moved there five years ago but Dad mentioned my trip so I got ‘the phone call’. I know he loves me, even though he’s kind of a pain.”

“Thank you for the warning about crime but we aren’t allowed to leave the hotel.”

That surprised her. “Why not?”

“There are a lot of humans who wish us harm or death just because we exist.”

She thought she saw a flash of pain in his attractive brown eyes but hoped he didn’t notice her guilty look. Pastor Gregory and his church were part of the problem. “They are idiots.”

“The hotel has good security so it’s safe for us as long as we stay inside. We also have our own security teams in place but we’re under orders to stick together.”

She glanced around the bar then back at him. “I don’t see any other New Species.”

He hesitated. “The two humans sitting at a table in the far corner are on our task force. They are keeping an eye on me. We travel in teams. I just wanted some alone time.”

“I’m sorry. And here I am chatting away at you. I’ll go.” She started to slide off the barstool to give him privacy.

“Don’t. I didn’t mean that how it sounded. I wanted to get away from them, not you. I’m enjoying our talk.”

Vanni settled back into her seat and drank some tea but couldn’t resist glancing at the far corner. Two big, burly men regarded her from a table. They looked mean and she knew without a doubt they were part of Smiley’s security team. She stared up at him. “I hope they don’t deem me a threat.”

Smiley chuckled. “I’ll deserve some pain if you attack and cause me harm. No offense.”

“None taken.” She laughed. “I know I’m intimidating at five foot three. This flower-print skirt really screams badass, doesn’t it?” She glanced at her lap. “God, I hate this thing.”

“Why are you wearing it?”

Because I was ordered to and thought it was easier to put it on rather than argue with Carl. “I had a dinner to attend earlier and it was appropriate attire.” She didn’t offer more of an explanation, just sipped her tea and tugged at her shirt. She had begun to sweat. “Wow. It’s really hot in here.”

“I was just thinking the same thing. It must be ninety degrees.”

“At least.” She bypassed the straw to take a gulp of her drink, hoping the coolness would help.

Smiley shifted in his seat and peeled off the jacket, revealing a black tank top and tan, muscular arms. She tried not to stare but it was difficult. He was built. His biceps flexed as he twisted enough to drape the jacket over the back of his chair. Somebody works out a lot. She had to admire his broad shoulders too since so much of them showed. They were wide and thick, the kind she saw at her local gym on body builders. He smiled.

“That should help.”

Stop gawking at him before he notices! She forced her gaze away from his body to stare up at his face. “You’re really fit.” Oh my god. I just said that aloud.

“I am Species.” He shrugged. “It’s genetics and I am in Security. What do you do for a living?”

“I’m a chair jockey.”

That eyebrow of his rose again. “What is that?”

“I work in an office sitting at a desk most days. My version of exercise is running back to grab the phone if I left my desk to send off faxes or use the copy machine. I get to deal with a ton of paperwork, for the most part. The technical term for my job is executive secretary but I prefer chair jockey. It sounds more exciting than what it really is.”

“I wish that was my version of exercise. We run miles a day and train all the time.”

“What do you train for? Like with guns and hitting what you aim at?”

“Fighting and yes, we know how to use guns but we want to keep our reflexes at peak levels. Hand-to-hand-combat training is what we mostly do.”

She glanced at his thickly muscled arms and those wide shoulders again. Don’t drool. Smiley was the exact opposite of her fiancé. Carl was a lawyer. The only exercise he got was swinging golf clubs at the country club. He was pasty white, just a few inches taller than she was and they were about the same weight. Smiley had to be well over a hundred pounds heavier and he appeared tall, even sitting. He was very appealing and she definitely noticed. I’d have to be blind not to. Don’t forget you’re engaged.

She gulped more of her tea but not even the icy drink could help her cool down. “Wow. It is really warm in here.” Vanni could feel perspiration trickling down her back and between her breasts. She shifted in her seat, wishing she wasn’t wearing a skirt nearly to her ankles. Her thighs felt damp too, as if they were sweating. “Maybe I should hang out in this bar more often. It’s like a sauna. Who needs exercise?”

Smiley lifted his arm and waved to get the bartender’s attention. The man walked over but he didn’t look happy about it. He kept back from the counter. “What do you need?”

“The female is hot and so am I. Could you please turn up the air-conditioning?”

“Sure.” He spun and nearly ran to the opposite side of the bar.

“‘So much for giving good service after getting a big tip,” Vanni muttered.

“He appeared frightened.”

She glanced up at Smiley. “You think so?”

He nodded.

She glanced at his arms. “You took off your jacket.”

“So?”

She licked her lips and shifted in her seat. A dizzy spell struck and she gripped the edge of the bar to keep steady until it passed. “You’re really buff.”

“That’s terrifying?”

“He probably realized you could kick his ass.”

“Oh. I’d never attack someone without a good reason. Should I tell him that so I don’t frighten him? I’m no threat to the male.”

She shook her head. “Just ignore it. Some people are paranoid morons.”

Smiley took another sip of his soda. “You’d think I terrified him just by being Species.”

“You don’t terrify me. You’re nice.”

“Thank you.” He lifted his wrist to glance at his watch.

“Do you have to leave?”

“No. I just can’t believe it’s ten at night. It doesn’t feel that late. I guess I should finish my drink and go to my room. I have an early shift in the morning.”

“Yeah. I should go to my room soon but I think I’ll eat something first. I picked at my dinner earlier.”

He studied her. “It wasn’t good?”

“I had to eat dinner with some people who said things that made me feel sick. It kind of killed my appetite at the time. They are idiots. It seems to be going around tonight.”

“So why did you eat with them?”

“I had no choice. I was kind of pushed into it by someone else.”

He seemed to understand that. “They have good food here. I ate dinner at this bar yesterday. I’d recommend the steak.”

He looked like a meat eater to Vanni. Carl was a vegetarian. An image of a white onion with Carl’s face on it suddenly popped into her head and she burst out in giggles.

A firm hand gripped her upper arm. “Are you well?”

She stared up at Smiley and the humor faded. He was really handsome and she noticed he smelled good. “What is that cologne you’re wearing?” She sniffed and wanted to be closer to get a better whiff. She leaned forward and nearly fell off her barstool.

“Vanni?” Smiley gripped her other arm to keep her in place. “What is wrong? Your pupils are dilated and you’re almost panting.”

Am I? The dizzy spell had passed but she still felt lightheaded. She focused on her breathing and realized Smiley was right. “I’m hot and,” she glanced at what little was left of her iced tea, “feel drunk. I think the bartender gave me the wrong drink. I said iced tea, not a Long Island Iced Tea.”

“I don’t understand.”

She lifted her head and stared into his eyes again. They were gorgeous. “One has alcohol and one doesn’t. I, um, think he gave me one with booze. You have bedroom eyes.” She realized she’d said that last part aloud. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to tell you that.”