“Why?”

Sunshine paused. “I don’t know if I’m allowed to say.”

The implied secret piqued Kat’s suspicious nature. Where they hiding something?

“Well, I guess it would be okay to say it’s called the Wild Zone for a reason. Some of us aren’t as civilized as others. They were badly mistreated at Mercile so humans aren’t their friends. They live there to avoid running into any except for mates. Ta…” She stopped. “A mate lives there year-round. Of course her mate is very protective so she’s safe from anyone being mean to her.”

“She’s human?” It was a calculated guess.

“Yes. There’s no harm in telling you that.”

“So why would a woman be sorry to end up with a Wild Zone mate? I am curious.”

Sunshine cut into her meat and glanced at her. “Wild. Get it? They aren’t so polite. Your females see Justice on television and assume all have his manners. They would be wrong. The Wild Zone males wouldn’t use polite words and conversation with a female. They’d just want to seduce a female. They aren’t into extended discussions first, if you know what I mean. They like sex and can get a little carried away. A male would get a woman to say yes and then go right for the good spots. I know human females are used to human males taking things much slower. Species love burying their faces between a female’s thighs. Often.”

“Oh.” Kat took a bite of her steak. It was delicious. She thought about what she’d learned. “They just go for it, huh?”

Sunshine grinned. “It makes for hot sex but they are a little rough. I don’t know if a human could handle it. They wouldn’t hurt them or force the issue but it would be a wild ride.”

Darkness flashed in her mind. He’d implied he liked rough sex. “How rough?”

“Our males are strong. I haven’t shared sex with one of yours but I’ve seen  p**n  videos on the internet.” She hissed. “I don’t want to share sex with one of your males. I’d break his jaw if he called me some of the things I’ve heard them say to their partners and they seem very selfish.” She snorted. “Ever see the massage videos? They play with the female but don’t get her off, then shove their dicks at them. How is that mutual pleasure? They find it but the female gets the shaft. Did you notice my innuendo there?”

Kat laughed.

“Most of them don’t know what to do when they go down on a female either. How is it satisfying to have them lick around your clit? It looks annoying.”

“Those videos are pretty sad.”

Sunshine peered at her curiously. “How are human males in reality?”

“Not like those videos or they wouldn’t have sex often. I’d never have sex if even half of that shit is what really goes on in a bedroom. Those things turn my stomach.”

“Do you have a mate? I don’t smell a male on you but you’ve recently showered.”

“No. I’m single.”

“You’re an attractive female. I thought all of you wanted mates. I assume you chose not to have one.”

Kat shifted in her seat, reminded of her last conversation with her mother. It had been more of a lecture. She wasn’t giving the woman grandkids and that apparently was a disappointment. “I work a lot. Some men are intimidated by my job and don’t appreciate knowing they come second on my list of priorities.”

“You solve crimes. That’s important. They should be proud.”

“I think they mostly feel irritated or neglected because I love what I do. I admit my last relationship ended because of a case I worked. I missed his birthday party and then stood him up a week later at his best friend’s wedding because of work. He gave me an ultimatum and didn’t like my answer.”

“What was the ultimatum?”

“Him or my job.”

“Oh. That’s sad.” Sunshine took a bite.

That summed up Kat’s life. The job came first and everything else second.

“I have recently considered taking a mate.”

Sunshine’s announcement brought her out of her thoughts. “Really? What is he like?”

“I haven’t chosen one yet. It would be difficult. The males I share sex with all have their good qualities and flaws.”

“How many are you sleeping with?”

“I don’t allow them to sleep in my bed. That would imply a commitment I’m not willing to make yet. Our males tend to get possessive fast if you don’t set boundaries. They respect those. Your world is different from mine. Sharing sex with many males is considered bad where you come from. Here?” Sunshine smiled. “Have you seen our males? I am a female with a healthy sex drive. We don’t have to worry about sexual diseases or pregnancies. It would be strange not to share sex often with different males unless we wanted a mate.”

Kat wasn’t one to judge. “I was just curious. I don’t know much about New Species.”

“To allow a male to spend the night in your bed would give him the idea that he could just sleep there every night. There’s a saying you’d know. Give them an inch and they will take a mile. They are aggressive so you have to be just as aggressive. Remember that while you’re here because some of the males will come after you. They view humans as more submissive and easier to dominate.”

“Okay. I’ll remember that.”

“Kick the male out of your bed if you allow one to share sex with you. Tell him to leave afterward. Don’t cuddle with him. Well, unless he’s a primate. They tend to need that or their feelings get hurt but cut it off after about five minutes. Otherwise they’ll try to press you to stay. They can be persuasive.”