Read Online Freaks Under Fire by Maree Anderson - Free Book Online

the way those female parts had recently been put to use.
    Tyler pressed a kiss to her forehead, smoothed the tangles from her face.
    Jay gazed into his eyes, noted his smug expression, and blurted, “I must thank Nessa the next time I see her.”
    Tyler stiffened, and his expression blanked in the careful way of a young male trying not to reveal his emotions—a
tell
that informed Jay he was struggling with some inner turmoil.
    Oh dear. Apparently, bringing up your partner’s ex immediately after engaging in intercourse was a surefire way to ruin the mood. It was at times like this it became abundantly clear to Jay that, when it came to relationships, she still had a great deal to learn.
    She smacked Tyler lightly on the arm. “Stop over-thinking it. From what I know—” she tapped her head to indicate knowledge based solely on books and texts and online data “—if both participants are virgins, sex can be very awkward. It was my first time, Tyler, but obviously not yours. I made an educated guess based on my own observations, known facts and rumor, that your first time was with Nessa, and that she was not a virgin when you began dating her. I merely wished to express my gratitude for your expertise.”
    He opened his mouth, clamped it shut again, shook his head. And to Jay’s relief, his lips finally curved into a wry grin.
    “For the record,” he drawled, “it’s better form to compliment the guy directly to show your appreciation for his, ah,
expertise
, rather than give all the credit to his ex-girlfriend. And FYI, now that Nessa’s in a stable relationship, it might not be the best idea to bring up her past. Sure, she got around at high school and had a bad rep, but Chandler might not know that, okay? I know you ’n Nessa are friends now, but it could be kinda awkward to bring up that stuff.”
    Jay processed this information and made another educated guess. “You still have reservations about her. And you do not feel comfortable with her knowing intimate details of our relationship.”
    He nodded and flopped onto the mattress beside her, flinging an arm over his eyes. “People always used to underestimate Nessa because of the way she dressed.”
    Jay recalled her first encounter with Tyler’s ex-girlfriend, and had to agree. Nessa had appeared to crave the kind of attention she’d received from hormone-fueled young males who couldn’t see beyond her brief, too-tight clothing, bottle-blond hair, and liberal application of cosmetics.
    “It was one of the things that used to frustrate the hell out of me when we were dating,” Tyler was saying. “You know, that she coasted by on her looks and used them to get what she wanted. I always knew she was smart, though. She just used to hide it really well.”
    “Yes, she is quite intelligent.” Jay wasn’t merely being kind. Among other indications, Nessa had been smart enough to finally trust Jay and reveal that Sixer was blackmailing her for information.
    As though reading Jay’s mind, Tyler said, “I’d bet my guitar she knows there’s something off about Sixer. And right now, she thinks you’re a little bit, um—”
    “Eccentric?”
    He snorted. “Eccentric’s as good a word as any for your awesome cyborg skills, I guess. Look, Nessa respects you and trusts you, Jay. You helped her when it would have been easier to leave her hang. God knows she would have deserved it after what she pulled. But if she ever starts comparing you with Sixer—”
    “She might guess we’re not human.”
    “Yeah.” He pulled Jay close and spooned her, his arms tightening around her protectively. “And even though you and Nessa are friends and all, the way I see it, the fewer people who know what you are, the safer you’ll be.”
    And the safer Tyler and his family, and Nessa, and everyone Jay had interacted with, would be.
    “I understand. I’ll be careful around her.” She alligator-rolled within the circle of Tyler’s arms until she faced him.
    “What