Almost Human (Genetically Altered Humans Book 5) Read online

  The next forkful of food she pushed toward him, surprising him that she willingly touched his hand. Of course, now she knew what they felt like since she’d touched Brax.

  “You eat, too,” she insisted.

  If he’d had eyebrows, he would have raised them. She wanted him to place his mouth on the same fork her lips had been?

  “Go on,” she said, watching as he did so. He chewed thoughtfully before his heart sank. Was she testing him? Making sure there wasn’t an additive to the food to make her sleep?

  She reached for some of the grapes he’d fed her earlier, handing him a sprig. “Try these, too.”

  Definitely, she was making sure the food was healthy. He couldn’t blame her.

  When they’d had their fill of dinner, he wrapped the tray and placed it back in the fridge. He wasn’t worried about what Brax would eat. Lily would feed him well.

  Heather yawned, masking it behind her fingers.

  “Are you tired?” he asked.

  Her eyes widened, and she squeaked, “No.”

  She was afraid of where she would sleep. Afraid he’d sleep with her; would maul her, daring to touch her soft skin with his rough calluses.

  He tightened his lips. “You will just sleep. Do not worry.” He was aware his voice was harsh.

  He held out his hand, expecting no argument. She didn’t displease him; she simply dropped hers in his and let him lead her away. He took her to his bedroom, tightening his jaw when he noticed her eyes glance at Brax’s door. He turned down the sheets and blanket on the giant pillow spread on the floor and settled her in—still wearing her T-shirt like armor. As if that would protect her. She was as aware as he was that she had nothing underneath it but a bare bottom. He dropped his pants and crawled in next to her. When she lay awake for twenty minutes or so, he could take no more. He pulled her to him, settling her head onto his chest and wrapping his arms around her.

  She may not be comfortable with it, but he sure the hell was.

  “Is this the first time you’ve ever slept away from Brax?” she asked timidly. Always so timid around him and always Brax on her mind.

  “No. But it is the first time we’ve been apart since we’ve had freedom.”

  “The first time you haven’t eaten together?”

  “Yes. Since we’ve had freedom.”

  “I’m sorry you were locked up. What was it like? The underground laboratories?”

  “I do not remember the last time. We were woken once we were above ground on the island, hidden away from the scientists by Robyn. She’d told the others we died during the revival and was incinerating the bodies but, instead hid us on the surface.”

  “The last time? But you remember other times?”

  “Not wholly. We were killed more than once. Just bits and pieces come through in our dreams.”

  “Do you remember a mother? A father?”

  “We had none. I was a cloned cell, split from Brax. We were raised as brothers. Had we come from a female womb, we would be known as twins. The term is not technically correct as we were raised in a petri dish instead.”

  After a while, she spoke again. “I’m sorry. I didn’t have parents, either. But I had a gramma to raise me.”

  “I guess you can’t miss what you don’t know.”

  She sighed a shaky little breath that told him she relaxed against him. Now finally, she would be able to sleep.

  In his arms.

  There was no greater feeling in the world.

  * * * * *

  Heather woke slowly, aware of a muscled chest under her cheek. Her legs were twined with his, warm and relaxed.

  Her sleep shirt, however, was another matter. It had twisted up around her waist, exposing her damp sex that right now was clamped onto a muscled thigh.

  She slowed her breathing—afraid to wake up the Xeno Sapien who held her. Very, very slowly she moved, working her leg off him.

  “Don’t move,” he gritted.

  She froze. He was awake. And very, very hard. How she hadn’t noticed the erection next to the arm that was flung possessively around his body was beyond her.

  With one fell swoop, he rolled them, turning her onto her side and then moved away, taking his magnificent morning wood to the bathroom. She could hear the steady stream as he relieved himself.

  There was no privacy whatsoever anymore.

  He came back into the bedroom, butt-naked. She avoided looking at him.

  “Come relieve yourself. Brax has left us breakfast and clothing for you. We will bathe after we eat.”

  “Where is he?” she asked, scrambling out of bed, tugging down her shirt to make sure nothing was exposed. Brax. It didn’t seem fair that the poor man was turned out of his own home.

  “He is away. Giving us time to know one another.” His voice was abrupt.

  “How much time?”

  As usual, Jett looked impatient with her questions about his brother. It was probably painful to be separated, but she wanted him to know it wasn’t necessary to separate. She knew the twins were a team. Just because she’d been alone for so long didn’t mean they had to keep fewer people around.

  “As long as it takes.”

  Gah, this brother was definitely short-tempered, only answering her questions with the barest minimum of information. It was much easier to talk to Brax, but she’d learned from their letters how deep Jett could be in his wants and wishes. Should he choose to reveal himself.

  And this one… there was something about Jett, something organic and raw. His touch made her shiver with need while she fought to hide it. Her cheeks heated when she remembered watching him at the hot springs yesterday. Damn if her libido hadn’t jumped ten notches. And more embarrassing? They knew. He stood in front of her, giving her an uninterrupted view of his strong hand stroking his cock, while his brother fingered her to completion.

  She hadn’t even lasted five minutes. It was pathetically needy.

  Jett clenched his jaw. She realized he’d seen the blush on her cheeks. Did he think she didn’t want to see him naked? Probably so. He turned from her, pulling up the pair of slacks from yesterday.

  She waited until he turned back to face her, a bit sad that the gorgeous ass was now covered up in gray khaki. Then she stepped in close to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

  Under her, his tail swished. He started for a second, and then slowly…awkwardly, his arms came around her back.

  “You don’t have to do anything to try to make me comfortable,” she whispered. “You don’t have to dress. You’ve already taken me into your home. I don’t want to disrupt it more than necessary.” With another squeeze, and she had to really fight for her hand not to stray to the tight muscles of his buttocks, she turned and headed to the bathroom he’d vacated.

  When she’d finished, she headed out to the living room to find a spread on the small table they used. She plopped down on the giant pillow.

  The table was covered in eggs and bacon, toast and jam, sliced fruit, and even orange juice.

  “Do you drink coffee?” Jett asked, his adorable nose scrunched up in distaste. Apparently, he did not. “Brax brought breakfast but wasn’t sure.”

  “No,” she laughed.

  He took the covered cup to the kitchen sink and dumped it, running water down the drain to get rid of the smell before heading back.

  She uncovered the plates. There was real silverware, and she set a fork at each setting for them.

  “This is a lot of food,” she said. It was enough for three, but Brax wasn’t here.

  “You are thin.” Jett shrugged. Then, as if he noticed her gaze dart around the room, he said harshly, “He dropped the food off at the front door. He is not here.”

  Of course. In their own way, the brothers would care for her. But she didn’t want to be a dead weight, and she certainly didn’t want one staying away from his own home.

  “I can start cooking again, you know. You enjoyed my cooking, didn’t you?”

  He looke
d surprised that she would volunteer. “Yes. But you do not have to put yourself out for us. You are no longer an employee. There is no payment available for you.”

  He thought she did it for the money?

  “If you want me to cook, I would be more than happy to,” she said. “I know you liked my meatloaf from the letter you wrote me.”

  “With the gravy and mashed potatoes?” His eyes lit up—so similar to Brax’s all of a sudden. She smiled.

  “There’s no other way to fix comfort food than to add mashed potatoes and gravy.”

  “I think I would enjoy that.”

  “Good. You take me to Systems to get the supplies, and we’ll bring them back here to put in the fridge.”

  “We will head out after we bathe.”

  Suddenly she was quiet, digging into her eggs. Damn if she wouldn’t have to bathe with Jett…naked and alone this time. He was so going to know all she could think about was riding his cock. She was also going to have to figure out how to get Brax back into the house. It wasn’t fair that he had to stay away from his own home.

  “Will Brax come back while we’re gone?” she asked.

  “Do not worry about him,” Jett snapped.

  She flinched at the hardness in his voice before she realized it was just Jett. Jett was all bark and no bite. His gruff demeanor was just to cover his hurt.

  But why was he hurt? And why would it bother her so much? Of course, the Xeno Sapiens had been through hell and back. But something about Jett tugged at her heartstrings.

  They finished eating in silence and washed the dishes together. His tone had gentled somewhat as if he warred with himself to be sociable. As they headed out into the cave beyond the den to get to the hot springs, Heather grabbed a small woven basket to put their things in. Jett filled it with two towels and another large shirt for her and some leggings.

  “Do you ever use the shower and tub in your bathrooms?” she asked. Back when she was cleaning, they were rarely used.

  “Yes. When it grows colder out. The water in the hot spring cools off, too. Or at least it feels cooler when the temperature drops.”

  “I guess we better enjoy it as much as possible.”

  “We’ll pick you up some clothes today,” he said gruffly.

  She imagined the few pieces of junk she owned had been sorted over by the motel where she had stayed by now. Not that there was any big loss there. Her stuff had probably been tossed to the street.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  He took the basket from her, and she couldn’t help but notice how the muscles on the sides of his arms bulged effortlessly. Her insides melted. This was obviously going to be a sexual relationship—but she wasn’t sure how it would work. At the moment, it seemed as if the brothers were giving her a chance to choose between them. Somehow that didn’t seem right. She didn’t want to be the one to make the choice.

  Jett set the basket down at the edge of the pool and she watched as he dropped his pants. He didn’t have an ounce of self-consciousness…and neither should she. Hell, they’d seen every inch of her. She’d seen them.

  She pulled the sleep shirt over her head and, naked, turned to him. A light flared in his eyes, but it was probably because she didn’t need to be told to strip. Instead, she inserted her hand in his.

  He looked down at their joined hands briefly. His skin was so different compared to hers…so bright. Beautiful. She was plain Jane, practically as plain as the other humans. She wondered if this was how she appeared to the others growing up. As if she—with her unusual red hair—was the bright one. She was teased mercilessly, until she grew up and realized it was simply ignorance. The same ignorance she displayed with the twins.

  “Come,” he said and waded into the water with her. They moved to the same seated area as they had yesterday with Brax. The thought of it made her blush as she remembered him bringing her pleasure in front of Jett.

  She couldn’t help but be worried about Brax. Where could he be? Was he bored? Hungry? She didn’t dare ask Jett—not that she was still afraid to incur his wrath but because now she knew the reminder would not only worry him about his brother but would bring him pain. Deep down, she knew he was the sensitive one. The protector. Obviously, whomever she chose, the other wasn’t going to like it. She really hated being in this position.

  Chapter Three

  As soon as she and Jett approached the steps to the main building of the Xeno Sapien city, Heather was aware of being stared at. It was as if every creature there looked at her with censure filling their gaze. Disgust strewn across their faces. Did they not approve of her splitting up the brothers? She never asked them to. Of course, maybe they were showing their disgust at her almost killing Beast.

  Unconsciously, she moved closer to Jett, seeking his touch. He locked an arm around her shoulders and scowled at the remaining people on the step, who moved out of the way.

  “Thank you,” she whispered to Jett, indicating he could lift his arm from her shoulders.

  But he didn’t. He held her tightly, and she didn’t mind it one bit. She loved it. He led her inside the building where she blinked a couple times to adjust to the indoor lights. She’d been here before, during her orientation for employment. And of course, she’d been in to pick up supplies each Tuesday when she cleaned the twins’ den.

  From the kitchen area came a green-haired Xeno Sapien woman, a box of groceries in her arms. Heather recognized her immediately though she’d never met her. She’d seen her on the news feeds. Lily Xeno Sapien had been the spokesperson for the bunch—as a teenager. She was the planet’s little sweetheart. However, she hadn’t been seen much since getting kidnapped and forcibly matured nearly overnight.

  “Hello, you two.” Lily smiled in a toothy grin, her beauty unrivaled. “What are you up to?”

  “Same as you,” Jett said. “Getting groceries.”

  “That’s right,” she said, looking at Heather. “You’re the one who cooks! Heather, isn’t it? I’m Lily. Brax has been raving about your cooking. One of these days, we’ll have to get together and try out some dishes together.”

  “She is on probation,” Jett said.

  “Oh, pooh! My mate is head of security. I’m sure we can have her over. Not too soon,” she said, winking. “I’ll let you get acclimated to living here. In the meantime, I have to live up to your cooking skills. A feat I hear about constantly with Brax.” She heaved the box higher into her arms, turning to leave. “And goddess knows that Xeno can eat…” she grumbled, though, with the smile on her lips, Heather knew she was teasing.

  So that was where Brax was. For a second, jealousy clung to Heather until she remembered Lily said my mate. The beautiful Xeno Sapien was mated. Relief washed through her, but she immediately felt guilty when she realized Jett watched her carefully.

  “Robyn wishes to see you,” Jett said, acknowledging Robyn waving through her large office window.

  He steered her down the hallway. Heather wasn’t sure about how to act around Robyn. The doctor who’d rescued the Xeno Sapiens had been her friend. But like everyone else, she’d ostracized her when everyone else in the city did. Heather felt guilty for her actions, sure. But she was also angered that her gramma was out there, on the grounds somewhere, taking care of Robyn’s child that Heather hadn’t even known existed. Robyn had never told her.

  “I will be right back.” He left before she could protest, leaving her no choice but to enter Robyn’s office.

  “Hi, Heather. Please, sit down.”

  Heather did as requested though she perched on the edge of the seat.

  “How are you doing?” Robyn asked gently.

  “I’m fine.”

  “I know it’s been a huge adjustment since you were released. I want you to know that everyone is giving you space right now, in case you took it as alienation.”

  “Everyone?”

  “Your gramma. Me. Sunny. Beast. Amanda. Not to mention, those damn twins are so possessive over you.” Her eyes t
winkled as she said it.

  Heather felt herself soften. “I don’t understand. Brax is gone, and Jett won’t tell me where. I just met Lily, and she said he was at her place.”

  “They didn’t talk to you?” Robyn sighed. “Who knows what’s going on through their brains? What it all boils down to is they’re men, and it could be anything. I suspect they don’t want to overwhelm you, so they’re caring for you one on one. It’s probably just for a week or two. But who knows? I’d talk to Jett.”

  “I tried. He gets grumpy whenever I speak about Brax.”

  “He probably misses him. They’ve never been separated, though they’re not far from each other.”

  “I didn’t want them separated at all! I knew they were together all the time. It wasn’t a big deal for me.” She glanced outside the window. “I think everyone is upset that I caused such a disruption.”

  “No, honey, that’s not it at all.”

  “Then they’re upset that I nearly murdered one of their own.”

  “No. They’re protective of each other, but they don’t hold grudges. And they know that you had no choice.”

  “Something isn’t right. People are off around me. Especially Jett and Brax.”

  Robyn leaned in. “It’s just the situation. Three people are an odd number, Heather. It takes a perfect balance on all three sides to it pull off. It’s actually pretty clever of them to strengthen the sides of the triangle this way before all three of you live together in the same household. Maybe things were unbalanced. Maybe they were both so focused on you, they weren’t focusing on each other? Who knows what wasn’t working that they thought they’d reset? I would just ride it out. It’ll work itself out.”

  “I guess.”

  “Sunny wants me to be sure and let you know that she and Beast never thought you were guilty. She knew you were being blackmailed, and she doesn’t hold you responsible.”