“Uh-oh.” Richard backed away and used his fingers to make a cross. “It’s that time of the month, huh? You should have warned me. I would have brought chocolates to toss your way when you hit the worst of the PMS stage. It does my wife wonders.”

“Ovulation. Not menstruation,” Smiley scoffed. “How is it that I know more about females than you do when you have a mate?”

A blush heated Richard’s cheeks. “Oh.” He suddenly grinned. “That’s good news. The other monthly visitor scares me.”

She shook her head. “Nice. Can we drop this subject? I’m starving and I want to go to lunch.”

Smiley opened the door before she reached it. He inhaled deeply and softly growled. “You do smell good.”

“Stop saying that.”

“Do I see a hint of romance between the two of you?”

“Shut up, Richard. No.” She gave Smiley a pointed look. “Behave.”

“I am trying,” Smiley said to Richard, grinning. “So far she keeps turning me down.”

“Smiley is a nice guy,” Richard vouched. “You should date him.”

“I’m seeing someone, remember? I’m also starving so let it drop. My personal life isn’t a topic I want to discuss.”

They drove to the cafeteria but Smiley paused by the door. “Your scent really is growing stronger. Tomorrow you need to do something about it or I’ll have to bring you lunch at the office for a few days. The males will begin to notice and pick it up. I suggest you don’t get too close to them.”

Richard chuckled. “No offense but I’m glad I can’t smell you.”

“You’re missing out.” Smiley’s gaze traveled slowly down Zandy’s body in a clearly sensual way. “She smells good enough to eat.”

Heat warmed her cheeks. “Slade North told me to be blunt so here goes, Smiley. You’re a good-looking man but I’m never going to be interested in you. It’s starting to get on my nerves.”

He gave a sharp nod of his head. “I understand. I will not state my desire for you again.”

She smiled at him. “It’s nothing personal. You’re a great guy. Very hunky. Please don’t be offended.”

“I understand. You are aroused by another.”

“Let’s not go there,” she said quickly. “It’s…well, that’s private. Being aroused by someone shouldn’t be discussed or shared. It’s a human thing. We can’t tell that about each other and it’s a good thing.”

Smiley’s gaze slid to Richard. “I understand.”

Richard gasped. “I arouse you? Really? Wow, I’m flattered.”

Zandy snorted. “It’s not you so don’t even go there. I want this dropped now. Enough.” She glanced at Smiley. “And you need to stop sniffing at me and making comments about my body.”

He sighed. “Fine. I won’t bring up the subject again but you’re banned from coming here after today for a few days. Your scent will draw the attention of males.”

“Okay. I’ll take your word on that. Can we eat now?”

He nodded and waved his arm for her to precede him. “Just try to keep at least five feet of space between you and males today.”

“I’ll try my best.”

It quickly became apparent that there was a problem when they joined the line for the buffet. New Species turned in line to stare at her. She caught interested stares from more of them at nearby tables. One of the males walked right up to her with a serious expression.

“I’m Ascend. Would you like to eat lunch with me?”

She gawked a little at the big, handsome male officer wearing an NSO uniform before her brain began to function again. “No thank you.”

He spun away to return to his table. Smiley stepped closer to her until they were almost touching. “It’s stronger than I thought. I’m primate and my sense of smell isn’t as good as the canines or the felines. I’m going to stay with you today while you eat until we leave. It will dissuade most of them from approaching you again.”

Zandy was stunned by the amount of male attention she drew. She couldn’t glance anywhere in her vicinity without meeting men’s intense stares. Her cheeks warmed, knowing the reason for their sudden fascination with her. She didn’t complain about Smiley being nearly glued to her side.

“Shit,” Richard whispered. “Is it just me or are we being stared at?”

“She is drawing attention,” Smiley sighed.

A chair scraped loudly on the floor and Zandy turned her head to see the source of the noise. Tiger stood up across the room and came at them quickly. The tense expression on his face made him appear angry. He stormed right up to them and glared at her escort.

“Back off from her. You’re too close. I assigned you to escort her, not rub against her body.”

Smiley took a big step back. “She is beginning her ovulation cycle. The canine and feline males are picking it up stronger than I did. I thought I’d stick very close to her to dissuade other males from approaching to ask her to share sex with them.”

Richard chuckled and Zandy shot him a murderous glare for being amused. It wasn’t funny to her. It was embarrassing, bordering on humiliating to have her body functions discussed so openly.

Tiger’s gaze held hers when he stepped closer. His beautiful eyes narrowed as he sniffed. “You should go to your apartment now. I’ll have lunch sent to you. Take a few days off until your cycle passes.”